University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics
Soccer Signs 11 to 2012 Class
2/3/2012 3:48:00 PM | Soccer
The Ragin' Cajuns soccer team signed 11 student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent to study and play soccer at the University of Louisiana starting in the summer of 2012, head coach Scot Wieland announced Friday.
“I am very excited about this 2012 group as there is a lot of talent and experience at all positions,” Wieland said. “With players coming from all areas I believe that this classes diversity and level of talent will add a lot of depth to our returning group for 2012, the area's that we have covered with this group not only will solidify our offense, defense and goal keeping but it's the depth of our roster next fall that I am most excited about.”
Joining the Cajuns in the fall are goalkeepers Claire Steward and Cory DeMarco; defenders Abby Schmidt, Kayleigh Thomson and Ashley Gussoni; midfielders Taylor Robichaud, Brooke Gros, Kim Moreau and Claire Ruehle; and forwards Meghan Leitz and Elizabeth Manuel.
“We have such a great core returning along with leadership and girls coming back healthy from injuries this past fall,” Wieland added. “I am eagerly awaiting a full roster and the depth that we will have at every position which should make for a very competitive atmosphere. I have really enjoyed the recruiting process of these young ladies and getting to know them and their families as they have all demonstrated great character and leadership along with their excellence both in the classroom and on the field. These are the qualities I look for when recruiting future Ragin' Cajuns.”
Claire Steward 5-8 GOALKEEPER St. Louis, Mo.
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High School Mehlville Senior High Four year varsity starter Captain 2011, 2012 Honor Roll/National Honor Society MSH Outstanding Academic Achievement Award 2009,10,11,12 All-Conference 2011,12 Panther Award Goalkeeper MVP 2011 All Academic 2009, 10, 11, 12 Defensive Player of Year 09 Club Team Kolping Kicks Soccer Club Show Me State Champion 2010 Governors Cup Champion 2009 FAA Champions 2010 |
Coach Wieland on Claire: “Claire is a very athletic Goal Keeper and we expect her to come in and compete for play time right away, she shows great leadership in the back and isvery technical. Shot stopping, kicking game and athleticism are her strengths and we are excited about her future as a Ragin' Cajun!”
Meghan Leitz 5-5 FORWARD Montgomery, Texas
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High School Montgomery High School Academic All-District 2011 First Team All-District 2010, 11, 12 Offensive MVP 2010 Team MVP 2011 Captain 2012 Club Challenge Soccer Club |
Coach Wieland on Meghan: “Meghan is a very explosive forward with a knack for getting behind defenders with her speed and tenacity, she has great work ethic and I expect Meghan to compete for serious play time up top right away. Meghan will add to a high pressuring offense next fall and her opportunistic style of scoring w/her speed will show well offensively for us Cajuns next fall!”
Taylor Robichaud 5-8 MIDFIELDER/DEFENDER Carlsbad, Calif.
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High School La Costa Canyon High School 2012 National Ranking California State Semi-Finalist 2010 Excalibur Champions 2011 DI CIF Champions 2010 Club San Diego Surf 2012 #11 National Ranking 2011 Surf Cup 3rd place 2010 Surf Cup 3rd Place 2010 Cal South National Cup Semi finalist USYS Cal South National Cup Semi-Finalist Presidio Premier League Champions 2009 |
Coach Wieland on Taylor: “Taylor is a very strong, athletic player who has played predominantly on the outside at either back or midfield, she has good size and strength which will serve her well defensively and her speed and tactical strength will assist in her attacking. I expect Taylor to compete at the outside back or midfield for play time next fall. Taylor had competed at a high level for quite some time in Southern California and that experience will be a great addition.”
Brooke Gros 5-5 CENTER MIDFIELDER New Orleans, La.
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High School Mount Carmel Academy All-State All-District Coaches Award Club Chicago Fire State Cup Champions 2009,11 ODP State Team 2009,10,11 |
Coach Wieland on Brooke: “Brooke is a very technical and smart center midfielder, she has great vision and composure in the midfield and she plays simple, meaning that her speed of play allows her to play quick and find feet rather than force situations. She not only had the composure to find her team mates but she is a threat to score outside the eighteen. We expect Brooke to battle for time in the center right away next fall.”
Elizabeth Manuel 5-4 FORWARD Mandeville, La.
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High School Mandeville High School Honor Roll First Team All-State Club Mandeville Lakers State Champion 2008,09,10 ODP State Team 2010, 11 Region Team 2011 |
Coach Wieland on Elizabeth: “Liz is a tenacious forward with great work ethic, her hard in the final third puts her into scoring opportunities and her confidence taking on players 1v1 continues to grow and grow. I am excited to see her progress at the next level because the competitive level will really elevate her game. Liz is expected to battle for play time as a goal scorer right away next fall.”
Kim Moreau 5-7 CENTER MIDFIELDER Lacombe, La.
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High School Saint Scholastica Academy 2x Division I State Champion Club Mandeville Lakers State Champion 2008,09,10 |
Coach Wieland on Kim: “Kim is a very competitive center midfielder, she is physical and is a ball winner. I feel that her strength on the ball and shooting ability from outside the eighteen will have her competing for play time next fall. Speed of play at the next level will only polish her skill and make her more dangerous as a center midfielder.”
Abby Schmidt 5-9 DEFENDER Mandeville, La.
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High School Mandeville High School MVP 2010 All-District All-State National Honor Society/Honor Roll Club Mandeville Lakers State Champions 2008, 09, 10 Captain 2008, 09 ODP State Team 2008, 09, 10 |
Coach Wieland on Abby: “Abby is a strong center back who anticipates 50/50 balls very well and is very good in the air, she has a very athletic frame for a center back and training at the next level will only help her strength and decision making in the back. Abby has the ability to earn play time next year in the back and has improved her game regarding quick decision making which is an important part of the college game when it comes to defenders and their dealing with immediate pressure.”
Cory DeMarco 5-5 GOALKEEPER Coronado, Calif.
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High School Coronado High School Union Tribune All Academic 2010,11,12 CIF Champions 2010,11,12 Western League Champions 2009,10,11,12 Regional Champions 2010 Regional Final MVP 2010 First Team All CIF 2010,11 First Team All League 20019,10 Coronado High School Athlete of the Year Captain Club Nado SC/Notts Forest SC Golden Glove Award 2011 |
Coach Wieland on Cory: “Cory is a very technical goal keeper and her athleticism has helped her become very good at coming off her line in 1v1 situations, her shot stopping ability and kicking game will have her competing for play time next fall. Cory has played in a very competitive league for many years and has played against some very talented forwards from southern California, because of that she has become a very confident keeper and has a attitude when it comes to protecting her penalty area.”
Claire Ruehle 5-6 MIDFIELDER Houston, Texas
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High School Mayde Creek High School Golden Ram Award/Honor Roll All-District 2010, 11, 12 Captain Blue Bell Invitational Tournament MVP 2011, 12 Defensive MVP Club Albion Hurricanes Soccer Club Disney Champions 2010, 11 3rd Place State 2010 1st Place State 2011 |
Coach Wieland on Claire: “Claire is a gazelle out on the flank and coaches love that speed accompanied with attacking ability, she has played a lot as an outside back but my plans are to move Claire a bit higher to have her speed get her into the attacking third more. Claire's athleticism and fitness level will put her in position to compete right away on the outside and I am excited to add her speed to our offense.
Kayleigh Thomson 5-7 DEFENDER London, Ontario, Canada
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High School A. B. Lucas Secondary Honor Roll Captain Club London Gryphons Captain Indoor League MVP 2008, Captain L.D.Y.S.L Champion, Captain, MVP 2007, 06 |
Coach Wieland on Kayleigh: “Kayleigh is a very strong physical defender mostly playing at the center back position, I feel that she will have an opportunity to compete for play time at either the center back position or at a defensive center midfield position. Kayleigh has competed for quite some time at a high level in Canada and will join fell team mates and returning Cajuns Grace Howell-Harries and Sam Taylor. I am excited about Kayleigh's strength and no nonsense attitude defensively.”
Ashley Gussoni 5-5 DEFENDER Mandeville, La.
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High School Mandeville High School Captain 2012 All-District Honor Roll Club Mandeville Lakers State Champions 2008, 09, 10 ODP State Team 2007, 08, 09, 10 |
Coach Wieland on Ashley: “Ashley is a very athletic player, I really liked her speed and ability to close down attacking players quickly as well as read and anticipate 50/50's. She will be a great addition to our defense or midfield as she not only defends well but her speed allows her to be dangerous in the attack. Ashley's athleticism and composer on the ball will give her a competitive edge next fall.
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