Presentation of Signees Made by Coaching Staff
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University head women's soccer coach
Noreen Herlihy has announced that 11 high school seniors have signed letters of intent to play for The Rock beginning in the fall of 2013.
“I am very pleased to announce we have 11 student-athletes that have signed national letters with us,” said Herlihy. “We have an outstanding group of diverse women in this group and we feel like they will be able to make an immediate impact as we look to defend our title next fall.”
Slippery Rock, ranked No. 14 in the final Division II national rankings in 2012, is the reigning Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference champion and has made back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Round of 16. The Rock has put together 17 consecutive winning seasons, all with at least 10 wins, which ranks as the eighth-longest streak of its kind in Division II history.
The group off 11 newcomers that will join the team in the fall includes athletes at all four positions and athletes from five different states. The group includes two goalkeepers, four defenders, two forwards, one midfielder and two players that can play either forward or midfield. Four of the athletes hail from Pennsylvania, while three are from Ohio, two each are from Maryland and Michigan and one is from Virginia.
2013 is set to be a big year in the history of The Rock women's soccer program, as it marks the 20-year anniversary of the program that was founded in 1993. The first class of women's soccer players will be inducted into the SRU Soccer Ring of Honor in 2013 and a host of other special events will celebrate the milestone. More information about all special events surrounding the 20th anniversary will be announced this summer.
A brief profile of each of the 11 student-athletes that have signed letters of intent to play at Slippery Rock is posted below. A presentation that was put together by The Rock coaching staff is also available as a PDF document at the top of this page.
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-2
Hometown: Moon Township, Pa.
High School: Moon Area High School
Club Team: North United Fire
Clough was a four-year starter for a strong Moon soccer program. Last fall she was chosen as an ALL-WPIAL and All-Section player after leading her team to a state championship. Clough is also a member of a North United Fire team that was State Cup Champions in 2009 and 2011.
Herlihy Says: “Marissa is tenacious and technically a very solid center midfielder. Her work ethic and determination will truly make her an asset to this program.”
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 5-6
Hometown: Manassas, Va.
High School: Bishop O'Connell
Club Team: Herndon Firecats
Cox is a four-year varsity goalkeeper at Bishop O'Connell in Virginia, where she received second team All-Conference honors. She has also seed success at the club level, where she won a State Cup in 2010 with the Herndon Firecats. In addition, Cox was also a member of a very strong Virginia State Olympic Development Program in 2009 and 2010.
Herlihy Says: “Ashley is a very technical goalkeeper who distributes the ball very well. She is also a fine shot stopper and will be a great addition to our program.”
Position: Defender
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Solon, Ohio
High School: Solon High School
Club Team: Cleveland Futbol Club
Daukss, a center back, was the captain of a team at Solon that was district champion and a regional finalist last fall. She is also an All-Conference selection.
Herlihy Says: ”Ariana is a technically sound defender and has the great defensive attributes of tackling and strength. She will provide us with good possession out of the back and she is also very strong in the air.”
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Height: 5-9
Hometown: Jefferson, Md.
High School: Brunswick High School
Club Team: FC Frederick
Demich can play forward or attacking midfield and was a four-year varsity starter at Brunswick High School. She guided Brunswick to two state finals and is the all-time leading goal scorer in school history. She received All-State accolades as a junior in 2011 and again as a senior in 2012 and earned All-County accolades in all four years. Demich is also a member of a strong FC Frederick team in Maryland.
Herlihy Says: “Dara is a very versatile player who can either play centrally or out wide. She has the ability to make an impact as a freshman and will be pushing for a starting spot.”
Position: Forward
Height: 5-3
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH=hio
High School: Lakota East High School
Club Team: Ohio Elite SA ECNL
Felix is a talented forward that comes from Lakota East High School, where she was a two-year captain and the team's Most Valuable Player. She was a two-time first team Division I All-Southwest Ohio player and a three year first team All-Conference player. Felix currently plays her club soccer for the Ohio Elite SA team that competes in the Elite Clubs National League.
Herlihy Says: “Andi is a wonderful all around center forward who can score goals, but also does a fantastic job linking up with midfielders. She has the potential to come in and make an immediate impact.”
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Height: 5-6
Hometown: Wilcox, Pa.
High School: Johnsonburg High School
Fowler was a standout forward at Johnsonburg High School, where she was among the top players in the Allegheny Mountain League in each of the last two seasons. She is a two-time All-League selection and was named the league's Most Valuable Player in each of the last two seasons.
Herlihy Says: “Rhianon is a tremendous athlete with a great attitude and work ethic. she will be a fine addition to our program.”
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 5-8
Hometown: Frostburg, Md.
High School: Mountain Ridge High School
Club Team: FC Frederick
Hegeman, a goalkeeper from Mountain Ridge High School, has won a number of awards throughout a great high school career that started in 2009. From 2010-2012, she was a first team selection to the All-Conference team and a first team pick for the Cumberland Times News All-Area Team. Last fall, Hegeman was named the All-Area Defensive Player of the Year and followed that up by earning All-State honors. Hegeman has also been a part of the Maryland Olympic Development Program from 2008-2011 and is a Region 1 champion with her club FC Frederick.
Herlihy Says: “Annabelle, affectionately known as 'Lucas', is truly a great athlete in between the posts. She is very commanding in the box and has all the tools to challenge for a number one spot.”
Position: Defender
Height: 5-5
Hometown: Somerset, Pa.
High School: Somerset Area High School
Club Team: Laurel Highlands FC
Lenzi is a standout defender from Somerset Area High School, where she has been among the top players in the conference throughout the last three years. She earned All-State honors as a senior and was named to the All-Conference team in each of her final three seasons. She was a two-time All-County selection and a two-time Defensive Player of the Year in the county.
Herlihy Says: ”Megan is very athletic and a solid defender. Her understanding of the game and passing ability will allow her to be competitive within our defensive group.”
Position: Defender
Height: 5-8
Hometown: West Bloomfield, Mich.
High School: Andover High School
Club Team: Force Football Club
Neef was twice named the team's Most Valuable Player as a defender at Andover High School in Michigan. She earned the team's top honor in each of her last two seasons, when she also served as a team captain. On top of her athletic accomplishments, Neef is also a three-time Scholar-Athlete Award winner. She is also active on the club level, where she helped the Force Football Club to the Super Y-League National Tournament's runner-up position.
Herlihy Says: ”Lynn is a defender with great composure. Her size and athleticism will be well suited to a rigorous PSAC schedule.”
Position: Defender
Height: 5-3
Hometown: Medina, Ohio
High School: Medina High School
Club Team: Cleveland Futbol Club
Scullin is a center back from Medina High School that was a very accomplished player for both her club and high school programs. In 2012 she was named the team's Most Valuable Player, earned first team All Conference honors, was named the District Player of the Year, earned All-Ohio first team honors and was named to the NSCAA All-Region team. The Cleveland Futbol Club player was also a State Cup Champion in 2009 and 2010 on the club level.
Herlihy Says: ”Marisa epitomizes the true modern center back with her composure and passing ability. Her pace and tenacity make her a very strong defender and she will definitely make an impact.”
Position: Forward
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Linden, Mich.
High School: Linden High School
Club Team: Michigan Hawks
Thornton is currently entering into her senior year high school soccer season as a standout player that obtained first team All-Conference, All-District and All-Region honors as a junior last year. She also plays on a very talented Michigan Hawks team that was State Cup Champions in 2011 and Region II championship semifinalists in 2012.
Herlihy Says: “Sam has great size, strength and power and is truly a great all-around athlete. She is a very versatile player and is expected to make an immediate impact.”
