Feb. 7, 2012

University of Northern Iowa head women's soccer coach James Price has announced the signing of nine student-athletes to his 2012 recruiting class. 

Whitney Blunt (Waterloo, Iowa/Union), Rachel Carney (Walford, Iowa/Cedar Rapids Prairie), Annie Dale (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Xavier), Larin Gordon (Waterloo, Iowa/Columbus), Noel Mahood (La Porte City, Iowa/Union), Sarah McHugh (Chicago, Illinois/Carmel Catholic), Maggie Riley (Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny), Maddison Welch (Urbandale, Iowa/Dowling Catholic), and Katie Witt (Waukesha, Wisconsin/Wisconsin Lutheran) fill out the fourth recruiting class of Price's tenure at UNI. 

"The 2012 class is rich in quality and experience," Said Price. "We make no secret of the fact that we are trying to attract and bring the best talent in Iowa and the Midwest to UNI."

"These players will be looking to compete and play straight away, and help our program reach new levels."

Whitney Blunt, Goalkeeper, Waterloo IA / Union High School/Cedar Valley Select

Blunt has been a part of the Olympic Development Team for seven years and was a part of the 2008 State Cup Champions with CRSA.  Blunt earned All-Tournament Team and First-Team All-State in Class 1A in both 2010 and 2011.

Coach's Take: "Whitney has proven to be one of the top goalkeepers in the state of Iowa and with her distribution and shot stopping ability will provide competition at the goalkeeping position."

Rachel Carney, Midfield/Forward, Walford IA / CR Prairie HS/ Prairie SC

Carney was the leading scorer on her varsity team in 2010, tabbing her as an All-Metro Honorable Mention selection.  Carney was a 2011 varsity starter, earning a First Team All-Conference selection as well as a team letter.  Carney has Honors in World History and is a member of National Honor Society with the highest honor roll 4.0 and above GPA.

Coach's Take: "Rachel is an extremely quick athlete with the ability to create dangerous chances in the final third. She will be a constant threat and provide us with a speedy option out wide."

Annie Dale, Forward, Cedar Rapids IA / CR Xavier High School/EIU

Dale was a member of the Iowa 94 ODP team and a member of the 2008 Iowa State Cup Champions team with CRSA.  Dale was a four-year starter and won state titles in 2009, 2010, and 2011.  Dale was named the State Championship All-Tournament Team Captain in 2010 and 2011, including a First-Team All-State selection as a junior in 2011 and a Second-Team All-State honor as a sophomore in 2010. 

Coach's Take: "Annie is a feisty competitor with a knack for scoring decisive goals. She will provide us with a strong aerial threat, and an infectious personality."

Larin Gordon, Defender, Waterloo IA / Columbus High School/FC Midwest

Gordon was a member of the Iowa State Cup Championship team in the spring of 2007 and an Iowa ODP team member in 2007 and 2008.  Gordon was a State Cup Finalist in 2009 with EIU and a four-year varsity starter for Waterloo Columbus High School.  Gordon earned First-Team All-Metro in 2010 and 2011, First-Team All-Conference (WaMaC Conference) in 2009, 2010, and 2011, Second-Team All-State for Class 1A in 2009, and a member of the Columbus High School Honor Roll.  Gordon is a student-volunteer at the Walter Cunningham School of Excellence.

Coach's Take: "Larin is a tough, athletic defender with the ability to shut down opponents. She will provide depth in our backline."

Noel Mahood, Midfield, La Porte City IA / Union High School/EIU

Mahood was a varsity starter in 2009 and 2010 and helped lead her team to a semi-final appearance in 2009 and a runner-up finish in 2010.  Mahood helped her club team to a State Cup runner-up finish in 2010 and 2011 as well as a U17 MRL Fall runner-up.  Mahood was a member of the U19 2011 Toyota Cup Indoor Series Championship squad.

Coach's Take: "Noel is a strong mature athlete with a winning mentality. Due to her athleticism she is able to play in multiple positions, and will be a great addition to the squad."

Sarah McHugh, Defender, Chicago IL / Carmel Catholic High School / GSLA Libertyville

McHugh was a member of the Honor Roll, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, IHSA Scholar, and Illinois State Scholar in high school.  McHugh was named team MVP, earned an All-Conference selection, All-Sectional selection, All-Lake County selection, and an All-Area Honorable Mention team selection.  McHugh was her team's leading scorer. 

Coach's Take: "Sarah will add height and power to our back line, and has a natural ability to read the game from within a defensive unit."

Maggie Riley, Midfield,  Ankeny IA / Ankeny High School/ WDM/JUSC

Riley led her team to a State Cup Championship in 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012.  Riley was named Second-Team All-Conference as a freshman, sophomore, and junior as well as being named to the All-Tournament team.  Riley was a three-year letter winner and won a high school state championship.  Riley was a member of the student council, student leadership, National Honor Society, and Honor Roll. 

Coach's Take: "Maggie brings a very high level of technical and tactical ability. The quality of her first touch along with her passing range allows her to dictate the pace of a game."

Maddison Welch, Midfield/Forward, Urbandale IA / Dowling Catholic HS / WDM / JUSC

Welch was a member of National Honor Society in 2011 and 2012 as well as being named a Presidential Honor Roll Scholar for 2009, 2010, and 2011.  Welch was named to the Academic All-Conference team in high school and led her WDM Club team to a State Cup championship in 2008 and 2012.  Welch was a part of the Midwest Regional League Championship team with the WDM Force in 2010 and a part of the Olympic Development Program (ODP State Team) in 2010 and 2011.  She was named to the Second-Team All-CIML Conference team in 2011 and earned honorable mention All-CIML in 2009 and 2010.  Welch was a four-year varsity starter and earned varsity letters in 2009, 2010, and 2011.  Welch led Dowling Catholic to the state tournament in 2011.  Welch was the president of the Bishop Drumm Care Center from 2011-2012, Co-President of Operation Smile in 2011-2012, Co-President of the Ronald McDonald House from 2009-2011, a member of Kids Against Hunger/Meals from the Heartland from 2008-2011, Heart Connection Volunteer in 2009 and 2010, and an American Cancer Society Volunteer in 2009. 

Coach's Take: "Maddie is a terrific athlete with solid tactical awareness that can be an offensive threat from central and wide positions."

Katie Witt, Defender, Waukesha WI / Wisconsin Lutheran HS / FC Milwaukee

Witt was a three-year letter winner and earned All-Conference honors in 2009, including First-Team All-Conference in 2010 and 2011.  Witt was named to the All-Tournament team in 2010 and led her team to the Regional Championship in 2010 and 2011.  Witt helped her team to a sectional semifinal finish in 2009 and was a member of the FC Milwaukee team that won State Cup titles in 2009, 2010, and 2011.  Witt was also a member of the Honor Roll. 

Coach's Take: "Katie is a quick athletic defender with valuable high level club experience. She is equally comfortable playing in the central or fullback position and will look to contribute straight away."