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Women's Soccer
Panthers Announce 2009 Recruiting Class
May 18, 2009
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa soccer team has signed five players for the 2009 season. Ashley Capone (St. Charles, Ill./ St. Charles), Catherine “Kiki” McClellan (Aurora, Ill./ Waubonsie Valley), Kelsey Dolder (Iowa City, Iowa/ Iowa City West), Melissa Hagan (Massillon, Ohio/ Massillon Jackson) and Morgan Olsen (Woodridge, Ill./ Downers Grove North) all signed national letters-of-intent, UNI head coach James Price announced today.
“This is a class high in quality and experience, and they will help move the UNI soccer program forward,” Price said. “They join a strong returning group of players that will allow us to be competitive right from the first game. I am excited to see all the players arrive in August for pre-season with a hunger and passion to be successful in everything we do.”
Capone was a four year letterwinner at St. Charles High School in Illinois, earning all-conference honorable mention honors. She was also named team captain both her junior and senior seasons.
“Ashley has great technical ability and an explosive shot,” Price said. “She has strong leadership skills and we are looking for her to have a big impact on our squad.”
McClellan was a member of two Illinois high school state championships playing for Waubonsie Valley High School. During her junior and senior campaign the Warriors were undefeated and ranked as the No. 1 high school team in the country for the 2008 season.
“Kiki will bring a high level of athleticism to our midfield,” Price said. “She is strong in the air and has the ability to get into the box and score goals.”
Dolder earned first team All-Mississippi Valley Conference honors twice in addition to earning honorable mention all-state honors in 2007 and second team all-state honors in 2008. She also was named to the 2008 all-tournament team as prep at Iowa City West.
“Kelsey has tremendous vision and awareness along with a cultured left foot,” Price said. “She will provide excellent balance to our team and will be dangerous from set pieces.”
Hagan, a native of Massillion, Ohio, earned all-conference and all-district honors in 2008 in addition to being the team captain. In addition, her club team won the Ohio state cup in 2008.
“Melissa can play centrally or in a wide position,” Price said. “She possesses a great first touch, has a wide passing range and is willing to take players on with her dribbling ability.”
Olsen was a four year varsity starter, earning all-conference, all-area and all-section honors in 2006, 2007 and 2008 as a prep at Downers Grove North in Woodridge, Ill. Olsen was a three-year team captain as well as being a member of the student advisory board.
“Morgan is an athletic defender that has excellent organizational skills and superior positional sense,” Price said. “She will bring invaluable experience at the club level to the UNI backline and will make an impact right away.”
The Panthers open the 2009 season playing at home, Friday, August 21 against South Dakota State.
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