Soccer Lands Nine Recruits During Signing Period

by YSU

Monday, Feb 10, 2014 6:48 pm

The Youngstown State women's soccer program has signed nine student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to join the Penguins for the 2014 season, Head Coach Will Lemke announced.

The class includes M/F Katie Hackos (York, Pa.), M/F Abby Kenski (Erie, Pa.), M/D Alex Kithcart (Hudson, Ohio), GK Hope Knussman (Easton, Md.), M Kyler Lum (Pulaski, Pa.), D/M Marissa Martin (Dublin, Ohio), M/D Sophie McFarland (Brownsburg, Ind.), F/CM Stephanie Reyes (Cordova, Md.), and F/M Sydney Riddle (Solon, Ohio).

"We are extremely excited to welcome the 2014 recruiting class because of the quality and depth it will add to our team on both sides of the ball," Lemke said. "Last year, we were decimated with injuries throughout our line-up, which stymied our attack and also led to some inconsistencies in our defense.

"Consequently, we really wanted to add depth, flexibility and attacking quality to our squad.  The size and quality of this class will allow us to be much more flexible, and adaptable on both sides of the ball."

Hackos scored 21 goals as a senior and was named all-county her junior and senior year at Central York High School.

"Katie has excellent pace and reads the game exceptionally well," Lemke said. "She has the ability to create scoring opportunities on her own as well as set up her teammates."

Kenski, a three-time first-team all-region pick, scored 65 goals with 80 assists in during her career at Erie McDowell High School, including 18 goals and 22 assists as a senior.

"Abby is a creative attacker who has the technical range to provide depth to our attack in many different positions," Lemke said.

Kithcart was named second-team all-conference as a senior at Walsh Jesuit High School and scored three goals with seven assists. During her career, she scored seven goals with 15 assists and help lead her team to three state championships.

"Alex is a very  smart and flexible player who can play many different positions in the midfield and defensive lines," Lemke said. "I think that her intensity and intelligence will help her find a role quickly in our system."

Knussman posted eight shutouts during her senior season at Easton High School and was a two-time first-team all-conference selection.

"Hope  is an excellent athlete with very good size and range as a shot stopper.  She is very sound technically, has excellent distribution and very good control of the box.  She has the potential to immediately battle for the #1 jersey.

Lum set Wilmington Area High School career record with 120 goals with 54 assists, including 32 goals and 18 assists as a senior. She earned regional player-of-the-year honors four times and was named all-district in 2012 and 2013.

"Kyler is a very technical and creative player who is an excellent playmaker and scorer," Lemke said. "She has the potential to add great deal of flexibility and depth to our attack."

Martin was named second-team all-district and helped Dublin Jerome High School to a state runners-up finish.

"Marissa is a very athletic and versatile player with very strong skill set," Lemke said. She has the athleticism, strength and technical ability to make a difference on both sides of the ball.  I expect her to make an immediate make an impact on our defensive line."

McFarland was a four-year letterwinner and two-time captain at Brownsburg High School. She scored a goal with eight assists during her career at defender.

"Sophie is another very flexible player who can play in the midfield or the back line," Lemkle said. "She has very good technical range, a strong aerial game and is a very rugged defender."

Reyes owns the Easton High School records for most goals in a career (69) and single-season (26). She recorded 42 career assists and was a three-time captain.

"Stephanie is an exceptional  attacking talent who has a great technical skill set and athleticism," Lemke said. "She is player who has the potential to be an impact player in our system and will significantly upgrade our attack as a midfielder or a forward."

Riddle posted 75 goals and 45 assists during her career at Solon High School. An All-Greater Cleveland First-Team selection, she helped her prep squad to a state runner-up finish as in 2011.  She also scored five goals in a game on two separate occasions.

"Sidney is another versatile and dynamic attacker who can find a way to score in a variety ways from many different positions," Lemke said. "We expect her to immediately increase our attacking flexibility and depth."

No comments posted...