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Women's Soccer Adds Five
March 15, 2004 | Women's Soccer
March 15, 2004
LOUISVILLE, KY - The University of Louisville women's soccer team has announced five high school student athletes who will join them in the Fall of 2004.
"We continue to enhance the level of recruits every year, and this class is no different," said Head Coach Karen Ferguson.
"This year was a unique situation in that we had no seniors to replace, yet we were able to bring in a recruiting class that will compete for playing time in their first season."
5-3 MF FR Naperville, IL/Neuqua Valley HSClub: Windy City PrideAll-Conference, All-Academic Conference, All-City Team, All-Area and All-Sectional midfielder for the Wildcats. High school team won Conference, Regional and Sectional and was a state finalist. Played for 2003 National Champion Illinois ODP. Club team was WAGS Champs and State Cup Champions.
Ferguson on Avila: "Jen is a versatile player who will see playing time as either an attacking midfielder or as a forward. She's active, can read the game well and is a great communicator on the field. Jen will have a wonderful career here as a student athlete because she is passionate about everything she does."
Why Avila chose UofL? " I chose the University of Louisville because of it's wonderful coaches, it's amazing facilities and the great capabilities that the women's soccer team holds"
5-4 MF FR Edmonton, Alberta Club: Edmonton Victoria / Edmonton AviatorsMember of the Canadian National Team program since 2001. Developed in Alberta's Provincial team program, beginning in 2000 on U-14 squad. Her U-17 Provincial Team won the National Championship.
Ferguson on Gjini: "Monique's experiences with the Canadian National teams will allow her to make an immediate impact at the collegiate level. She is an intelligent player who has the ability to make everyone around her better. She's crafty, deceptive and likes to be around the ball. Monique will flourish in the attacking midfield position and we'll look to her to provide some creativity to our attack"
Why Gjini chose UofL? " Choosing the University of Louisville was an easy decision for me to make. The coaching staff is very helpful and encouraging and the soccer girls were so friendly and welcoming. The facilities are awesome and I can't wait to play on that Bermuda grass"
5-4 GK FR Lexington, Ohio/Lexington HS Club: Ohio PremierA four-year letter winner on a four-time conference and district champion team. Twice earned All-Conference honors, posting a 0.76 GAA and 26 shutouts in her career. Was team captain and a four-year scholar athlete. A four-year member of the Ohio ODP. Has spent the past two seasons with Ohio Premier S.C.
Ferguson on Hansen: "Tiffany is a player that we are very excited to have join our Cardinal family. She is a tremendous athlete and her enthusiasm is second to none. I'm looking forward to watching her develop in to a premier goalkeeper and allowing her first year to provide her with the experiences and confidence she will need as we move in to the Big East in 2005."
Why Hansen chose UofL? " From the very beginning I was extremely interested in all that UofL's program represents. My numerous visits to the campus only helped to confirm my feelings towards the school, the coaching staff and the team. The biggest factor that led me to my decision was the coaching staff. They do a great job of passing their passion for the game on to their team."
5-8 MF/F FR Louisville, Kentucky/duPont Manual HS Club: JavanonA four-year starter who earned All-State honors three times. Was team captain for her final three years. Scored 66 goals and 61 assists in her career, including 23 and 18 as a senior. Has played with Javanon since 1999, and has been a part of the Kentucky ODP since 1997.
Ferguson on Robinson: "Erica is a player that I have tracked since my arrival at the University of Louisville. She is fiercely competitive, loves to play and will grow in to a wonderful collegiate player. Erica has the ability to play many different positions for us and her versatility will surely allow her to compete immediately for playing time. We have continually gone after the best player in the city of Louisville from Hollie Minogue, to Liz Kinny and now Erica Robinson. I'm committed to bringing in the best player from the city every year and it's no different again this year with Erica."
Why Robinson chose UofL? I chose to attend the University of Louisville because I know I need a "team" to accomplish my goals. From the beginning, Karen, Carole, Tim and the girls welcomed me in to their "family" with their kindness, and they inspired me with their sincerity to accomplish great things. They made me feel at home. I really want to be a part of their dreams and goals. Also, I wanted to stay near my home so that I could play at home in front of my family and friends. I can't wait to begin"
Shannon Smith
5-7 F/MF FR Elizabethtown, Kentucky/Elizabethtown HS Club: JavanonA four-year letterwinner who was team captain and All-State her final two seasons of prep soccer. Established a state record for most consecutive games with a goal or assist, scoring 67 goals and 50 assists in her career. Played for Javanon for two years, and has been a member of the Kentucky ODP since 1998.
Ferguson on Smith: "Shannon has only begun to scratch the surface of her potential. She is a great athlete who has the ability to grow in to a dangerous attacking player at the collegiate level. Shannon has very good speed and likes to take players on. She will compete for playing time as either a forward or a wide midfielder."
Why Smith chose UofL? " After I watched Louisville beat Cincinnati, I knew I wanted to go to UofL. Not only was their style of play similar to my own, but when I met the team and the coaching staff they made me feel at home, like I belonged, and they seemed to have incredible team chemistry. The facilities along with the move to the Big East were just icing on the cake."
