Women's Soccer To Add 11 New Faces

March 26, 2007 | Women's Soccer

March 26, 2007

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville women's soccer team has announced that 10 prep athletes and one transfer will continue their soccer careers as Cardinals according to head coach Karen Ferguson, the winningest coach in U of L women's soccer history.

The Cardinals will be coming off of the most successful season in University of Louisville women's soccer history, with the team ranking 24th in the final NSCAA/adidas poll. The Cards posted a school record 13 wins was third in the region in the final polls.

The Cardinals earned its first NCAA bid and national ranking in the 22-year history of Cardinal soccer in 2006, and senior forward Jamie Craft and junior goalkeeper Joanna Haig both earned All-American honors.

A closer look at the student-athletes that will join the Cardinals in the fall of 2007:

Kate Cunningham
5-1
MF/F
Indianapolis, Indiana/Ben Davis HS

Team captain, MVP, All-State, All-District, All-County, Marion County All-Star Team and member of the Indianapolis Star Superteam. Scored 25 goals and 16 assists in her junior and senior seasons. Competed for the Carmel United Cyclones and Regional ODP team

Coach Ferguson On Cunningham: "Kate is an extremely technical player who is capable of playing everywhere from forward to center mid, to outside back. She can serve a quality ball with either foot. Kate's high level club experience will help her transition quickly into the Big East."

Erin Davis
5-6
MF
South Bend, Indiana/Marian HS

Honorable mention All-State, All-Conference, All District and All-NIC as a four-year letterwinner in high school. Scored 10 of her 19 career goals her senior season, adding four of her 10 career assists. Played for the Junior Irish Club from 1998-2005 before a two-year stint with the Indiana Invaders.

Coach Ferguson On Davis: "Erin brings a very good blend of athleticism and technical ability. She is good on the ball and her versatility will allow her to be utilized in several different positions."

Caley Egan
5-6
MF
Naperville, Illinois/Nequa Valley HS

A three-year letterwinner as a midfielder and an All-Conference selection in cross country, lettering twice. Spent three seasons with the Illinois ODP State Team. Won a state HS championship with the Neuqua Valley Wildcats.

Coach Ferguson On Egan: "Caley has the athletic qualities needed to compete in the Big East. She is extremely coachable and has a tremendous work rate, both of which will help her become an outstanding player."

Kelsey Hunyadi
5-7
F
Dublin, Ohio/Dublin Coffman HS

Was the Central Ohio Girl's Soccer Athlete of the Year, All-State, three times All-District and All-OCC, leading her team to the state title match three times in her four seasons, winning the state title in 2003. The Shamrocks advanced to the final four all four seasons. A member of the Ohio South ODP State team for five years and Ohio Premier Soccer Club since she was seven years old.

Coach Ferguson On Hunyadi: "Kelsey is a soccer junkie. She loves the game, is extremely competitive and has the technical and tactical ability to make an impact in the Big East. Kelsey is a great target forward who plays extremely well with her back to goal. She combines well with her teammates and is also a proven goal scorer."

Katie Kuric
5-10
GK
Evansville, Indiana/Memorial HS

Three-time All-City, All-Conference and All-District, honorable mention All-State and a member of the State Final Four All-Tournament Team A team captain for two season, she was twice academic All-State. Posted 26 shutouts in her three seasons of soccer with a GAA under 1.00. A member of the Indiana ODP for four years. Also earned letters in swimming and track and field.

Coach Ferguson On Kuric: "Katie is a goalkeeper who comes from a very good club system where she has been trained by some outstanding goalkeeping coaches. She will benefit greatly from training her first year with our current goalkeepers who will provide her with the mentoring and leadership that will be invaluable to her career."

Shannon Leamy
5-3
MF
Loveland, Ohio/Loveland HS

A four-year letterwinner in the midfield, she earned All-Conference and All-City honors twice, despite missing her junior season with an injury. Named academic All-State as a senior and All-Conference Academic and All-SW Ohio Academic all four years. Posted four goals and 20 assists in three season of play. Competed for the Cincinnati Classics Hammer FC (U12-U18).

Coach Ferguson On Leamy: "Shannon brings a high level of club experience which will help her right away at the college level. As an outside back, her positioning is outstanding and her 1v1 defending abilities make her very difficult to beat. She also has the versatility to play in the midfield."

Emily Prokopik
5-7
MF/F
Pittsburgh, Penn./Penn Hills HS

A two-sports athlete for the Indians, earning three letters in soccer and two as a middle-distance runner. Was varsity captain of the soccer team, finishing her career with 42 goals and 16 assists. Scored 21 of her goals during her senior season, the second-highest total in school history. Sat out her sophomore year with an injury, but was an All-WPIAL selection the other three seasons. Played on the Pennsylvania East All-Star Team. Ran the 200, 400 and 800 as well as the 4x800 and the 4x400, placing first at the TSTCA. Won consecutive club titles with two separate clubs(Penns Forest and Beadling). A member of the 2004 and 2005 state and regional USFF champion Floor Runners Futsal. Has five seasons of ODP experience.

Coach Ferguson On Prokopik: "Emily is a very well rounded player whose quickness makes her exciting to watch. She has the ability to impact the game at any level and we look forward to working with her."

Caitlin Rehder
5-8
F
Des Plaines, Illinois/Maine West HS

Scored a staggering 59 goals in her two seasons of soccer with a school record 37 as a sophomore. A two-time team MVP, All-Conference, All-Sectional and honorable mention All-State selection. Played four years of basketball earning MVP and All-Conference honors. Played nine season for the Mount Prospect Green White Club and one season with the Eclipse during which they won the 2006 club national championship. Spent two years with the ODP State Camp

Coach Ferguson On Rehder: "Caitlin is a pure goal scorer. She has outstanding pace and the ability to finish from anywhere in or around the box. We look forward to watching Caitlin develop in to one of the premier forwards in the Big East."

Ashley Scheidt
5-1
MF
Cincinnati, Ohio/Alabama

Played in 11 games, starting two for the Crimson Tide. Was named First-Team All-GGCL winning four district titles and three regional titles in her prep career as her team was ranked #1 nationally in 2003. Has been a member of the Ohio Elite since 2003.

Coach Ferguson On Scheidt: "Ashley has had a full year of college experience in the SEC and that will absolutely help her to make an impact on our program. Ashley is a central midfielder who is very quick and tenacious and will cause many teams problems in the center of the field."

Chelsea Spencer
5-2
MF
Burlington, Ontario/Notre Dame HS

A member of the Burlington Flash for six seasons, she was named Burlington Youth Soccer Club's 2006 Inaugural Female Competitive Player of the Year Award. Competed for the Burlington Xtreme for three seasons and was a silver medalist in 2004 Canadian National Club Championship. A member of the Ontario Provincial Team for three seasons. Won a gold medal at the 2004 National All-star Championships, a gold medal at the 2005 National All-star Championships and a bronze medal at the 2005 Canada Games. Has been a member of the Canadian National Team National Training Centre from 2004-'06 and the U15 Women's National Team, playing in a three game series against Germany.

Coach Ferguson On Spencer: "Chelsea is a prototypical central midfielder. She reads the game very well and has demonstrated the ability to keep possession under pressure. She is a great passer and has tremendous vision."

Meredith Tolley
5-5
MF/D
Louisville, Kentucky/Male HS

A three-time All-State and All-Region selection with the Bulldogs. Was three-time MVP and two-time captain, scoring 51 goals and 29 assists in her prep career. A member of Javanon 89, winning six KY State Cup titles. Was a three-time team captain, spending eight seasons with her club team.

Coach Ferguson On Tolley: "Meredith is a local product who we have been able to watch for the past several years. She is a hard-nosed defender who can play anywhere in the back, as well as in the midfield."