Women's Soccer: WVU Inks Six for 2003
March 17, 2003 03:25 PM | General
March 17, 2003
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University head women's soccer coach Nikki Izzo-Brown announced today the signing of six recruits for the 2003 season.
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| West Virginia coach Nikki Izzo-Brown landed six outstanding prospects. (All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks) |
Headlining the class is Nicole Cauzillo, a midfielder hailing from Northville, Mich. The 2003 Michigan Gatorade player of the year, Cauzillo is also a national pool player and four-year regional team member. She has led her cup team to six state cup championships as well as one regional championship. A multi-sport athlete, she holds the school record in the mile and the 4 x 800 meter relay.
"We expect Nicole to come in and have a major impact in the midfield," Izzo-Brown said. "She has excellent field vision and tremendous creativity which will help us keep our offensive and defensive flow."
A Flemington, N.J., native, Cathy Abel was the 2002 Courier News player of the year. She is a two-time national pool player who has the ability to play either the forward or midfield positions. Abel led her high school team to its first-ever state title and is the all-time leading scorer at Delaware Valley High School.
"Cathy has tremendous experience and is a very versatile player who will help us in a variety of different positions," said Izzo-Brown.
Naperville, Ill., native, Lana Bannerman is an all-conference, all-section selection at goalkeeper from Waubonsie Valley High School. She is a five year state team member who led her team to the 2000 state cup championship. Bannerman is also a two-year region team member.
"Lana has a great work ethic, and with the graduation of Haire (2002 senior goalkeeper Melissa Haire) goalkeepers were a priority for us," Izzo-Brown said. "She is committed to making sure the ball doesn't go in the back of the net."
The lone defender in this year's recruiting class is Natalie Cocchi. Cocchi is a Ocean Township, N.J., native who was the 2002 Monmouth player of the year. She led her Red Bank Catholic High School team to the 2002 state championship and is a NSCAA regional All-American. A six-year state team player, she was a 2001 regional ID pool player.
"We expect Natalie to come in and play the center back position," said Izzo-Brown. "She's a dominating force in the air and will help command our defense."
Midfielder Christina Monzi comes to West Virginia from Staten Island, N.Y. The 2002 C.H.S.A.A. player of the year, she helped led her Notre Dame Academy High School team to the city championship and state finals. Monzi is a two-time C.H.S.A.A. defensive player of the year and a four-year starter on the Eastern New York South ODP team.
"Christina will impact play in the center midfield," Izzo-Brown said. "Her on the ball presence and her great touch will be key in helping us link our offense and defense together."
Rounding out the class of six is goalkeeper Jackie Picard. A Lorton, Va., native, Picard is a three-time team captain at Hayfield Secondary school. She is also a member of the Gunston Dynamite where she earned MVP honors.
"Jackie has great size, hands and footwork," Izzo-Brown said. "She will work hard to make sure we win games."
"We are really excited about this year's recruiting class," added Izzo-Brown. "We expect them to make an immediate impact, and they are committed to helping us obtain our goal of winning a championship."
