Women's Soccer: 2007 Class Announced
February 20, 2007 04:05 PM | General
February 20, 2007
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University head women’s soccer coach Nikki Izzo-Brown announced today the signing of six student-athletes for the 2007 season.
The six signees are Kerri Butler (GK/Fredericksburg, Va.), Erica Henderson (F-M/Rochester, NY), Alli Kealing (M-F/Indianapolis, Ind.), Ashtin Larkin (M-D/Cerritos, Calif.), Sydney Metheny (F-M/Elkins, W.Va.) and Megan Mischler (M-F/Moon Township, Pa.).
“I feel that this class is one of the most versatile classes when it comes to overall ability,” Izzo-Brown says. “These young ladies want to continue our winning tradition and will help us any way possible.”
Butler is a goalkeeper who spent time on the Virginia state ODP team. She was named first team all-state in 2005 at Courtland High and had the most shutouts in one season in school history with 12. Butler played with current Mountaineers Ashley Banks and Lisa DuCote last summer with the Northern Virginia Majestics in the United Soccer League.
“Kerri is a very good shot blocker, and we are excited that she will bring her winning tradition and experience into the goal,” Izzo-Brown says.
Henderson comes to WVU after a prolific high school career in the state of New York where she was class AA player of the year and was twice named first team all-state. She was earned NSCAA all-region honors twice and was a two-year captain of her high school team, guiding them to one New York AA state title. Soccer Buzz tabbed the goal scorer in its top 200 recruits for 2007.
“Erica is a strong, attacking-minded player who will fit in greatly with what we do,” Izzo-Brown says. “She is a player who dominates in the air.”
Kealing is a three-time all-state selection in Indiana and has scored the most goals in Cathedral High history. Kealing was a four-year member of the state ODP team and played club soccer for six-time Indiana state champion Carmel United Crossfire.
“Alli has tremendous speed who can play as an outside midfielder or up front because she likes to use her speed,” Izzo-Brown says.
Larkin played at Cerritos High and was a member of the Slammers Futbol Club that won several prestigious club tournaments. Slammers won the State Cup three times, the Far West regional twice and also captured back-to-back USYSA national championships. She was also a 2007 all-defensive team selection as a point guard on her basketball team. Larkin was a member of National Honor Roll.
“Ashtin is a solid player with good vision,” Izzo-Brown says. “She could play either in the midfield or on our back line in the future.”
Metheny, a three-time West Virginia all-state soccer selection, is the reigning West Virginia state player of the year and will join her former high school teammate Heather Saffel at WVU. At Elkins High, the Tigers went undefeated in 2005 (23-0-3) en route to capturing the state title after reaching the state championship game the previous year. Metheny also played club for the West Virginia Vision, winning titles in 2004, 2005 and 2006. The four-sport standout was also all-state in track and an honorable mention all-state point guard in 2005, helping the Tigers advance to the state basketball tournament twice.
“Sydney is a very athletic player who has the mentality to go to goal,” Izzo-Brown says.
Mischler, a Soccer Buzz top 75 recruit, was a three-time all-WPIAL and all-state selection in Pennsylvania who can play either in the midfield or as a forward. She led her team in points three of her four years and is the all-time leader in goals, assists and points at Moon Township High. She set the single season goal record with 34 as a sophomore before breaking the assist record with 30 as a senior. Metheny was named three times to the Post Gazette/Tribune Review Elite 11 all-star team. She also was a state qualifier in track and holds the school record in the 400-meter dash.
“Megan can play in the midfield or up top,” Izzo-Brown says. “She’s a very fast and hard-working player that I expect to come in and make an impact.”
