2010 Recruiting Class Bios (PDF)
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University head women's soccer coach
Noreen Herlihy has announced the signing of seven incoming student-athletes that will join the program in the fall of 2010.
“We're really excited about these seven women joining our program next season,” said Herlihy. “We feel that this group will have an immediate impact and contribute to the team's success this season and in the years to come.”
The 2010 recruiting class includes five incoming freshmen from the state of Pennsylvania, including two versatile midfielders from Beaver Area High School, a forward from Seneca Valley, a midfielder from Bishop McDevitt and a defender from State College, as well as a freshman forward from Stockport, England and a transfer forward from the University of Galway in Ireland.
The Rock women's soccer team has posted a winning record in 14 consecutive seasons, including the 2009 campaign, in which the team posted a 10-5-3 overall record. SRU allowed just 15 goals during the 2009 season, which stands as a school record and the fifth-lowest total allowed in a single-season in Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference history.
The 2010 soccer schedule is tentatively slated to open Sept. 2 at West Virginia Wesleyan, which will be one of just four games scheduled against non-PSAC schools. The traditional East-West divisional split in which teams from each division play twice, has been absolved for the 2010 season. Each team in the PSAC that sponsors women's soccer will play once during the year.
The following is a brief overview of each of the five newcomers, listed alphabetically.
Stephanie Buckenheimer
Position: Midfield/Forward
Height: 5-3
High School: Beaver Area
Club Team: Beadling Inferno
Buckenheimer earned All-Section honors in three of her four years at Beaver and was named to All-WPIAL honors this past fall. She lettered all four years in soccer and led the team in scoring in both 2006, when she was named Rookie of the Year, and again in 2007. She was a member of three state championship club squads, most recently in 2009 with Beadling winning the PAW State Championships. She also played on the U13-U17 Olympic Development Team for Pennsylvania.
Coach Herlihy Says: “Stephanie is a creative midfielder with great vision, plus she is an excellent passer of the ball. A very tidy footballer with the ability to use both feet and reads the game very well. Stephanie has played at a good club level, which will prepare her for the demands of the PSAC. She will be pushing to make an immediate impact.”
Amanda (Mandy) Cerminara
Position: Forward/Midfield
Height: 5-2
High School: Seneca Valley
Club Team: Northern Steel
Cerminara was a three-year letterwinner at Seneca Valley, where she helped the team to the WPIAL Championship in 2007 and again in 2009. She was named to All-Section and All-WPIAL honors this past fall.
Coach Herlihy Says: “Mandy is a forward with excellent speed that loves to get in behind the defense and cause problems for them. She is a pure student of the game, defends well from the front and has great work ethic. She is a positive addition to our program, having a great record of scoring goals for both high school and club.”
Meghan Lavrusky
Position: Midfield/Forward
High School: King (Fla.), Beaver (Pa.)
Club Team: Temple Terrace Spirit (Fla.), Stars United (Pa.)
Lavrusky opened her high school career at King High School in Florida before moving to Pennsylvania and playing the 2009 season at Beaver. She was named to All-County Honorable Mention honors after the 2009 season.
Coach Herlihy Says: “Meghan is a versatile player who can play in midfield or up front. She is athletic, good on the ball, and loves to get forward. She is a very unselfish player, and is always looking to bring her teammates into play. She will definitely blossom within our program and will be an integral part of our team's bright future.”
Kara Mullins
Position: Forward
Height: 5-7
High School: Holy Rosary College
Club Team: Salyhill Devon F.C.
Mullins is a former teammate of current Rock soccer player
Emer Flatley and will transfer to SRU in the fall from the University of Galway in Ireland. Mullins was a member of the of the Irish National U-17 and U-19 teams and was most recently a member of the Salthill Devon F.C. club team that won its league and cup championships last season.
Coach Herlihy Says: "Kara is a good player with the ability to use both feet. She reads the game well and has an eye for goals. Additionally, her international experience at the U-17 and U-19 level will prove to be a great addition to our attacking group."
Izabel Scott
Position: Defense
Height: 5-4
High School: State College Area
Club Team: CPU Gladiators
Scott was a four-year starter on a State College team that posted a record of 53-11-4 over her four seasons. She served as the team captain in 2009 and helped lead the team to two District 6 Championships. She was awarded the Rock Solid Soccer Award and the William Jeffrey Award for leadership on and off the field. Scott was also a standout member on the track and field team, qualifying for the PIAA State Championships in the 4x400-meter relay.
Coach Herlihy Says: “Izabel is a strong athletic defender with excellent work ethic and pace. She is strong in the tackle and her quickness makes her a very good 1-v-1 defender. She will be joining a very young defense and will push to be big contributor in the years ahead.”
Bridget Stovall
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-0
High School: Bishop McDevitt
Club Team: LDC United
Stovall earned first team All-Mid Penn All-Star honors in each of her final three seasons at Bishop McDevitt. She was also named the team's Most Valuable Player in each of those three seasons. Stovall served as the team captain for three years and earned Top Newcomer honors in her freshman season. She was named to the Big 11 Conference Freshmen of Note team in 2007 and was named to Big 11 third team All-Star honors in 2009. She is also a member of multiple extra curricular activities and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Coach Herlihy Says: “Bridget is a solid midfielder with good passing ability and great work ethic. She is a hard working and determined player who is tough in the tackle, which will stand by her well in this conference. She has played at a good club level, which will prepare her for the demands of playing at the next level.”
Danielle Turner
Position: Forward
Height: 5-6
High School: Stockport College
Club Team: Everton FC
Turner captained the English College Squad throughout the 2009-10 season and helped her team to 2009 Northwest and Cup Championships. She led the team to the National Finals in 2009 after earning the PE Award in 2008. Turner's greatest achievements came when she was named to both the U17 and U19 English National team. Prior to that, she played U10, U12 and U16 with Manchester United.
Coach Herlihy Says: “Danny is good player with great feet who loves to get forward. Her skill, pace and discipline will be a great asset to the program. Additionally, her international experience at the U17 and U19 level will prove to be invaluable in our quest to win championships.”
