University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota Soccer Announces Recruits
2/11/2002 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
"The 2002 class of student-athletes have many qualities," said Wickstrand. "They are all confident and competent competitors who will help our team get back on track nationally. They are physically strong, fast and technically sound soccer players with a great work ethic and desire to be the best and give the most to the University of Minnesota program."
Karli Kopeitz, a Champlin Park, Minn., native is an all state perfomer who will compete for a starting position in goal. She earned MVP honors as a junior and senior and All-State Honorable Mention as a senior.
Katlin Ruff, an Enfield, Conn., native demonstrates all around athleticism. In addition to soccer, she participated in indoor and outdoor track. She will play the forward position.
Annie Carr, a Greenbush, N.Y., native will be used at the midfield position. She is a member of the Club USA, Clifton Park Premier Team, a member of Eastern NY ODP Team, a member of the New York Empire State Team and was selected to play in the Magic Soccer Games in Connecticut as one of New England top 60 players.
Amanda Edwards, a Getzville, N.Y., native will be looked to for depth and strength as a forward for the Gophers. She earned all state honors for two years and is the all time leading scorer of Williamsville North with 89 career goals. She is an ODP State Team Member from 1997-2002.
Kayla Lightfoot, a Grand Rapids, Minn., native will compete for playing time as forward and midfielder during the 2002 fall campaign. She is the all time leading scorer for Grand Rapids with 55 goals and 30 assists. In addition to her outstanding skills as a soccer player she is an all conference track performer, earning are track athlete of year as a sophomore.
Becky Dellaria of Stillwater, Minn., is a natural finisher both right and left and will make an immediate impact as a forward. Dellaria led Stillwater to the conference and section championship as a senior. She earned Stillwater Area High School Outstanding Midfielder Award and was an all conference selection. She was named Minnesota State High School Coaches Association Class "AA" All State Honorable Mention Midfielder and was named to the Section 3AA All Tournament Team as a forward.
Hilary Stowell, of Perrysburg, Ohio, is a bright player who reads the game well and can play and direct from the back or midfield. As a senior, she led her team in scoring and assists. She helped her team advance to the regional finals and earned First Team N.L.L. All Northwest Ohio District honors. She was also a First Team All Ohio selection. Stowell is also a member of Who's Who in American High School Sports. She helped her club team earn the 2001 State Cup Championship. She spent five years on the O.D.P. Ohio North State Team from 1997-2001. She is a member of the Midwest Regional Team. Stowell also competed for a spot on the 2001 National Pool. She will play defender for Minnesota.
Kaitlin Neary, a Tacoma, Wash., native is a smart forward with excellent skills and speed. She has 71 career goals and 29 assists. Neary was named to the Narrow's League First Team during her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. She earned Washington State's All-Area First-Team honors as a senior. Her high school won the Narrow's League Championship her freshman, junior and senior years. Neary was also honored as team MVP during her sophomore and senior seasons. Neary works hard to get the ball and makes things happen in front of the net. She can finish with both her right and left foot and will compete for a starting position next season.
