THE RICH GET RICHER -TWU women’s soccer adding nine more recruits

JilianDietrich

Women's Soccer (Announcement)
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Recruit Signings

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THE RICH GET RICHER
-TWU women's soccer adding ten more recruits

LANGLEY, British Columbia - Trinity Western University women's soccer head coach Graham Roxburgh already had three of the top recruits in the country committed for next fall. Today he's pleased to announce that he's adding ten more for a total recruiting class of 12 players that will become Spartans for the 2008 season.

"We're really pleased with this year's class," says Roxburgh. "We believe four or five of our recruits will make an immediate impact, but we feel all of them have the potential to compete for a spot in our top 18, so competition for places next year will be very tough."

Jilian Dietrich (Calgary) is a 5'5" defender who comes from Foothill U18 Soccer Club. A soon-to-be graduate of Bishop Carroll high school, her anticipated major is human kinetics.

"I was impressed with Jilian's athleticism and commitment to be a top notch defender at the CIS level," Roxburgh says. "She is quick and tenacious and I believe has the ability to be an impact player on our team in the coming years. I have heard many good things about Jilian from a number of coaches and I know she comes from one of the best club systems in the country. I am really excited that she has decided to make TWU her university for both her studies and career."

Chantelle Whitehead (Surrey, B.C.) has been a member of Surrey United since U-14. In 2006 she was team captain of Premiership team that won the national championship. In 2006-07 they placed third at Provincials and were Coastal Cup Champions. The 5'4" defender is from Fleetwood Park Secondary, and will major in Biology.

"I am tremendously excited that Chantelle has chosen TWU. She is very much the type of person and player that we want in our program. She is a very good midfielder that possesses a great understanding of the game, can play in a holding role in midfield and influences the game with her vision, ability to move the ball and to make players around her better. She is a great addition to our young team and I believe will be a standout player in the years to come."

Nikki Byrne (Langley, B.C.) is a 5'6" midfielder from Langley Senior Secondary who plays for the Surrey United U 18 Club Team.

"I was really impressed with Nikki when I first saw her playing," says Roxburgh. "She combines very good skills with the ability to physically compete in the midfield. She will become a very good addition to our squad in that she is attack minded, can create chances and gives us options for playing her either centrally or in wide positions. She is a great kid and I believe has a bright future at the next level."

Meghan McKinnon (Langley, B.C.) is a starting central defender for the Langley U 18 Metro team that's currently third in the B.C. league. The 5'8" defender is from DW Poppy, and will major in human kinetics.

"Meghan is a very composed and mature player and I think will challenge to play quite a bit in her first year," says Roxburgh. "We knew it was important to add a quality central defender and I feel that in Meghan we have a player that will be very successful both on and off the field at TWU. She is definitely someone that we wanted to be here at TWU and we are so pleased she is coming. She defends well, wins balls in the air and is able to read the play well."

Kassandra Ballard (Maple Ridge, B.C.) is a 5'6" midfielder who plays for the Surrey United U 18 Metro Team.

"Kassandra is an up and coming player that I believe because of her coachability will become a very solid university player," Roxburgh says. "I am impressed by her dedication and work rate and I think she will provide us some spark in games by her sheer desire. She is a great character addition as well as an outstanding student and I believe is a great fit for our program."

Jessica Filion (Surrey, B.C.) comes to TWU from Surrey United U18 Metro Soccer Club. The 5'8" defender plans to major in sciences.

"Jessica is a very skilled player, and can knock a long ball as well as understands how to defend," says Roxburgh. "She has good attacking ability from the defensive positions and I believe she will add some great depth to our young defending core. She is a quality person and has been a very good athlete, so we are excited about her coming to play at TWU."

Alexi Foster (Fort Langley, B.C.) is a versatile player who can play either as a forward or midfielder. The 5'5" senior from Walnut Grove Senior Secondary, she currently plays for the Langley U18 Metro Club Team.

"Alexi is a tremendously skilled player and has the ability both with her technical ability and passing vision to create chances for players around her. The more and more I watched her I was impressed with her ability to create and be offensive. She can also score goals and will add some good depth to our forwards position. She is also a very good fit for our university and I am delighted that she is coming to TWU"

Sam Slack (Surrey, B.C.) played on the B.C. U17 provincial team last year. The midfield/forward plays for the Langley U18 metro team while attending Langley Senior Secondary.

"Sam is a player that will give us energy and the ability to attack from wide positions as well as give us some depth up front," Roxburgh says. "She has good pace, and is an extremely hard worker. She can take players on and also has the ability to get behind defenders. We feel that she will give us some good options and make our team more competitive. I was also impressed with Sam in my meetings with her and I am very pleased she is coming to TWU. She is apart of a very good recruiting class."

Katie Wigston (Surrey, B.C.) is a 5'7" defender from Tamanawis Secondary who played soccer for the Semiahmoo Soccer Club U18 team. She plans to major in human kinetics.

"Katie is another very versatile player who I believe will become a very good player if she continues to develop," Roxburgh says. "She has a lot of great athleticism and pace, and has the ability to defend both in wide and central positions. She is strong in the tackle, can take players on and has the ability to serve the ball well from deep and wide positions. Katie will give us some good options and depth at the back."

Karina Whitmarsh (Langley, B.C.) is a 5'4" midfielder who comes from White Rock Christian Academy who played soccer for the Semiahmoo Soccer Club U18 team.

"Karina is a solid midfielder that will provide some depth for us in that role as she develops," Roxburgh says. "She is a dedicated worker and will be a good addition to our roster because of her work ethic. She has developed a lot in the last couple of years who commits herself to tackles and has a great desire to be at TWU."

Roxburgh had already received commitments from three highly touted recruits in goalkeeper Kristen Funk (Calgary), midfielder Tessa Meyer (Surrey, B.C.) and forward Nikki Wright (Cloverdale, B.C.).

The Trinity Western University women's soccer program won Canada West titles in 2004 and 2006 and the CIS championship in 2004. This past season the Spartans finished the season ranked No. 10 in the CIS. As hosts of next year's 2008 CIS Women's Soccer National Championships the Spartans will be making their third national championship appearance in five years. The Spartans entered Canada West and the CIS in 2001.

Trinity Western University, in Langley, B.C. is an independent Christian liberal arts and sciences university enrolling approximately 4000 students. TWU offers undergraduate degrees in 40 major areas of study ranging from biotechnology, education, nursing, theatre and music, to psychology, communications and biblical studies. TWU's 16 graduate degree programs include counseling psychology, business, theology and leadership, and offers interdisciplinary studies in English, philosophy and history. TWU holds Canada Research Chairs in Biblical Studies, Biotechnology and Interpretation, Religion & Culture.

-TW-

Last Updated: 2009-09-03
Author: Jeff Kilpatrick
Email: jeff.kilpatick@twu.ca