June 12, 2007
2007 Recruit Release in PDF Format
PHILADELPHIA - With the loss of three seniors from the 2006 La Salle University Women's Soccer team, the Explorers will welcome six newcomers to the squad in 2007. These players could challenge for a starting role or will play significant minutes for the team, which will be looking to earn a berth in the Atlantic 10 Championships for the second straight season and third time in four years.
La Salle has also announced its 2007 schedule, which features a season-opening home weekend versus Wagner, Friday at 7 PM and Monmouth, Sunday at 1 PM. A trip to the midwest to take on Marquette and Loyola-Chicago also highlights the 2007 slate. La Salle will host 10 games at McCarthy Stadium, including five games in the Atlantic 10.
Below is information regarding the newest members of the program.
Heatherrae Steadman - Midfield
Lanoka Harbor, NJ - Lacey Township
The only transfer in the group, Heatherrae Steadman comes to La Salle after playing one year for Drexel. She scored a goal and added two assists for the Dragons in 2006, starting in all of their 18 games. Before college, Steadman led Lacey Township to the Shore Conference Championship in 2003, to the South Jersey Group 3 title three years in a row (2002-04). A member of the 2004 NJ ODP team and the 2005 Super Y League National Camp, she also played for the Match Fit Dolphins, helping them to the 2005 Super Y League National Championship.
Coach Royal: Heather will be bringing some excellent Division 1 experience after starting 18 collegiate games last season. We are expecting her to immediately impact our line up and give us another athletic dimension to our attack. Her ability to run at defenders with her outstanding fitness level will give her the opportunity to compete for a starting spot.
April Cerogino - Defender
Philadelphia, PA - Nazareth Academy
While a playing for the PSC Coppa Crunch in 2006, April Cerogino helped the team win the MAPS College Showcase Championships, and finish as a PA State Semifinalist and a Score at the Shore Semifinalist. At Nazareth Academy, she was a two-time AACA All-Star (2005, 06), and a 2006 Bucks County First Team defender, and helped them win the 2003 AACA title, while being a finalist in 2004. She was Nazareth Academy's team captain in 2006, while the Crunch's captain in both 2005 and 2006.
Coach Royal: We are expecting April to add quality depth on our already talented back line. Her outstanding work rate and overall toughness will be beneficial in our training environment. She will be looked upon to compete for playing time this fall.
Alex Conley - Forward
Newport Beach, CA - Newport Harbor
Crossing the country to put on the Blue and Gold, Alex Conley brings scoring with her to La Salle. She played for the MK Soccer Club, helping them to the Cal South State finals in 2006 and at Newport Harbor, led them to the Newport Mesa and Long Beach Poly Championships. In the last two years in high school, she led the team with 34 goals and 45 assists. She also was on the track team and played field hockey.
Coach Royal: Alex's tremendous athleticism and physicality will give her the opportunity to earn some valuable playing time immediately. She's a player that has been developed by former WUSA and Philadelphia KiXX coach, Omid Namazi. She shows the needed confidence and speed to absolutely dominate defenders in the final third.
Morgan Golden - Midfield/Forward
Crosswicks, NJ - Northern Burlington
Morgan Golden brings her scoring ability - more than 100 career points in a three-year stint at the varsity level - to the La Salle program. She was among the top 10 leading scorers in South and Central Jersey in both 2004 and 2006, and was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2006 by the Burlington County Times, while also getting all-state honorable mention recognition. While playing for the Manalapan Shooting Stars, the team reached the quarterfinals in the New Jersey National Championships the last two years and was JAGS Champions in 2004 and 2005.
Coach Royal: Morgan is a player that we were fortunate enough to have identified here at our EGSA Camp. She shows that she has an incredible ability to create scoring chances as well as having the speed and quickness necessary to play on the flank for us. We are expecting Morgan to compete for a starting position from day one.
Kelly O'Steen - Midfield/Defender
Dunkirk, MD - Northern
A Maryland ODP Team member since 2000, Kelly O'Steen also attended training camp for the US National Deaf Team last December and will again attend this June. With the Laurel Wildcats, she helped the team to the 2003 Maryland State Cup Championship and with the Washington Freedom U-20 Team, they won the 2006 Super Y North American title. She earned nine varsity letters while at Northern High School, and also excelled in the classroom. She was named First Team All-Conference and Washington Post Extra in 2005 and 2006, while she was also a three-time (2004-06) First Team Conference Academic Athlete.
Coach Royal: Kelly's outstanding vision and composure on the ball will give her the opportunity to compete for valuable playing time immediately. She is one of our more versatile players that we've had in quite some time. She has the ability to compete for a starting spot in several positions and will also be looked upon to add quality depth in others.
Melissa Sanger - Goalkeeper
Mullica Hill, NJ - Kingsway
A multi-talented athlete, Melissa Sanger earned 11 varsity letters while at Kingsway Regional High School (four in soccer and softball, three in basketball). Her soccer experience includes four years with the Super Y League South Jersey Banshees and was invited three times to the ODP National Camp in Cocoa Beach, FL. Among her accolades, Sanger was a two-time First Team All-Tri County Conference selection, a two-time First Team All-Gloucester County selection, and two-time Second Team All-South Jersey honoree. In 2006, she was also named to the Top "20" South Region and All-State teams.
Coach Royal: Melissa's incredible presence in her box and outstanding shot stopping ability should give her a lot of opportunities to see the field her freshman year. She has a tremendous ability to distribute balls with her feet that you very rarely see from top level keepers. Her communication and leadership should show immediate dividends to our defense.
