Feb. 21, 2007

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Marist Women's Soccer Coach Elizabeth Roper is pleased to announce commitments from seven student-athletes entering the freshman class in the fall of 2007. Four players from Long Island, NY, two players from New Jersey and a player from Connecticut will join the Marist Women's Soccer program as part of the class of 2011.

Merrilynn (Merri) Esteve (Morristown, N.J. / Morristown HS) and Gillian Kape (Westfield, N.J. / Westfield HS) are club team members of the Parsippany Gazelles, the 2006 Disney/adidas Showcase Champions, 2006 New Jersey State Cup Finalists and 2006 USYSA Regional Tournament competitors. Twins sisters Amy and Lauren Tillotson (Islip, N.Y. / Islip HS) play for the Massapequa Rascals club team, who also competed in the 2006 USYSA Regional Tournament, were 2006 New York State Cup Champions and most recently were finalists at the 2007 Disney/adidas Showcase. They will join former Rascals teammate, Maria Baez at Marist. Katelynn Walsh (East Meadow, N.Y. / WT Clarke HS) and Daniella (Dani) Burns (Holbrook, N.Y. / Sachem HS East) were former teammates of the East Meadow Magic club team. The Magic have been New York State Cup Champions in 2004 and 2005 and finalists in 2006. Melanie Matera (Monroe, Conn. / Masuk HS) plays for the South Central Premier Freedom, who were the 2004 and 2005 Connecticut State Cup Champions and 2006 State Cup Finalists.

"We are very fortunate to have seven quality players who have experienced a high level of success on their high school and club teams join us at Marist. Each one of them is a leader on the field and each possesses a work ethic and attitude that will fit in well with our returning players," commented Coach Roper. "Individually, these young women have impressive accomplishments, as students and athletes. Collectively, they represent some of the most successful club teams in the region and will bring a winning mentality and attitude to the Red Foxes. A special quality we will have in this freshmen class, too, is that so many of them have played on the same teams together."

Merrilynn (Merri) Esteve (F/M): Named an NSCAA/adidas All-American in the Region, Merri was also recognized as the Daily Record Player of the Year, the Star Ledger Player of the Year for Morris County, the Morris County Coaches Association Player of the Year and the Morris County Tournament MVP. Twice named to the New Jersey Girls Soccer Coaches' Association All-State Team (2005 & 2006), Esteve led her Morristown High School team to the County Championships in her senior season. For the past three years she has been her high school team's leading scorer and was also team captain this past season. Esteve has played year round on the highly successful PDA and Parsippany Gazelles club teams through her high school years. Esteve chose Marist over St. Joseph's, Towson and Fairfield.

Esteve on Marist: "I chose Marist because when I stepped on campus I knew it was where I wanted to be. It has my intended major (psychology) and the scenery was beautiful. The women's soccer coach and team had a big impact on me as well."

Roper on Esteve: "Merri comes from a great family and a great background of soccer training and knowledge. She is a gifted player who finds a way to change a game and puts the ball in the back of the net when it counts. Technically strong, tremendous in the air, fighting for every 50/50 ball, she has a knack for making things happen on the field. I expect her to contribute a great deal to the offensive efforts of our team. Her heart and determination raises her level of play and the level of her teammates."

Gillian (Gilly) Kape (D/M): Also named an NSCAA/adidas All-American in the Region, Gilly is a two-time All-State honoree of the New Jersey Girls Soccer Coaches' Association. Named a Top-20 player by the NJGSCA, Gilly was Westfield's team captain and MVP this season. A member of the New Jersey State ODP team in 2005 and 2006, Gilly also plays on the successful Parsippany Gazelles club team year-round. Kape also considered Providence, Manhattan and Fairfield.

Kape on Marist: "I was familiar with the MAAC because my dad went to Rider. I felt the academics, campus life and soccer program were the best fit for me. The business major and internship opportunities are terrific."

Roper on Kape: "Gillian is a tremendous defender with great speed. She has a terrific work rate and competitive attitude. Her ability to attack out of the back and contribute to the offensive play, as well as transitioning back on defense before the opponent can be effective makes her one of the best defenders I have seen. Gilly is tough and challenges well for balls, making smart decisions when in possession. She is a great team member, supportive, positive and provides her best efforts consistently."

Amy Tillotson (M/F): A member of the Eastern New York State ODP team for five years, Amy also contributed to the team's National Championship in 2005. She has also experienced success on her club and high school teams. As a midfield and forward player for the Massapequa Rascals, her club team has been most recently ranked #1 in New York State, third in the region and in the top-10 in the country. Her Islip High School Team was a Long Island Championship contender in 2006 and has enjoyed being the League Champion for all four years of her high school career. An All-League honoree, Amy is also on the high school track and basketball teams.

Amy Tillotson on Marist: "I chose Marist because it has the whole package: great academics, a beautiful campus, a competitive soccer program and great team chemistry. The first time I walked on campus and met the people at Marist, I knew that Marist College is where I wanted to spend my next four years."

Roper on Amy Tillotson: "Amy is one of the hardest working players on the field, who gives 110% every minute. As an opponent, you cannot rest or make the slightest mistake when she is near you on the field. She anticipates and takes advantage of opportunities to gain possession and is a threat in the offensive third. Whether it be making a great cross in the box or taking a shot on goal, Amy is effective on the attack. She is strong and tenacious, with a competitive mentality. A tremendous team player, Amy will be influential to the future of Marist's program."

Lauren Tillotson (D): A tremendous defender, Lauren Tillotson was an anchor for the Eastern New York State ODP team for 5 years and the team's National Championship in 2005. Arguably one of the best defenders in the region, Lauren received All-State recognition and the Suffolk County Championship MVP award in 2006 after a successful senior high school season. As captain, Lauren led her Islip High School team to the Long Island Championships after four consecutive years of being the League Champions. As a central defender on the Massapequa Rascals, she has led her successful club team to the New York State Cup Championships and numerous tournament championships. An All-Conference honoree, Amy is also a member of her high school track and basketball teams. The Tillotson sisters considered a number of other schools, including Boston University, Delaware, and Loyola.

Lauren Tillotson on Marist: "I chose Marist because it has everything I am looking for: excellent academics, a great soccer program, small class sizes and a beautiful campus. I am very excited to be a Red Fox."

Roper on Lauren Tillotson: "Tall, skillful and relentless, Lauren is one of the best defenders I have ever observed play. She simply denies opportunities, wins 50/50 balls and provides an amazing presence centrally on defense. Tremendous in the air, she is also a threat on direct kicks and corner kicks on the offensive side of the field. She is composed on the ball and her speed of play is impressive. Lauren is a natural leader on the field and will step in and contribute to the Marist defense immediately."

Katelynn Walsh (M): Named her high school team MVP since her sophomore season at WT Clarke High School, Katelynn Walsh has also led the team in scoring the last two seasons. She has also experienced great success as a member of the East Meadow ISA Magic club team, as a New York State Cup Finalist in 2006 and Champions in 2004 and 2005. As a midfielder she contributed to the team's success as Region I Premier League Champions in 2006. Katelynn has been the high school team captain the past two seasons and also plays on the school's basketball and lacrosse teams. Walsh also considered Siena, Fairfield, Providence and Fordham in her college search.

Walsh on Marist: "I loved the atmosphere of the beautiful campus at Marist and the warm welcome from Coach Roper and all of the members of the Women's Soccer team."

Roper on Walsh: "Katelynn is a dedicated team member who has worked hard to experience the successes she has had. Determined and strong, she provides a tireless work rate on the field. Simple and effective as an outside midfield player, Katelynn makes attacking runs forward and creates scoring opportunities for her team."

Daniella (Dani) Burns (F/M): A 5'10" forward, Dani Burns led her Sachem East High School team in its undefeated regular season and led them to the Long Island Championships and New York State High School Finals. As team captain, Dani also received All-League and All-Conference recognition. Also a member of the East Meadow ISA Magic team when they were the 2004 and 2005 New York State Cup Champions, she has experienced great success on the club team level as well. A dedicated team leader, Dani is also a member of the school's track and basketball teams. Quinnipiac, Fairfield and CW Post Universities were other schools Burns considered.

Burns on Marist: "I chose Marist because it will challenge me both on the soccer field and in the classroom, while still providing me with an enjoyable college experience. It is the school where I felt I could improve my athletic ability most and best prepare myself for a successful career."

Roper on Burns: "Dani is an enthusiastic player and a leader who motivates her teammates. She is an effective forward, with her size and work rate. Dani is willing to work hard to improve her game and raises her level of play with her determination. We are fortunate to have a student-athlete of her quality join us at Marist."

Melanie Matera (M): Playing in center midfield and forward for Masuk High School, Melanie Matera has contributed to her team's three Conference Championships in four years. As captain in her senior season of 2006, Melanie was named as an All-State player by the Hartford Courant and was highlighted as the "Player to Watch" by the Connecticut Post. She was named the MVP of the South West Conference Tournament as well as a member of the First Team of the Conference. Also playing in central midfield with her South Central Freedom club team, Melanie has enjoyed being on the 2004 and 2005 Connecticut State Cup Championship team and being a 2006 State Cup Finalists. Melanie also considered Bryant, Bentley, Quinnipiac, Siena and Northeastern in her college search.

Matera on Marist: "I loved the campus when I first visited and was impressed with the business program. I can receive a great education and have a terrific experience as a student-athlete at Marist. The women's soccer program is only going to get better, and I want to be a part of their future success."

Roper on Matera: "A player with a tireless work rate, Melanie stays involved in every aspect of the game. Her energy level and constant movement influences the game. She finds the space, makes the runs and creates opportunities for her team. Melanie's positive attitude is a great addition to any team, and she will bring a lot to our program"

Marist finished the 2006 campaign with a 5-12-1 record and a 3-5-1 mark in MAAC contests.