April 20, 2009

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - Marist women's soccer head coach Elizabeth Roper has announced the signing of seven players for fall 2009. The players who have signed their national letters of intent and plan to enroll at Marist are representative of some of the highest level teams in their regions and have competed at the top level of youth soccer competition, including the USYSA Nationals, Super Y League Nationals and USYSA Regional Games.

"The excellent educational opportunities available at Marist, and the rewarding experiences available as a student-athlete here, have allowed us to attract top quality players to our program," Roper said. "These young women are not only quality soccer players and athletes, but accomplished students who have great determination and team values that will contribute to our growing success both on and off the field."

Jessica Arabia (Napereville, IL / Naperville North HS / Eclipse Select)

A senior team captain for Naperville North, Arabia is a 5'7" midfield and defensive player for her high school team. She has been named an All-Section and All-Conference player since her sophomore year, as well as a member of the All-Conference Academic Team. She has also been named All-Area and All-City for the past two years by the Daily Herald and Naperville Sun. Arabia was also a two-year member of the Illinois State ODP team. In 2005, her Eclipse Select Team was USYSA National Champions and has been a three-year Illinois State Cup Champion. It was also in 2006 her Eclipse team was crowned the Disney Showcase Champions and was a finalist in 2007. Competing at the highest level in prestigious tournaments throughout the country, her Eclipse team has been ranked the top team in the country as well as the top girls' soccer club in the country.

Arabia chose Marist over the University of Michigan, Illinois State, De Paul and Fordham.

Arabia on Marist: "I chose Marist because the academic program is ideally suited for me and my interest in communications. The campus is beautiful and its proximity to New York City offers many opportunities. I had an instant bond with Coach Roper, her staff and the team when I visited."

Coach Roper on Arabia: "We expect Jessie to make an immediate contribution to the team. She is a strong defender and midfield player, who is also very effective in her attack. She is very competitive and brings a winning attitude. Her personality and enthusiasm is an excellent fit with the team."

Chelsea Botta (East Longmeadow, MA / East Longmeadow HS / Stars of Massachusetts)

A captain and Team MVP for East Longmeadow High School, Botta led her team to their first play-off appearance in six years and a third place finish in their division. As a center midfield and forward player, she was named All-State and First Team All-Western Massachusetts. Botta is also a four-year member of her HS basketball team and ran two years on the track team. As a defender for the nationally ranked Stars of Massachusetts club team, Botta has contributed to their undefeated Championships at 2007 CASL, Disney Classic Showcase, Vegas Showcase and PDA Tournaments. The Stars of Massachusetts team has also been Region I League Semi-finalists (2007), State Cup Finalists (2007) and NEWSS Tournament Champions (2008). From 2003 to 2007, Botta was also a member of the Massachusetts State ODP team, as well as named to the 2004 Regional Team.

Botta selected Marist after considering Cornell University and Bryant College.

Botta on Marist: "My visit to campus, the great business reputation, and the coaching staff and team made Marist feel like the perfect fit."

Coach Roper on Botta: "Chelsea will give us more depth and versatility with our defense. She is an excellent outside back, proving herself with her Stars of Massachusetts team against some of the top players in the country. She is an athletic, fast and smart player who will bring a great deal to the team. We are fortunate to have a player of her quality and energy join us.

Jacqueline Frey (Monroe, NY / Monroe-Woodbury HS / Quickstrike FC)

As the 2007 Section IX High School Player of the Year, Frey led her Monroe Woodbury HS team to the Section IX Championships and Regional finals. As a forward on her high school team, Jackie was recognized as an All Section player all four years of her high school career, as well as All-State in 2007 and 2008 and NSCAA All-Region in 2007. Playing in both midfield and forward for her Quickstrike club team, Jackie contributed to the team's success as the 2008 Jefferson Cup Champions and State Cup Finalists. Jackie has also been a 4-year member of the Eastern New York North ODP team.

Frey chose Marist over Holy Cross, Bryant and Binghamton University.

Frey on Marist: I chose Marist because of the proximity to my home and family. It is a good size, with a closeness and community atmosphere to the campus. The opportunity to join a good team and play great competition at the Division I level was also important to me.

Coach Roper on Frey: "Jackie is a hard-working, tenacious player. Her quickness and composure when finishing will enable her to contribute to our offensive game."

Caitlin Landsman (Burke, VA / Lake Braddock HS / FCV Netforce)

As Lake Braddock's goaltender, Landsman was instrumental in their 2006 and 2007 State Championship seasons. She has been recognized since her freshman year as a member of the All- Metropolitan Team and All-District Team. Her play in goal also led her to the Virginia State Cup Championships and PDA Showcase Championships in 2006 for her FCV Netforce club team, a regionally ranked and nationally ranked team. The Netforce has competed in the highest divisions of the Disney, Jefferson Cup and PDA showcases, in addition to competing in the Regional Tournament in 2007. Caitlin was also a two-year member of Virginia's State ODP program.

Landsman, who has been named Lake Braddock's valedictorian, chose Marist over Duquesne, Virgina Tech, University of Virginia and William and Mary.

Landsman on Marist: "Marist has a rigorous academic program and accomplished athletic program, like many others I visited. Yet it was the one school that welcomed me with an overwhelming sense of hospitality. It was not only the academics and soccer that attracted me, but the coaching staff and team members that were genuine and friendly."

Coach Roper on Landsman: "Caitlin has developed a great deal in her skills and abilities in goal through the time we have seen her play with Netforce team. She has faced some of the top competition in the region. Caitlin is a solid presence and leader in goal, very good with her feet and an impressive shot-stopper. She will be an asset for us in goal and on the team; an excellent student."

Nicole Kuhar (Oceanview, NJ / Holy Spirit HS / South Jersey Banshees)

Kuhar's play in midfield and forward for Holy Spirit High School for four years led them to a three-year Conference Championship (2005, 2006, 2007)streak ,as well as the Non-Public School State semi-finals and finals in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Kuhar has received recognition as a South Jersey First-Team member, All-Cape Atlantic Team member and Atlantic City Press All-Star. As a member of the South Jersey Banshees club team, Kuhar has contributed to the team's success as finalists in the Super Y League North American Tournament in 2006 and 2008, and New Jersey State Cup semi-finalists and finalists in 2006 and 2007. She was also a member of the Super Y League ODP National Team pool from 2006-2008 as well as a member of the New Jersey State ODP for one year.

Kuhar, who has been named valedictorian of her graduating class at Holy Spirit, chose Marist over the University of Pennsylvania, Williams, Stevens Institute of Technology and Swarthmore.

Kuhar on Marist: "After meeting with the coaching staff and players I knew Marist was the place for me. I visited many schools and found Marist to be the perfect fit. The balance between strong academics and quality athletics made the decision easy."

Coach Roper on Kuhar: "The first time I saw Nikki play, she impressed me, and has continued to do so in each game. Nikki is a strong, quick and smart player. She has a terrific work rate and pace. Her abilities will contribute to our team's attack."

Jaclynn Sabia (Wayne, NJ / Wayne Hills HS / Montclair Aristocats)

Despite an injury at Regional Camp in 2006, Sabia returned to play and contributed to her high school and club team's continued success. She received All-League, All-County and All-State honors through her high school career, as well as being the League's top goal scorer as a senior. She was also named to the Super Y League National Team in 2007. A member of the regionally and nationally ranked Montclair Aristocats club team, Sabia has competed in the highest level tournaments including the Disney, Vegas, Jefferson and PDA Showcase. The 2006 New Jersey State Cup Champions, the Aristocats also competed at the 2006, 2007 and 2008 USYSA Regional Tournament. Jackie has also been a member of the New Jersey State ODP program for 2 years.

Sabia chose Marist over Fordham, Hofstra and St John's.

Sabia on Marist: "I was looking for a school close to New York City, with a good communications program and with a good soccer program. It was at Marist where I felt the most comfortable and where I believe I can be the most successful as a student and an athlete. The coaches and team are really caring and want to be successful, and I was immediately attracted to the opportunity to play here."

Coach Roper on Sabia: "Jackie is a very skilled player. She is smooth and crafty on the ball, and has great acceleration. She has come back strong from her injury, and we expect her to be a scoring threat for us. Jackie is a dangerous player, willing to take players on 1v1 and tireless in her efforts."

Courdell Schaetzle (Erie, PA / Mercyhurst Prep / Erie Admirals)

A four-year member of both the soccer and basketball teams at Mercyhurst Prep, Schaetzle has been a three-year soccer team captain and was named All-Region and All-District for four years. As the leading goalkeeper of the soccer team since her freshman year, Schaetzle accumulated Goals Against Average less than 0.70 in her four-year career. This past fall, she led the Mercyhurst Prep to the District Finals for the fourth year in a row. Schaetzle was also a member of the Pennsylvania State ODP team in 2006, and also had a training stint in Florida with Tim Mulqueen, the US National Team Goalkeeper Coach. A member of the National Honor Society, she is interested in pursuing a major in education or athletic training.

Schaetzle chose Marist over Mercyhurst College and St. Joseph's University.

Schaetzle on Marist: "The academic offerings in both education and athletic training got me interested in Marist. I also have family in New York, and thought the campus was in a great location. The soccer program, team and coaches were also influential in my decision."

Coach Roper on Schaetzle: "Courey is a naturally athletic and gifted player. She comes from an athletic family, and has been a leader on different teams, which are great qualities she will bring to our team. As a goalkeeper, she has a great command of the 18 yard box and is not afraid to come out for balls in a crowd. She has a solid presence, good skills, and is willing to work hard and get better. We are looking forward to her contributions to the team."

The Red Foxes, who ended the 2008 season winning three of their final four games, will be returning all their staring players except one in the 2009 season.