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Feb. 19, 2008

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa soccer team has added 10 recruits to its 2008 roster, head coach Jennifer Plante announced on Tuesday.

                "This is a very diverse and competitive class of young women.   I am looking forward to adding them to our current roster of players," Plante said. "A foundation has been built, a strong environment and tone is being set, and the future of women's soccer at UNI is very exciting."

 

Stephanie Erb

Midfield - 5'8" - freshman

Cedar Rapids, Iowa - Jefferson HS - Club: Iowa Soccer Club

 

Stephanie Erb joins the Panthers after playing three seasons of ODP representing the state of Iowa.    The midfielder/forward will graduate from Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids in 2008.

 

Coach Plante on Erb: "Steph is going to bring an attacking mentality to our team.  Her composure on the ball and vision to go forward will create attacking opportunities for us.  With her size and strength she has the ability to play anywhere on the field for us.  We are looking for her to make an impact from day one."

 

Grace Goldman

Defender - 5'5" - freshman

Cincinnati, Ohio - Indian Hills HS - Club: Cincinnati United Premier

 

Grace Goldman will play for UNI after starting four years for Indian Hills in Cincinnati, Ohio.  Goldman was an all-city first team pick in 2007, and helped Indian Hills advance to the State Finals in 2004 and 2005.  The midfielder/defender earned a place in the 2007 All-State game as well.

 

Coach Plante on Goldman: "Grace has a strong defensive presence.  We will look to her to win the air game and organize our defense.  Her ability to read the game and shut players down will bring stability to our young back line."

 

Mel Meier

Midfielder - 5'5" - freshman

Waunakee, Wisconsin - Waunakee HS - Club: Middleton Yahara Soccer Club

 

Mel Meier joins the Panther roster after playing four years at Waunakee (Wis.) High School.  Meier, a 5'5" forward/midfielder, helped Waunakee finish as conference champions three straight years. She was given the team playmaker award and named to the all-conference team.  Mel played for the MYSC, which finished as the 2007 WCGSL Premier League champion.

 

Coach Plante on Meier: "Mel maintains great possession with the ball.  Whether up top or in the midfield, she is the type of player that will create opportunities for others.  Mel's work rate and technical abilities will make her an instant playmaker for us."

 

Kala Negus

Midfielder - 5'6" - freshman

Urbandale, Iowa - Urbandale HS - Club: Johnston Urbandale Soccer Club

 

Kala Negus comes to UNI after playing four seasons at Urbandale High School.  She earned all-conference honors as a freshman, sophomore and junior.  Negus was an honorable mention on the 2005 all-state team, and the midfielder was a second team selection in her sophomore and junior seasons. She served as a team captain as a junior and will repeat the duties in 2008.

Her club, JUSC team finished as the U18 State Cup Champions in 2007.

 

Coach Plante on Negus: "Kala will bring composure and instant leadership to the team.  She possesses many tools that will help take this program to the next level.  Her size, technical skills and determination will add to our solid midfield."

 

Ashley Sill

Forward - 5'4" - freshman

Granger, Indiana - Penn HS - Club: Junior Irish Soccer Club

 

  Ashley Sill, a 5'4 forward, will join the Panthers after lettering four years at Penn High School in Mishawaka, Ind.  Sill helped Penn finish as conference champions all four seasons.  In 2006 and 2007 Penn finished as state runner up.  Sill led the team in points as a sophomore, junior and senior, and she earned all-district honors in 2007.  She also played three years on the Indiana ODP.

 

Coach Plante on Sill: "Ashley brings many tools and pace to our front line.  Her quickness and ability to get in behind the defense will create a lot of scoring opportunities for us.  We are looking to her to continue her success and put points on the board next season."

 

Lauren Potzman

Goalkeeper - 5'8" - freshman

Florissant, Missouri - Incarnate Word Academy - Club: Missouri Premier

 

Lauren Potzman comes to UNI after playing for Incarnate Word Academy in St. Louis, Mo.  In 2007, the junior goalkeeper helped Incarnate Word finish 24-2-2 and finished as a state finalist.

 

Coach Plante on Potzman: "Lauren has an amazing work ethic and understands the responsibility of coming in as a freshman goalkeeper.  She is committed to being prepared for the next level and I know she will thrive in the experience."

 

Alexandria Uding

Defender - 5'3" - freshman

Chicago, Illinois - Whitney M. Young Magnet HS - Club: Sockers FC

 

The Panthers will bring in Alex Uding as a defender. Uding played year around for the Sockers FC under Greg Muhr and David Richardson.  She participated in the 2007 Regional Tournament, Illinois State Cup as well as many other nationally ranked tournaments. 

 

Coach Plante on Uding: "Alex is a great one-on-one defender.  We are looking for her to come in and solidify our defense.  While she has the ability to close players down, she has an even better instinct to go forward.  Alex has great field vision of early services and will place dangerous balls into the box."

 

 

Ashley Vitosh

Midfielder - 5'6" - freshman

Iowa City, Iowa - City High HS - Club: Iowa Soccer Club

 

Ashley Vitosh signs with UNI after lettering five years at City High in Iowa City.  Vitosh was a second-team all-conference selection as a freshman, and a first-team pick as a junior and senior.  The midfielder was also an all-state honorable mention as a junior and senior.

 

Coach Plante on Vitosh: "Ashley brings skill and creativity to our program.  Her comfort level on the ball and vision of the field will create dangerous situations for opposing teams.  She is so much fun to watch, her ideas about how to get it done are unique and I am looking forward to watching her grow."

 

Lauren Weis

Defender - 5'5" - freshman

Marshalltown, Iowa - Marshalltown HS - Club: Johnston Urbandale Soccer Club

 

Lauren Weis joins the Panthers after a standout career at Marshalltown High.  Weis helped Marshalltown finish as state runners up in 2006, and win the state title in 2007.  The defender/midfielder was an all-conference honorable mention as a freshman, and a first-team selection as a sophomore and junior.  She earned all-state honorable mention honors in 2007.  Her club JUSC team finished as the U18 State Cup Champions in 2007.

 

Coach Plante on Weis: "Lauren will be an outside back for us.  She has a hardworking attitude and will lead by example. Her commitment to defend and still get involved in the attack will be fun to watch.    I will be looking to Lauren to set the tone each and every day this season."

 

Stephanie Whitmer

Midfielder/Forward - 5-7 - freshman

Urbandale, Iowa - Waukee HS - Club: Johnston Urbandale Soccer Club

 

 Stephanie Whitmer will play for UNI after playing four years at Waukee High School.  The midfielder helped lead Waukee to the state tournament semi-finals in 2006, and finished as conference runners-up in 2005 and 2007.  Whitmer earned all-state honors in 2006 and 2007, and her club team finished as the U18 State Cup Champions in 2007.

 

Coach Plante on Whitmer: "Steph's competitive nature will help build our program. Her mentality and   attitude will create havoc for opposing team's defense.  I will be counting on her to create the atmosphere every day in training.  Whitmer is strong, fast and relentless. She will put the ball in the back of the net for us."