FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Tuesday, April 4, 2017 Cavallo unveils 2017 women’s soccer recruiting class
Announcing the signing of 11 new players for next season, MSUB women’s soccer head coach Stephen Cavallo announces the 2017 Yellowjacket recruiting class Tuesday. BILLINGS, Mont. – A total of 11 new freshmen will join the Montana State University Billings women’s soccer team next fall, as Yellowjacket head coach Stephen Cavallo announced his 2017 recruiting class on Tuesday. “I am very excited to announce the 2017 recruiting class,” Cavallo said. “It has been a pleasure to get to know each of these individuals through the recruiting process, and I know each will add a lot to our current group. There is a lot of skill in this recruiting class, that will only make us strong as a unit and help us achieve our goals of integrating our program with top-quality people, students, and athletes.”
2017 MSU Billings Women’s Soccer Recruiting Class Name Position Hometown Samea Aljundi Midfielder Kent, WA Madison Browne Midfielder Seattle, WA Natalie Cabiad Midfielder/Forward Spokane Valley, WA Amanda Grimshaw Defender/Forward Damascus, OR Erinn Harder Goalkeeper Gig Harbor, WA Brooke Johnson Forward/Midfielder Casper, WY Lizzy Light Midfielder/Forward Billings, MT Susie Lusardi Goalkeeper Willow Spring, NC Danielle Mumm Forward/Defender Seattle, WA Cierra Pinson Forward Des Moines, WA Hallie Vervair Midfielder Spokane, WA
High School Kentridge Vashon Island Central Valley Clackamas Gig Harbor Kelly Walsh Skyview Middle Creek Seattle Christian Mount Rainier Mt. Spokane
Class (2017) Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman Freshman
Samea Aljundi Kent, Washington Kentridge High School 5’3” – Midfielder Intended Major: Undecided Aljundi earned four letters as a midfielder and defender on the Kentridge High School soccer team, and helped the Chargers to an SPS league title under head coach Sherri Rolfs. Aljundi was a second-team all-SPS League selection and was named most inspirational for all four of her prep seasons. As a senior, Aljundi notched a pair of goals and 13 assists, and also earned a scholar-athlete award. Coach Cavallo on Aljundi: “Samea is a very skilled soccer player who will add a lot to our midfield play. She can play a host of positions and has the skills and awareness to excel at them all. Her first touch, passing range, and comfortability on the ball really stand out.” Aljundi on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because I love the open area it is in and the people on the team. I think it will be good for me to experience college in a different area than where I grew up, and I’m excited to work with some great people and continue playing soccer.” Madison Browne Seattle, Washington Vashon Island High School 5’1” – Midfielder Intended Major: Business Browne competed for the Vashon Island High School Pirates and earned four letters as a midfielder under head coach Alan Zoltie. Coach Cavallo on Browne: “Madison is a true hard-nosed central midfielder. She plays with a ton of heart, grit, and determination. She possesses great skill on the ball, and does a great job maintaining possession by always picking the simple pass.”
Browne on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because it has been my dream since I went to my first college soccer game to play college soccer. MSUB has given me the chance to achieve that goal.” Natalie Cabiad Spokane Valley, Washington Central Valley High School 5’5” – Midfielder/Forward Intended Major: Mathematics/Education A two-sport athlete at Central Valley High School, Cabiad earned three letters in soccer and four letters in track and field. She helped lead the Bears to the 2015 Washington 4A state title under head coach Andres Monnroy, and was a member of her high school’s honor society all four years. Cabiad also completed her associate’s degree as a running-start student at Spokane Community College. Coach Cavallo on Cabiad: “Natalie is a skilled attacking player who can play in the middle or on the wings. She has a good first touch, strong finishing ability, and a good work rate up top pressuring defenders.” Cabiad on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because I really liked the coaching staff and the players on the team. Everyone I met was nice and welcoming from the start, and this made it seem like a good fit for me. The school’s campus was beautiful, along with the city, and I’m really excited to get to know a new place with great people.” Amanda Grimshaw Damascus, Oregon Clackamas High School 5’3” – Defender/Forward Intended Major: Health/Human Performance Grimshaw earned four letters as a defender and forward at Clackamas High School, as she filled a dual role on the pitch for the Cavaliers. As a senior, Grimshaw earned second-team all-Mt. Hood Conference and served as team captain. Also competing in track and field as a sprinter for one season, Grimshaw helped the Cavs’ 4x100 team to a school record of 48.48, and posted personal bests of 12.77 in the 100-meters and 25.93 in the 200meters. Coach Cavallo on Grimshaw: “Amanda is a very skilled and versatile outside player. She is a scrappy defender, but also has the technical ability to help us in the attacking third. I find Amanda to be creative on the ball, always moving on the field, and a dependable player.” Grimshaw on choosing MSUB: “Great campus, nice community, friendly people; those are the main reasons I chose to attend MSUB. Everyone was really nice and welcoming, which made my decision really easy. I’m looking forward to playing soccer and meeting new people.”
Erinn Harder Gig Harbor, Washington Gig Harbor High School 5’5” – Goalkeeper Intended Major: Undecided Harder is fresh off leading her Gig Harbor High School team to a 17-1 record in her senior campaign, and the goalkeeper was a four-year letterwinner in her career with the Tides. As a senior, Harder was a second-team all-area pick after earning first-team all-Narrows 3A League honors. She was also a second-team all-league pick as a sophomore. Coach Cavallo on Harder: “Erinn is an extremely skilled goalkeeper both with the techniques specific to the position and with the ball at her feet while playing out of the back. She is a strong shotstopper, and is very athletic.” Harder on choosing MSUB: “I decided to choose MSUB because I really like the environment that Coach Cavallo makes for the players. The team has such a great attitude and I am excited to become a part of it. It has been my goal since I was younger to play college soccer, and I am so grateful that MSUB provides me with that opportunity.” Brooke Johnson Casper, Wyoming Kelly Walsh High School 5’7” – Forward/Midfielder Intended Major: Elementary Education Johnson is a versatile athlete at Kelly Walsh High School, participating in soccer, volleyball, and track and field. A four-year letterwinner on the pitch under head coach Jerry Realing, Johnson was an all-state selection and Golden Boot award winner. As a sophomore she scored a personal-best four goals in a game against Riverton. Coach Cavallo on Johnson: “Brooke is a very fast, athletic player who will add a lot to our attacking wing play. She has the ability to score goals and set her teammates up with a cross. Her work ethic is very noticeable and her motor never stops going.” Johnson on choosing MSUB: “I was looking for a college that had a family-oriented team and a competitive conference which would challenge me as a player and as a person. The GNAC is one of the most competitive conferences in the nation, so playing with a team that is faster, better, and stronger will only make me better. Coach Cavallo seemed very involved in the players’ academics, and he really believes that academics come before athletics.” Elizabeth Light Billings, Montana Skyview High School 5’3” – Midfielder/Forward Intended Major: Undecided
Set to begin her career in her home town, Light will head down from the Billings Heights where she earned three letters in soccer for the Skyview High School Falcons. Light was an all-state pick in both 2015 and 2016, and was team captain and MVP her senior season. She was also a member of the Montana Super State soccer team, and of the national honor society. Showing an attacking ability as a midfielder and forward, Light scored six goals in 2015. Coach Cavallo on Light: “Elizabeth is an extremely hard-working, attacking player. She always leaves it on the field and will add a lot to our attacking depth. She is skilled on the ball and is incredibly strong in the air for someone her size.” Light on choosing MSUB: “I am excited to play collegiate soccer for MSUB, because of the positive attitude and atmosphere Coach Cavallo seeks to promote. I know this program will help me grow to be a better athlete and person.” Susie Lusardi Willow Spring, North Carolina Middle Creek High School 5’6” – Goalkeeper Intended Major: Biology A goalkeeper for four years at Middle Creek High School, Lusardi will add further depth for the Yellowjackets in the net. She played for the CASL 99 Ladies RED club team, and played her senior season in the U-18 Region Three Premier League. She was a national honor society student, and earned academic all-conference honors. Lusardi was also on her school’s honor roll, and was a member of the science national honor society. Coach Cavallo on Lusardi: “Susie is an aggressive goalkeeper coming to us all the way from North Carolina. Susie will be a great addition to our goalkeeper crew, and is very technically sound and a very good shot-stopper.” Lusardi on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because of its women’s soccer program and location. If there is something that I love almost as much as I love soccer, it would be the outdoors. I feel that MSUB is the perfect place for me to turn what I love into a career, while also getting the opportunity to play competitive soccer.” Danielle Mumm Seattle, Washington Seattle Christian High School 5’9” – Forward/Defender Intended Major: Kinesiology/Exercise Science Mumm earned four letters in soccer at Seattle Christian High School under head coach Alexa Diaz. She was team captain both junior and senior year, and helped the Warriors to district titles in 2013-15. Mumm was a second-team all-Nisqually League pick in each of her prep seasons, and was an academic honoree as well. As a forward, Mumm’s signature performance was a three-goal effort in the district championship to help her team to a 4-1 victory over Vashon Island High School. Mumm also helped lead her team to the Washington Class A state title in 2015.
Coach Cavallo on Mumm: “Danielle will be a strong, athletic outside player for us. She is good on the ball and is not afraid to get into tackles. Her versatility allows her to play on either side of the field and in the attack or in the backfour.” Mumm on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because I believe that it offers a competitive soccer program that will be challenging but overall a great fit for me. I am also excited to pursue my educational goals, as MSUB has great kinesiology and exercise science programs. On my visit, I felt like I really fit in with the team and Coach Cavallo, and I was initially impressed by the campus because of its size and atmosphere.” Cierra Pinson Des Moines, Washington Mount Rainier High School 5’5” – Forward Intended Major: Criminal Justice Another multi-sport athlete in high school, Pinson competed in soccer, track, and basketball at Mount Rainer High School. Pinson was a four-year letterwinner as a forward in soccer, and served as team captain in her senior year. She was also an honorable mention allconference selection in 2015. She earned three letters in track as a sprinter, and was a guard on the Rams’ basketball team for one season. Coach Cavallo on Pinson: “Cierra’s determination on the field stands out most. She has intuition for scoring goals, whether that be with her right foot, left foot, or head. Her work rate up top causes havoc to any defender she comes across.” Pinson on choosing MSUB: “I chose MSUB because I liked the size of the classes and campus, and the beautiful atmosphere. It was everything I was looking for in a school. I felt immediately welcomed by the MSUB staff on my campus tour, and the time I spent with the team showed me how close of a group they are. MSUB also gives me the opportunity to pursue my passion of soccer at a competitive school, while giving me a great education at the same time.” Hallie Vervair Spokane, Washington Mt. Spokane High School 5’6” – Midfielder Intended Major: Education A four-year central midfielder at Mt. Spokane High School, Vervair was a two-year captain for the Wildcats under head coach Ryan Campanella. In 2016 as a senior, Vervair received the Wildcat Award for academic achievement, team support, and sportsmanship. She also competed on the Idaho Olympic Development Program travel team from 2013-15, and on the 2015 ODP Region IV team. Vervair helped lead the Spokane Shadow to the RCL Division 1 championship as a senior. Coach Cavallo on Vervair: “Hallie is a very quick, athletic player who will add a lot to our central midfield unit. She is very strong on the ball, comfortable taking players off the dribble, and has strong field awareness.”
Vervair on choosing MSUB: “On my visit, I found the campus and environment to be a great place to spend the next four years. The coaches and players were all very welcoming, and I could tell I was going to be part of a big family. MSUB’s playing style and my own are almost identical, which will help me transition to college soccer more easily. I am very excited to be playing for a competitive program, where I know I will continue to grow as a player and as a person.” The Yellowjackets finished the 2016 season 4-10-3 overall and took sixth place in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with a league record of 4-6-2. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--