CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois women’s soccer head coach
Summer Perala has unveiled her first recruiting class as the leader of the program, announcing the addition of eight players for the 2010 season.
Joining the Panthers as true freshmen in the fall will be:
Cassidi Dietz (Millstadt/Belleville West),
Lauren Hoppensteadt (Oswego/Oswego East),
Nicole Hutchinson (San Antonio, Texas/Marshall),
Brittany O’Dell (Charleston/Charleston),
Samantha Rall (Phoenix, Ariz./Desert Vista),
Meg Rogers (Bloomington/Normal Community),
Brenna Vogel (Naperville/Neuqua Valley) and
Jenna Wampler (Bloomington/U-High).
Eastern’s 2009 team featured six seniors that closed out their four-year careers in the fall.
Dietz, Hoppensteadt and Vogel are defenders, Hutchinson and Wampler forwards, Rogers a midfielder, and O’Dell a goalkeeper. Rall projects as multi-positional player as a forward/midfielder.
The 5-foot-10 Hoppensteadt will add some size for EIU defensively. The three-varsity starter entering her senior season was an all-area and all-conference honoree as a junior in 2009.
As attacking players, Hutchinson and Wampler both possess the ability to finish scoring chances efficiently. Rall projects as the fastest member of the recruiting class.
Perala said Rogers’ strong suit is setting up scoring opportunities for her teammates, both in the flow of a game and on restarts. She was a club teammate of Wampler’s with the Illinois Fusion.
Dietz and Vogel are hard-working, competitive defenders that are capable of joining attacking teammates when the opportunities arise. Both players helped their high school teams win conference titles in 2009.
O’Dell is an athletic goalkeeper that has already made impressive strides in her short time playing the position. Perala highlighted her reflexes, hands and work ethic.
“I’m extremely pleased with our first recruiting class here at EIU,” Perala said. “Because we lost such a variety of positions from this past graduating class, we’ve looked to bring in players that both (assistant coach) Grant (Williams) and I believe will have the ability contribute immediately on the field. The overall athleticism and soccer knowledge of all the incoming players will really compliment what our returning players bring to the table.”
The following is an individual recap of recruit accomplishments.
Cassidi Dietz, 5-foot-5 defender from Millstadt (Belleville West HS/SLSG Illinois Blue club)
A four-year varsity starter for coach Jason Mathenia at Belleville West… won offensive team MVP honors after ranking second on the team in scoring as a junior… all-conference honoree… helped Belleville West to sectional championships the last two years and a berth in the supersectional title game last spring… four-year high honor roll student… also helped lead her club team to four straight deep runs in the Illinois State Cup from 2006-09…
Coach Perala says: “Cassidi will bring a hard-nosed personality to the defense. She’s a great competitor and will scrap to win challenges and 1-v-1 situations. Her composure on the ball will also allow us to build out of the back. Cass is also a very versatile player, so we look forward to utilizing her in many different roles.”
Lauren Hoppensteadt, 5-foot-10 defender from Oswego (Oswego East HS/Kickers SC Premier club)A three-year varsity starter entering her senior season for coach Lauren Anderson at Oswego East… as a junior was named to the
Aurora Beacon News All-Area, Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association All-Sectional and All-Southwest Prairie Conference teams… also played varsity basketball and is a four-year honor roll student… served as the captain of her club team, leading the Kickers to consecutive IIWSL TAD Division titles in 2008 and 2009… twice named Player of the Tournament...
Coach Perala says: “Lauren is a technically solid player who has the potential to contribute in her first year at EIU. She’s explosive through the midfield and can be dangerous taking players on. Defensively, she will add much-needed depth to our backline.”
Nicole Hutchinson, 5-foot-6 forward from San Antonio, Texas (Marshall HS/Classics Elite club)
Played for coach Brian Monaghan with the Classic Elite club team…
Coach Perala says: “Nicole is a very strong, physical player with a great first touch who can be dangerous with her back to the goal or faced up. She’s quick on the turn and opportunistic around the box. She’s also not scared to get in and scrap for loose balls in the attacking third. She will add a great battling mentality to our team.”
Brittany O’Dell, 5-foot-7 goalkeeper from Charleston (Charleston HS/Charleston Futbol Club)
As a two-year member of varsity entering her senior season at Charleston High, she served as a team captain in 2009 for coach Paul Stranz…
Decatur Herald and Review Honorable Mention All-Area… was named to the St. Teresa All-Tournament Team… has also played three years of varsity basketball… was coached by EIU assistant Grant Williams with the Charleston Futbol Club…
Coach Perala says: “Brittany has only played goalkeeper for a couple years and has shown great potential. Her athleticism, reflexes, and hands are all very solid qualities. She has an amazing work-ethic and her ability to soak up the technical aspects of the position will allow her to excel within the program in a short time.”
Samantha Rall, 5-foot-3 forward/midfielder from Phoenix, Ariz. (Desert Vista HS/Gilbert Arsenal SC)
Four-year varsity letter-winner is a two-time team captain for coach Paul Manoogian… selected as an Arizona Player to Watch as both a junior and senior… led the Desert Vista in assists and ranked second in goals as a junior in 2009… earned honorable mention all-state honors last season… all-region as a senior... helped lead Desert Vista to the Arizona High School Class 5A1 state finals in 2006 and 2009… volunteers in the Best Buddies and American Cancer Society Relay for Life programs… helped her club team win the 2009 Division I title of the Arizona State league… Gilbert Arsenal SC also was an Arizona State finalist from 2005-09…
Coach Perala says: “Sam’s speed is what caught our attention right off the bat. She’s a super fast player, who has the ability to send in a quality service from the flank, as well as cut to goal if a bit of space is open. I definitely see Sam impacting quickly within the team.”
Meg Rogers, 5-foot-5 midfielder from Bloomington (Normal Community HS/Illinois Fusion club)
Four-year varsity starter for coach Matt Chapman at Normal Community… 2008 all-state honoree… three-time All-Big 12 Conference selection entering her senior season… helped the Illinois Fusion win the State Cup in 2005 and 2007… part of a 3-v-3 national championship teams in 2005 and 2007… played four years the Olympic Development Program state team…
Coach Perala says: “Megan has a strong understanding of the game and reads the play well. Very attack-orientated and quick thinking, she has a great ability to play just the right ball to split the defenses. Meg’s extremely dangerous on set-pieces and will add another dimension to our attack.”
Brenna Vogel, 5-foot-8 defender from Naperville (Neuqua Valley HS/Eclipse Soccer Club)
As an Honorable Mention All-Upstate Eight Conference performer for coach Joe Moreau, she helped lead Neuqua Valley to conference and regional championships in 2009… also played for coach Scott Fonfara with the Eclipse Soccer Club…
Coach Perala says: “Brenna’s a tough defensive player, very blue collar in her work ethic and extremely coachable. She’s simple in her play and her overall athleticism will allow us to have options going forward.”
Jenna Wampler, 5-foot-3 forward from Bloomington (University HS/Illinois Fusion club)
Two-time team MVP as a sophomore and junior for coach Hayley Sutton at U-High… earned all-sectional and all-state honors as a junior… three-time All-Intercity performer in the Bloomington-Normal area… also helped her Illinois Fusion club team win the State Cup in 2005 and 2007, scoring the game-winning goal in the 1-0 championship game victory in 2005… also part of a 3-v-3 national championship teams in 2005 and 2007…
Coach Perala says: “Jenna is a very savvy and dynamic player in the attacking third. She’s deceptive with the ball at her feet, and her ability to explode past defenders will create some great scoring opportunities. Jenna will be a fun player to watch over the course of her career here at EIU."