PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers women's soccer signed five players to its 2008 recruiting class, head coach Glenn Crooks announced. Jonelle Filigno (Mississauga, Ontario), Shannon Woeller (Vancouver, Canada), April Price (Richmond, Va.), Stefanee Pace (Kearny, N.J.) and Emmy Simpkins (Concord, N.C.) will all play for the Scarlet Knights in 2008.
"This recruiting class is another indication that we are upgrading the level of player in our program on an annual basis," said head coach Glenn Crooks. "I expect each of these players to have an immediate and major impact on our development. Our goal as a program is to develop leaders and win championships. The pledge we make to our team is that we will only bring in players that have a 100-percent commitment to the program, and that includes both their academics and soccer. This incoming group fits that profile. They are amazing students, players and people."
Filigno is a member of the Canadian National Team, with three caps under her belt. Her first appearance on the squad was against the US National Team in the Four Nations Cup, held in China. She attends St. Marcellinus Secondary School in Mississauga, Ontario. She played four years as a forward for the Mississauga Dixie Saints club team under head coach Tony Ronca, leading the team to the 2007 Championship of Score and the Shore as well as the Championship of the Kalamazoo Invitational Soccer Showcase (KISS).
Crooks on Filigno:
"Jonelle's recent experiences with the full Canadian National Team give us a strong indication of her ability to score goals at the highest level. She has a great attacking presence and an incredible work rate."
Filigno's Club Coach: Tony Ronca
Woeller is a defender from the Prince of Wales Secondary in Vancouver, B.C. She played for Bob Birarda and the 2007 PCSL League Champion Vancouver Whitecaps FC, as well as the U20 Canadian National Team and the U15 Canadian National Team.
Crooks on Woeller:
"Shannon was the most consistent back we saw in this year's recruiting class. She can play center, she can play wide and she has international experience. She is currently a starter for the U-20 Canadian National Team as they prepare for the World Championships."
Woeller's Club Coach: Bob Birardo
Price is a forward from Maggie Walker Governor's School in Richmond, Va., and Patti Glynn. Through three years, she has accumulated 78 goals and 30 assists while receiving First Team All-District and First Team All-Region honors all three seasons. She was named Team MVP her junior campaign after tallying 28 goals and 12 assists while leading MWGS to an 11-7 record. She also played for the Richmond Strikers under head coach Shannon Richard, helping to lead the team to state championships in 2004-05 and 2007-08.
Crooks on Price:
"April has scored some of the most spectacular goals I've seen this year. She will be a great target for us with good size and exceptional leaping ability. The timing of her air game makes her a cut above in the box."
Price's HS Coach: Patti Glynn Price's Club Coach: Shannon Richard
Pace is the lone local product in the recruiting class. The midfielder played for Mickey Rusek and Kearny High School in Kearny, N.J., recording 100 goals and 94 assists during her four years, including 28 goals and 31 assists during her senior campaign. She was named Hudson County Player of the Year all four years at Kearny. She also played two seasons for former US National Team member Kazbek Tambi and the Arsenal World Class club team, winning the Region I League Championship in 2007.
Crooks on Pace:
"We believe she is the best Jersey kid in the class of 2008. She is physically and mentally capable of stepping in to make us better right away. She has experience playing in big matches, and she has played well in those big matches."
Pace's HS Coach: Mickey Rusek Pace's Club Coach: Kazbek Tambi
Simpkins played two seasons at Tuscarora High School in Fredericksburg, Md., before finishing her high school career playing for Harold Van Klaugher at Northwest Cabarrus in Concord, N.C., after her family moved to Charlotte. Although she only played two seasons at Tuscarora, she made her mark, holding the records for shutout in a season (14) and shutouts in a career (20). She also played for FC Carolina's U18 team and head coach Stacy Hummer.
Crooks on Simpkins:
"Emmy is both athletic and courageous, which are great qualities for a keeper. She is an outstanding communicator and commands her area well. She will compete immediately for time and helps make us deeper in a very important position."
Simpkins' HS Coach: Harold Van Klaugher Simpkins' Club Coach: Stacy Hummer
