Bowling Green State University Athletics
Women's Soccer Adds Five Players
January 03, 2000 | Women's Soccer
April 7, 1999
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio -
Bowling Green State University women's soccer coach Tom Piccirillo and his assistant, Julie Reule, have announced the addition of five student-athletes to the program. Kelly Archiable (Hudson, Ohio), Jill Conover (Grand Island, N.Y.), Erika Flanders (Mason, Ohio), Melissa Galitz (Lake Zurich, Ill.) and Amy McIlwain (Cincinnati, Ohio) will join the Falcons this fall.
Archiable, a forward, currently attends Hudson High School. One of the team's top scorers over the last two years, she has been named All-Ohio twice. Additionally, she was the Western Reserve Conference's MVP. Archiable, who plays club ball for Emerald, also has lettered in basketball and track at Hudson.
"Kelly will give us more speed and height up front," said Piccirillo. "Her athleticism will definitely be welcomed on the Falcons."
Conover, a forward, attends Grand Island High School. With 113 goals in her career, she is one of the all-time scoring leaders in the state of New York. A three-time team MVP, Conover earned all-league honors every year, and garnered all-state accolades twice. Conover, who also has earned letters in basketball and softball, plays club ball for the Ken-Ton Ambush.
"Jill is a proven goal scorer that we hope will pick up right where she left off in high school," said Piccirillo. "You have to have a real nose for the goal to score as many times as she has. Jill not only gives us another proven scorer, but also possesses athleticism that will help make us a better team."
Flanders, a goalkeeper, attends Mason High School. An all-state selection last fall, Flanders has played on the Ohio South team in the Olympic Developmental Program (ODP). According to Piccirillo, she is one of the country's top 'keepers, as exhibited by a stellar performance at the ESP camp last summer. Erika, who also played on Mason's nationally-ranked basketball team, rejoins high-school teammate Leslie Hepfinger, a Falcon defender, on the BG soccer team. She plays for Club Ohio.
"We are quite excited that Erika has decided to become a Falcon," said Piccirillo. "She is a tremendous shot-stopper, who also prevents many shots because of her communication. Erika also has great foot skills, she is like having an extra field player out there."
Galitz, a midfielder, attends Lake Zurich High School. She has earned all-league accolades at her midfield spot, but also can play at forward. Galitz played club soccer with Tracy Gleixner, who earned All-Mid-American Conference First-Team honors as a Falcon freshman last fall. Galitz plays club ball with Northwest United.
"Melissa is big and strong," said Piccirillo. "She will give us more depth in our midfield. Melissa, who plays her high-school season in the spring, should be one of the top players in her league."
McIlwain, a midfielder/forward, attends Anderson High School. She has been an all-league selection in each of the last two yaers, and was the MVP of the Cincinnati High School All-Star Game. She plays club ball with the G.S.E. Cardinals.
"Amy is quite versatile," said Piccirillo. "She can play in the midfield or up front. Amy possesses speed and strength, she can score goals as well as create them. She led her high school team in both goals and assists."
Bowling Green, as a second-year program in 1998, went 8-11-1 overall and 4-5-1 in the MAC. The sixth-seeded Falcons upset third-seeded Eastern Michigan in the league tournament quarterfinals before losing in the semifinal round to eventual champion Northern Illinois. BGSU had just one senior on last year's team.
