Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU Announces 2003 Recruiting Class
February 05, 2003 | Women's Soccer
Feb. 5, 2003
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Bowling Green State University women's soccer coach Andy Richards and his assistant, Ashlee Orr, have announced the addition of six student-athletes to the program. Karen Brown (North Olmsted, Ohio/North Olmsted), Lindsay Carter (Hilliard, Ohio/Darby), Kristen Grove (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mother of Mercy), Samantha Martinez (Grosse Pointe Park, Mich./Grosse Pointe South), Jenny Matson (Maineville, Ohio/Kings) and Sara Moore (Birmingham, Mich./Seaholm) will join the Falcons this fall.
Brown, a forward, was a four-year starter at North Olmsted High School. A team captain, she was voted "Most Athletic Senior" by her soccer teammates last fall. Brown played club soccer for the Cleveland Cobras premier team from 1999-2001, and currently plays for the Excalibur program. In addition to her soccer career in high school, Brown earned a pair of letters in both basketball and track, participating in the pole vault in the latter sport.
"Karen brings great pace and composure to the Falcons' offense for 2003," said Richards. "The Bowling Green coaching staff is very excited to have Karen join the program, as she is a prospect who could surprise a lot of people with her natural abilities. She is sure to have a positive effect on the team and have a great career as a Falcon."
Carter, a midfielder, has been a three-year starter for the Ohio Premier Soccer Club, and was a five-year veteran of the Eagles Soccer Club. She helped the Premier team to three consecutive state championships, and also has experience with the Ohio South Olympic Development Program (ODP). She earned All-Ohio Capitol Conference honors at Darby H.S., and also earned a number of honors in cross country in high school. Carter was a First-Team All-Ohio runner in 2002, placing 25th in the state, and was named to the All-OCC and all-district first teams as both a junior and a senior.
"Lindsay has a rich experience of club, ODP and high school soccer," said Richards. "Her offensive skills are very exciting to watch and she will undoubtedly be a key figure in the team. Lindsay excels in the classroom as she does on the soccer field and is a member of the Honor Roll. The coaching staff is extremely excited to earn the commitment of Lindsay to the program, as she is an excellent athlete who was highly recruited by many top-class programs. Her influence on the team is sure to be apparent both in and out of Mid-American Conference play."
Grove, a defender, has earned All-Girls Greater Cincinnati League first-team honors in each of the last two years, and also was named to the All-Southwest Ohio First Team in 2002. A team captain and four-year letterwinner, she also participated in the East-West All-Star Game. Grove also plays for the Cincinnati Classics Hammer, and has appeared in four state cup semifinals in as many years.
"Kristen's highly competitive spirit will bring energy and enthusiasm to the team, and the coaching staff is excited to add her character to the program," said Richards. "The Hammer team, coached by Clay Revis, is highly regarded throughout the state of Ohio and within the Midwest region, and she has been an integral part of their success. Her achievements at Mother of Mercy have been varied and plentiful. Her personality and fiery temperament will make her a tremendous character in the MAC and a very popular member of the team."
Martinez, a goalkeeper, was a member of the Michigan State ODP Pool from 1999-2002, and played on the State Team in 1999. A four-year starter at Grosse Pointe South H.S., she has earned all-district, all-region and all-state honors. Martinez captained that team as a senior, and was a three-year captain for her club team, the Birmingham Blazers.
"Samantha's size, athleticism and competitive nature will be a huge asset to the Bowling Green goalkeeping department," said Richards. "Her ability to make big saves and distribute with power and accuracy is exciting to watch and is a style that will allow the team to transition quickly from defense to attack. She has played under coach Tony Deacon at the club level, where the Blazers were Premier League Champions in 2002 and also Raleigh Shootout Champions in 2001 and 2002. We are thrilled to sign Samantha, as she is a brave and agile goalkeeper, an exciting prospect and a tremendous personality."
Matson, a forward, was a four-year starter at Kings H.S. A team captain, she earned first-team honors in the Fort Ancient Valley Conference this past season, and helped the team to league titles in both 1999 and 2000. Additionally, she has played club ball for Cincinnati United Premier, and also has three years of experience with the ODP district team and two years in the Ohio South State Pool.
"Jenny will bring another dimension to the strike force for the 2003 Falcons," said Richards. "She is a very exciting player to watch, as she is blessed with great speed and athleticism. Her goal-scoring ability helped her team to two FAVC titles, and they also were Division I sectional finalists in 1999 and Division I Divisional Finalists in 2000. The Bowling Green coaching staff is very excited for Jenny to join the program, and expects her attacking play to become apparent to all her opponents."
Moore, a midfielder, twice earned the team's "Best Offensive Player" award at Seaholm H.S. Like Martinez, she plays club ball for the Birmingham Blazers, and helped that team to state cup semifinal appearances in 2000-02. Moore has eight years of starting experience for the Blazers, and helped that team become Premier League Champions in 2002 and Raleigh Shootout Champions in both 2001 and 2002.
"Sara comes from the same club background as Samantha Martinez, and will add speed and skill to the left flank," said Richards. "She has tremendous experience of playing at the elite level of youth soccer. In addition to the Blazers being state cup semifinalists, Sara also helped her team to second place in the 2002 St. Charles soccer tournament. The coaching staff expects Sara to add depth and quality to the team and see her influencing the left side of midfield with her tough work ethic and sound technical skills."
The Falcons posted an overall record of 12-8-2 in 2002. BGSU, picked to finish ninth in the MAC in the preseason coaches poll, placed fourth with a league record of 7-4-1 and advanced to the semifinal round of the MAC Tournament. The Falcons lose four seniors off that 2002 squad.
| 2003 BGSU WOMEN'S SOCCER SIGNEES | ||
| Player | Pos. | Hometown (High School/Club) |
| Karen Brown | F | North Olmsted, Ohio (North Olmsted) |
| Lindsay Carter | M | Hilliard, Ohio (Darby) |
| Kristen Grove | D | Cincinnati, Ohio (Mother of Mercy) |
| Samantha Martinez | GK | Grosse Pointe Park, Mich. (Grosse Pointe South) |
| Jenny Matson | F | Maineville, Ohio (Kings) |
| Sara Moore | M | Birmingham, Mich. (Seaholm) |
