Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU Announces 2008 Women's Soccer Recruiting Class
February 07, 2008 | Women's Soccer
Feb. 7, 2008
2008 BGSU Recruiting Class - PHOTO GALLERY
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (BGSUFalcons.com) - Bowling Green State University women's soccer coach Andy Richards and his assistant, Scott Gloden, have announced the addition of 10 student-athletes to the program. Eight of the 10 -- Megan Amann (Troy, Mich./Troy Athens), Courtney Beinlich (Bellbrook, Ohio/Archbishop Alter), Brittany Hopkins (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville), Rebecca Ison (Kettering, Ohio/Archbishop Alter), Leah Johnson (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South), Kelsey Kovacs (Oregon, Ohio/St. Ursula Acad.), Emily Merritt (Tipp City, Ohio/Tippecanoe) and Katelyn Turner (Hamilton, Ohio/Lakota East) -- have National Letters of Intent and will join the Falcons this fall.
Hannah Merritt (Tipp City, Ohio/Tippecanoe) and Alyssa Zuccaro (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) also will join the BGSU program this coming fall.
"We are very excited about this recruiting class," said Richards. "We couldn't be more pleased that these 10 student-athletes have chosen to commit their futures to the BGSU soccer program."
Amann, a midfielder/forward, was a four-year starter at Troy Athens H.S., leading the team in both goals and assists. She earned all-district, all-region and all-state honors during her career, and was also named a Detroit Free Press Prep Star. Amann played club soccer for the Michigan Gators (1999-2006, 2008) and the Vardar Soccer Club (2007), helping both teams to considerable success in state cup play.
"The Bowling Green coaching staff is very excited to add Megan to the program," said Richards. "She has a unique ability to perform at a high technical level, especially with her left foot, and her dynamic attacking skills will add a fresh dimension to our style of play. In the classroom, she has been an Honor Roll student during all four years of her high-school career."
Beinlich, a midfielder, was a three-year starter at Archbishop Alter H.S., helping that program to a top-10 ranking in the state in each of the last three seasons. In 2007, the team posted 15 shutouts en route to the finest season in school history. Alter won the first outright Greater Girls Catholic League (GGCL) title in program annals and advanced to the regional semifinals. Beinlich has played club soccer for Ohio Galaxies F.C. Elite, and was a member of the Ohio South State ODP team from 2003-05.
"We are extremely excited to add Courtney to our program," said Richards. "She has a solid soccer background, a tenacious style of play and a tremendous work rate, and we are eager to watch her development as a college player."
Hopkins, a defender, is the latest in a long line of Strongsville H.S. products to join the BGSU women's soccer program. She helped captain her school to the state championship game in her senior year. Hopkins has played club ball with Ohio Premier for nearly a decade, helping that program to a state championship in 2005 and state finalist appearances in each of the next two years. She also played for the Ohio North State ODP team.
"Brittany's overall attitude and outgoing personality will add a great deal to the chemistry of our team, as will her determined style of play," said Richards. "We are fortunate to add her soccer knowledge and ability to the program, and we are excited to have her become part of the Falcon family."
Ison, a goalkeeper, was a three-year starter at Archbishop Alter H.S., where she was a teammate of fellow BGSU recruit Beinlich. The duo helped the team to a district title in 2004, district finals appearances in each of the next two seasons, and the most successful season in school history in 2007, with a GGCL title, a district championship and a trip to the regional semifinals. A two-time all-league first-team selection, Ison played club soccer with Metro FC Rapids and also has extensive ODP experience.
"The coaching staff is delighted to add Becca to the team, as she brings great talent and depth to the goalkeeper position," said Richards. "She played on the Ohio South ODP State team from 2003-07, and progressed to the Region II team in 2005. The next year, she was invited to participate in the US Youth Soccer ODP Girls U15/16 National Camp. Becca possesses great technique and bravery, and is expected to make a big impact on the program."
Johnson, a midfielder/forward, was a four-year varsity player at Wheaton Warrenville South H.S., helping her team to regional championships in both 2006 and 2007. A two-time all-conference nomination, she has earned academic all-league honors three times. Johnson has played club ball for the Fox Valley Strikers since 2005, and also has played for the Illinois State ODP team.
"Leah is another tremendous addition to our program," said Richards. "She will add a great deal of talent and competitive intensity to the center of midfield and the offense. She has helped her teams to great success, and has captained both her high-school and club programs. Leah has great individual skill, and we expect her to have a very positive influence on our team."
Kovacs, a midfielder, earned all-league honors during all four of her seasons at St. Ursula Academy, and also garnered all-district honorable mention. She played club soccer for the Internationals, helping that program to state championships in both 2006 and 2007. In '06, the team also earned a regional title and advanced all the way to the national championship. Kovacs also has participated in ODP, for the Ohio North State team.
"The Falcon coaching staff is extremely pleased to add Kelsey's experience to the program, and we look forward to seeing her technical skills and competitive nature benefit the midfield," said Richards. "Her character and enthusiasm for the game are qualities that are highly regarded, and we are extremely excited to watch Kelsey become a vital component of the Falcon team."
Emily Merritt, a forward, was a three-year letterwinner at Tippecanoe H.S., helping the Red Devils to Central Buckeye Conference championships in all four years. She scored a total of 31 goals and added 11 assists during her high school career, earning all-conference first-team honors in each of her final two seasons. She was named to the All-Miami Valley First Team in 2007. Emily Merritt has played club soccer for Warrior Soccer Club '89 Elite, and most recently for Metro FC '89 Rapids.
"The BGSU coaching staff is very much looking forward to adding Emily's high energy and attacking skills to the forward line," said Richards. She has enjoyed great success in her high-school program, with a league title in each of her four years, and she also has had a successful club soccer career. We are excited about watching her play blossom in the collegiate environment."
Hannah Merritt, a defender, also was a three-year letterwinner at Tippecanoe H.S. Emily's twin sister, Hannah helped the team to those four-straight CBC championships, and was a first-team all-conference selection in the 2007 season. She helped the program to a regional semifinal appearance as well as a trip to the district finals during her career. Hannah also teamed with Emily to play for the Warrior Soccer Club '89 Elite and the Metro FC '89 Rapids.
"We are very happy to have Hannah join the Falcon program," said Richards. "She, like her sister, has helped her high-school team become the perennial league champions, and has helped to anchor their back line. Hannah has a physical presence as well as a strong determination, and we are looking forward to watching those qualities aid her progress over the next four years."
Turner, a forward, is a product of Lakota East H.S. She was a two-year starter before missing her senior season due to injury. An all-league first-team selection as a junior, Turner also was an all-state honorable-mention choice for her play that season. She has played club ball with Cincinnati United Premier, helping that team to several tournament championships. In addition to her exploits on the field, Turner has been involved with both Big Brothers and Big Sisters, as well as Habitat for Humanity.
"The coaching staff is very excited to have Katelyn join the program," said Richards. "She is coming off an injury, but she will be a good addition to the Falcons, as her speed and athleticism will add greatly to the team's attacking qualities."
Zuccaro, a midfielder/forward, is from Mentor H.S. She has seen her playing time reduced significantly by a pair of ACL injuries during her high-school career, but scored a team-high 20 goals in her sophomore year. That season, she helped her team to a 14-3-3 record and a regional appearance. Zuccaro has played club ball for CSA Impact, representing that team at both state cup and national championship events.
"The BGSU coaches are delighted to have Alyssa join the program," said Richards. "We feel that her technical skills and knowledge of the game will enable her to excel in the college environment. Now that her injuries are behind her, we know that Alyssa will blossom as a player for the Falcons."
The Falcons finished the 2007 season with an overall record of 10-9-3 and a Mid-American Conference record of 6-5-0. BGSU placed fourth in the MAC's regular-season standings, and advanced all the way to the championship game of the conference tournament for the fifth time in six years. Richards and Gloden lose the services of four seniors from that 2007 squad.
BGSU WOMEN'S SOCCER NEWCOMERS
Name Pos. Hometown (High School) Megan Amann M/F Troy, Mich. (Troy Athens) Courtney Beinlich M Bellbrook, Ohio (Archbishop Alter) Brittany Hopkins D Strongsville, Ohio (Strongsville) Rebecca Ison GK Kettering, Ohio (Archbishop Alter) Leah Johnson M/F Wheaton, Ill. (Wheaton Warrenville South) Kelsey Kovacs M Oregon, Ohio (St. Ursula Academy) Emily Merritt F Tipp City, Ohio (Tippecanoe) Hannah Merritt D Tipp City, Ohio (Tippecanoe) Katelyn Turner F Hamilton, Ohio (Lakota East) Alyssa Zuccaro M/F Mentor, Ohio (Mentor)
