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Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU Announces 2009 Women's Soccer Recruiting Class
February 04, 2009 | Women's Soccer
Feb. 4, 2009
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 seven student-athletes to the program. Five of the seven - Laura Arnold (Highland Heights, Ohio/Mayfield), Keely Chandler (Rochester, Mich./Adams), Jenny Fowler (Grove City, Ohio/Central Crossing), Emily Rothwell (Collierville, Tenn./Collierville) and Sarah VonderBrink (Kettering, Ohio (Fairmont) - have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Falcons this fall.
2009 NEWCOMERS -- PHOTO GALLERY
Amie Bannister (Westerville, Ohio/South) and Lauren Livingston (Lisle, Ill./Wheaton Warrenville South) 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 seven student-athletes have chosen to commit their futures to the BGSU soccer program."
Arnold, a goalkeeper, was a four-year starter at Mayfield H.S. She was a three-time all-conference first-team selection, and also was voted to the All-Greater Cleveland Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association First Team in each of her final three seasons. A captain in her senior year, she earned All-Ohio First-Team honors as a junior before being named to the all-state second team in her final season. Arnold played club ball with the Cleveland Cobras Soccer Club (2007-09) under the coaching of Sean McNamara. Prior to playing with the Cobras, she earned an OYSAN State Cup Championship with her CASA U16 team.
"The BGSU coaching staff is very excited to add Laura to the Falcon family," said Richards. "She possesses tremendous presence in the goal, outstanding bravery, and ability to organize defenders in front of her. Laura has the potential to be a huge asset to the program's goalkeeping department and her new coaches are excited to see how far she will progress."
Chandler, a midfielder, was a four-year starter at Rochester Adams H.S. An all-district and all-area selection as both a sophomore and a junior, she has been named a team co-captain for her senior season (the Michigan high school girls' soccer season is played in the spring). Chandler helped her team to a regional championship and a state semifinal berth in her freshman year. She has played club ball with the Vardar Soccer Club, where she was a two-time state cup semifinalist. Chandler has been both team captain and team leading scorer for her club for the past four seasons.
"We are extremely excited to add Keely's attacking style of play, technical skills, and tremendous work rate to the program," said Richards. "The coaching staff is eager to watch her development as a college player. We are also excited to add a student of her caliber, as she has earned a perfect 4.0 GPA and is currently ranked number-one in her graduating class."
Fowler, a defender/midfielder, played three years of varsity soccer at Central Crossing H.S., missing her sophomore season due to injury. She earned all-conference honors in each of her three playing seasons, earning honorable mention as a freshman before garnering second-team honors as a junior. Her senior year, she was named to the All-OCC First Team, and also earned all-district honors. A two-time team MVP at CCHS, Fowler played club soccer with Ohio Premier, competing in a State Cup final and three semifinals over the past four seasons. Additionally, she has been a part of the Ohio South ODP program since the U13 level and has also played in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL).
"The Falcon coaches are delighted to have Jenny join the program," said Richards. "We feel her technical skills and knowledge of the game will enable her to excel in the college environment. Her overall attitude and outgoing personality will also add much to the chemistry of the team."
Rothwell, a defender, captained her Collierville H.S. team as a senior, and received Defensive MVP honors in both her junior and senior years. She also earned nominations to the All-Tennessee and all-metro teams, and was named in the Best of the Preps in 2006, 2007 and `08. She played club soccer with the Lady Lobos, captaining her teams for each of the last seven years. The Lobos advanced to state finals in both 2006 and 2008, and won a region title in '07.
"Emily is another very welcome addition to the BGSU program and will add speed, tenacity and excellent one-versus-one skills to the defensive line," said Richards. "She is a very well-rounded student-athlete, having earned her high school's Academic Excellence Outstanding Achievement Award three times, and also being named a Homecoming finalist her junior year."
VonderBrink, a midfielder/forward, was a four-year starter for Kettering Fairmont H.S., leading the team in scoring. An All-Ohio Second-Team selection as a senior, she earned multiple selections to the all-conference, all-area and All-Miami Valley teams. VonderBrink played her club soccer with Ohio Galaxies FC, and also made the ODP State Team in 2008. Off the pitch, she is a member of National Honor Society, Student Council and is the United Student Body Commissioner.
"Sarah has proven herself to be a strong student as well as a terrific soccer prospect," said Richards. "We are delighted to have her join the program, as she will add tremendous talent and competitive intensity to the center of midfield and offense. Sarah has great individual skill and is expected to have a very positive influence on the program."
The Falcons finished the 2008 season with an overall record of 12-6-4, setting a school record for fewest losses in a season. BGSU posted a 6-3-2 MAC record to place fourth in the regular-season standings, and advanced to the semifinal round of the MAC Tournament. Richards and Gloden lose the services of six seniors off that squad.
BGSU WOMEN'S SOCCER NEWCOMERS
Name Pos. Hometown (High School) Laura Arnold GK Highland Heights, Ohio (Mayfield) Amie Bannister D Westerville, Ohio (South) Keely Chandler M Rochester, Mich. (Adams) Jenny Fowler D/M Grove City, Ohio (Central Crossing) Lauren Livingston M/F Lisle, Ill. (Wheaton Warrenville South) Emily Rothwell D Collierville, Tenn. (Collierville) Sarah VonderBrink M/F Kettering, Ohio (Fairmont)
