Feb. 20, 2008

Spokane, Wash. - Gonzaga University women's soccer head coach Shannon Stiles has announced the addition of four new players for the 2008 season. Signing national letters of intent with the Zags are Emma Dolcetti, Courtney Peacock, Ashley Railey, and Sarah Rhodes.

The 2008 signing class features three Canadians and a native of Colorado. With the addition of the new four Zags, the 2008 roster is expected to feature six Bulldogs who hail from Colorado and four from Canada.

Dolcetti, a native of Vernon, British Columbia, is a forward at Kalamalka Secondary School. She has proven to be an all-around athlete as she also earned four varsity letters in volleyball and five letters in basketball. For her efforts, Dolcetti is a four-time Kalamalka Secondary Female Athlete of the Year recipient.

"Emma is a hard working forward with the ability to be dangerous in the attacking third," said Stiles. "She will be an excellent addition to our team."

Peacock will join Gonzaga from Western Canada High in Calgary, Alberta. The forward is a two-time National Medalist, winning the bronze in 2006 and the silver in 2004. A four-time provincial Champion, and eight-time city champion, Peacock was a member of the Canadian National Training center. Peacock was named to the Alberta Major Indoor All-Star team and also played club soccer for FC Allstar. In 2006, she also represented Canada in China thanks to a special invitational from All-China Youth Soccer.

"Courtney is extremely athletic, agile and powerful," commented Stiles. "She has great size and we are looking forward to the goals she is capable of scoring."

Railey, who hails from Littleton, Colo., has earned three-varsity letters as a defender/midfielder at Heritage High. As a starter for the three-time 5A State semi-finalists, she helped lead Heritage to a 17-2-0 record, including 14 shutouts, during the 2007 season. Railey is a participant in the Olympic Development Program, including a member of the 2006 Colorado State Team. A member of the Real Colorado National U15 club team, she helped lead her squad to a national ranking of sixth as they became Region IV Semifinalists. She is also a member of the Colorado Youth Soccer Association Hall of Fame.

"Ashley is a hard nosed defender who tackles and distributes the ball very efficiently," said Stiles. "She loves to play and will challenge for several roles in our defense."

Rhodes will come to Spokane from Oak Bay High in Victoria, British Columbia, where she was a member of the British Columbia Provincial Team who won the gold medal at the U14 Nationals and a silver medal at the U16 Nationals. In 2007, the midfielder played with the U18 B.C. Whitecaps Team and is currently the top goal scorer for Gorge United of the Premier Women's League.

"Sarah has great field vision and is capable of creating goals though her passing, as well as on her own," commented Stiles. "We are excited to add her to our attack."

The Bulldogs finished 2007 with a 12-7-1 overall record, including a 3-4-0 finish in the WCC. The 12 victories tied the school record for wins in a season in addition to the fifth consecutive season in which the Zags have posted a winning record and 10 or more wins.