Feb. 12, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University women's soccer coach Chris Kane announced the signing of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Tuesday.
The class of seven student-athletes makeup coach Kane's fifth recruiting class at Marshall. The players hail from four different states and the position breakdown includes five forwards, a midfielder, defender, and a goalkeeper.
The Thundering Herd also signed junior transfer, Rebecca Voss, from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in January. Voss, a native of Raleigh, N.C., will provide depth at the defender/midfielder positions
"I'm extremely excited about this group of players and I'm looking forward to working with them for the next four years, coach Kane said of the class. This is a very versatile class and a number of these players will be able to come in and contribute right away. Not only are all of these players extremely talented athletes, but they are also great people that come from great families as well.
"My assistant, Matt Gwilliam, deserves a lot of the credit for this class. His hard work and determination in finding the players that would fit best into what we wanted to do with the program started two years ago. I am sure that when all is said and done, this class will be one of the programs best recruiting classes," Kane added.
Biographical information on each signee follows:
Katie Ball
5'7 - Forward - Louisville, Ky. / DuPont Manual High School / Javanon SC
Ball was a four-year starter at DuPont Manual High School and leading scorer her junior and senior seasons...was a four-time all-state player, earning MVP honors in the Kentucky All-State match as a sophomore...Ball was also a four-time State Champion with the Javanon soccer club, coached by Val Bole...a member of the Beta club and a four-year honor student...originally from Hurricane, W.Va...daughter of Kristin and Kevin Ball.
Coach Kane on Ball's assets to the team, "Katie is a commanding target forward who has a great touch. She can hold the ball up and passes precisely. The best part is that she also has a nose for goal and is exceptional at getting on the end of passes. Her technical and tactical abilities will not only lead to success for her but for her teammates as well."
Angela DeSumma
5'6 - Forward - Doylestown, PA / Central Bucks East High School / FC Delco
DeSumma will be a four-year starter this spring and two-time captain...lead Moorestown HS to the New Jersey State championship as a freshman and receiving all-county honors in 2004...after transferring to CB East, has garnered all-state and all-league accolades while scoring 39 goals and 36 assists in her sophomore and junior years...currently a member of the FC Delco Fury...DeSumma previously played with the PDA Power, winning both state and regional Championships while finishing third at Nationals in 2005...has been a five-time member of the New Jersey State ODP program and has also been a member of the Region I pool...DeSumma is the daughter of Ann and Robert DeSumma.
Coach Kane on DeSumma's abilities, "Ang is a very technical finisher. We know that she has all the tools to be a very lethal attacking player in Conference USA. She has played at an extremely high level in club soccer and we know that she can replicate that form for us here at Marshall. That experience will also make her transition to college soccer that much quicker."
Kaitlin Devine
5'4 - Forward/Midfielder - Leonardtown, MD / Leonardtown High School / Freestate Shooters
Devine was a four-year varsity starter and team captain as a junior and senior...has been named all-state in 2006 and 2007, the Leonardtown Outstanding Player, the Washington Post Southern Maryland Extra and St. Mary's County Players of the Year 2007...also selected as the Washington Post All-Met team, and named to Washington Post All-Southern Maryland Extra team, All-Southern Maryland Athletic Conference team, and All-County team each year in her high school career...also named by Rise Magazine to the Greater DC All Area Soccer List, January/February 2008...Devine led Leonardtown to Maryland 4A State title in 2006...member of the Nationally ranked Freestate Shooters who recently won the US Club Soccer National Championship this past summer...the Region I Premier League title in 2006 as well as a Maryland State Championship....also a member of the Maryland 1990 ODP team that won the 2006 National ODP Championship...daughter of Karen and Scott Devine.
Coach Kane on Devine's skills, "Kaitlin is an extremely talented player who possesses great vision, athleticism and pace. Her range of passing will be great addition to our program and will enable her to unlock defenses. She can play with either foot and can pick out players with her excellent service. Her ability to play up top or in the midfield will give us the opportunity to give our opponents different looks throughout the season."
Laurel Etter
5'8 - Midfielder/Defender - Lititz, PA / Warwick High School / PA Classics
Etter will be a four-year starter this spring, playing in the back and as a defensive center midfielder...in 2007, was chosen to the all-area team...was a member of the Warwick field hockey and basketball varsity teams and the PA Classics for the past six years...Etter has also trained with the 1990 Eastern PA ODP teams...member and treasurer for the National Honor Society...also a distinguished honor roll student and a leader for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes...member of the HYPE Club, Leo Club, Interact Club, Amnesty International, and a volunteer firefighter with the Lititz Fire Dept...Etter is the daughter of Mindy and Dan Etter.
Coach Kane on Etter, "Laurel is someone that both Matt and I have had the opportunity to work with in camps over the past few years. Her growth over the last three years has been amazing and we're very excited that she has chosen Marshall to continue her career. Her ability to play both in the back and in the midfield will give us much needed depth in both areas."
Paige Oechsle
5'8 - Defender - Oxford, PA / Bishop Shanahan / West Chester United Spartans
Oechsle was a four-year starter and team MVP this past fall for Shanahan...two-time all-league and all-area performer...four-year captain with West Chester United...Oechsle played in the finals of the Eastern PA National Cup the last two years...was recently invited to the USL Super Y league ODP National Camp in Florida and was chosen for Super Y National team...also a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and a four-year honor student...Oechsle is the daughter of Michelle and Paul Oechsle.
Coach Kane on Oechsle's talents, "Paige is a physically imposing CB. She is very strong at getting into the tackle and winning balls in the air. Having her father as her club coach also helps with her tactical abilities. These traits will allow her to be a very successful defender in Conference USA."
Allicia Yurkovic
5'3 - Forward/Midfielder - Harrisburg, PA / Central Dauphin High School / Casa Hmms Yurkovic will be a four-time varsity starter for the defending state high school champions this spring....a three-time all-league and All-Big 11 performer...accumulated more than 40 goals and 40 assists in her career so far...Yurkovic also has ODP experience, playing with the Eastern PA 1990 team...academically, a member of the school honor roll each semester....Yurkovic is the daughter of Laurie Yurkovic and Bill Yurkovic.
Coach Kane had this to say about Yurkovic, "I was very impressed with Sha the first time I saw her play. She has a bite to her game that will be a welcomed addition to our program. She is a very versatile player who loves to get forward and take players on."
Lauren Roberts
5'8 - Goalkeeper - Rome, GA / Rome High School / NASA 08
Roberts was a three-time varsity starter of the two time region champs, where she played as a forward until this year...led the team in scoring as a junior, and was selected to the all-league and all-area teams...also a four-year varsity letter winner with the Rome swim team where she qualified for state each year...Roberts played in the Georgia State Cup finals and the Region III Premier League with NASA...member of the Georgia 1990 ODP team since 2003 and the Region III team in 2006-2007....academically, Roberts was a scholar-athlete for Rome HS and a member of the National Honor Society and High Honor Roll...daughter of Karla and James Roberts.
Coach Kane regarding Roberts's qualities, "Lauren is a fearless GK. That is a quality that cannot be taught and is something that will serve her very well in the college game. She has had a great playing background in club and ODP and has been involved in lots of big games. That mentality and experience will enable her to challenge for the No 1 shirt immediately."
