Women's Soccer Signs Four High School Student-Athletes to National Letters of Intent

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany head women's soccer coach Mary-Frances Monroe announced today that four high school standouts have signed a national letter of intent to play for the Great Danes in the 2010-11 academic year. The class features two forwards, one midfielder and one goalkeeper. UAlbany made its first-ever America East Conference postseason appearance last season.

"We are excited about adding four new fantastic student-athletes to our program," said Monroe, who has recruited two student-athletes who have won the league's rookie of the year award in the past three seasons and a conference-best five players who have been named to the all-rookie squad in the last two. "Each of them brings special qualities as players that will continue this program's path to success."

Becky Bakich (North Valley Stream, N.Y./Holy Trinity) is a 5-foot-4 forward who was a team captain and four-year starter for the Titans. She was named all-county and all-league as a senior after registering five goals and nine assists for 19 points, which ranked 10th in the CHSAA. The forward also plays for the Albertson Soccer Club, which won the Eastern New York State Cup Championship in 2009 and is currently ranked second in the nation among club teams.

"Becky is a competitor," said Monroe on the forward who is also a member of the Eastern New York State Olympic Development Program. "She comes from a club system of excellence, and I know she will bring that same mentality to the Great Dane program. She plays simple. She plays well with her back to the goal, and she is the type of player that when you need that winning goal, she will produce it."

Dani Britt (Webster, N.Y./Webster Schroeder), a 5-foot-9 goalkeeper, was a three-year letterwinner for the Warriors and an NSCAA/adidas All-Region II selection last fall. She was also a second-team all-county and all-region honoree after posting an .880 save percentage and turning away 163 shots as a senior.

"Dani has good size, excellent hands, strong ball distribution, she plays well with both feet and is explosive," said Monroe on the goalkeeper who also competed at the club level for Empire United SA - Rochester. "She has the skills, knowledge and determination to step up and be successful at the collegiate level."

Katie Dunn (Devon, Pa./Conestoga) started all four years and helped the Pioneers post a combined 77-8-2 record, win two state championships, three league titles and a district championship. The 5-foot-5 midfielder tallied 13 goals and nine assists in her career. In addition to earning all-league honors as a junior and senior, the team captain was a five-time all-area selection by the Daily Local and Main Line Times.

"Katie will bring composure and instant leadership to the team," stated Monroe on the midfielder who also played at the club level for FC Vincent United Valor. "She possesses many tools that will help take this program to the next level. She has a hard-working attitude and will lead by example. Her commitment to defend and still get involved in the attack will be fun to watch in our style of play."

Aubrey VanGorder (Cortland, N.Y./Cortland) is a 5-foot-3 forward who amassed 49 career goals and 22 assists. VanGorder helped the Purple Tigers post a combined 61-20-3 record, advance to the state semifinals and win two NYS Class A Section III championships. The forward, who ranks second on the school's career scoring list, was a two-time All-Central New York selection by the Syracuse Post Standard and an NSCAA/adidas All-Region II honoree. In addition, VanGorder, a Western New York State Olympic Development Program player, earned fourth-team all-state and league co-player of the year accolades as a senior captain.

"Aubrey is a pure athlete," added Monroe on the forward who played her club ball with Empire United SA - Cortland. "She brings many tools and pace to our front line. Her quickness and her ability to get in behind the defense will create a lot of scoring opportunities for us."

The 2009 UAlbany women's soccer team was recognized by Somis Sports as the ninth-most improved Division I program in the nation after posting its highest single-season win total in 21 years with an overall record of 8-10-1.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information