April 8, 2010

2010 Recruiting Class Photo Gallery

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Head women's soccer coach Sue Ryan announced today that nine student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play for Stony Brook in the fall of 2010. The nine recruits hail from eight different states.

"From top to bottom, we believe this is our best ever class," Ryan said. "This is a blue chip recruiting class and one we are very proud of. We believe that that this group will be major contributors on the field and will also be student-athletes that will be excellent representatives of our program and Stony Brook University."

Ahriel Fernandez arrives at Stony Brook from East Haven, Conn where she was a four-year letter-winner at Hill Regional Career High School. A two-time captain, Fernandez scored 21 goals over her junior and senior years and led Hill to a 12-2-2 record and No. 4 state ranking as a senior. The 5-5 center back played three years for the Connecticut State ODP team and also was on the CFC United club team which is currently ranked #21st in the nation.

"Ahriel has explosive speed, great defensive skills, and will be one of the most gifted athletes on our team," Ryan said. "She takes great pride in her defensive capabilities. We are very excited to see how much she immediately impacts our team."

A four-year letterwinner at Broad Run High School, Jennifer Taylor comes to the Seawolves from Ashburn, Va. Taylor led Broad Run to the 2009 Virginia State Championship and a No. 2 national ranking in the ESPN Rise Fab 50 poll. A 5-5 defender, Taylor was a 2009 second-team all-district selection and was also a part of a Broad Run squad that went undefeated and won the 2008 state title. Taylor is a six-year member of the Virginia State ODP team, attended Super Y ODP National Camp in 2007, and participated in Region I camp from 2004-08. Jen also played for Loudon Soccer Club coached by Randy May.

"Jenny is an extremely technical player and is very composed on the ball and will add versatility in the attack from deep positions," Ryan said. "Jenny's quickness and ability to serve a ball over distance will be key in a rapid counter attacking game."

A four-year letter-winner at Blue Valley High School in Stilwell, Kan., Julianne Palm was a 2009 EKL second team selection. A 5-4 midfielder, Palm plays for the BVSC-Mallorca club team that has won six-straight state championships. BVSC advanced to the Regional semi-finals in each of those six years and went to the finals in 2008 and is currently ranked #7 in the nation. Palm also excelled in the classroom as she was a member of the National Honor Society and was selected to the Principals Honor Roll.

"Jay (Julianne) is another top level player with tremendous potential to play in multiple positions," Ryan said. "Jay's toughness and ability in the air make us a better team. We look forward to her contributions."

Caitlin Pfeiffer arrives at Stony Brook from Holland Central High School in Holland, N.Y., where she was a five-year letter-winner. A 2009 first team all-state and all-western New York selection, the 5-5 forward captained Holland as a senior, leading her team in goals (17) and assists (16). As a junior, she earned second team all-state and all-western New York honors as she scored 17 goals and added five assists. Pfeiffer has been a member of the Regional team since 2007 and has played five seasons for the New York State ODP squad. She also played for the Buffalo Soccer Academy Flash, who won the 2009 U.S. Club National Championship. Pfeiffer also traveled to Portugal to represent Region I in a week long event during 2009.

"Caitie comes from a strong soccer pedigree and will probably be one of the most technically sound and tactically aware players on our team," Ryan said. "She has great vision and we look forward to her playmaking abilities in the midfield."

Queli Ornelas comes to Stony Brook from Palm Harbor University High School in Palm Harbor, Fla., where she was a four-year letter-winner. A 5-8 midfielder, Ornelas led Palm Harbor to two Florida State Championships. Palm Harbor was ranked as the No. 7 high school team in country in the final 2010 ESPN Rise Fab 50 poll and went a combined 45-0-3 over Ornelas' last two years. A member of the National Honor Society, Ornelas plays for the Clearwater Chargers club team. Ornelas also lettered in track where she ran the 100m.

"At 5'8" Queli brings us size and strength," Ryan said. "She is great in the air and a proven goal scorer. She is very hard-working and we look forward her contributions this fall."

Chelsea Morales is a four-year letter-winner at Temecula Valley High School in Temecula, Calif. An All-American and first team All-League selection as a freshman, Morales led Temecula to an undefeated season and set the school shutout record. Morales is a three-year member of the California State ODP team that won the National Championship in 2007. She is also a two-year Regional team member and led her So Cal Blue club team to a national championship in 2006. Morales won the "Golden Gloves" as the top keeper in the 2008 ODP National Championships.

"An extremely gifted and talented goalkeeper, Chelsea possesses outstanding shot -stopping capabilities," Ryan said. She wil compete right away for the #1 spot and will look to continue Stony Brook's long line of goalkeeper excellence."

Larissa Nysch arrives at Stony Brook from Upper Dublin High School in Fort Washington, Pa., where she is a four-year letter-winner. A three-team All-League selection and 2008 All-State selection, the 5-6 midfielder has scored 38 goals over her first three years at Upper Dublin. She has played for the Pennsylvania State ODP team the last four years and led the YMS Premier Comets to the 2008 State Championship.

"Larissa is very fast, gritty, and athletic forward. She will excel in our program and especially in the America East Conference," Ryan said. "She is a pure goal scorer who will greatly contribute next season."

Ashley Castanio comes to Stony Brook from Oceanside, N.Y., where she was a four-year letter-winner at Oceanside High School. A captain as a senior, Castanio was a 2009 first-team all-state selection and was named the Most Valuable Goalkeeper in Nassau County. An ESPN All-Region selection as well, she played six seasons for the Oceanside Power and led them to the 2008 NY State Cup semi-finals. Castanio was also a four-year letter-winner in basketball and was a 2009 All-Conference pick.

"Ashley is a solid goalkeeper with a lot of upside, who has been under the radar due to injury," Ryan said. "She will no doubt compete for the # 1 job. Ashley holds great leadership skills which is crucial in playing the most important position in the game of soccer."

Tess Hagenlock comes to Stony Brook from Bozeman High in Bozeman, Mont., where she was a three-time all-state honoree and won the `Golden Boot' in 2006 and 2009. Most recently, Tess was named the 2009-10 Gatorade State Player of the Year Award in addition to being named to the ESPN All-Region Team. As a senior, Hagenlock captained Bozeman and also scored 14 goals. She was also a member of the 2009 Region IV team.

"A quick and explosive goal scoring threat, Tess is a dynamic, hardworking, technical player that can impact the game either from a wide position or from up top," Ryan said.

The 2009 Seawolves advanced to the America East semifinals, the third consecutive year that SBU has advanced to at least the semifinals. Stony Brook also played No. 23 Rutgers to a 1-1 tie and defeated eventual conference champion Boston University, 2-1, during the regular season. The victory over the Terriers ended BU's 22 game conference-win streak.

"We look forward to seeing this class gel together with the rest of our team in pre-season," Seawolves associate head coach and Recruiting Coordinator Steve Welham said. "We are excited about how this bunch of young ladies will not only positively impact our team on the field but off of it as well."