LIVONIA --
Madonna University women’s soccer coach Mark Zathey announced today the addition
of eight recruits to the Madonna women’s soccer program. All eight players have
officially signed their letter of intent and will enroll at Madonna and compete
in women’s soccer starting this fall.
Zathey announced the addition of Kati Germane (Hartland, MI/Hartland),
Lauren Hess (Livonia, MI/Ladywood), Andrea Johnson (Canton,
MI/Canton), Allyson King (Livonia, MI/Stevenson), Alana Lavery
(Livonia, MI/Stevenson), Gina Leone (St. Clair Shores, MI/Lakeview),
Lia Melasi (Fenton, MI/Fenton) and Rachel Thompson (Livonia,
MI/Stevenson).
“I am extremely excited about the potential of this group of student-athletes,”
says Zathey. “All of the incoming players have shown great commitment
competitively, and pleasant and fun personalities socially. I look forward to
group to begin training together in August.”
Germane has starred for four years on the varsity team at Hartland as one of the
squad’s primary scorers. She is a three-time All-Kensington Valley Conference (KVC),
all-county, all-district and all-region selection. As a junior, Germane led the
team in goals and points on her way to honorable mention All-State honors.
Hess comes to Madonna from nearby Ladywood HS where she is a four-year
letterwinner in soccer. As a sophomore, Hess earned All-Catholic League,
All-District, All-Region, third team All-State and second team All-Region
honors. She was a honorable mention All-State selection as a senior and was
named the team’s most valuable player.
Canton native Andrea Johnson comes to MU after four years of varsity soccer and
a year of collegiat experience at Central Michigan University. Johnson was a
second team All-State honoree as a prep before joining the Chippewas where she
appeared in nine games as a reserve. Johnson also brings a wealth of club
experience to Madonna after winning back-to-back State Cup championships in 2003
and 2004.
King, Lavery and Thompson are a trio of signees from Livonia Stevenson high
school. King and Lavery, both forwards, tallied seven goals between them as
seniors and were the beneficiaries of Thompsons team leading 10 assists.
Leone is a four year letterwinner at St. Clair Shores Lakeview where she also
served as the football place kicker, earning All-Academic honors. On the pitch,
Leone was an honorable mention All-State selection as a junior and led Lakeview
to the Division II district championship as a sophomore, earning second team
All-State accolades. Her ODP state team took home Michigan State Cup
Championships in 2001 and 2004 and was a finalist in 2003.
Melasi saw time as both a mid-fielder and defender as a prep. She earned four
varsity letters in soccer and three in basketball. As a senior she was named
team captain of both the soccer and basketball teamsand has led her team in
assists for three straight seasons. Melasi is also a two-time All-District and
All-Metro League selection.
Zathey will blend this group of talented newcomers with his returning squad that
caputred the 2005 WHAC regular season and tournament championships before
falling in NAIA regional play.
“Our returning players invested a lot of time and effort in our off-season
training,” said Zathey. “I am excited to blend the returning group with the
incoming players. As long as the personalities are complimentary, the blend of
talent will make-up a good brand of soccer this fall.”
MARK ZATHEY'S
COMMENTS:
Andrea Johnson:
"I am really excited to get the opportunity to work with Andrea this fall.
Andrea has been a great leader on the field as a central player for her club
teams and high school team. Andrea's high level of experience from her club
soccer experiences will be a great benefit to our efforts this fall."
Gina Leone:
"I knew Gina would be a great addition for us in the first few minutes
that I watched her play. Gina has a great first touch. Thanks to her club
background, she is well-versed in zonal defending principles. She can also
lend herself to be a great asset to our attack."
Lia Melasi:
"Lia is a great athlete. She excelled in basketball as well as soccer. I
have been most impressed with Lia's tremendous competitive spirit on the
field. We are really excited to be able to work with Lia, and we expect her
to have a tremendous development curve with us."
Rachel Thompson:
"I really like Rachel's linking personality. She has very good technical
ability and has very good vision. She understands how to possess very well,
and she can organize our attack."
Allie King:
"Allie has loads of talent to lend to our attack. She can orchestrate our
attack in the midfield, and she can play up top and go to goal herself. The
blend of her linking ability and finishing ability is really going to help
us achieve success."
Kati Germane:
"Kati has showed us great pace and great determination to go to the
goal. Kati is a finisher. She will be a great presence for us up top who can
score anytime she has the ball in the attacking 1/3."
Lauren Hess: "We
are really excited Lauren has decided to join us after taking a year off of
college soccer. She has a great work rate. Lauren has a good
linking personality on the ball. Lauren is also very good in individual and
group defending."
Alana Lavery:
"Alana took me back a bit the first time I watched her play. She joined our
team for a session on a visit and she walked off after the session leading
the group in goals scored. Alana has great attacking runs with her choice of
angles, timing, and pace. She is going to help us in the flank spaces and up
top."
