LIVONIA -- Madonna head women's soccer coach Mark Zathey expects signing great high school players to be difficult, but he didn't know getting a name on paper would be the toughest part.

Zathey, sealed the deal Wednesday with Hartland high school standout Kati Germane, but not after some trial and tribulation.

"Well, I have now seen the entire town of Harland," Zathey joked about his tardiness to Germane's press conference. "I have waited quite awhile to sign Kati, we waited to see her play, waited for her to get healthy, and now you have waited on me...it has come full circle."

Germane became the latest Crusader in front of a crowd of 25 including school officials, family and friends gathered to see her make the next step in her soccer career.

"We are extremely happy to sign a player of Kati's caliber," said Zathey. "I fell she can step right in and be an immediate impact player for us...and more importantly our returning players flat out told me I had to get her after they had a chance to compete with her."

Germane will bring a scoring knack to Madonna in the fall. The 2004 All-State honorable mention selection has 37 goals to her credit heading into her senior campaign and a list of accolades including All-Kensington Valley Conference (KVC), All-District, All-City and All-Region honors.

Germane, who hopes to study Elementary Education with a Learning Disability concentration at MU, was flanked by her parents Matt and Sheri as she talked about why she chose Madonna.

"I fell in love with the coaching staff, the players, the program, the total package," said Germane. "I think that I fit in very well with the personalities of the returning players and that was a big factor for me."

Germane, who is a four year honor roll member and scholar athlete also said the Madonna academic programs prestige was a factor.

"It is a very good school academically," Germane continued. "Like I said, the whole package was appealing to me, I can't wait to get started."

Germane will officially enroll at Madonna following her senior season and begin competing for the Crusaders this fall.

Contact:  
Matt Fancett, Sports Information Director
734-432-5610