Lady Jacket Soccer Recruiting Class Grows by Four (Mar. 30, 2004)

BILLINGS, MT – The 2004 women’s soccer recruiting class at Montana State-Billings has grown to 11 after the recent addition of four high school seniors.  Head coach Don Trentham has announced the signing of Samantha Acevedo (Mesa, AZ), Vanessa Edwards (Kent, WA), Janica Larsen (Salt Lake City, UT), and Amy Stephens (Colorado Springs, CO).

Acevedo was a first team all-region midfielder at Highland High School in Gilbert, AZ.  She scored five goals and 12 assists as a senior captain to help her team to its fourth-straight sweet sixteen appearance in the state playoffs.  Acevedo also played for the Scottsdale Futbol Club, the same club team as 2003 Yellowjacket MVP Megan Plank.

“I am very happy to add Sam to our roster,” said Trentham.  “She will most likely compete for time as an outside midfielder or outside back, and her experience of playing for a good club team will certainly help her to challenge immediately for playing time.”

Edwards was a two-time all-league player at Kentwood High School in Covington, WA.  She was a three-year letter winner and earned first team all-league honors in 2003 as a forward.  Edwards also played for the Emerald City Football Club in Seattle. 

“Vanessa made a quick impression on me when I first saw her play because of her technical ability and speed of play,” said Trentham.  “She has that tenacious attitude I look for in attacking players.  She causes problems for the opposing defense.  She will certainly add depth to our attack and should compete for playing time immediately.”

Larsen was a team captain at Skyline High School in Salt Lake City, scoring four goals as a senior to help her team to the regional championship and a runner-up finish at the state tournament.  She also played for the Salt Lake Firebirds club team and coach Rick Lien, who also coached current Yellowjacket standout Margot Merrill-Johnson.

“Janica is a big, strong, hardworking defender who will add depth to our defense,” said Trentham.  “Her experience of playing with the Firebirds and for Rick Lien should help her transition to college soccer very quickly.  I suspect Janica will have a good four years at MSU Billings.”

Stephens was a team captain midfielder at Rampart High School in Colorado Springs.  She was an all-league selection as a junior and also played for the Colorado Rush Swoosh U18 Elite team, one of the top club teams in Colorado.  She helped the Rush to the state semifinals in 2003.

“Amy is the type of player all coaches like to have,” said Trentham.  “She beats her opponents by outworking them.  The experience of playing for one of the top youth club teams in the West Region will help in her transition to the college level.  I expect Amy to compete for time as an outside back or outside midfielder.”

The Yellowjackets start training camp on August 8.  They open the 2004 season on August 27-29 at a tournament at St. Cloud State where they will face Bemidji State and St. Cloud State.