Lady Jacket Soccer Announces Recruiting Class (2/20/07)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings women’s soccer coach Don Trentham has announced his 2007 recruiting class, signing 10 high school seniors to letters of intent.  One of Trentham’s largest recruiting classes at MSUB will join 17 returning players on a team that went a school-best 13-6-1 last season.  The 10 recruits come from six different states.  Three are from Montana with two each from Washington and Colorado.  Trentham also signed one player from Wyoming, Idaho, and Arizona.

The Yellowjackets will begin their first year of competition in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference next season.  The GNAC is one of the top soccer conferences in NCAA Division II.  Last year three of the four teams that qualified for the NCAA Tournament from the Far West Region were from the GNAC.

Montana State-Billings 2007 Recruiting Class

Lauren Anderson, Ridgefield, WA (Ridgefield HS)
Anderson is a 5-foot-3 defender who lettered four times in soccer and once in track at Ridgefield High School.  She missed her senior season because of injury.  Anderson was named first team all-league as both a sophomore and junior.  She earned honorable mention honors as a freshman.  Ridgefield won league and district titles in each of her three years.

“Lauren has also had a successful ODP and club career, playing on the same teams as fellow recruit Carly Valentine,” said Trentham.  “She has battled with some recent injuries, but I expect her to be fully fit by the start of preseason.  She is a solid outside back who has very good speed and is not afraid to get stuck in on tackles.”

Megan Carlson, Sheridan, WY (Sheridan HS)
Carlson is a 5-7 defender who has lettered three years in soccer, twice in basketball, and once in volleyball.  She will be a senior this season for Sheridan High School, which plays its soccer season in the spring.  As a junior, Carlson was a team captain and earned all-state honors.  She was selected as her team’s defensive MVP and was nominated for Wyoming Gatorade Player of the Year.  She also played for the ODP State Select Team as a sophomore.  Last year Carlson helped Sheridan to the North Regional title.

“Megan is one of the team leaders for Sheridan High School and plays a major role on their team,” said Trentham.  “She is a good athlete who reads the game well, and most importantly she is a tenacious defender who takes pride in keeping the ball out of her team’s goal.”

Jordan Fenwick, Boise, ID (Boise HS)
Fenwick is a 5-5 goalkeeper who lettered once in soccer and twice in tennis at Boise High School.  Last year she received the Distinguished Team Scholastic Award.  Fenwick will be competing to fill the shoes of graduated goalkeeper Megan Plank, who holds almost every goalkeeping record at MSU Billings.

“Jordan will be competing with Kaily Hoffman to become the starting goalkeeper for the 2007 season,” said Trentham.  “She has solid hands and good shot-stopping ability.  I believe she and Kaily will be a good goalkeeping tandem over the next four years.”

Kari Foreman, Lakewood, CO (Bear Creek HS)
Foreman is a 5-4 midfielder who lettered three years in soccer at Bear Creek High School.  She also lettered four times in cross-country and once in track.  Bear Creek HS plays its soccer season in the spring.  As a junior, Foreman was a team captain and earned second team all-conference honors.  She also was named “Best of the Best” by the Rocky Mountain News.

“Kari comes to us from one of the top clubs in Colorado,” said Trentham.  “She plays with passion every time she steps on the field, and that passion has helped her be one of the leaders on her team.  I expect she will bring the same passion to the college level, and as a result will have a good college career.”

Shannon Furlong, Helena, MT (Capital HS)
Furlong is a 5-2 midfielder who lettered three years in soccer, four years in softball, and three years in basketball at Capital High School.  She was named first team all-state as a senior after helping Capital to the conference championship.  She was selected to the all-state first team as a junior center midfielder.  Furlong was also an all-state third baseman in softball.

“Shannon has excelled as a three sport athlete at the high school level,” said Trentham.  “We are very fortunate she has chosen to concentrate on soccer at the collegiate level, and I believe with her playing soccer year round she will continually get better throughout her collegiate career.  She is a very technical player who distributes the ball well while at the same time putting in great tackles.”

Allison Gamberg, Wheat Ridge, CO (Wheat Ridge HS)
Gamberg is a 5-5 midfielder who lettered four times in soccer at Wheat Ridge High School.  She as a two-time team offensive MVP, and earned all-conference honors four times.  She was twice selected to the all-conference first team and twice to the second team.  A three-time team captain, Gamberg helped Wheat Ridge qualify for the state tournament in 2004 and 2006.

“Ali is probably one of the most versatile players in this recruiting class,” said Trentham.  “She has experience as a defender, midfielder, and forward.  Her experience in club and ODP in Colorado should help make her transition to the college game a little easier, and I expect her experience will help her compete for time right away.”

Jennifer Joern, Whitefish, MT (Whitefish HS)
Joern is a 5-3 forward who lettered three times at Whitefish High School.  She earned all-conference honors three times, and was selected to the all-state team as a junior and senior.  Last year she scored seven goals and had six assists.  As a junior she scored eight goals with three assists.  Joern helped Whitefish to the 2006 state championship and a runner up finish in 2005.

“I am very happy Jen has decided to continue her playing career at MSU Billings,” said Trentham.  “She comes to us from one of the best high school programs in the state and has learned what it takes to be successful.  I believe that experience will help her to have a successful career here at MSUB.”

Caitlyn Marrer, Glendale, AZ (Ironwood HS)
Marrer is a 5-6 defender who lettered four years at Ironwood High School.  She earned all-region recognition all four years, including first team all-region as both a junior and senior.  As a junior Marrer helped Ironwood to the Arizona 5A-II state championship.  Marrer also played on numerous club and ODP teams in both Arizona and California.

“Caitlyn will add depth to an already very talented defense,” said Trentham.  “She reads the game well, gets stuck in on tackles, and is able to help keep possession in the attack.  In addition to being a good player, Caitlyn is a solid student.  I believe she will have a very successful career as a student-athlete here at MSU Billings.”

Samantha Sandau, Billings, MT (West HS)
Sandau is a 5-1 midfielder who lettered four years at Billings West High School.  She was a three-time all-state selection and helped lead Billings West to the state semifinals the last two seasons.  One of the top offensive players in the state, Sandau was three times selected as Billings West’s attacker of the year.  Her sister Brittney, who will be a senior captain for the Yellowjackets next season, has been one of the Jackets’ best offensive players the last three years.

“I’m very excited to have another Sandau in the program,” said Trentham.  “Sammy has a great attacking mentality, and I believe that mentality will help her to have a successful career at the collegiate level.  In the end, it is always great when one of the top players, not only Billings but in the state, decides to stay home and attend MSUB.”

Carly Valentine, Vancouver, WA (Skyview HS)
Valentine is a 5-2 midfielder who lettered four years at Skyview High School in Vancouver.  A team captain as a senior, she helped lead Skyview to its second league title in the last three years.  Valentine was named first team all-league as both a junior and senior and second team all-league as a sophomore.  In her final two seasons, she totaled 16 goals and 25 assists.

“Carly is a great addition to our midfield,” said Trentham.  “She gained valuable experience in high school playing for the Oregon ODP team as well as for Washington Premier FC.  She is a great athlete and prides herself on her fitness.  I expect she will compete for time in our midfield her freshman year.”