Feb. 4, 2009
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State women's soccer head coach Mike Friesen announced the signing Wednesday of six talented student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Wednesday. The group includes two forwards, two forward/midfielders, one midfielder and one defender.
"This is a fantastic group of young women in this class that can accomplish amazing things, but I am most excited in the quality of these people," said Friesen. "They will be a great fit with our current players and I couldn't be more excited to work with all of these young women."
Niki Fernandes, a forward from Woods Cross, Utah, comes to San Diego with loads of experience at the national level. Fernanades is a two-time national team player pool participant (2007 and 2008) who attended the 2007 adidas ESP camp, which is for the top 96 players of that class. A member of the State and Regional ODP teams, Fernandes is a 2008 NSCAA Youth all-region player. As a four-time all-state selection, she led Northridge HS to the state semi-finals in 2008. In addition, Fernandes is a multi-sport athlete who lettered in basketball, softball and track and field.
"Niki is a fast, athletic striker who loves to take people one-on-one," Friesen said. "She has a great attacking mentality and is a very competitive person. Niki will be a player that everyone notices when they watch us play next season."
Marisa Fraticelli, a midfielder from Pleasanton, Calif., brings club experience from the Pleasanton Rage. A 2009 Rage team captain, Fraticelli helped lead the Rage to a first-place finish in the GSSL and an appearance in the FWRL finals in 2008. At Amador Valley HS last year, Fraticelli has helped earn the team a No. 14 ranking in the country by ESPN.
"Marisa will add to our midfield group," said Friesen. "She is a solid player who sees the game well. She has the ability to connect passes and be a link player."
SDSU landed its third recruit from Orange County with the addition of Sarah Halverson (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.), a standout prep player from the Southern California Blues club. Halverson has helped lead the Blues to four Cal South State Cup titles, two regional finals and an USYSA national championship. A forward/midfielder, Halverson has led Trabuco Hills HS to the CIF semi-finals while earning all-Sea View League recognition and Excalibur all-tournament team honors three times.
"Sarah is a very versatile player that we expect to contribute right away," Friesen said. "She comes from a program that is accustomed to winning and we hope that she will bring that tradition here. She is very good around the goal and that will be a very good addition to our team."
Hillary Harvey (Danville, Calif.) comes to Montezuma Mesa with California Youth Soccer Association California North State and District 3 team experience. A forward for the Mustang Soccer Club, Harvey was also invited to participate in the CYSA-USYS Region IV Girls 91 ODP regional pool from 2007-09. A four-year starter at San Ramon Valley HS and a 2008 team captain, Harvey has led the Wolves to three North Coast Section 3A championships and a No. 1 national ranking (NSCAA/adidas) in 2006.
"Hillary is an athletic player that has the ability to play a few different spots for us," Friesen said. "She is a dangerous wide player that can get up and down the flank and create a lot of problems for teams. She is a very motivated person, which is one of the many reasons that I am excited about having her in our program."
Megan Jurado (San Jose, Calif.) is the second newcomer from the Pleasanton Rage club to sign with the Aztecs in 2009 and brings a wealth of experience from the national level. Jurado was a member of the U-16 and U-17 U.S. Women's National Team pool, a U-14 and U-15 U.S. Girl's National Development Program player and a Cal North and Region IV 91's player from 2005-08. A 2009 team captain and three-year starter for Piedmont Hills HS, the forward/midfielder led the Pirates to three NCS 3A championships and was the BVAL leading scorer the last three years.
"Megan is a game changing player," said Friesen. "She has the ability to score a goal against the run of play and is very good at creating chances for other people as well. I am very excited about coaching a player of Megan's quality."
Rounding out this year's class is the third prep standout from the Pleasanton Rage in midfielder Rachael McGlinchy (Pleasanton, Calif.). An accomplished high school player, McGlinchy has anchored the Foothill HS defense and led them to a No. 1 national ranking in the ESPN RISE FAB 50 United States poll. She has led the Falcons to two appearances in the NCS finals and three Tri Valley Classic championship titles.
"Rachael will be a nice addition to our back line," Friesen said. "She is a very good one-on-one defender and is also composed on the ball. She comes from a winning background in club and is a starter on a high school team that is currently ranked No. 1 in the country."
The Aztecs, who finished the 2008 season with a 6-10-3 record, return 18 letterwinners, including all-Mountain West Conference selections Cat Walker and Jessica Gordon.
2009 San Diego State Women's Soccer Signing Class
Niki Fernandes, F (Woods Cross, Utah/Woods Cross HS)
Marisa Fraticelli, MF (Pleasanton, Calif./Amador Valley HS)
Sarah Halverson, F/MF (Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif./Trabuco Hills HS)
Hillary Harvey, F (Danville, Calif./San Ramon Valley HS)
Megan Jurado, F/MF (San Jose, Calif./Piedmont Hills HS)
Rachael McGlinchy, D (Pleasanton, Calif./Foothill HS)