Central Michigan University Athletics
Five New Faces Join Chippewa Soccer
2/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Feb. 21, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Five student-athletes will join the Central Michigan University women's soccer team after signing their national letter-of-intent this week.
The class is highlighted by two signees from the United States and three more from north of the border. The three Canadians are the first to sign a scholarship to play soccer at CMU.
Head coach Mark Salisbury has announced the addition of Anne Decker (Troy/Troy), Alison Heydorn (Ancaster, Ontario/Saint Mary's Catholic), Jacquie Lacek (Rochester, New York/Aquinas), Rosa Rago (Mississauga, Ontario/Saint Francis Xavier), and Laura Roberts (London, Ontario/AB Lucas) to the Chippewa soccer program.
"This class fills a lot of needs for our program," Salisbury said. "It possesses tremendous attacking skills and solidifies our future in goal.
"These young women will not only be great players but will become great leaders as they mature in our program."
Decker joins the Chippewas with a wealth of experience between the pipes. The Troy native comes to Central Michigan University from one of the top high school programs in the state. However, the bulk of her experience and success has come at the club and Olympic Development level. Recently, Decker led her Vardar Club Team to a state championship and was named the MVP goalkeeper of the State Cup Tournament. Over the last several years, she has been considered one of the top goalkeepers in the region.
"Anne is a very athletic, talented, and vocal goalkeeper," said Salisbury. "She has the talent and character to make a significant impact on this team's success over the next four years."
Heydorn joins the Chippewas from Ancaster, Ontario, where she played both forward and wide midfielder. She played club ball with the Hamilton Sparta and was the leading scorer in 2001 and 2002 in the Ontario Provincial League.
"We first saw Alison when her club team came to Mount Pleasant to play us in an exhibition game last spring," Salisbury noted. "Alison is a very quick and opportunistic soccer player, and we are excited to have an athlete like this join our team."
Lacek comes to CMU a highly decorated forward from Aquinas Institute. She was named the New York Class B "Player of the Year," and was also the Greater Rochester "Player of the Year." Lacek was a two-time all-stater who led her team to three straight state titles. She owns the school record for total points scored in a career and goals scored in a season. Lacek also plays club ball for the Junior Rhinos, the same team that current graduate assistant coach Tony Ditucci coached prior to joining the Chippewa staff. Lacek has been a member of her state Olympic Development team, and last summer was named to the Region I pool.
"Jacquie is an intelligent forward and a proven scorer," Salisbury commented. "Jacquie should be able to make an immediate impact. Not only will her athletic ability have a positive impact on this team, but so will her personality and character."
Also joining the Chippewas are the central midfielders, Rago and Roberts, from the Under-17 Ontario Provincial team. Together, they led their team to a national championship in 2002.
Rago has enjoyed success at both the club and national level. She plays for the Dixie Fury and led the team not only to the league cup in 2001 but a berth in the national club championship game. In 2002, the Fury gained further honors by bringing home the Ontario Cup. Rago was named to the Under-17 Canadian National Pool in the fall of 2002.
"Rago is an exciting player to watch," Salisbury said. "She excels at attacking, and plays soccer with excellent quickness and flair on the ball."
Roberts, who paired with Rago in center midfield, was also a member of the U-17 provincial championship team. Roberts not only captained her provincial team to a title but has done the same at the club level. As a captain of the North London Shooting Stars, Roberts led her squad to an appearance in the Ontario Cup finals in 2001 and were league champions in 2002.
"Laura is a true central-midfielder," commented Salisbury. "She is brilliant at possessing the ball and keeping it with the team. Laura is excellent going forward and winning possession."
