MOUNT PLEASANT – Central Michigan University head women’s soccer coach Tony DiTucci today announced the signing of eight student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for 2007.
The new players set to join the Chippewa women’s soccer program for the upcoming 2007 season are Hannah Bengston (Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial HS), Emily Gniazdowski (Chesterfield, Ohio/West Geauga HS), Danielle Haelewyn (Rochester, Mich./Rochester Hills Stoney Creek HS), Amanda Loudin (Holland, Mich./Hamilton HS), Shay Mannino (Grosse Ile, Mich./Grosse Ile HS), Ali Nichols (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS), Valerie Prause (Mentor, Ohio/Lake Catholic HS) and Jamie Voelz (West Chicago, Ill./Community HS).
“Our incoming class for 2007 is a dynamic group with an impressive amount of experience and success,” DiTucci said. “They each possess a great deal of talent and competitiveness, and their individual strengths should help to address many of our team’s key needs as we look ahead to next season.
“They are strong student-athletes that have a proven ability to perform both on the field and in the classroom. We are excited to have them become the newest chapter of our soccer family here at Central Michigan University, especially since they all share in our team’s strong commitment to excellence, and achievement.”
Below are capsules on each of the eight new student-athletes scheduled to enroll at CMU and be eligible for the 2007 women’s soccer season:
| Hannah Bengston, GK/F
Lino Lakes, Minnesota/Centennial HS
Won two letters in soccer … all-section honoree both seasons … all-conference and all-state nominee as a senior … set school record for single-season saves in final season … played for White Bear Lake Excel club team … team finished second in both 2004 and 2005 at USA Cup … champions of its U17 indoor league … also earned letters in cross country and track … all-conference honorable mention in cross country … member of Senior Class Committee … also earned academic letter as junior and senior. Personal: Full name is Hannah Marie Bengston … born on August 30, 1989 … nickname is Han … parents are JoAnn and Larry Bengston.
DiTucci says: “Hannah is a natural athlete, primarily trained as a goalkeeper but also having significant field experience as a forward. Her size, strength, and overall competitiveness will help her to succeed at the next level while giving our team greater depth as well.” |
| Emily Gniazdowski, MF/F
Chesterland, Ohio/West Geauga HS
Lettered all four years in soccer … two-time first team all-conference performer … News Herald first team pick as a senior and second team selection as a junior … third team All-Cleveland honoree as junior and senior … second team all-conference as a sophomore … led team in scoring and assists during both sophomore and senior seasons … member of the Cleveland Futbol Club team … state finalists in 2005 and 2006 and state semifinalists in 2003 and 2004 … also finalists at both the Strongsville Tournament and the Miami Invitational … also earned three letters in basketball … won the team’s Hustle Award all three seasons. Personal: Full name is Emily Rose Gniazdowski … born on February 12, 1989 … nickname is Em … parents are Paula and Ray Gniazdowski.
DiTucci says: “Emily is a versatile player that has good speed and athleticism. Her ability to get in and out of tight spaces quickly and with success makes her a threat at the Division I level.” |
| Dani Haelewyn, MF
Rochester, Michigan/Rochester Hills Stoney Creek HS
Three-year letterwinner in soccer … started all three years on varsity squad … team was state runner-up in 2005 … named all-league, all-district and all-region in each of the last two seasons … named third team all-state as a sophomore and honorable mention as a junior … plays for Bloomfield Force club team… team was Disney College Showcase and San Diego Surf Cup champions … member of the ODP Region II Developmental pool. Personal: Full name is Danielle Rene Haelewyn … born on December 19, 1988 … parents are Barb and Doug Haelewyn … sister, Jessica, is a junior at CMU.
DiTucci says: “Dani is a talented player with a phenomenal left foot. She will be a threat for us in whatever role she takes at CMU. With a strong youth club background, she has been prepared to compete at this level with success.” |
| Amanda Loudin, F
Holland, Michigan/Hamilton HS
Two-year letterwinner in soccer … two-time all-district, all-conference, and all-county honoree … team captain in each of the last two seasons … plays for club team GVSA West Michigan Fire Juniors … team was district champions in 2005 … team captain in 2006 … part of the American Youth Soccer Organization as a referee and a coach for five years and a player for seven years … was the top scorer in the West Michigan Women’s Hispanic Soccer League. Personal: Full name is Amanda Kay Loudin … born on September 18, 1989 … parents are Brent and Debi Loudin.
DiTucci says: “Amanda is an aggressive, athletic player with an attacking mentality and a nose for the goal. We are excited to add someone with her toughness and tenacity to our soccer family.” |
| | Shay Mannino, GK
Grosse Ile, Michigan/Grosse Ile HS
Has earned three letters in soccer … already her school’s record holder for shutouts in a career (44) with her senior season remaining this spring … first team all-state as a junior … Huron League MVP … all-conference performer in each of her first three seasons … member of the Michigan Hawks club team with CMU teammates Akli Delvecchio and Stephanie Martin … Hawks have won four consecutive State Cup titles (2003-06) … was MVP in the State Cup in 2006 … Most Valuable Goalkeeper in each of the last four State Cups … helped lead Hawks to Midwest Regional championships in 2004 and 2005 … team was national runner-up in 2004 and third at nationals in 2005. Personal: Full name is Shaylin Maria Mannino … born on December 14, 1988 … parents are Gregg and Monica Mannino … sister, Jana, is a senior majoring in athletic training at CMU.
DiTucci says: “Shay encompasses all the aspects that you need for a goalkeeper at this level. Her agility and explosiveness in goal will provide her with a great foundation to find success at the college level. She has a fearless nature about her that allows her to command not only her goal but her defensive backline as well.” |
| | Ali Nichols, F
Brighton, Michigan/Brighton HS
Three-year letterwinner in soccer … team advanced to the state final during sophomore season … plays for the Novi Jaguars club team … made one state quarterfinals apperance with the Jaguars … also earned letters in cross country (four) and volleyball (one) … three-time all-conference selection in cross country … qualified for the state finals in cross country twice … made the honor roll every semester. Personal: Full name is Alexandra Claire Nichols … born on March 15, 1989 … parents are Kristin and Bruce Nichols.
DiTucci says: “Ali brings a great physical presence to our squad. With her versatility, she could potentially be used in a variety of roles this coming year. Her ability to find the goal and be a playmaker will help her in the transition from youth soccer to the college level.” |
| Valerie Prause, MF/F
Mentor, Ohio/Lake Catholic HS
Four-year letterwinner in soccer … second team All-Ohio as a senior … three-time all-conference selection … three-time All-Greater Cleveland first team honoree … named team MVP in each of her final three seasons … team won North Coast League title in 2004 and 2006 … regional finalist three times (2004-2006) … played for Cleveland Soccer Academy club team … team was State Cup champions in 2003 and 2006 and North American SYL runners-up in 2005 … member of SYL National Select Team in 2006 … team captain of her club squad … earned six other letters in basketball (four) and softball (two) … basketball team reached state semifinals in 2005 and state finals in 2006. Personal: Full name is Valerie Jean Prause … born on October 20, 1988 … nickname is Val … parents are Joe and Cathy Prause.
DiTucci says: “Val is a special player that reads the game incredibly well. She is a force centrally on the park, and we look for her to strengthen our squad’s attack in 2007. Val has a unique ability to play unselfish soccer that creates quality goal-scoring opportunities for her teammates.” |
| | Jamie Voelz, F/MF
West Chicago, Illinois/Community HS
Earned three letters in soccer … two-time all-conference and all-sectional pick … captain and offensive MVP in each of the past two seasons … played for Fox Valley Strikers club team … State Cup semifinalists in 2006 … won the Score at the Shore tournament last year … academic all-conference selection all four years … made the honor roll every semester … member of the foreign language National Honor Society for two years. Personal: Full name is Jamie Beth Voelz … born on July 10, 1989 … parents are Don and Cindy Voelz.
DiTucci says: “Jamie is versatile player that has the ability to help us be more dangerous in both the midfield and defense. We are excited to have a quality player that demonstrates such a great deal of poise and composure in high pressure situations.” |
