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News Release

Women’s Soccer Announces 2009 Recruiting Class

3/26/2009

BALTIMORE—UMBC head women’s soccer coach Alyssa Radu today announced that seven freshmen will join the Retrievers in Fall 2009.

“Both on and off the field, these players represent the kind of student-athletes we want representing the university and the women’s soccer program,” Radu said. “Our goal was to bring in players that will raise the level of our team, and I believe we have achieved that goal with this group of girls. Overall, the class has speed, athleticism, soccer knowledge and the competitiveness that will aid us in our goal of competing for an America East championship. I am excited for the opportunity to contribute to their development as players and as people.”

Morgan Andrews is a midfielder/forward from Raleigh, N.C., where she played for Triangle FC and Cardinal Gibbons High School. Andrews captained both her club and high school teams and was a high school All-Conference selection who led her team to the state championship in 2007. In addition, she was a two-year state ODP member, was selected to Super Y National Camp in 2008 and led her team to the U-20 Super Y national title that same year.

“Morgan is a fast, hard-nosed player with a tremendous mentality to compete,” Radu said. “She is versatile, quick on the ball, technically sound and driven to win. Morgan is a great all-around player who brings a lot to the table.”

Jaclyn Drummond is a goalie from Burnaby, British Columbia, who was a member of the 2007 Canadian Provincial team as well as NSGC Inferno. She helped lead her USL Super Y team, the Mountain WFC, to the 2007 U-16 Pacific Northwest title.

“Jaclyn is a goalkeeper with solid hands and is technically sound to her left and right,” Radu said. “She picks up shots well and establishes a strong presence in the box. Her distribution off a save will help us build our attack out of the back. I am excited to see her compete with our incumbent goalie, Mo Van Vlerah, as I believe they will bring out the best in each other as they compete for time.”

Katie Gitlin is a center midfielder/defender from Owings, Md., who began her career at Northern High School as a forward, scoring six goals and adding two assists and earned conference All-Academic First Team recognition. A two-year team captain, Gitlin shifted to the backline for her final three years and tallied three goals and eight assists, earning All-County Honorable Mention. Gitlin also competes on the club level with State Cup champion and regional semifinalist Freestate Phoenix.

“Katie is a strong midfielder who has the versatility to play in the back, as well,” Radu said. “She has good vision and is technically sound on the ball. She wins balls in the air and plays both sides of the ball well.”

Sarah Kopytko is a forward/midfielder from Newton, Pa., where she has earned Third-Team All-Conference and Bucks County Courier Times Honorable Mention recognition at Council Rock High School. A two-year member of the Eastern Pennsylvania ODP state team that won the 2008 regional title, Kopytko also has played for the New Jersey Wildcats and FC Delco Storm on the club level.

“Sarah is a strong and technically sound midfielder and forward,” Radu said. “Her intelligence as a player allows her to read the defense and make quality decisions on the ball. She looks to attack when given the opportunity.”

Rachel McKee is a forward from nearby Ellicott City, Md., where she has led Mt. Hebron High School to the regional finals. A two-time team co-captain, she has tallied 21 goals and nine assists in four years, earning First-Team All-County and Honorable Mention All-State and team MVP recognition and leading her team in goals in 2006 and 2008. McKee also plays for the Freestate Phoenix, which has won a State Cup title and was a regional semifinalist.

“Rachel is a speedy forward that stretches defenses and has a nose for the goal,” Radu said. “She is strong on the ball to hold off defenders, and she has great close-down speed. Her one-on-one skills will make her a very dangerous scoring threat. Coming from a quality club team has prepared her well to transition to the college game.”

Lindsay Powell is a center midfielder from Severna Park, Md., where she was a four-year starter for three-time county champion Severna Park High School, which was ranked 21st nationally. A team captain, Powell has earned All-County First Team honors from the Capital Gazette. Powell also plays for the Freestate Sharks, which captured fourth place at the 2007 U.S. Club Nationals, and she was a two-year starting forward for the Maryland State ODP team.

“Lindsay is a technically sound playmaker with the vision to distribute well,” Radu said. “She creates quality scoring opportunities out of the midfield.”

Sarah Purdum is a defender/outside midfielder from Dagsboro, Del., where she was a four-year member of the Delaware ODP team, and she has played with the Region I ODP team, as well. She helped lead her club team, the Delaware Kirkwood Blue Monkeys, to six state titles, the Region I league championship, a No. 12 regional ranking and a No. 48 national ranking. In addition, she was named Rookie of the Year of her Indian River High School team in 2005 and team MVP in 2008, and she is a two-time All-Conference honoree. A team captain, Purdum led the Indians to three straight league titles.

“Sarah is a fast flank player that loves to go at players and create services off the dribble,” Radu said. “She is a smart decision-maker on the ball who transitions well from offense to defense.”

The seven newcomers will help fill voids left by last season’s four seniors – goalies Christine Bacinski and Catie Bukowski, midfielder Amy Morrison and defender Kali Schwartz.