"Today, Seattle U women's soccer takes one big step forward," said Woodward. "This class is packed with talent and character. The five players who join our soccer family today are accomplished athletes, whose accolades speak for them. We know they will be successful at Seattle U because all five possess the qualities that define our program: commitment to continuous improvement, a fiercely competitive attitude and a mature appreciation for academics. We are so excited to welcome them to our team and to Seattle U."
Megan Daniels ∙ 5-4 ∙ Forward
Mission Viejo, Calif./El Toro High School ∙ Irvine Strikers
Megan Daniels is an athletic and technical striker out of Southern California. In 2009-10, the three year varsity starter was named to the all-league first team and All-CIF Third Team, in addition to being named El Toro's offensive MVP. Daniels' earned all-league second team accolades and her team Coaches Award in 2008-09. The forward also played club soccer for the Irvine Strikers, where she helped guide the squad to the league championship and was named to the All-Event Team at two ECNL tournaments in 2010. Daniels will continue playing with fellow high school and club teammate Renae Russell, who also signs with Seattle U for the 2011 campaign.
Coach Woodward on Daniels: "Megan has the undeniable potential to become one of the top players at her position. She has everything that you need to be a great forward: phenomenal pace, technical skill, natural goal-scoring ability and a tremendous competitive attitude. Like all great forwards, she can create opportunities on her own, but Megan also knows how to combine with her teammates. I can't wait to see her wearing red and scoring goals on Championship Field."
Kiana Kraft ∙ 5-8 ∙ Midfielder
Kent, Wash./Kentwood High School ∙ Seattle United
An agile midfielder with a winning resume, Kiana Kraft adds experience to the Redhawk lineup in 2011. She helped guide Kentwood High School to the WIAA 4A state playoffs four consecutive seasons, including the state championship in 2010. In 2010, Kraft was named the All-State 4A MVP and an ESPN RISE Gatorade Player of the Year nominee. In addition to earning numerous additional accolades, she was an All-SPSL League selection throughout her high school career and the SPSL North 4A Co-MVP in 2010. Kraft played club soccer for Seattle United G92 Copa, where the team won several tournaments, including back-to-back Washington State championships (2009 and 2010). The midfielder has been a member of the Washington State ODP Team since 2006 and was a member of the Region IV camp four times.
Coach Woodward on Kraft: "We identified Kiana as one of the top players in Washington a long time ago. She has always possessed the technical ability, maturity and quality in possession that set her apart, and it was no surprise to us that she was named 4A MVP in Washington State. Over the past year, she has also developed into a fierce competitor defensively. Kiana will be a great player, student and leader at Seattle U. We feel lucky that we will get to work with her for the next four years."
Taylor Ritzman ∙ 5-4 ∙ Forward/Midfielder
Holladay, Utah/The Waterford School ∙ Sparta United Girls
A versatile athlete who is coming off a four year varsity starting career at The Waterford School, Taylor Ritzman will add depth the Seattle U offensive attack. She is a four-time All-State selection, including three first team nods from 2008-10. In 2010, she was named the Salt Lake Tribunes 2A MVP and her team MVP. Ritzman has been a member of the Sparta United Girls club team since 2003. During her tenure with the squad, she helped guide the team to a pair of Utah State Cup championships (2005 and 2010) and was the team captain in 2008. Ritzman also was a member of the Utah ODP team in 2007, 2009 and 2010, and named to the Region IV player pool in 2010.
Coach Woodward on Ritzman: "Taylor is a special athlete with the potential to make a lot of noise in DI women's soccer. She possesses the softest first touch we have seen, and the overall talent to break down any defense. Taylor is going to thrive in our disciplined college environment. I can't wait to see what she will accomplish at Seattle U, athletically, academically and in preparing for life after college. The sky is the limit on her development."
Renae Russell ∙ 5-7 ∙ Defender
Lake Forest, Calif./El Toro High School ∙ Irvine Strikers
A smart and physical defender, Renae Russell adds a strong presence on the Redhawks backline. She was a two-time Most Defensive Player selection at El Toro High School (2009 and 2010), and helped guide the Bulls to the CIF semifinals in 2008 and 2009. Russell was also an integral part in ETHS's back-to-back league championships in 2009 and 2010. The defender has played for three club teams, most recently joining the Irvine Strikers in 2008. She led the squad to the Nike Harvest Cup championship in 2008, where she was named MVP. Russell heads to the Emerald City and Seattle U with fellow high school and club teammate Megan Daniels.
Coach Woodward on Russell: "For our 2011 class, we were looking for a hard-nosed defender to give us a physical presence in the back line. After seeing Renae play for about ten minutes, we decided to stop looking. Renae is dominant in the air and sets the tone with every tackle. She reads the game at a very high level and has the technical ability to play out of pressure. We are so excited that Renae will be a part of Seattle U soccer for the next four years! We certainly wouldn't want to play against her."
Stephanie Verdoia ∙ 5-6 ∙ Forward
Salt Lake City, Utah/Brighton High School ∙ Sparta Premier '93
Stephanie Verdoia brings a winning attitude to Seattle U with a playing resume speaks for itself. As a senior in 2011, she earned ESPN Rise Utah All-Star accolades. In 2010, she was named the 5A MVP by The Salt Lake Tribune and Desert News. Verdoia was named to the All-State First Team twice (2009 and 2010), the all-region first team three times (2008, 2009 and 2010), was BHS team MVP twice (2009 and 2010) and team captain in 2010, as well as earning numerous additional accolades. The forward also has played club soccer for Sparta Premier '93 since 2001. During that time she has helped guide the team to multiple tournament championships, and in 2010 the Utah Cup Finals and Region IV USYSA Tournament. She has been a member of the Utah ODP team from 2005-10, participating in the Region IV tournament and camp, and was part of the Region IV ODP player pool in 2010.
Coach Woodward on Verdoia: "Stephanie just keeps getting better. Her commitment to improve, attitude to compete and knack for scoring goals make her a unique player. She has a very deceptive first touch and her movement off the ball demonstrates a soccer IQ that is way beyond most players her age. Steph is a winner and she is going to help us win a lot of games. She is also a fantastic leader and just the type of person we want representing Seattle U both on-and-off the field."
With the addition of these five talented student-athletes, the Redhawks will look to build on their 12-5-2 record in 2010 and compete for an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Seattle U women's soccer team currently competes as an NCAA Division I Independent.