"We couldn't be more excited about Stephanie joining our program," said Woodward. "Steph is an aggressive, competitive, and very technical player for her size. She will offer competition in the middle of the field, and will be a presence to deal with on set pieces. She is also a great fit for our university and team, and we are happy to welcome her to Seattle U."
Stephanie Conard, 5'8", Midfielder
Archbishop Murphy High School/Everett, Wash., Washington Rush
Stephanie Conard is an accomplished midfielder from Archbishop Murphy High School in Everett, Wash. In club play, she was a member of Tynecastle FC (2005-11) and has been competing with Washington Rush for the past season (2011-12). With Tynecastle FC, the team played in the 2011 Puget Sound Premier Super League GU17, 2011 FC Portland Winter Showcase, were 2011 Washington Cup semifinalists, 2010 Carlsbad November Nights Showcase finalists, 2010 Nike Crossfire Challenge GU16 Silver semifinalists, 2010 US Club National Cup Regional GU16 Premier finalists, 2010 FC Portland Winter Showcase GU16 Platinum Champions, and 2010 WSYS Division I Premier League Second Place finishers. With Washington Rush, they were the 2011 Surf Cup GU18 Champions, 2011 U.S. Club National Cup X Finals GU17 National Champions, 2011 Nike Crossfire Challenge GU18 Champions, 2011 U.S. Club National Cup X Regional GU17 Champions, and the 2011 Avalanche Invitational GU17 Champions. At Archbishop Murphy, she was a three-year varsity starter (2009-11) and a JV swing player in 2008. Individually, she was also the 2009 Most Improved Varsity Player, 2011 Varsity Captain, won the WIAA Sportsmanship Award in 2010 and 2011, the 2010 WIAA Academic State Championship, and was Second-Team All-District in 2011. The team finished first in districts and won the state title (2009) during their 23-0 undefeated season, finished first in districts and third in state in 2010, and second in districts and third in state in 2011. Academically, she received First Semester Honors (2011-12), Second Semester First Honors (2010-11), First Semester Second Honors (2008-09 and 2009-10), received the Most Improved Science Student award (2008-2009), participated in Honor Clubs/Activities (2011-12), was the 2011-12 Upper Class Link Leader, and a member of the French Club (2008-10). Outside of athletics and academics, Conard has volunteered her time at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church (2008-09), with the Casino Road Futbol Academy Summer Camp (2009), at the Merry Haven Nursing and Retirement Home (2008-10), with Special Olympics Washington (Bowling & Basketball) (2010-11), and at Edmonds Swedish Hospital (2011-12). Athleticism runs in the family, as her brother, Zachary, runs track for Simon Fraser University, and her uncle, Mike Zacharuk, played soccer for the Canadian Junior National Men's soccer team.
Conard is the sixth member of Woodward's 2012 signing class, joining Kelly Beck (Tacoma, Wash.), Julia Moravec (Spokane, Wash.), Sarah Coluccio (Seattle, Wash.), Natasha Howe (Mission Viejo, Calif.), and Brianna Smallidge (Port Orchard, Wash.).
Seattle University will join the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) on July 1, 2012 in 17 sports, including women's soccer.
The Redhawks open the 2012 season at home versus the University of Washington on Aug. 17 and St. Mary's on Aug. 19.