“We are very excited to add three special student-athletes to our women’s soccer family,” said Woodward. “Emily, Mariah, and Rosie are talented soccer players, hard-working students, and most importantly young women with big-time character. They will add value to our program, university, and community. I’m excited to work with them, help them achieve their potential as soccer players and students, and reach our goals together as a team.”
Mariah O’Neil, 5’7”, Midfielder
Tumwater High School/Tumwater, Wash., Washington Premier FC ECNL
Mariah O’Neil is an accomplished midfielder and three-year letterwinner from Tumwater High School in Tumwater, Wash., as well as a three-year varsity starter. She competed with Federal Way United (FWU) Reign from 2006-10 at the club level and now competes with Washington Premier FC ECNL. In 2008, she helped lead her club team to the US Club Soccer Regional and National Championships. In 2009, the team was a Washington State Cup Finalist and was invited to the United Premier Cup. In 2010, they won the Washington State Cup, were regional semifinals, and PDL Division I Champions. In 2011, with ECNL, she helped lead the team to the Washington State Cup Finals and, in 2012, the team was National Semifinalists in their bracket (WPFC). Personally, in 2009-10, she finished third in goals and assists and served as team captain. In 2010-11, she was the team leader in assists and fourth overall in goals and in 2011-12, she was the team leader in assists and third overall for goals (WPFC). Outside of athletics, she also excels in the classroom, as she is a member of the Tumwater High School Honor Society as well as the National Honor Society. She is currently serving as the 2012-13 Senior Class President and Committee Chair, and was the 2011-12 Junior Class Secretary. She was also nominated for the Washington Scholar Award, was named THS Student of the Month, and received Evergreen Conference League All-Academic honors. She is involved in Hope Community Youth Group and missions and earned a special service award at Tumwater High School.
Coach Woodward on O’Neil: “Mariah is a perfect fit for Seattle U and is going to be a great addition to our team. We are looking for Mariah to compete for the role Taylor Bolibol filled on the field for us – playing simple, connecting passes, covering ground, and being one of the hardest working players on the team every day at practice.”
Rosalie Sittauer, 5’10”, Defender
Everett High School/Everett, Wash., PacNW 94 Maroon
Rosalie Sittauer is an athletic defender and
four-year varsity starter from Everett High School in Everett, Wash. Along with
soccer, Sittauer is also a three-year varsity basketball starter and three-year
varsity track letterwinner. She helped lead the Seagulls to three-time Wesco 3A
League Championships (2009, 2011, 2012) and two-time State Qualifiers (2011,
2012). She also helped lead her team to a 15-0-1 record in 2012 and a 63-15-3
record over her high school career. Individually, she has received Wesco 3A
Honorable Mention (2009, 2010), Wesco 3A First Team (2011, 2012), All-Area (2A,
3A, 4A) Second Team (2011, 2012), All-State First Team (2012), All-State Second
Team (2011), and a Seattle Times “Star Times” selection (2012). For soccer, she
served as team captain (2011, 2012) and received the Most Inspirational Award
(2012), was Most Improved (2010), Most Inspirational (2011), and served as team
captain (2012) for basketball, and, in track, served as team captain (2012) and
was a three-time “Roger Haug Three Sport Letterwinner”. In 2012, she scored
seven goals and recorded five assists as a defender. Most recently, at the club
level, she has competed with PacNW 94 Maroon FC (2010-2013), with Crossfire
ECNL (2012), with Northwest Nationals (2008-10), Evergreen (now Washington
Rush)(2004-08), and was a Washington State 1994 ODP Team/2011 Regional Camp
Invitee. Sittauer helped lead PacNW 94 Maroon to the 2010, 2011, and 2012 Surf Cup
Championships, as well as the state semifinals with Northwest Nationals in
2008. Academically, she has participated in National Honor Society Leadership. Her
sister, Annie, is currently a junior on the University of Washington women’s
soccer team.
Coach Woodward on Sittauer: “Rosie is a talented central defender with the potential to be one of the best in the region. She already has the size, pace, strength, and air game to dominate the college game. Once she develops the technical precision and tactical awareness to compliment her already impressive skill set, she is going to turn heads. Most importantly, I know she has the work ethic and attitude to get every ounce of improvement from herself in training.”
Emily Castellano, 5’5”, Legends FC
Charter Oak High School/Covina, Calif., Midfielder/Forward
Emily Castellano is an attacking midfielder/forward from Charter Oak High School in Covina, Calif., where she is a three-year varsity starter and two-year team captain. At Charter Oak, she received the 2009 Golden Boot Award, 2010 Best Offensive Player Award, and served as two-time team captain (2009, 2010). Over her high school career, she recorded 32 goals and 14 assists during her freshman season, 21 goals and nine assists during her sophomore season, and 15 goals and five assists during her senior season. At the club level, she has competed with FC Barcelona, Santa Anita, Crown City, Glendora FC, Breakaway, and Legends FC. She helped lead her teams to a first place finish at So Cal Developmental League G19 Flight I (August 2012), first place finish at Far West Regional League Fall 2012 G18 (August 2012), National Championship G17 Championship Finalist (July 2012), Region IV Championship G17 (June 2012), California South State Cup G17 Championship Flight Finalist (April 2012), Players Showcase 2012 G17 USYS National League Finalist (March 2012), and first place finish with USYSA National League G17 Blue (December 2011). Outside of soccer, she is a 2013 Puente Honors Class member, a member of the Spanish Club, as well as the Christian Club. She also enjoys traveling and volunteer service with Legends FC soccer club.
Coach Woodward on Castellano: “Emily is one of the most talented attacking players we saw throughout the entire recruiting process. She can impact a game in a varsity of ways, scoring goals, getting assists, pressing at the right time to create a counter. Emily has a high level of understanding of the game, which combined with her technical and athletic ability will allow her to make an immediate impact on our program.”
Associate head coach Rich Schreiner adds, with final words on the class, “With this signing class, we took a big step on our road to the WAC Championship. I can’t wait for them to get here so we can get to work.”