Marquette University Athletics
Women's Soccer Announces 2006 Recruiting Class
3/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
March 22, 2006
Head coach Markus Roeders announced the 2006 Women's Soccer incoming freshmen class today. Seven student-athletes have committed to continue their academic and athletic endeavors at Marquette University starting in the fall.
This class of Golden Eagles' newcomers features two sets of club teammates from their respective home states of Wisconsin and Kansas.
Five teammates - Brittany Bares, Katie Miller, Anna Sawicki, Kate Sternke, and Allison DeGroot - from FC Milwaukee will be suiting up for Marquette next season. The leading girls' select program in the state of Wisconsin, FC Milwaukee has captured the Wisconsin State Cup five times in the last seven years with these players. Two teammates, Mack Ayer and Cat Harris, will be joining the Golden Eagles from the state of Kansas. Those two players compete for the KCFC Alliance Pumas, the KCFC club program being the top girls' club program in Kansas. The Pumas are the elite team in the state at their respective age group.
"We are very excited that these outstanding student-athletes have decided to join us at Marquette University." said Roeders. "All of them have excelled in the classroom, in their respective communities and on the soccer field. Athletically, all seven of them have reached tremendous individual and team accomplishments in high school, the club and Olympic Development levels. Prior to arriving on campus this fall, all of them will be rounding out their careers with their senior high school seasons this spring and club tournaments this summer."
"With this group of players, we are adding talent to every position of our team." added Roeders. "We know that their personalities will blend well with our team and they will make our program better with their soccer talents. We can't wait for them to join our Marquette Soccer Family."
Brittany Bares, a midfielder/forward from Belgium, Wisconsin, was a Finalist for the 2005 Wisconsin/Gatorade Player of the Year Award and hails out of Northern Ozaukee High School. The high school claimed the Wisconsin State Championships in 2003 and 2005. A three-year team captain, Bares was a three-time First Team All-Conference selection, setting new records for most assists during her sophomore and junior seasons. A member of the Wisconsin State ODP program from 2000-05, she has excelled at the Regional ODP level.
"Marquette was like a glass slipper - a perfect fit!" said Bares. "The team, coaches, and the University give you endless possibilities. I wanted to attend a University where I could grow and develop as a soccer player, and as a successful individual."
Anna Sawicki is a standout at Waukesha West High School. The forward was named the 2005 Conference Player of the Year and is a two-time All-State selection. Prior to her senior season of play, Sawicki was a First Team All-Conference pick her freshman through junior years. A long standing member of the Wisconsin ODP team, she was selected to the Region II ODP Regional Pool Team during the 2005 summer camp. She is a high school teammate of fellow Marquette newcomer - Allison DeGroot.
"Marquette University offers me the best of both worlds, academically and athletically." Sawicki said. "Academically, I look forward to the quality education and the great academic opportunities that lie ahead. Athletically, I was attracted to Marquette because of the level of competition in the BIG EAST Conference and the level of commitment to the student-athletes. I feel Marquette will challenge me to become the best student and athlete I can be. I am very excited to play with these women and to become a member of the Marquette family."
Katie Miller, a midfielder, hails out of Mequon, Wisconsin. A standout at Homestead High School, she was a First Team All-State selection as a sophomore and junior. Miller was named to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's All-Area team after her junior season, as well as the First Team All-North Shore Conference. She is a member of the Wisconsin Olympic Development Program and has participated numerous years at the Region II ODP Selections.
"I chose Marquette University because I was attracted to their family atmosphere. I have been pleased with all of my findings about the school - the people are friendly and the school provides numerous opportunities to get involved on campus." Miller said. "I am excited to pursue a degree in Marketing at Marquette. Ultimately, I believe the school is a great fit for me with everything it has to offer on and off the soccer field."
Kate Sternke is among the top goalkeepers in the State. A 2005 First Team All-Conference and All-State selection, she holds the Pewaukee High School records for most shutouts. Sternke was a 2005 Honorable Mention All-Area pick by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. She has played and enjoyed success with the Wisconsin Olympic Development Program.
"I chose Marquette University because it is a high quality school with great athletics." Sternke said. "My family has a deep history with Marquette, with my grandfather working at the school for his whole career and my mother attending Marquette. I'm privileged to be the third generation in my family to attend Marquette and I believe that the women's soccer team at Marquette is building a new legacy in the BIG EAST and I want to be a part of it.
Allison DeGroot, rated among the top goalkeepers in Wisconsin, comes to Marquette from Waukesha West High School. A First Team All-Conference and All-Area selection by the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, DeGroot helped lead her squad to a Conference Championship during the 2005 spring season. A member of the FC Milwaukee Club program since 2003, she has excelled while participating with the Wisconsin ODP team at the regional level. Additionally, DeGroot was a Region II ODP Regional Pool Selection this past summer.
"Markus and Frank told me over and over again, 'Marquette is about the people.'" said DeGroot. "I knew that was true when walking around campus felt like home. That is exactly the kind of place I want to play for. I know when I'm at Marquette, there will be people who will care and support me."
Joining an increasing number of top players out of the Kansas City area, two teammates from the KCFC Alliance Pumas will also join the Marquette squad next season. .
Mack Ayer, a defender, was a First Team All-Kansas and All-Metro selection out of Lake Quivira, Kan. She was named the 2005 Defensive Player of the Year in the Eastern Kansas League and the 2005 Defensive Player of the Kansas State High School Tournament, as she starred for St. Thomas Aquinas High School - the 2005 Kansas State Champions and National Championship Runners-up. While competing for the KCFC Alliance Pumas, she help the team capture numerous State Cup Championships. Since 1999, she has competed with her Kansas Olympic Development Team at the Region II ODP camp.
"I chose Marquette University for many reasons." Ayer said. "One of the main factors in choosing a college was the major I wanted to pursue (broadcast journalism). Marquette has a great communications program and an excellent reputation as Jesuit University. It appealed to me that I could fit in as a student at Marquette and not be out of place at a huge University. In terms of soccer, it is important to me to be able to relate with the other girls on the team, their amazing coaching staff, and the great success they have achieved throughout the years."
Caitlin Harris is a midfielder/defender from Overland Park, Kansas. The Second Team All-State honoree out of Blue Valley Northwest High School is a former teammate of current Marquette standout Laura Boyer. Harris was an All-Sun Country and First Team All-Northeast Region selection this past season, and has been an All-Eastern Kansas League selection in each of the past three years. Having competed at the highest level of soccer, she brings a vast amount of Olympic Development experience through her participation at the State and Regional level. She also was a Region II OPDP Regional Pool Selection this past summer.
"I chose Marquette because everything just seemed to fit." Harris stated. "The coaching staff made me feel that I could contribute to their program and the team was equally as welcoming. After spending a couple of hours with them, I felt like we had been friends for a while. The team chemistry at Marquette is incredible. I have never met a closer group of girls who are friends on and off the field. I also chose Marquette because of their advanced nursing program and the quality of education I would be receiving. When I visited Milwaukee, I fell in love with the city, but most importantly, I fell in love with the University. After my visit, I knew that Marquette is where I would be spending the next four years of my life."
Marquette, one of the newest members of the Big East Conference, returns 23 players - including seven starters from its 2005 squad that advanced to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament. The team finished the year with a 19-4-1 overall mark and a final national ranking of #14 by the NSCAA.
