Feb. 18, 2008
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IOWA CITY, IA – Nine recruits from across the country will join the University of Iowa soccer program next fall, Head Coach Ron Rainey announced Monday. The recruits include Allison Bellmer, Alyssa Cosnek, Sarah Langlas, Suzy Levett, Emily Moran, Kim Olsen, Kelsey Sandon, Morgan Showalter and Gabrielle Tinner.
Bellmer is a forward from Wheaton, IL, and attends Wheaton Warrenville South High School. She is a two-time all-conference selection and was an all-sectional selection during her junior year. Bellmer is a three-time academic all-conference honoree and has played club soccer for the Chicago Fire Juniors. She is the high school teammate of fellow incoming freshman Sarah Langlas.
“Alli is a hard worker up top,” Rainey said. “She has a great attitude and will be someone who will add to the competitive nature that we want to instill in practice and in games here at Iowa.”
Cosnek is a forward/midfielder from Pittsburgh, PA, and attends Hopewell Area High School. She is a three-time all-section team selection and a two-time team captain. Cosnek led Hopewell in scoring since her sophomore season, and holds a school record for most career goals with 85. She has played club soccer for the Northern Steel Ice from 2004-2007.
“Alyssa brings a physical element to the team with her athleticism,” Rainey said. “She is versatile and can play up top or in the midfield.”
Langlas is a defender from Wheaton, IL, and attends Wheaton Warrenville South High School. She was named team captain during her senior year and helped lead Wheaton Warrenville South to back-to-back second-place finishes in the DuPage Valley Conference. Langlas is a four-time academic all-conference honoree and has played club soccer for ASC Eagles Club (2006-08) and the Glen Ellyn Raiders (2002-2006). She is the high school teammate of fellow incoming freshman Allison Belmer.
“Sarah is an intelligent player on the field,” Rainey said. “She is a tall player and will be able to help strengthen our team in defense and in the midfield.”
Levett is a forward from Cedar Rapids, IA, and attends Xavier High School. She is a two-time all-state selection and helped lead Xavier to back-to-back Class 1A state championships in 2006 and 2007. In her high school career, Levett has 68 goals and 29 assists, including a school-record 37 goals as a sophomore. She has played club soccer for the Cedar River Soccer Association for seven years, including three state championships in 2003, 2005 and 2006.
“Suzy is another player that is very versatile,” Rainey said. “She is crafty on top of the ball and brings a great personality to the team. She also has regional team experience and that should help her transition to the collegiate game.”
Moran is a goalkeeper from Kent, OH, and attends Theodore Roosevelt High School. Already enrolled in classes, she is a three-time all-district and all-league selection and was a member of the Olympic Development Team from 2002-2007. Moran has a Class-D coaching license for goalkeepers and was goalkeepers coach for Ohio’s Olympic Development team in 2007.
“Emily will make the goalkeeper position very competitive,” Rainey said. “She has regional team experience and has very good hands for a keeper.”
Olsen is a junior-college transfer from Providence, UT, and will transfer from Iowa Western Community College. A forward, Olsen played in 39 games at IWCC and scored 50 goals to go along with 32 assists. She is a two-time NSCAA all-American and holds school records for most goals, assists and points in a career at Iowa Western. At Mountain Crest High School, Olsen was a two-time second-team all-state selection and was a first-team all-Valley Conference selection as a senior. Olsen will have two years of eligibility remaining at Iowa.
“As a junior college player, Kim is mature and already has two seasons of college soccer under her belt,” Rainey said. “We will look for her to help in our attack.”
Sandon is a forward/midfielder from Urbandale, IA, and attends Urbandale High School. She is a two-time second-team all-conference selection and two-time honorable mention all-state pick. Sandon has started 52 of 53 career matches for Urbandale and led the team in points, goals and assists during her junior season. She played club soccer for Urbandale Premier for seven years.
“Kelsey is athletic and will help give us speed in the attacking half of the field,” Rainey said. “As she practices, she will be able to increase her speed of play and contribute up top for us.”
Showalter is a forward from Cedar Rapids, IA, and attends Xavier High School. She is a four-time Class 1A all-tournament team selection, including being named captain of the state tournament team during her sophomore season. Upon completing eighth grade, Showalter scored three goals and tallied two assists in final six games for Xavier in 2004 (6-0). Xavier went on to win the state title and Showalter was named to the all-tournament team. She was named co-Player of the Year in the state of Iowa as a sophomore and led Xavier to three Class 1A state titles. Showalter has scored 90 goals and tallied 65 assists in her high school career and was the first freshman in state history to be named to the Elite all-State team in soccer. She was a member of the Iowa Olympic Development team for four years and has played club soccer for the Cedar River Soccer Association for 12 years. Showalter is the high school teammate of fellow incoming freshman Suzy Levett.
“Morgan is a competitor and can play anywhere on the field,” Rainey said. “With regional team experience, she has played with and against some of the best players in the country. This experience will help her transition into the college game.”
Tinner is a defender/midfielder from Quantico, VA, and attends Quantico High School. She was a first-team all-Conference selection and co-captain as a junior, while leading the team with 17 goals. Tinner is a National Honor Society member and plays club soccer for the MPS Freedom Elite.
“Gabby adds a defensive presence and intensity to the center of the field,” Rainey said. “She works very hard and will make us better both in practice and in games.”
With the nine new additions, Rainey believes his team is poised for bigger things in the Big Ten.
“We are excited about the 2008 class,” Rainey said. “There is a tremendous mixture of players who will both compete for playing time immediately and add depth. We are fired up about the additions and are looking forward to them contributing to the Hawkeyes.”
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