Feb. 6, 2009
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IOWA CITY, IA – Head Coach Ron Rainey announced Friday that nine recruits will join the University of Iowa soccer program next fall. The recruits include Gabby Ainsworth, Stefani Campbell, Dana Dalrymple, Jade Grimm, Emily Jaffe, Jenny Kahler, Katherine Lewis, Alyscha Mottershead and Rachel Spellerberg.
Ainsworth, a defender from Coralville, IA (Shattuck St. Mary’s), is a three-time captain for Iowa’s Olympic Development (ODP) team. In addition, she was named first team all-conference as a freshman.
“Gabby has blossomed at Shattuck Academy,” said Rainey. “She has become a student of the game and matured while there. She has a good knowledge of playing in the back and an edge to her game that will command respect when she gets on campus.”
Campbell, a forward/defender from Arlington, TX (Summit), was named District MVP as a junior and was first team all-area and all-district as a sophomore. She is captain for her senior season and has scored 40 goals and 38 assists in her first three seasons.
“Stef brings a passion for the game and she is someone who thinks the game on the field well,” said Rainey. “She competes and we have seen her play at various positions with her club and high school teams, which will help when she gets to Iowa City.”
Dalrymple is a defender/midfielder from Cincinnati, OH (Anderson). She is a three-time first team all-conference selection and first team Division I all-Southwest Ohio selection. Dalrymple also had Region II ODP playing experience. She was the team’s most improved player as a freshman and was named team captain as a senior.
“Dana has an element of quickness and speed that will allow her to play on the flanks for us,” said Rainey. “She has played at a high level with club, high school, and ODP. That will help in her transition to the college game.”
Grimm, a forward/midfielder/defender is one of three incoming freshmen from Kennedy (H.S.) in Cedar Rapids to commit to the Hawkeyes for next season, joining teammates Katherine Lewis and Rachel Spellerberg. Grimm was named the Iowa High School Player of the Year as a sophomore and is a two-time elite first team all-state selection. She was named conference Player of the Year twice, in addition to being recognized as the Metro Player of the Year as a junior. In three years at Kennedy, Grimm has started every match (60/60), scoring 91 goals and tallying 64 assists. During that same time span, Kennedy went 52-8 and won three straight conference championships. She ranks second all-time at Kennedy in career goals, career assists, number of goals scored in a single match and number of assists in a match. Grimm has been a member of the Region II Olympic Development team since 2005 and the Iowa Olympic Development team from 2001-2008.
“Jade comes to Iowa with a ton of experience and accolades,” said Rainey. “She will be a tremendous student athlete at Iowa. She is a soccer player who is sound technically and that will allow her to find a place on the field for us.”
Jaffe is a midfielder from Ann Arbor, MI (Pioneer). She was an all-state selection as a junior and was also named the team’s Most Valuable Player. In addition, Jaffe has been named all-conference and all-district in every season and was named team captain for junior and senior seasons. She also had Region II ODP playing experience.
“Emily is a smart, technical soccer player with some flair,” said Rainey. “She can see things two or three passes ahead and this will help our team’s speed of play through the midfield.”
Kahler is a midfielder from Ankeny, IA (Ankeny). She has scored 24 goals and 20 assists in three years, helping Ankeny to a 37-13 record during that span, including a conference championship in 2008. Kahler was honorable mention all-state as a junior and is a two-time all-conference selection.
“Jenny is someone who, when playing well, can control games in the center of midfield,” said Rainey. “She connects different areas of the field with precise passing.
Lewis, a defender/midfielder is the second of three Kennedy (H.S.) products to sign with the Hawkeyes. Lewis is a two-time all-state selection, including being named to the all-tournament team as a junior. She has also been named all-metro and all-conference twice and was named team captain as a junior.
“Kat is a strong player who can play in the center of the field and win balls while also controlling the tempo of play,” said Rainey. “I feel she is getting better each time I go out to see her play which makes us excited for the fall to have her in the program.”
Mottershead is a midfielder from Bramtpon, Ontario, Canada (Cardinal Leger) and will be the first member of any National Team to play at Iowa. Mottershead is a current member of Team Canada’s U17 National Team and because of those commitments; she was not allowed to participate in high school soccer. She was captain of Team Canada during its bronze medal game against Mexico in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifier , which Canada won, 1-0. In addition, Mottershead played in all four games for Canada at the FIFA U17 World Cup in New Zealand, competing against teams from New Zealand, Columbia, Denmark (team captain) and Germany. She was invited to train at Canada’s National Training Centre in Ontario as a junior and has played in nine matches for the Toronto’s Lady Lynx, a women’s league team. Mottershead also played flag football and volleyball in high school and was named High School Female Athlete of the Year.
“Her technical level will immediately help us possess the ball in the middle of the field better,” said Rainey. “Her international experience will give us a mature and calming presence during some of the challenging Big Ten games.”
Spellerberg, a goalkeeper from Cedar Rapids, IA (Kennedy), is the last of three Kennedy teammates to sign with the Hawkeyes. She is a three time elite all-state goalkeeper, as well as three time all-conference and all-metro selections. Spellerberg holds Kennedy records for goals-against-average in a single season, saves per game and shutouts in a season. She was the goalkeeper for Iowa’s Olympic Development team for six years.
“Rachel will add some depth to the goalkeeper position,” said Rainey. “We will have five on the roster but the competition will make each of them better on a daily basis.
With nine new additions, Rainey believes he has the depth and talent necessary to make another run in the Big Ten next season.
“The 2009 class represents a mixture of players who can play all over the field and will help us address technical needs, athletic needs, and tactical needs,” said Rainey. “I am excited about this group combining with our current team as we continue to make our day to day practices more competitive. It is a great day for the Hawkeye program to add this group to the team.”