Michigan Inks 11 to National Letters of Intent
2/6/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Feb. 6, 2017
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan women's soccer head coach Greg Ryan announced the signing of 11 future Wolverines to National Letters of Intent on Monday, Feb. 6. The class will join the Maize and Blue for the 2017 season.
The Class of 2021 includes:
Goalkeeper Hillary Beall (Laguna Beach, Calif./Crean Lutheran)
Forward Emma Cooper (Coralville, Iowa/West)
Midfielder Samantha DeVecchi (Orinda, Calif./Miramonte)
Midfielder Faith Harper (Costa Mesa, Calif./Mater Dei)
Midfielder Nicki Hernandez (Naperville, Ill./Matea Valley)
Midfielder Lauren Long (West Chicago, Ill./Community High School District #94)
Midfielder Alia Martin (Carmel, Ind./Brebeuf Jesuit)
Defender Hailey Neumann (Newport Beach, Calif./Pinckney [Mich.])
Goalkeeper Izzy Nino (Northville, Mich./Detroit Country Day)
Defender Lizzie Philibin (Vienna, Ohio/Cardinal Mooney)
Midfielder Sarah Stratigakis (Woodbridge, Ontario/Bill Crothers)
"Our 2017 recruiting class is the largest and one of the most talented classes to join us during my tenure," said Ryan. "I believe this class will have a positive and immediate impact on our team's success in 2017 and will be the foundation of Michigan's success over the next four years."
Goalkeeper | Laguna Beach, Calif. | Crean Lutheran High School | Club: So Cal Blues
Beall, a goalkeeper from Laguna Beach, California, who attends Crean Lutheran High School, is the top-ranked goalkeeper in the Class of 2017, according to IMG/Top Drawer Soccer. She has a wealth of experience with the U.S. Youth National Teams and has been involved with the U-17 U.S. Women's National Team since 2014. Most recently, she competed at the 2016 U-17 CONCACAF Qualifier, where she led her team to the championship, as well as the 2016 U-17 Women's World Cup. On the club scene, she has played for the So Cal Blues since 2014. During her junior year, she participated in the ECNL/ID2 National Camp Selection and was named to the Top Drawer Soccer ECNL Top XI at the ECNL Playoffs. As a senior, she was named a NSCAA Youth Girls All-American. Off the field, Beall is a Dean's List student at Crean Lutheran.
Coach Ryan on Hillary Beall:
"Hillary Beall is a tremendously talented goalkeeper with US Youth National Team experience. Hillary will compete for a starting position in her freshman year. This is saying a lot, as Michigan has two outstanding goalkeepers in Sarah Jackson and Megan Hinz. In 2017, we will have the best group of collegiate goalkeepers I have ever coached at one time."
Forward | Coralville, Iowa | West High School | Club: Eclipse Select
Cooper, a forward from Coralville, Iowa, is a three-year letterwinner in soccer at West High School, and is preparing for her senior season, where she will represent the Trojans as a team captain. As a junior, she helped lead her team to a runner-up finish in the Iowa State Tournament, while as a sophomore, she led them to state and conference titles. She has twice been selected to the All-Mississippi Valley Conference first team and All-State first team, while as a freshman she earned second-team honors. As a sophomore and junior, she was named the Girls Soccer Athlete of the Year by the Iowa City Press Citizen. Cooper competed with the Iowa City Alliance club team from 2005-14, where she led the team to one state championship, while she currently competes for Eclipse Select. She has also been involved with the state and regional ODP teams, and competed with Breidablik FC in Iceland in 2013. In addition to competing in soccer, Cooper was also a member of West's marching band, pep band, concert band and jazz band. Academically, she is a National Honor Society student, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and was a National Merit semifinalist.
Coach Ryan on Emma Cooper:
"Emma Cooper is a dynamic striker who will look to add to Michigan's talented group of attacking players. Emma is great back to pressure, quick in the turn, makes great darting runs, and finishes a high percentage of her chances. I anticipate that Emma will be hitting the back of the net for Michigan in 2017."
Midfield | Orinda, Calif. | Miramonte High School | Club: Mustang SC
DeVecchi, a midfielder from Orinda, California, is currently in the midst of her fourth season on the varsity soccer team at Miramonte High School. She has already been named High School Player of the Week by the Eastbay Times, and is in her second season representing the Matadors as a team captain. DeVecchi has earned All-Diablo Football Athletic League honors following each season and as a junior was named to the All-Eastbay Team. She has led Miramonte to three straight league championships, the 2015 North Coast Section (NCS) title, as well as a NCS runner-up finish in 2016. She has been named an All-Scholastic Team selection in each of the last four years. On the club scene, she competed for Mustang SC and has been a team captain for the past three years. She helped her team win multiple team titles, including the 2016 ECNL championship. DeVecchi has been involved with state, regional and national ODP teams, and has been invited to the ODP Interregional Championships in each of the last two years. Academically, DeVecchi will graduate one year early from one of the top-10 academic high schools in California, as she began high school as a member of the Class of 2018. In addition to soccer, DeVecchi also competed in track and swimming, and is a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. She comes from an athletic family, as her father, Randy DeVecchi, played baseball at San Jose State.
Coach Ryan on Samantha DeVecchi:
"Sam DeVecchi is our most versatile 2017 recruit. I can see Sam contributing in several positions in 2017. I have seen Sam can play really well in midfield or in a forward position. I would not rule out an outside back position, as Sam possesses great skill and mobility."
Midfield | Costa Mesa, Calif. | Mater Dei High School | Club: Slammers FC
Harper, a midfielder from Costa Mesa, California, was named a 2017 Orange County Varsity Player to Watch. She missed her junior season at Mater Dei High School due to injury, after leading the Monarchs to the CIF Southern Section championship in 2015. Harper has played club soccer for Slammers FC since 2010, leading her team to the 2016 ECNL Overall Club championship. Academically, Harper has been a Scholar-Athlete student all four years at Mater Dei.
Coach Ryan on Faith Harper:
"Faith Harper is a very strong and skillful holding midfielder. Faith is an outstanding ball-winner in the middle of the park. I anticipate that Faith will come in and compete for playing time immediately."
Midfield | Naperville, Ill. | Matea Valley High School | Club: Eclipse Select
Hernandez is a midfielder from Naperville, Illinois, and attends Matea Valley High School, where she has competed in soccer and track and field. She made the varsity soccer team as a freshman, where she helped lead her team to sectional finals and was named All-Conference honorable mention. As a sophomore, she competed in track, running the 400-meter run and was a member of the 4x400-meter relay. As a junior, she only competed with her club team, Eclipse Select, and will return to play her senior season with Matea Valley this spring. She led her club team to back-to-back ECNL Conference championships in 2014 and 2015, as well as consecutive ECNL Playoff titles in 2015 and 2016. Hernandez has been invited to five U.S. U-17 National Team camps, as well as three ODP Regional camps. Collegiate soccer runs in the family, as her father, Jose Hernandez, played soccer at Dominican University.
Coach Ryan on Nicki Hernandez:
"Nicki Hernandez is an exceptionally talented and technical midfielder with the ability to create and score goals. I anticipate that Nicki will see a lot of the field in 2017. Nicki will compete for a spot in Michigan's starting 11 immediately."
Midfield | West Chicago, Ill. | Community High School District #94 | Club: Eclipse Select
Long, a midfielder from West Chicago, Illinois, attends Community High School District #94, but did not play high school soccer, as she competed year round with her club team, Eclipse Select, where she is a team captain. She helped Eclipse Select qualify for the ECNL Champions League in three straight years from 2014-16, and earn a semifinalist finish at the 2015 Illinois State Cup. In addition to her club participation, she has also been heavily involved with the Illinois State and Region II ODP teams, representing both teams as a captain at the 2014 ODP National championship Tournament, as well as the 2013 and 2014 ODP Region II Championship Tournament. Long helped her teams win the 2014 Costa Rica International Soccer Tournament and the 2013 ODP Region II championship. Academically, the four-year Honor Roll student is a member of the National Honor Society and Foreign National Honor Society, and is also an Illinois State Scholar.
Coach Ryan on Lauren Long:
"Lauren Long is an exceptional holding midfielder. Lauren's ability to help her teams keep possession in the middle of the park will blend perfectly with Michigan's possession-oriented style of play. I anticipate that we will see a lot of Lauren on the field this fall."
Midfield | Carmel, Ind. | Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School | Club: Eclipse Select
Martin, a midfielder from Carmel, Indiana, will join her sister, Reilly Martin, who is a current sophomore on the U-M women's soccer team. Alia competes for Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory School and also plays club soccer for Eclipse Select. As a four-year varsity letterwinner, she has earned First Team All-State, First Team All-District, All-Marion County and Academic All-State honors all four years. The three-time NSCAA All-Region honoree and two-time NSCAA High School All-American was named the 2015 Gatorade Indiana State Fall Girls Soccer Player of the Year and the 2016 Indiana State Player of the Year. Martin has also been invited to numerous U-17 and U-15 U.S. Girls National Team Camps, as well as ECNL id2 National Camps. Competition with her ODP Regional team has also taken her to play in Germany and Costa Rica. In addition to soccer, she also played three seasons of varsity basketball at Brebeuf Jesuit. Academically, Martin is a four-year High Honor Roll student and Indiana All-Academic student-athlete.
Coach Ryan on Alia Martin:
"Alia Martin is a box to box center midfielder who will make a huge impact on our team from day one. Alia's skill, mobility and tenacity will be a perfect fit for Michigan's midfield."
Defense | Newport Beach, Calif. | Pinckney High School (Mich.) | Club: Michigan Hawks
Neumann has moved twice during her high school career and currently lives in Pinckney, Michigan, and attends Pinckney High School. She started high school at Southlake Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas, but did not play high school soccer there. Neumann competed for Corona Del Mar High School in Newport Beach, California, as a sophomore and junior, earning varsity letters in both soccer and lacrosse. In soccer, she helped lead her team to the CIP Southern Section quarterfinals as a junior, and was named to the All-Pacific Coast League first team and the Daily Pilot Dream Team as a sophomore and junior. Following her junior season, where she led Corona del Mar with seven goals while playing as a defender, she was also named First Team All-CIF Southern Section and Second Team All-Orange County. As a senior, Neumann is now attending Pinckney High School, but is not competing in high school soccer. On the club scene, she has competed with the Dallas Texans, Slammers FC, and now plays with the Michigan Hawks. While playing with the Texans, she competed in the 2014 ECNL National Championship, while she made consecutive trips to the 2015 and 2016 ECNL Regional Playoffs with Slammers FC. Collegiate athletics run in the Neumann family, as her older brother Nate plays club lacrosse at Michigan State and her older sister Lauren plays lacrosse at St. Mary's College of California.
Coach Ryan on Hailey Neumann:
"Hailey Neumann is a no-nonsense defenders defender. She is an athletic and tenacious center back who loves shutting down the opponent's best attackers. Hailey will join a young but talented group of defenders who will be replacing three starters from the 2016 back line."
Goalkeeper | Northville, Mich. | Detroit Country Day School | Club: Michigan Hawks
Nino is a 6-1 goalkeeper from Northville, Michigan, and attends Detroit Country Day School, where she is a four-year letterwinner in volleyball and will earn her fourth varsity letter in soccer this spring. She is a three-time All-State, All-Region and All-District honoree in soccer, and led DCD to the state finals in each of the last three seasons. Nino plays club soccer for the Michigan Hawks and helped lead her team to the U-17 ECNL national championship in 2016. She has competed with the ODP Michigan State Team since 2012, and been a member of the ODP Regional Pool (2012-15) and National Pool (2014-15). While competing with the ODP state team, Nino helped lead her team to a runner-up finish in the ODP national finals in 2016.
Coach Ryan on Izzy Nino:
"Izzy Nino is an excellent and rangy goalkeeper with tremendous potential for the future. Izzy will add depth to Michigan's outstanding group of goalkeepers and will be ready to play if called upon in 2017."
Defense | Vienna, Ohio | Cardinal Mooney High School | Club: Internationals Soccer Club
Philibin, a defender from Vienna, Ohio, is a three-year letterwinner in soccer at Cardinal Mooney High School, as she only played with her club team, Internationals Soccer Club (Cleveland, Ohio) during her junior season. She is a two-time All-District Division 3 second-team member (2013, 2014) and was named to the first team as a senior. As a freshman, sophomore and senior she helped lead CMHS to the district championship, while her team finished as regional semifinalists in 2013 and 2016, and regional finalists in 2014. As a senior captain, Philibin earned a long list of awards that included All-Tri-County League first team, All-Tri County Player of the Year, All-District Division 3 first team, District Player of the Year, All-State Division 3 first team, and NSCAA All-Central Region. Philibin played club soccer for Internationals Soccer Club, helping to lead her team to the 2013 Ohio North State Cup and USL Super Y League national titles. She was also invited to the USL Super Y League National ODP Camp in 2013. In addition to soccer, Philibin also lettered in football, where she was the team's placekicker during her senior year, becoming the first female football player at CMHS. Academically, she is a four-year Honor Roll student and a member of the National Honor Society.
Coach Ryan on Lizzie Philibin:
"Lizzie Philibin is a quick and skillful outside back who loves to get involved in the attack. Lizzie will add talent and depth to our outstanding group of wing defenders."
Midfield | Woodbridge, Ontario | Bill Crothers Secondary School | Club: Aurora United FC
Stratigakis is a midfielder from Woodbridge, Ontario, where she attends Bill Crothers Secondary School and is an Honor Roll student. While she does not compete for BCSS in soccer, she played one year of club soccer with Aurora United FC and has gained the majority of her experience with the Canadian Women's National Team Pool. She was a team captain for Aurora United, where she was selected as the club's MVP, and named a League 1 All-Star and the Young Player of the Year. Stratigakis has represented Canada on the U-15, U-17, U-20 and senior national teams. In August 2014, she was named MVP of the 2014 CONCACAF Girls' U-15 Championship, where Canada won gold. In December 2015, she scored against Honduras at the 2015 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Championship to help Canada advance to the semifinals. At the age of 15, she was named best midfielder at the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup after helping Canada reach the quarterfinals. Stratigakis was selected to the "best 11" team for both the U-17 and U-20 National Teams. In July 2015, she made her debut with the senior national team at the Pan American Games at the age of 16. In 2016, she was a starter for Canada at the U-17 and U-20 World Cup, representing the U-17 team as a captain. Most recently, she attended a National Team Camp with Canada's senior women's team in January 2017.
Coach Ryan on Sarah Stratigakis:
"Sarah Stratigakis is a dynamic attacking midfield player who creates and scores goals. Sarah has gained tremendous experience playing for the Canadian National Teams and was recently selected to participate with the senior Canadian National Team. Sarah will make an immediate impact in Michigan's attack in 2017."
Communications Contact: Whitney Vojtkofsky
