Feb. 13, 2008

Moraga, CA - Saint Mary's College women's head soccer coach Kelly Lindsey announced the signing of five players to National Letter's of Intent. The five players that will be joining the Gaels for the 2008 season are Lauren crum (Los Alton, CA), Daelyn Paul (Upland, CA), Ashley Soro (San Diego, CA), Sidney Garza (Ventura, CA), and Alisa Vetterlein (Rheinfelden, Germany)

"We are excited to announce the signing of five outstanding women to our Saint Mary's family," said Lindsey. "These young women are energetic about Saint Mary's and the top-level program we are building. Their enthusiasm, infectious-personalities, and family values will fit right in to ours. We strongly believe that all five of these young women are top-level recruits, who will make an immediate impact on the field, as we strive to be at the top of the West Coast Conference."

Lauren Crum is a Bay Area native, hailing from Los Altos, California, who we are extremely excited we could keep at home. Lauren has honed her defensive skills playing for the MVLA Soccer Club wining Northern California State Cup Championships in 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. She was a Far West Regional Finalist in 2005. While competing for Los Altos High School, Crum earned De Anza Division First Team honors in 2006 and 2007, while her team won the SVCAL El Camino League title in 2006 and 2007. She earned the respect of her teammates by being voted Los Altos High School Defensive MVP in 2006.

According to Head Coach Kelly Lindsey, "Lauren has a great tactical awareness of the game, and will bring a fierce competitive nature to our backline. Lauren has been coming to Saint Mary's games for over a year now, and it will be exciting to see her suit up in the Gaels' jersey for the first time." Likewise, Lauren is extremely excited in being a positive addition to the growing program of Saint Mary's College. According to Crum, she is, "excited to come to Saint Mary's College and contribute to the academic community, as well as, do my part to help build SMC's promising soccer program with this great group of strong women and outstanding coaching staff."

Daelyn Paul is a unique center midfielder from Upland, California who competed with the prestigious Laguna Hills Soccer Club of Southern California. Coach Lindsey believes that Daelyn has, " the technical ability, vision, competitiveness, and maturity that will make her tough to compete against for four years. It will be fun to develop Daelyn and watch her help us reach a new level." Daelyn grew up battling against her brother Davis, who is currently a freshman at California, and those years in the backyard have turned them both into intense competitors.

As team captain for the Laguna Hills Eclipse, Daelyn has won various league and state championships. While competing for Saint Lucy's Priory, she was team captain, a four-year varsity starter, a three-time league MVP, league champions, First-team All-San Gabriel Valley and San Gabriel Valley Tribune Player of the Year. Daelyn states that, "after meeting with the coaches and the players at Saint Mary's, I knew this was the best environment for me and my soccer career. I chose SMC to help build a team and compete in one of the most competitive conferences in the country."

Ashley Soro is a diverse player, from San Diego who might be seen on the front line, or coming out of midfield, playmaking her way forward. Ashley competes for one of the most competitive clubs in the country, Slammers FC. In 2005 and 2006 she was U.S. Club Soccer Regional and National Champion. While at Rancho Berando High School, Soro was a four-year letter winner, voted Best Forward in 2006 and 2007, and team captain for her senior season.

Coach Lindsey views Soro as, "a blue-collar worker who is blessed with power, technical composure, and tactical savvy-ness. It will be exciting to see her don the Gaels' colors and score some goals along the way." Soro believes that she will be able to make her impact, "with my strength and vision up top. I love holding the ball, laying it off and making a run to ultimately take a shot."

Sidney Garza is another Southern California recruit from Ventura with versatility and knowledge to play anywhere from defender to forward. According to Lindsey, "Sidney is a very diverse player with a work rate that never ends. She can play anywhere on the field, and might be starting our attack out of the back in 2008. She is strong, connects well, loves to go forward, and can tackle very hard. I love watching Sidney compete because she is relentless in getting the job done."

While competing for the Eagles Soccer Club she was a National Champion in both 2004 and 2007, three-time Coast Soccer League Champion, earning over 43 Championships from 1999-2007, with an overall record of 381-76-87. Garza also had much success with Buena High School, where she was a four-year Varsity starter, four-year all-league selection, two-time All-CIF selection, and 2005 Division II CIF Champion. Sidney is a rare talent which SMC is extremely thankful to have joining them in the Fall of 2008. According to Garza, "the biggest part of my game is what's invisible to the eye and that is my heart, my internal motivation. A fire within that can't be taught, but is simply intrinsic for me. I play with passion, desire, and I have a strong will to win."

Alisa Vetterlein travels across the ocean from Rheinfelden, Germany to join the Gaels' family, and will be one of the goalkeepers in 2008. Vetterlein currently competes for the Under-19 German National Team, which recently won the UEFA U19 European Championships in 2007. After the competition, Alisa was voted the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament and was asked to Fitness Test for the German Women's National Team.

Coach Lindsey believes that, "Alisa has a unique soccer background and we are excited for her to join our Gael family. She is committed to excellence and wants to be the best at all times." It is apparent that Vetterlein is looking forward to the challenge and adventure that brings her to the United States. Alisa stated, "for me it is a privilege to be a part of a fantastic growing program and I really appreciate the work of every person who's been involved. I'll do my very best to contribute to the program in a positive and successful way."