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Feb. 20, 2002
Winona State University head soccer coach Ali Omar took a step further to improving what was an outstanding 2001-2002 season by signing seven freshmen and one transfer to his squad for the 2002-2003 season.
Omar and the Warriors are coming off a season where they set a single-season record for most wins with 18, which led to another unbeaten Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference season and the first ever berth in the NCAA Division II National Playoffs for Winona State.
"This class will go a long ways to filling our needs for the future," said Omar. "We have added to our depth and experience and at the same time we will be able to play at the high level of play we are used to."
Omar termed his recruiting season a success, "I am not sure about the quality of players that will be available next year, so I went out and recruited some of the best players available in our area this season. This should help us this coming season and the seasons after."
The strength of the Omar's list of signees is in goal keeping, where he signed Elizabeth Slouka from Iowa City, IA High School, who was a four-year member of Olympic Development Programs in both Ohio and Iowa. He also signed goal keeper Kathryn Kramer from Appleton, WI Xavier High School, who was a two-time All-Area pick during her prep career.
Omar also hopes to add to his scoring strength with the signing of three-time All-State selection Amy Budish from Meadow Creek, MN High School. She is also joined by Kayla Berry and Anna Schuchard. Berry is a transfer from St. Cloud State University, who led the Huskies in scoring during the 2001 season. Schuchard played on the Totino-Grace team that won the Class A Minnesota State High School League Class A state championship.
Defensively Omar added Sarah Griffith from Iowa City, IA West High School, who has played on Iowa State tournament teams that finished fourth, second and third respectively the last three seasons, Emily Nelson from Davenport, IA Central High School, another member of the Iowa Olympic Development Program, and Shelby Herbon from Southeast High School in Lincoln, NE.
Here is a capsule look at this year's Winona State soccer signees:
Amy Budish, Fr, Forward, Andover, MN (Meadow Creek HS)
Three-Time All-State, State's leading scorer 1999, Four-Time All-Conference, Two-Time Team Captain, Soccer; Four-Time All-Conference, Team Captain, Basketball; All-State, All-Conference, Two-Time Team Captain, Track.
Sarah Griffith, Fr, Defender/Forward, Iowa City, IA (West HS)
Team placed 4th, 2nd and 3rd in state competition, All-Conference, Soccer; Three-Time Division Champion, Basketball.
Shelby Herbon, Fr, Defender, Lincoln, NE (Southeast HS)
Member of fourth-place state tournament team.
Kathryn Kramer, Fr, Goal Keeper, Appleton, WI (Xavier HS)
Two-Time All-Area, Soccer; All-Area, All-Conference, MVP, Team Captain, Volleyball; Team Captain, Basketball.
Emily Nelson, Fr, Defender/Midfield, Bettendorf, IA (Davenport Central)
Four-Time member of Olympic Development Program, Two-Time All-Conference, Two-Time Team Captain.
Elizabeth Slouka, Fr, Goal Keeper, Iowa City, IA (City HS)
Two-year member of Ohio Olympic Development Program, Two-year member of Iowa Olympic Development program, Member of championship 14-under ODP/Adidas National Training Center Tournament team, Iowa All-State, Four-Time All-Conference, Member of State semifinalist team, MVP, Team Captain.
Anna Schuchard, Fr, Midfield, Blaine, MN (Totino-Grace HS)
Member of state champion Class A team, Two-Time All-Conference, Player of the Game for NSC Cup, MVP.
Kayla Berry, So, Forward/Midfield, Apple Valley, MN Transfer: St. Cloud State, 2001
Led team in scoring with 13 points, 5 goals, 3 assists. High school: All-Conference, Team Captain.
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