Soccer Adds Seven For 2009 Season

YPSILANTI, Mich.- Head women's soccer coach Scott Hall has announced the signing of seven players to National Letters of Intent. The group will join the Eastern Michigan University women's soccer team for the 2009 season.

Cara Cutaia (Burlington, Ontario-Notre Dame Catholic Secondary), Alexes Heard (Middletown, Ohio-Bishop Fenwick), Chelsie Oddan (Calgary, Alberta-Central Memorial), Megan Pedro (Fort Wayne, Ind.-Canterbury), Claire Phillips (Saline, Mich.-Saline), Taylar Pulice (Florence, Ky.-Florence) and Jessica Thomas (Calgary, Alberta-Calgary Foothills) have all signed to play for the Eagles.

“We have put a premium on finding student-athletes who measure up to our core values of integrity, academic success and competitiveness,” Hall said. “We are looking forward to the qualities and contributions that each of these players will bring to our program."

Cutaia, a midfielder, plays club for the Oakville Phantoms, the No. 1 ranked team in Ontario and the reigning 17-U Ontario Cup Champions. “We like Cara's ability to beat a player one-on-one, as well as serving balls into dangerous places with her left foot,” Hall said.

Heard joins the Eagles as a defender/forward after leading Bishop Fenwick High School to the Ohio State Championship in 2008, where she scored the game winning goal to give her team the title. “Alexes is another dynamic left-footed athlete who is a fierce competitor. We like the flexibility that she will bring us, being able to play up font, in the back or on the left-hand side,” Hall said of the first team All-State selection.

One of two Canadians to join the Green and White in 2009, Oddan brings versatility to the Eagles. A member of the Calgary Foothill Colts, Oddan helped lead her team the 16U and 18U Canadian National Championships, while earning MVP honors of the 18U Championship. “Chelsie is a flat-out playmaker,” Hall said of the midfielder/forward. “She is technical and creative while also finding ways to defend, making her a two-way threat.”

Pedro comes to the Eagles from Canterbury High School in Fort Wayne, Ind. and plays for the Fort Wayne Fever. She will be the tallest player on the Eagles' roster at 6 feet tall. “We liked that Megan had experience playing against college players in the W-League with the Fort Wayne Fever. Her composure under pressure, as well as her mobility and agility for her size, will play a big part in her transition to the college game,” Hall added.

After playing her high school soccer at Saline High School and club ball with TKO Soccer Club, Phillips is making the short move to Ypsilanti. “Claire is a hard tackling, solid defender,” Hall said. “We are going to count on Claire's leadership abilities to help the rest of our class get acclimated to the area.”

Pulice, a midfielder/forward who plays club with Classics Hammer, will bring a variety of skills to EMU. “Taylar is a very sound technical soccer player and a great athlete,” Hall said. “We were impressed by Taylar's ability to always be involved around the ball, whether it was attacking or defending. Her solid work ethic, both on and off the field, will pay huge dividends for our program.”

The second Canadian to join the squad is Thomas, a club teammate of Oddan on the Calgary Foothill Colts. “Jessica is also joining us as part of a multiple national championship team,” Hall said of the defender. “She is a very intelligent defender who read the game well, making simple decisions in the back. Her experience playing at the highest level in Canada will allow her to step in and compete for a starting spot.”

The Eagles are coming off one of their most successful seasons in recent years, going 13-5-5 (6-2-2 MAC) in 2008 while relying on a young team. EMU lost only three seniors to graduation and returns 17 letterwinners for the 2009 campaign.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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