Feb. 6, 2012
Photo Gallery
TUCSON, Ariz. – University of Arizona women’s soccer head coach Lisa Oyen announced Monday that eight student-athletes have signed National Letters-of-Intent to attend the school and play soccer. The class will enroll this summer.
The class includes three from the Tucson area, including midfielder Michelle Busse (Ironwood Ridge High School), defender Sheridan Cohen (Catalina Foothills High School) and midfielder Kaitlyn Lopez (Ironwood Ridge High School). The Wildcats also signed defender Hayley Estopare from Bend, Ore., (Summit High School), midfielder Lexe Selman from Draper, Utah, (Alta High School), defender Alexa Montogomery from Altadena ,Calif., (Flint Ridge Sacred Heart Academy), goal keeper Alison Gondosch from Kitchener, Ontario, Canada (Rockway Collegiate) and centerback/striker Sheaffer Skadsen from Vancouver, Wash., (Skyview High School).
“I believe we signed an outstanding class,” Oyen said. “These student-athletes are very hard-working, dedicated individuals who are excited to be Wildcats. They are extremely talented and bring a wealth of experience. I expect this class to make a huge impact on our program starting next fall.”
Skadsen and Selman headline the class as Top 100 players from the 2012 signing class per Top Drawer Soccer. Skadsen is ranked No. 45 nationally and is tabbed as the second-best player in the Pacific Northwest Region. Selman is ranked No. 92 and is the fifth-best player in the Rocky Mountain & Southwest region according to the website. Lopez is rated No. 19 in the Rocky Mountain & Southwest Region.
“It is exciting to sign a class with such talented players,” Oyen said. “Bringing in two Top 100 players really shows the direction our program is headed. Each player in this class is committed to coming to our university and doing special things. They will all join our program extremely hungry and eager to compete right away.”
Arizona also welcomes in a pair of transfers to the program that will be eligible to compete in 2012. Candice Osei-Agyemang, a skilled forward, is a transfer from the University of Pennsylvania and was on the roster this past fall but had to sit out the season due to NCAA regulations.
The Wildcats also are filling in a void at goalkeeper following the departure of senior Ashley Jett. Arizona welcomes in transfer Gabby Kaufman from Texas Tech, who will immediately be eligible to play this season. Kaufman, who started three games in goal for the Red Raiders this past season, enrolled at Arizona in January.
Arizona Women’s Soccer 2012 Signing Class
Michelle Busse
Midfielder
Oro Valley, Ariz. (Ironwood Ridge HS)
Club: Tucson Soccer Academy
Oyen says: “Michelle is a creative midfield player. She is part of the very talented local group that has grown up in Tucson and she is one of the top players in her age group. I am excited to have her in our class and I expect her to come in and compete.”
High School/Club: Four-year letterwinner at Ironwood Ridge HS in Oro Valley, Ariz. … Division 5A-2 finalist in 2011 and semi-finalist in 2010 … Recipient of the Ironwood Ridge HS Coaches Award in 2009 … Played for club team under Charlie McCabe … Tucson Soccer Academy State Champion in 2010 … Team captain for club team Arizona Rush in 2009-2010 … Placed third in state championship with Arizona Rush three consecutive times (2007-2009) … Arizona ODP State Team 2007-2009 … Named to Tucson Champions Cup All-Tournament team in 2008 … Earned University of Arizona Soccer Camp Players Award in 2008 … Tucson All-City Honorable Mention selection 2009-2010 … Arizona All-State Honorable Mention selection 2009-2010 … AZ Central High School Soccer 2011-2012 Player to Watch.
Personal: Born Michelle Rene Busse on Sept. 17, 1994 in Tucson, Ariz. ... Daughter of William and Kelly Busse ... Will pursue a major in Marketing at Arizona.
Sheridan Cohen
Defender
Tucson, Ariz. (Catalina Foothills HS)
Club: Tucson Soccer Academy
Oyen says: “I think Sheridan is going to be a phenomenal college player. She is tall, strong and plays with a bit of a chip on her shoulder. Her mentality as a defender is exactly what we are looking for, and she can play as a center back or an outside back for us.”
High School/Club: Team captain at Catalina Foothills High School in Tucson, Arizona her senior year … 4A-1 State Champions in 2010 and 2011 … Named to Second Team All-Southern Arizona … Started every game of her junior season at CFHS … Won the 2011 Arizona State Championship under club coach Charlie Kendrick with Tucson Soccer Academy ... A Region IV ODP team member in 2009 and a national ODP pool player ... Also played for club team Arizona Rush under Charlie McCabe and was a team captain in 2009 … Helped CFHS defense break the 18-year school record for fewest goals allowed in 2010 ... Started every game of her sophomore season at CFHS … Arizona ODP State team captain in 2008-2009, All-Southern Arizona Honorable Mention selection in 2009 … ODP U13 Gothia Cup (Gothenberg, Sweden) Champions in 2007 … Named Gothia Cup MVP … Named to Gothia Cup All-Star Team.
Personal: Born Sheridan Leigh Cohen on May 24, 1994 in Tucson, Ariz. ... Daughter of Russ and Lori Cohen ... Has two brothers, Trevor and Gavin... Grandfather participated in the 1948 and 1952 Olympics for swimming and water polo….Will pursue a major in pre-med at Arizona.
Hayley Estopare
Defender
Bend, Ore. (Summit High School)
Club: Oregon Rush ‘93
Oyen says: “Hayley is a very consistent and composed player. She fits everything we want in our outside backs. She is tall, plays with pace and can attack up the flank. She has guest-played with our three local players in the past, so she has a great connection with them.”
High School/Club: Was a four year captain of the Oregon Rush, coached by John O’Sullivan … Was the 2011 Oregon All-State Player of the Year … Named to first team all-state in 2011 and 2010 … 2011 IMC Player of the Year … Oregon State Cup Champions in 2007-2008, 2010-2011 … 2011 Nominee for Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year … 2011 Nominee for Johnny Carpenter Award…
Personal: Born Hayley Marge Estopare on Sept. 27, 1993 in Bend, Ore. ... Daughter of Dave and Tami Estopare ... Has two sisters, Kristen and Rachel, and one brother, David….Chose Arizona for the soccer program and academics.
Alison Gondosch
Goalkeeper
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada (Rockway Collegiate)
Club: Brampton United Bullets
Oyen says: “Alison is a player we are excited to have at a very important position. She has ties to our program and has attended our camps over the years. She’s tall, has good hands and is a good shot-stopper.”
High School/Club: Played for club team Brampton United under Paul Garvey … Co-captain 2009-2011 … Gold Medal in High School Regionals at Rockway Collegiate in 2009 … All-Ontario Championships at Rockway in 2009 … U14, U15, U16 Member of Ontario Provincial Team (2007-2010) … U14 National Championships—Gold Medal Team Ontario in 2008 … Was Co-captain of Rockway Collegiate 2009 team.
Personal: Born Alison Nicole Gondosch on Feb. 9, 1994 in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada ... Daughter of Rick and Christine Gondosch ... Has one sister, Melanie … Will pursue a major in sociology at Arizona.
Gabby Kaufman
Goalkeeper
Calabasas, Calif. (Calabasas HS)
Last School: Texas tech
Oyen says: “Gabby can come in and play for us this year. We are excited for her to come in and compete right away. She is a very talented player that has game experience at the collegiate level. She is already in school here and will get the opportunity to train with us during the spring.”
Texas Tech 2011: Played in four games and made three starts … Earned one victory as a goalkeeper … Tallied on shutout … Totaled 314:43 minutes played in goal … Made 11 saves …Faced 47 shots on the season and allowed just three goals.
High School/Club: Member of the Laguna Hills Eclipse club team … 2010 U18 Youth Soccer National Champions after being the Region IV champions and California State champions ... recorded five shutouts at the national championships in 2010 … Team was crowned the U19 Coast League Premier Champions ... Posted shutouts in all six matches of Eclipse's Blues Cup Championship ... Finalist for the California State North vs. South title ... Participated in Far West Regional League ... Competed in the Coast Soccer League Premier level with the U-16, U-17, and U19 squads ... Also a member of the Southern California ODP pool in 2005 and 2006 ... captained the U.S. squad that competed in the 2009 Junior World Maccabi Games in Israel ... was also the captain of the U.S. squad for the Pan-American Maccabi Games of 2008 ... Named the Los Angeles Maccabi Athlete of the Year in 2009…Played at Calabasas High School in Calabasas, Calif. ... Was a four-year starter ... Was All-State and All-District in 2010 ... Named the Marmonte MVP goalkeeper in 2009 and 2010 ... Team MVP in 2010 ... Received the Coaches Award in 2009 ... Selected for California Interscholastic Federation All-Star game in 2009.
Personal: Born May 28, 1992, to parents Sid and Emily Kaufman ... Father was a goalkeeper University of Maryland and mother graduated from the University of Arizona ... Has an older brother, Charlie, who played football at Humboldt State University ... Majoring mass communications.
Kaitlyn Lopez
Midfielder
Oro Valley, Ariz. (Ironwood Ridge HS)
Club: Tucson Soccer Academy
Oyen says: “Kaitlyn is a very talented player that will bring diversity to our team. She has played a lot in the back defensively, but is also a very skilled attacking player that can score phenomenal goals. Her service is top-notch and her ability to connect with her teammates is something that really stands out. You also won’t find many players as competitive as she is.”
High School/Club: Captain of the Ironwood Ridge soccer team from 2010 to 2012 … Ironwood Ridge Team MVP in 2011 … All-State high school first team selection in 2011 … Tucson Champions Cup MVP in 2010 … Tucson Champions Cup Champions 2008, 2009 … All-State High School First Team selection in 2011 … Brandon Bean Tournament Champions in 2010, 2011 … Club State Champions 2011 … National pool in 2008 … Region IV Team 2008-2010 … Region IV Pool 2008-2011 … Region IV Championships All-Tournament Second Team selection 2010 and 2011.
Personal: Born Kaitlyn Victoria Lopez on Feb. 23, 1994 in Tucson, Ariz. … Daughter of Shane and Lisa Lopez. … Father was a homecoming king at Arizona … Has two siblings, brother Mitchell and sister Cami … Will pursing a major in physiology at Arizona.
Alexa Montgomery
Defender
Altadena, Calif. (Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy)
Club: Real So Cal
Oyen says: “Alexa is extremely athletic and has exceptional speed. She has played on successful teams throughout her career and she has competed at the highest levels and can come in and compete right away. She is a great all-around athlete and we are excited to have her join our program.”
High School/Club: Four-year letterwinner for Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy soccer team … Team captain for 2011-2012 … Named to first team all-league 2009-2010 … Named to second-team all-league 2010-2011 … CIF Southern Section Division I Champions in 2011 … All-CIF Southern Section Second team selection 2010-2011 … Mission League Champions 2008-2009, 2010-2011 … State Champions in 2010 … ODP State Pool in 2009 … ODP Region IV team selection 2010 … ODP Champions Region IV 2010-2011 … Pasadena Star News Second team all-area selection in 2011 … Glendale News Press second team all-area selection in 2011
Personal: Born Alexa Nicole Montgomery on Aug. 8, 1994 in San Dimas, Calif. … Daughter of Janice Hines and Greg Montgomery … Has two siblings, Kayla and Greyson ….Will pursue a major in broadcast journalism and business at Arizona.
Lexe Selman
Midfielder
Draper, Utah (Alta High School)
Club: Utah Avalanche
Oyen says: “Lexe can really play. She is very dangerous as a midfielder because she is comfortable hitting the ball with both feet. She is extremely competitive and can score from all over. She is a very technical and creative player, and she is a good student.”
High School/Club: Was team captain at Alta High School in Draper, Utah in 2011 … Named to first team all-region in 2010 and 2011 … Second team all-region selection in 2009 … 5A first team all-state selection in 2010 and 2011 … 2008, 2009, 2011 5A State Champions … Played for club team Utah Avalanche under Joanna Barney … Named to 2011 ENCL Florida All-Event team … 2010 Las Vegas showcase Champions … 2010 Presidents Day Champions … 2009 Disney Showcase Champions … 2009 Premier league scoring leader … 2009 Denver Region US Club Champions … 2006-07 State Cup Champions … 2008 and 2009 ODP Team … 2009 Region IV team … 2010 Region IV Champions and First Team All-Tournament selection.
Personal: Born Alexis Bree Selman on May 25, 1994 in Alberta, Canada … Daughter of Mark and Laurie Selman …Has three siblings, Kenzie, Colby, and Hadlee … Will pursue a major in physiology at Arizona.
Sheaffer Skadsen
Center Back/Striker
Vancouver, Wash. (Skyview High School)
Club: FC Portland Navy
Oyen says: “Sheaffer has been a teammate with Kaitlyn at the national camp. She can play as a back or as a striker. She has a great physical presence, can score amazing goals and is a tremendous leader. She has a passion for playing and I think she will be a successful player at Arizona.”
High School/Club: Team captain for Skyview high school soccer team 2009-2011 … Played for FC Portland Navy under coach Mike Dep, and was named captain in 2009 … Oregon ODP Player of the Year … All-League recognition four times … Three-time all-region selection … Two time all-Washington State … Three-time offensive MVP … Two-time Academic Champions (4A Washington) … H5 Washington State Semi-Finalists … 5 time selection to Oregon ODP State team … National Pool 2008 … Gatorade Player of the Year nominee twice
Personal: Born Sheaffer Ann Skadsen on April 25, 1994 in Vancouver, Wash.... Daughter of Brent and Chris Skadsen... Has four siblings, Kramer Blake, McKenzie Blake, Chaney Skadsen, and Ashton Skadsen…Sister McKenzie played soccer for the University of Montana (2006-2010)….is pursing a science-based major at Arizona.
