Feb. 3, 2006

CLEVELAND - Three high school student-athletes, two of which are from high schools in the Greater Cleveland area, have signed national letters of intent to attend Cleveland State and play women's soccer beginning in the fall of 2006. Head coach Derrek Falor made the announcement on Friday.

Signing with the Vikings are Allie Riczo (Seven Hills, OH/Padua), Shannon Saunders (Brunswick, OH/Brunswick) and Heather Wagner (Waterville, OH/Anthony Wayne). Each player will enter CSU as freshman with four years of eligibility.

"This class will really help to fill a couple of gaps that we had in the lineup last year," Falor said. "Each of these three players will add speed and overall athletic ability to our lineup.

"All along we've known that building a team just couldn't be done with just one or two recruiting classes. I am happy that we were able to get three quality student-athletes like Allie, Shannon and Heather for our third recruiting class."

Riczo, who plays both central defender and midfielder, earned third team All-Greater Cleveland honors as a senior at Padua High School.

"Allie is an amazingly tough, hard-nosed player who dominates the middle of the field in the air and defensively,' Falor said. "She will add a competitiveness to the lineup that will allow us to compete with even the best teams in our conference."

Saunders, a goalie, earned first team all-league and honorable mention All-Greater Cleveland accolades as both a junior and senior.

"Shannon is a keeper who makes many of her saves because of her ability to cover ground quickly while on her feet," Falor said. "She's very athletic, possesses quick reflexes and has good range off the line. She is ready to compete in the Horizon League."

Wagner, an outside midfielder, tallied 29 goals with 24 assists playing at Anthony Wayne High School, earning all-league honors during each of her last three seasons.

"Heather's speed and versatility will help to fill a big need that we have for next season. She's a fierce competitor whose energy on the field and experience as a playmaker will add a dimension to our attack that has been missing the last two years."