Feb. 4, 2004

2004 Cleveland State University Women's Soccer Recruiting Class

Shayna Back
5-2 Fr. Defender
North Olmsted, Ohio (North Olmsted H.S.)
High School: Honorable mention All-Greater Cleveland honoree as both a junior and senior at North Olmsted High, playing for coach Tom Greene. . . totalled 12 goals and nine assists in her career, lettering all four seasons and helping team to a pair of district titles. . .tabbed as the league MVP as a senior and served as team captain as both a junior and senior.
Personal: Born Nov. 9, 1985 in North Olmsted, Ohio. . . daughter of Raymond and Shirley Back. . . has two younger sisters. . . member of the honor roll in high school. . . volunteered time at a local elementary school and adult day care center. . . also joined SADD, Students Against Destructive Decisions, and the Post Secondary Option Program. . . will major in biology.
Coach Falor's Comments: "Shayna is a fierce and multi-skilled defender who we will rely on to stop opponent attacks as well as help us build our own offensive possession. She's feisty, driven to succeed and technically sound with the ball at her feet."

Heather Clapacs
5-2 Fr. Midfield
Willoughby Hills, Ohio (Willoughby South H.S.)
High School: Two-time all-state honoree at Willoughby South High, playing for coach Vanessa Rockwell. . . set school record for career goals (58) and assists (42). . . scored 13 goals with 20 assists as a senior, receiving third-team all-state accolades. . . third team all-state choice as a junior, adding 10 goals and nine assists. . . scored 16 goals and seven assists as a sophomore and 19 goals and seven assists as a freshman. . . earned third team all-state accolades as a both a junior and senior. . . four-time all-league selection, receiving conference player of the year honors as a junior and senior. . . four-time all-area choice by both the Plain Dealer and the Lake County News-Herald . . . named a varsity all-star by the News-Herald in each of her final three years. . . four-time team MVP.
Personal: Born Feb. 2, 1986 in Euclid, Ohio. . . daughter of Bob and Jan Clapacs. . . has one older brother and two younger sisters. . . member of the honor roll in high school. . . will major in education.
Coach Falor's Comments: "I feel like we've found that "one in a thousand" special player in Heather. Heather is great on the ball and is so crafty at finding ways to pull apart defenses that she'll be an instant threat in the Horizon League and the region. She will be the motor that drives our offense throughout the season."

Nicole Homsher
5-2 Fr. Midfield
Hilliard, Ohio (Davidson H.S.)
High School: Team offensive player of the year as a senior at Davidson High, playing for coach Joe Divida. . . two-year letterwinner who tallied eight goals with 20 assists during her career. . . led the team in assists as a senior.
Personal: Born Dec. 29, 1985 in Columbus, Ohio. . . daughter of Robert and Sue Homsher. . . is an only child. . . honor roll student in high school. . . served as editor of the student newspaper. . . will major in communications with an interest in a career in broadcasting.
Coach Falor's Comments: "Nicole is that kind of player that every team needs. She's hard working and capable of playing a variety of positions. I expect her to fit in nicely in the midfield and give us that little spark when we need it."

Rachel Johnson
5-5 Fr. Defender
Medina, Ohio (Medina H.S.)
High School: Second team all-conference honoree as a senior at Medina High, playing for coach Scott Simpson. . . served as the team captain as a senior, receiving the squad's most improved player award. . . Greater Akron All-Star and NOGSL Scholar-Athlete award recipient. . . three-year starter and letterwinner who scored five goals with four assists in her career.
Personal: Born May 15, 1986 in Medina, Ohio. . . daughter of Mark and Deanna Johnson. . . her father was an NCAA wrestling qualifier at CSU in both 1981 and 1982. . . is the middle of five children, having four sisters. . . active in the choir and a VOST, a volunteer student organization, in high school. . . has volunteered time in each of the last six years with her church group to help build and repair houses in West Virginia and other states. . . interested in majoring in art education.
Coach Falor's Comments: "Rachel is the final piece of the puzzle for us in the back. She's very athletic and is comfortable playing both with and without the ball. She is versatile enough to fill a few roles for us depending on what we need her to do. Rachel has a very positive attitude that is infectious and should be a source of strength for us."

Abbie Kakias
5-7 Fr. Defender-Midfield
Mentor, Ohio (Mentor H.S.)
High School: Two-time all-area choice at Mentor High, playing for coach Mark Sattele. . . versatile performer who played almost every position in high school. . . played both midfield and forward as a senior, scoring 14 goals with 16 assists to help team to a 16-1-1 record and advance to the regional finals. . . first team all-conference pick and area Player of the Week by the Plain Dealer once as a senior. . . played goalie as a sophomore, recording 11 shutouts during the year including a string of seven straight. . . earned three letters in soccer. . . played four years of club soccer for the Cleveland Futbol team, helping the squad to the 2003 Ohio North state title.
Personal: Born Jan. 22, 1986 in Painesville, Ohio. . . daughter of Michael Kakias and Christine Lee. . . is the middle of five children, having two brothers and two sisters. . . was active in the student council in high school. . . interested in majoring in health and physical education.
Coach Falor's Comments: "Abbie is the type of player that presents endless possibilities for me as a coach. I know she will succeed anywhere we play her because she has already proven capable of that throughout her club and high school career. She's got a fantastic tenacious side to her and the technical ability to be a penetrating flank player coming out of the back. I expect tat she may be the answer to a lot of questions for us in a variety of situations."

Ashley Kidwell
5-5 Fr. Goalkeeper
Grove City, Ohio (Grove City H.S.)
High School: All-district honoree as a senior at Grove City High, playing for coach Derek Caudill. . . tabbed as the league MVP as a senior. . . four-year letterwinner in soccer, earning team MVP honors as both a junior and senior. . . first team all-league choice as a senior and an honorable mention pick as a junior.
Personal: Born June 24, 1986 in Columbus, Ohio. . . daughter of Rick and Lori Kidwell. . . has one younger sister. . . member of both the Art Club and the Rennissaince Club in high school. . . volunteered time working the Arts in the Alley community art show. . . interested in majoring in graphic design.
Coach Falor's Comments: "Ashley fits into that category of player with unlimited potential where her best days are ahead of her. As a goalkeeper, she's incredibly quick, aggressive and technically sound with her hands and coming off her line. She's been the key player on all of her club and high school teams and is very used to taking the responsibility for not giving up goals. Her experience will be a very valuable tool for us at this level."

Jackie Pangle
5-8 Fr. Midfield
Akron, Ohio (Firestone H.S.)
High School: Team MVP as a senior at Firestone High, playing for coach Mike Prosser. . . also tabbed the squad's offensive player of the year after helping team to a 12-4-1 record. . . totalled 48 goals and 23 assists in her career, lettering four times. . . voted the team's freshman of the year in 2000. . . added sophomore and offensive player of the year accolades in 2001.
Personal: Born Feb. 12, 1986 in Akron, Ohio. . . daughter of Paul and Annette Pangle. . . has one older brother and one younger sister. . . honors student in biology, physics and English at Firestone High. . . undecided on a major.
Coach Falor's Comments: "I know that Jackie is the type of player who will surprise our opponents with her ability to impact the game. She is a very talented midfielder who can be explosive during transition and when she is going to goal. She's equally capable of scoring or creating assists and will help us to create a penetrating offensive presence in the midfield."

Maggie Pugliese
5-8 Fr. Defender
Bay Village, Ohio (Bay Village H.S.)
High School: Team captain and all-city choice as a senior at Bay High, playing for coach Beth Gavin. . . was a third team all-city honoree by the Sun Newspapers and an honorable mention pick by the Plain Dealer. . . played on teams that won state titles as both a junior and senior and claimed four district titles. . . four-year starter on defense. . . lettered twice in track, running on the sprint medley and 400-meter relay teams that set school records.
Personal: Born Jan. 19, 1986 in Pittsburgh, Pa. . . daughter of Nicholas and Julie Pugliese. . . has four sisters, two younger and two older. . . was a member of the spirit club and treble choir in high school. . . interested in majoring in criminal justice.
Coach Falor's Comments: "Every team needs a player that will run through walls and battle every second she is on the field. Maggie is that type of player. She is extremely fast, provides solid cover and has a wealth of championship experience. She's got a great future as the anchor and leader of our defense."

Amber Rasmussen
5-5 Fr. Forward
North Bloomfield, Ohio (Bristol H.S.)
High School: Three-time MVP in soccer at Bristol High, playing for coach Larry Perris. . . set school scoring records for both boys and girls by tallying 42 goals as a senior and 139 in her career. . . four-time all-county choice and two-time all-district pick. . . team captain as a junior and senior. . . lettered four times in soccer, three times in softball and twice in basketball.
Personal: Born July 7, 1986 in Warren, Ohio. . . daughter of John and Mary Jo Rasmussen. . . has three sisters and one brother. . . four-year member of the honor roll in high school. . . member of the Beta Club, the Foreign Language Club and SADD. . . undecided on a major.
Coach Falor's Comments: "Amber has proven herself capable of scoring goals in bunches throughout her career and we feel confident that her track record of producing will be a great fit for us at this level. She's got a tremendous work ethic and a never give up attitude that is invaluable."

Madeline Singer
5-6 Fr. Midfield
Ney, Ohio (Bryan H.S.)
High School: Two-time all-state selection at Bryan High, playing for coach Kim Pepple. . . scored 12 goals with six assists as a senior to earn third team all-state kudos. . . had 10 goals and seven assists as a junior to earn third team all-state honors. . . tallied 14 goals with five assists as a sophomore and five goals and four assists as a freshman. . . owns career totals of 41 goals and 22 assists. . . four-year academic scholar-athlete and three-time all-district pick. . . received the team's most valuable offensive player award as a sophomore and senior. . . also lettered three times in track, competing at the state meet in the 800 meters as a freshman.
Personal: Born Aug. 8, 1985 in Brasilia, Brazil. . . daughter of Ed and Dorothy Singer. . . has three brothers. . . her cousin, Dan Singer, is a freshman on the CSU tennis team. . . member of the honor roll and Hi-Art in high school. . . also active in the 4-H and the trust Class, a community service class. . . undecided on a major.
Coach Falor's Comments: "We're fortunate to have landed Madeline. We looked long and hard for that distributing and unselfish midfielder who can add poise and rhythm to our possession. With Madeline on the field, we feel like our offense will always find a way to succeed."

Jennifer Wieand
5-5 Fr. Forward-Midfield
Alden, N.Y. (Alden H.S.)
High School: Second team all-state honoree as a senior at Alden High, playing for coach Kenny Kohl. . . scored 42 goals with 12 assists in helping team to a 22-4 record and a second place finish in the state playoffs. . . set school career scoring mark with 101 goals while adding 43 assists. . . scored 66 points as a junior (27 goals, 12 assists), 42 as a sophomore (16, 10) and 41 as a freshman (16, 9). . . four-time all-star choice, earning first team accolades in each of her final three years.
Personal: Born Nov. 27, 1986 in Williamsville, N.Y. . . daughter of Ed and Sue Wieand. . . has one sister and one step-sister. . . volunteered time working with an area youth girls soccer teams. . . will major in physical education.
Coach Falor's Comments: "With Jennifer, we were so excited to get her commitment. She has all the tools to excel as a collegiate player. She's extremely fast, has a knack for splitting defenses, is capable of finishing well in a variety of ways and has proven that she can lead a team to success with her passing and scoring ability."

Allison Zajaros
5-11 Fr. Goalkeeper
Bay Village, Ohio (Bay Village H.S.)
High School: Four-time all-county choice at Bay High, playing for coach Beth Gavin. . . four-year starter in goal for the Rockets, helping team to a 71-15-10 record and winning state titles as a junior and senior. . . played on teams that won three league, four district and a pair of regional titles. . . owns a career 0.59 goals against average with a 92% save percentage. . . named to the all-area team as a junior by the Lorain Morning Journal after setting a state record with 18 shutouts. . . played club soccer for the Mentor Impact, which is coached by former CSU All-American Ali Kazemaini.
Personal: Born Feb. 21, 1986 in Vermilion, Ohio. . . daughter of Jack and Connie Zajaros. . . has one older brother and two younger sisters. . . active in the treble choir and Younglife in high school and volunteered time coaching youth soccer. . . interested in majoring in sports psychology.
Coach Falor's Comments: "Allie was our first commitment and quite instrumental for the early direction and success of the recruitment of our other players. Without a doubt, she is a standout in goal. She's solid on crosses, has sound hands, is a great communicator, and provides an imposing physical presence. In addition to her individual skills, we will also rely heavily on her leadership and positive attitude that she brings to every training session and game."