TWO PREP RECRUITS JOIN FERRIS WOMEN’S SOCCER PROGRAM
Student-Athletes Nicole Sawada & Kristie Smilanich Announce Intentions To Attend FSU
Ferris State University women’s soccer head coach Melissa (Eging) Lalonde, who completed her first season at the helm during the fall 2003 campaign, has announced the names of two additional prep student-athletes who have committed to attend and play women’s soccer at FSU starting with the 2004-05 academic year.
The pair includes defender Nicole Sawada (Westfield, Ind./Carmel) and midfielder Kristie Smilanich (Kalamazoo/Christian). They join defender/midfielder Ashley Brewer (Dowagiac/Union), defender Ashley Lukes (Kokomo, Ind./Western), midfielder Andrea Palombi (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario/St. Mary’s College) and forward Anslee Stuber-Powell (Lansing/Holt), all of whom previously committed, as members of FSU’s 2004 recruiting class.
“Both Nicole and Kristie will be tremendous additions to our program,” Lalonde said. “We’re excited they’ve decided to continue their careers at Ferris State.”
The 5-2 Sawada helped lead Carmel (Ind.) High School to the program’s fourth consecutive Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) State Championship as a senior during the 2003 campaign. She compiled three goals and one assist in 20 outings as CHS registered a 22-2 overall record in 2003 under head coach Frank Dixon. Sawada, who earned 2003 Indiana Soccer Coaches Association District 3 All-Academic Team recognition, also competed in cross country and played club level soccer for both the TKO and Dynamo-Katner F.C. Soccer Clubs. She was active in the school’s environmental club and plans to major in pre-pharmacy at Ferris State.
“Nicole comes from a strong club soccer background and has experience at a high level, which will prepare her for the rigors of college soccer,” said Lalonde. “Her strengths lie in her composure, knowledge of the game and ability to keep possession. After losing last year's starting back four, she could contribute for us on the defensive side.”
Smilanich led Kalamazoo Christian High School to its second consecutive Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Division IV State Championship last Saturday (June 19) as the Comets posted a 6-0 win over Saginaw Nouvel. Smilanich, who tallied two goals in this season’s state title contest, recorded 40 goals and 24 assists as a junior in 2003. The four-time (2001-04) All-Kalamazoo Valley Association honoree earned first-team all-state accolades for the third consecutive season this campaign. A four-time all-region selection, Smilanich twice received team Most Valuable Player Award recognition. The 2004 team captain was coached by her father, Ron. She also participated in basketball and volleyball in addition to playing club level soccer. Smilanich plans to major in graphic design at FSU.
“Although Kristie is a natural attacking player, she’s also capable of going to the goal and defending quite well,” Lalonde said. “She has good leadership qualities in addition to a competitive nature. Her skill and tactical understanding will be a tremendous addition to our program.”
Ferris State concluded the 2003 campaign with an 11-5-1 overall mark under Lalonde, which represented the program's best performance in its five-year history and included a fourth-place 5-3 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) finish. The Bulldogs, who won eight of their final 11 outings last season, opened the year with a school record three consecutive wins and compiled a program-best 5-2-1 road mark in 2003. FSU also set school single-season records for most goals (40), assists (36) and points (116).
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