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LOS ANGELES - Five incoming freshman and one experienced transfer with one year of eligibility remaining make up the 2015 recruiting class for LMU women's soccer Head Coach Michelle Myers.
"As a coaching staff we are very excited and impressed with our class of 2015," said Myers, who will enter her fourth year at the helm of the Lions' program in the fall of 2015. "This class brings a wealth of competitive drive, athleticism, technical savvy and high level soccer experience. Each of these players can be described as passionate, hard-working, competitive, and talented individuals."
The Lions have added depth from up front to the back line in the form of prep standouts Maegan Gibson (F/M), Sarina Bolden (F/M), Gabriella Sanfilippo (D), Shelby Cormier (M/D) and Emily Carman (M/D), as well as senior transfer Ally Andreini (M), who spent her first three collegiate seasons at Miami.
"The addition of these six players, along with Melissa Lewis (who transferred into the program this spring), to our roster that only graduated three players will give us one of the deepest rosters we have had during my time here as head coach," Myers said. "We expect the impact of this class will be immediate and long standing. This class will allow us to continue to move forward in our goal to win a WCC championship and compete in the postseason."
Gibson has starred at Chaparral High School for four years, earning first team All-Southwestern League and All-County honors in 2014 after guiding the Pumas to the Southwestern League title. She was also named Southwestern League Offensive Player of the Year in 2014. Gibson also competes for the Del Mar Sharks, which won the US Youth Soccer National Championship in 2013, and was a member of the Regional ODP Team from 2011-13.
Coach Myers on Maegan Gibson: "Maegan is a very crafty player who is confident on the ball and has the technical ability to beat players off the dribble.Her creativity in the final third results in scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates.Maegan has competed at the highest levels with club and ODP, and brings with her two national championships - one USYSA U-16 National Championship with her club team the Del Mar Sharks and the other a USYSA ODP National Championship with the Cal South '97 girls. Maegan is full of energy both on and off the field and we are excited to have her join our offense."
Bolden hails from Milpitas High School where she led the Trojans to the SCVAL El Camino Division title in 2015. With postseason play still to be played, Bolden has tallied 48 goals and 19 assists during her four-year career. She was named the Milpitas High School Junior Athlete of the Year and was an All-SCVAL first team selection in 2013-14.
Currently also a member of the MLVA Mercury Blue '96, Bolden and her club reached the 2014 ECNL National Playoffs. In 2013 she won the 2013 ECNL North West Conference championship with the DeAnza Force '95, a squad that also included current Lions Maddie Medved, Emma Tyrnauer and Brett Cook, as well as fellow 2015 signee Gabbie Sanfilippo.
Coach Myers on Sarina Bolden: "Sarina is a die-hard competitor who gives everything she has every time she steps on the field. She is a presence both athletically and verbally, and is a good on-the-field leader. Sarina has a good nose for the goal and the ability to score goals.She played up in club for many years and was very active in the ODP program as a member of her state team, the Region IV team and national pool. We expect Sarina to have a big impact during her time here as a Lion."
A dual-sport athlete at Presentation High School, Sanfilippo lettered all four years in soccer and track. She earned All-West Catholic League honors in 2012, 2013 and 2014, while also earning Central Coast Section honors in 2012 and 2013. She helped lead the Panthers to the CCS semifinals in 2012 and served as a team captain her senior season.
A former member of the Chili Peppers club team that won the US Club State Championship in 2011 and 2012, Sanfilippo also played for the DeAnza Force in 2013-14 and is a current member of MVLA.
Coach Myers on Gabbie Sanfilippo: "Gabbie is a gritty, tenacious player who can play anywhere in our defense. She reads the game well, wins transitional battles and will help us possess the ball as we start our attack out of the back. Gabbie also played up in age with the Central Valley Chili Peppers, who were the Northern Cal State Champions for several years.She plays with a lot of heart and we are looking forward to getting her on the field tackling hard and shutting down opposing offenses."
Cormier earned varsity letters her sophomore, junior and senior seasons at Cathedral Catholic High School. In 2013 and 2014, she led the Dons to back-to-back Western League titles, CID San Diego Section titles and the CIF Southern California Regional Division II Championship. She earned numerous individual honors as a sophomore including First Team All-Western League and All-CIF Division III Player of the Year, after finishing with six goals and two assists on the season. In 2013-14, she tallied five goals and five assists, and is currently in the home stretch of her senior campaign.
Cormier has also competed for the Carlsbad United, which finished third at Nationals in 2012-13 and 2013-14. The club also won the Regional Championship in 2012-13 and were National Cup Champions in 2011-12.
Coach Myers on Shelby Cormier: "Shelby is a ball-winning, athletic player who will help us win midfield battles, especially in the air. She will provide balance to our attacking-minded midfield with her ability to win balls and distribute. She comes from a family of athletes with a sister that currently plays D1 volleyball and her dad who is a former NFL player for the Vikings and Raiders. Shelby has won several championships with her high school and club teams and we have no doubt that she will fit well into our program."
A four-year varsity letterwinner in soccer and track at Brea Olinda High School, Carman led the Wildcats in goals and assists in 2014, guiding the squad to the Century League title. A two-time team captain, she earned First Team All-Century League honors in 2014 and second team honors in 2013. Carman also stars on her track team, winning the league's 300m hurdles in 2013.
The four-year Scholar-Athlete ranks No. 1 in her class of 493 and carries a 4.4 cumulative GPA. A Cal South Regional Pro+ ODP Pool player in 2013, Carman also currently plays for the Anaheim Surf, which was a Cal South National Cup Quarterfinalist in 2013.
Coach Myers on Emily Carman: "Emily is an aggressive player who isn't afraid to get hit, especially when tracking a ball in the air around the goal. Her ability to head the ball whether it be to clear it out of danger or head it on goal is very impressive. She is also not afraid to go to ground and throw her body into a tackle. Emily strikes the ball well and has seen time as a forward. Off the field, Emily is a great student and we know she will continue to set high standards for herself and her teammates."
An Oshkosh, Wisc., native who spent three years competing for the University of Miami, Andreini will enter LMU's graduate program while playing out her final year of collegiate eligibility. She appeared in 30 total games during her time at Miami, scoring four goals and adding one assist.
Andreini prepped at Oshkosh West High School, playing two years for the Wildcats before committing to club soccer with FC Milwaukee.
Assistant Coach Matt Kagan (who coached Andreini for one season at Miami) on Ally Andreini: "Ally has an exceptional work rate and mentality and has NCAA Tournament experience. She is an extremely high-character person who will add to our team chemistry right away. Her ability to possess the ball and win battles in the midfield will be vital to our team's success next year. I am so happy to have the opportunity to work with Ally again as I know she will be a great addition to our already very talented squad here at LMU."
