Soccer Announces 2009 Signing Class
February 10, 2009 | Soccer
Feb. 10, 2009
GREENVILLE, N.C. - The 2008 Conference USA co-champion East Carolina women's soccer team will add 11 student-athletes to its 2009 roster, according to an announcement Tuesday by reigning C-USA Coach-of-the-Year Rob Donnenwirth. Berit Hansen (New Bern, N.C.), Brittany Batts (Wilmington, N.C.), Caty Butler (Boerne, Texas), Chrissy Gratz (Sunrise, Fla.), Candace Mowery (Menifee, Calif.), Hali Oughton (Redondo Beach, Calif.), Rachel Wechsler (Paramus, N.J.) and Katie Daly (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) have all signed national letters-of-intent with the program while Jessica Fallon (Weddington, N.C.), Maddie Maurer (Wall, N.J.) and Kaitlin Povich (New Bern, N.C.) declared their commitment to join the Pirates.
Berit Hansen, GK, 5-11, Fr., New Bern, N.C. (New Bern)
Hansen was a member of the North Carolina Olympic Development Program (ODP) team and U.S. Region III Pool in 2008 and plays club soccer for the OCSA Club Crew, coached by Roger Carroll. The Crew was the 2008 US Club National and Regional Champions, as well as semifinalists in the N.C. State Cup and has qualified for the 2009 US Youth Soccer Region III Championships. Hansen also played for the New Bern Area Soccer Association, as her team was President Cup Champions in 2006 and Regional Champions in 2007. She attends New Bern HS and is coached by Tim Guter. Hansen was named the New Bern Sun Journal Player-of-the-Year while receiving All-Region honors her sophomore and junior years. She helped the Bears to East Coast Conference final and North Carolina 4A state semifinal appearances in 2008. Berit is a member of the National Honor Society and is a Science Olympiad Regional Champion.
Hansen on Choosing East Carolina: "I wanted the opportunity to play Division I at a well-respected soccer program in a competitive conference. I also chose ECU because of the great coaching staff and players. In addition, East Carolina has an outstanding academic medical program and is close to home."
Donnenwirth on Hansen: "Berit has all the tools to be a great goalkeeper. She has good size and commands the penalty area. She has great shot-stopping ability and makes the big save when her team needs it."
Brittany Batts, MF, 5-7, Fr., Wilmington, N.C. (E.A. Laney)
Batts was a member of the North Carolina Olympic Development Program (ODP) team in 2008 and qualified for the ODP State Pool from 2005-07. She plays club soccer for the 90 CASL Spartan Elite (Raleigh, N.C.) coached by Monica Brown. Her team was US Region III Champions in 2007, regional semifinalists in 2008, state semifinalists in 2007 and 2008 and USL Super Y League Champions in 2007. Batts was a three-year captain at E.A. Laney High School under the direction of Dave Karlson. While at Laney, she earned All Conference (2006-08), All-Region (2007-08) and All-State (2008) accolades. She also received the Coaches Award in 2007. Brittany made the Honor Roll all four years of her prep career and is a member of the Beta Club (2007-08) and National Honor Society (2008-09). Additionally, her older brother Stephen is a senior on the East Carolina baseball team.
Batts on Choosing East Carolina: "I chose ECU because over the last four years I have become a huge Pirate fan by watching my brother play on the ECU baseball team. I fell in love with the entire East Carolina atmosphere. I am interested in physical therapy so it is a perfect fit for my academic goals. From the first time I met the team and coaching staff I knew it was a perfect place for me.
Donnenwirth on Batts: "Brittany is a dedicated player as is shown by how far she travels to play club soccer. She is a strong defensive center-midfielder due to her ball-winning ability. She is a good possession player and is able to find her targets well."
Caty Butler, MF/F, 5-3, Fr., Boerne, Texas (Boerne Champion)
Butler was a member of the South Texas Olympic Development Program Team in 2007 and 2008, as well as a member of the US Region III Pool. She played up an age level on the Classic Elite 90's Premier level team from 2001-07 and for the 91' Classics Elite Premier team from 2007-09. She was coached by Lance Key and played in the San Diego Surf Cup, Disney Showcase and Final Four Tournaments. Butler was also a captain for Boerne Champion High School coached by Samara Weinstein, earning First-Team All-District, First-Team All-Region and Texas 4A accolades from 2006-08. She was named to the Express-Newspaper Area Super Team and was one of three players nominated for its Player-of-the-Year. As a freshman, Butler was honored with the San Antonio Express News Newcomer-of-the-Year Award and was named Offensive MVP (freshman year) and MVP (sophomore and junior seasons) by her high school team. Butler is ranked 11th academically out of 500 students in her senior class and serves as a mentor, as well as attending numerous mission trips with her church.
Butler on Choosing East Carolina: "After visiting East Carolina, I knew it was the perfect place for me. It was everything I was looking for! ECU has a good Division I soccer program, the majors in which I was interested and a beautiful campus."
Donnenwirth on Butler: "It didn't take long for us to notice Caty at our camp. She has excellent speed and one-on-one ability. She has some flair to her game and shows good creativity, making her a dangerous offensive threat. I also like her versatility as she can play in any midfield or forward role."
Katie Daly, D, 5-7, Fr., Laguna Nigel, Calif. (Dana Hills)
Daly is a member of the Laguna Niguel club team and is coached by Dave Ortwein. The team was CSL Gold Division Champions in 2007 and competed in the Premier Division in 2008. Laguna Niguel also played against the Costa Rican National Team in 2008. Before joining Laguna Niguel, Daly was a team captain for the OJSC, coached by Erick Hutarte. She also played soccer and basketball for Dana Hills HS and was named Defensive MVP as a freshmen for soccer and Best Offensive Player for basketball the same season.
Daly on Choosing East Carolina: "I wanted to go away to college outside of California, but not in a huge city like where I'm from. When the ECU coaches wrote me after a tournament in Houston and provided me information about all the great things about the school and Greenville, I was interested. I went to ECU for summer soccer camp, had a chance to meet and get to know the coaches, the wonderful girls on the team, see the area and stay on campus in the dorms. By the end of the camp I really felt like I connected with everyone and knew I wanted to be a Pirate. East Carolina also offers the degrees in the field in which I am interested in studying. The town and residents show such incredible support for ECU and I felt so comfortable on campus that I knew it was the right place for me."
Coach Donnenwirth's Comments: "Katie is a tough back. She is a good one-on-one defender and plays with a high level of intensity. She likes the physical side of the game and is also a good distributor out of the back."
Jessica Fallon, D, 5-3, Fr., Weddington, N.C. (Weddington)
Fallon was a member of the North Carolina Olympic Development Program (ODP) Team in 2005 and currently plays club soccer for MUFC Navy 90 coached by Chip Wiggins. In 2008, her club was N.C. State Cup Semi-Finalists, N.C. Premier League champions, Atlanta Cup champions and Charlotte United Cup champions. Additionally, the team is currently ranked No. 17 in the Southeast region and No. 29 nationally. Fallon plays high school soccer for Weddington High School and is coached by Powell Williams. She helped Weddington to the 2007 North Carolina 4A State Championship Game and the 2008 North Carolina Southwest Conference title. Fallon is an Honor Roll student and holds a 3.9 GPA.
Fallon on Choosing East Carolina: "ECU was the last school I visited and I knew after my visit that it was the place for me. The coaching staff made me feel comfortable on my unofficial visit and when I made my official visit this fall, all the girls on the team were great. I know that East Carolina will give me the opportunity to get a great education while playing on a competitive Division I team."
Donnenwirth on Fallon: "Jessica is a blue-collar hard working defender. We like her attitude and approach to the game. She is a competitor and we look forward to seeing her in a Pirate uniform."
Chrissy Gratz, F, 5-5, Fr., Sunrise, Fla. (Archbishop McCarthy)
Gratz was a member of the US Region III Olympic Development Program (ODP) team from 2005-07 and attended the UK/Holland trip and Inter-Region Event in Ventura, Calif. in 2008. She was also a player on the Florida ODP Team in 2003. Gratz plays club soccer for Team Boca, coached by Isdy Diaz and Steve Nugent, which won the Disney Showcase in 2008. She plays high school soccer for Archbishop McCarthy, coached by Paul Frechette and Mike Sica, where she was named the schools' female athlete-of-the-year in 2007. Gratz was named to the Florida High School Coaches' All-State Soccer Team her freshman year and earned First-Team Miami Herald All-Broward County and Sun-Sentinel (4A-3A-2A) honors from 2006-08. Additionally, the Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald named her the Broward County Player-of-the-Year in 2008. Gratz also excels in track where she received multiple honors. Most notably, she received second-team all-state honors in the triple jump (36'9"), after placing third in the state in 2007. Gratz also received third-team all-state honors in the pole vault with a mark of 10'6", finishing third in the state.
Gratz on Choosing East Carolina: "Even though ECU is hundreds of miles away from Florida, I fell in love with the school, location, girls and coaches when I visited. The school also has a communication major that I plan to pursue. The team was conference champion this year and I'm hoping our 2009 class can go further than any class has gone and get into the NCAA Tournament.
Donnenwirth on Gratz: "Chrissy is a dynamic forward and is a handful for defenders. She has great speed, agility, creativity, one-on-one ability and a killer instinct when it comes to scoring goals. She loves the game and is an exciting player to watch."
Maddie Maurer, D, 5-5, Fr., Wall, N.J. (Wall)
Maurer is a captain for the Wall Power club team, coached by Mike Lyons and Brian Dougherty. In 2008, the Power were New Jersey State Cup Semifinalists, U.S. Club Soccer State Cup Finalists and finished ranked fourth in the state. In 2006 the squad won the U.S. Club Soccer New Jersey State championship. Maurer is the captain for Wall High School, coached by Jamiee Lynn Silva. Her teammates chose her for the "Unsung Hero" award in 2008. Additionally, she earned High Honor Roll status and was a medalist in the Environmental Essay Contest.
Maurer on Choosing East Carolina: "I always wanted to go south for school. After visiting numerous schools in North Carolina, I realized ECU was the only one that had everything I was looking for. It is the perfect size and the perfect atmosphere, making it a great match for me."
Donnenwirth on Maurer: "Maddie is a solid outside back and is a good one-on-one defender. She has good speed and ability to get involved in the attack. She is a great server of the ball in the run of play and on set pieces."
Kaitlin Povich, F, 5-6, Fr., New Bern, N.C. (New Bern)
Povich was a member of the North Carolina Olympic Development (ODP) team from 2003-07. She plays club soccer for the OCSA Club Crew and is coached by Roger Carroll. Her team was the 2008 US Club National and Regional Champions, semifinalists in the N.C. State Cup and has qualified for the 2009 US Youth Soccer Region III Championships. Additionally, OCSA was a finalist in the N.C. State Cup in 2005 and 2007 while winning the title in 2004. Povich plays for New Bern High School and is coached by Tim Guter. The Bears were East Coast Conference Finalists and State Semi-Finalists in 2008 while Povich was named All-State (2008), All-Area (2006-08), All-Region (2006-08), All-Conference (2006-08) and Coastal Conference Player-of-the-Year in 2008. She is a member of the National Honor Society.
Povich on Choosing East Carolina: "I chose ECU because the university can offer me the major in which I am interested in studying. I have worked to play soccer at this level for years and feel this team is where I fit best."
Donnenwirth on Povich: "Katlin strikes a ball very well so she has a great shot and provides great service from wide positions. She has been a great goal-scorer at the high school level and we look forward to seeing her score for the Pirates."
Candace Mowery, D/F, 5-2, Fr., Menifree, Calif. (Paloma Valley)
Mowery joined OC Premier coached by Randy Martinez in 2008, helping the club to the Surf Cup finals in 2008. Prior to joining OC Premier, she played for the Freedom United, coached by Ted Small. Freedom United was the undefeated Coast League Champion in 2006 and was a finalist at the Jefferson Cup (2008) and Score at the Shore (2006). Mowery is a four-year varsity starter for Paloma Valley High School and is coached by Marie Dillon. She earned First-Team All-League honors as a sophomore and First-Team MVP All-League accolades as a junior. She scored 28 goals and 16 assists her junior season while her team was California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) quarterfinalists her junior year and semifinalists her freshman campaign.
Mowery on Choosing East Carolina: "I looked at a lot of schools, and it is a big decision, but I chose the Pirates because of the welcoming nature that the coaches and team had. I really enjoyed the people I met and the school is beautiful and offers everything that interests me."
Donnenwirth on Mowery: "Candace is a very versatile player with excellent defensive and attacking attributes. She has great speed, quickness and reads the game very well. She is a good one-on-one defender but is also a dangerous player in the attack."
Hali Oughton, MF/D, 5-10, Fr., Redondo Beach, Calif. (South)
Oughton has been a member of her club team, the Slammers, for nine years and is coached by Ramon Reed. She also plays for South High School, coached by Brad Gomez. Oughton was named the CIF Defensive Player-of-the-Year, league MVP, Daily Breeze All-Area and team defensive MVP her junior year while she helped South to the CIF semifinals. Her sophomore season, she was named First-Team All-League, Team Defensive MVP and Third-Team All-CIF. Oughton has been on the Principal's Honor Roll for four years and writes for the school newspaper.
Oughton on Choosing East Carolina: "I wasn't planning on going to school so far away from home, but when I visited ECU, I fell in love with it. I am so excited to become a Pirate and I think it is going to be a great experience."
Donnenwirth on Oughton: "Hali is a tremendous ball-winner. She is an intimidating presence because she is dominant in the air, tackles hard and covers a lot of ground defensively. She is a good passer and should make an impact as a midfielder or back."
Rachel Wechsler, MF/F, 5-6, Fr., Paramus, N.J. (Immaculate Heart)
Wechsler is a member of the World Class Arsenal Hawks and is coached by Kazbek Tambi. The club is ranked third in New Jersey and 12th in the nation, winning the 2008 Orange Classic, JAGS and PDA Tournaments. Wechsler is also the captain and three-year starter for Immaculate Heart Academy, coached by Steve Silver. The Blue Eagles were ranked seventh in the nation and won the league, county, and Non Public A state championship in 2008. Wechsler has also garnered First-Team All-League and Second-Team All-County (2006-08), Star Ledger First-Team All-County (2008), All-State (2007-08) and First-Team All-Suburban (2008) accolades during her prep career.
Wechsler on Choosing East Carolina: "Although ECU is about 10 hours away from home, I found all the qualities that I wanted in a school here. Striving to play for a Division I soccer team, I knew that ECU had everything to offer. It has a great soccer program and great education program. The moment I arrived on campus for my official visit, I knew this was the place I wanted to be for the next four years of my life."
Donnenwirth on Wechsler: "Rachel is a very good attacking-minded center-midfielder. She has great technical ability and can break down defenses with her one-on-one or passing ability. She has a good work-rate and reads the game well."
