Maryland Women's Soccer Signs Top Class For 2004
2/4/2004 7:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Feb. 4, 2004
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland women's soccer head coach Shannon Higgins-Cirovski will welcome five high school stars to the Terrapin soccer program for the 2004 season as part of National Signing Day.
"All of these recruits have the ability to come in and contribute immediately," said Higgins-Cirovski, who will enter her sixth year at the school this fall. "This is one of the best classes we have ever had at Maryland. There is a good mix of players to fill the voids left by our large senior class from last year."
Coming to College Park to don the red and black will be midfielder Nataly Arias (Alexandria, Va./Bishop O'Connell High School), defender/midfielder Stephanie "Stevie" Dunning (Carmel, Ind./Carmel High School), defender Lauren Gamble (Rockville, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel High School), forward/midfielder Carissa Gilbert (Liverpool, N.Y./Liverpool High School) and forward Kelly Rozumalski (Middleburgh, N.Y./Middleburgh Central High School).
Nataly Arias
Midfielder * 5-9 * Alexandria, Va./Bishop O'Connell High School
Higgins-Cirovski on Arias: "I believe that Nataly has the potential to be one of the best central midfielders in the country. She is gifted technically and tactically and possesses the mental toughness to lead us in the future."
Arias' Highlights: A star at Bishop O'Connell High School in Alexandria, Va. ... a two-time NSCAA All-American ... twice named NSCAA Virginia State Player of the Year ... named Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) Player of the Year as a sophomore, junior and senior ... named Washington Post Metro Player of the Year as a senior ... tied school record with 30 goals in 2003, also had 11 assists for 71 points ... led the Knights to the Washington Post's top-ranking all season long and a No. 4 national ranking ... played club soccer for Vista Firestars, coached by her dad Fernando.
Stephanie "Stevie" Dunning
Defender/Midfielder * 5-9 * Carmel, Ind./Carmel High School
Higgins-Cirovski on Dunning: "Stevie is an exceptional athlete and competitor. She is outstanding in the air and has an excellent understanding of the game."
Dunning's Highlights: An NSCAA All-American at Carmel High School in Indiana ... a member of the Indiana State Olympic Development Program since 1998 and Region II team for the past three years ... played for the Region II ODP Championship team in 2001 and 2002, captaining the '02 squad ... led high school to Indiana State championship four years in a row (2000-03) ... named to the Indianapolis Star's North Girls Soccer Honor Team in 2003, scoring 12 goals and adding three assists ... played her club ball with the Carmel Commotion ... 2003 NSCAA Youth Soccer All-American.
Lauren Gamble
Defender * 5-8 * Rockville, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel High School
Higgins-Cirovski on Gamble: "As a defender, Lauren is a true competitor with great size and strength. She is a raw athlete who has great potential."
Gamble's Highlights: Gamble's Highlights: An NSCAA All-South Region First Team star playing for Our Lady of Good Counsel in Wheaton, Md. ... member of the ODP Region I Team in 2003 ... was just invited to play in Spain with the Region I ODP this April ... attended the ESP/National Campl Camp in 2003 ... a lockdown defender, who was first-team all-Maryland selection for the Falcons, who allowed 11 goals in 21 games in 2003 ... member of the Washington Post First Team All-Metro as a senior ... first-team All-Montgomery Journal selection as a senior ... Washington Post All-Metro honorable mention as a junior and Journal second-team pick ... plays club soccer with the Olney Maryland United (U-18).
Carissa Gilbert
Forward/Midfielder * 5-4 * Liverpool, N.Y/Liverpool High School
(Graduated high school early and is enrolled currently at Maryland)
Higgins-Cirovski on Gilbert: "Carissa is very athletic and strong. She is an incredible finisher and I am looking forward to working with her this spring."
Gilbert's Highlights: An NSCAA high school All-American at Liverpool High School in New York ... an All-New York State selection and member of All-New York Central First Team four years in a row (2000-03) ... was the Class A scoring leader with 27 goals and 15 assists for 69 points in 2001 and tied for the Class A scoring title in 2000 with 22 goals and seven assists ... has played for the USYSA Regional Team for three years ... played the USYSA Sports Festival in Houston, Texas this past summer ... member of the New York ODP since 1999 and Region I Team since 2000 ... played for the Syracuse Blitz Cyclones.
Kelly Rozumalski
Forward * 5-9 * Middleburgh, N.Y/Middleburgh Central High School
Higgins-Cirovski on Rozumalski: "Kelly has good strength and speed. She has a passion and will to win. She loves to turn and take on defenders."
Rozumalski's Highlights: A 2003 NSCAA high school All-American at Middleburgh Central High School in New York ... member of the varsity team since 1998 ... named New York State Public High School Player of the Year in 2002 and 2003 ... also named New York State Class C-CC Player of the Year as a junior and senior ... All-Section II Most Valuable Player as a senior ... All-New York First Team selection twice ... scored 140 career goals in high school invited to the ESP/National Camp in 2002 ... member of the ODP Region I Team since 2001 ... part of the ODP Eastern New York squad since 1999 ... played club soccer with the USYSA's United Capital and with the W-League's New York Magic from 2002-04.
