Feb. 27, 2008

Loudonville, N.Y. - Siena women's soccer head coach Steve Karbowski announced today the signings of seven student-athletes to National Letter's of Intent who will enroll at Siena and begin competing for the program this fall. Ashleigh Barone, Shannon Clancy, Laura Ettinger, Jill Roth, Maren Serafine, Kaitlyn Sharo and Lindsay Tegas will comprise the Class of 2012.

"This class may be the most talented group that our program has seen," noted Karbowski. "There is a great combination of speed and athleticism to go along with very intelligent and technically sound players."

Barone, a local product from Shenendehowa High in Clifton Park, is perhaps one of the top local players in recent memory according to Karbowski. A five year varsity forward and senior captain at Shenendehowa, Barone was a three-time All-State First Team and NSCAA/Adidas All-East Region selection and was a key member on the 2004 State Championship team. Last fall, Barone recorded 22 goals and six assists in guiding her team to the Sectional Championships. Just this past season alone, she was named the Section II, Suburban Council, Times Union, Saratogian and FOX23 Player of the Year and was the Troy Record Offensive Player of the Year. Barone also currently competes for the Alleycat club team and spent two years as a member of the ODP (Olympic Development Program) New York state team and one year on the Region I team.

"Ashleigh is a tremendous talent," remarked Karbowski. "She has a great combination of speed, strength and technical ability and has the potential to be one of the top strikers in program history."

A native of Walden, N.Y., Clancy was a five year varsity starter at defender for Pine Bush High. A team captain her senior year, Clancy was tabbed Rookie of the Year in her first season as an eighth grader and was named Defensive Player of the Year her final three seasons. She was also a Second Team selection in the Times Herald Record. An all-around student athlete, Clancy is a member of the National Honor Society. Clancy also competed for five years on the Walkill Red Devils club soccer team.

"Shannon is a strong and consistent defender," said Karbowski. "She is a simple player on the ball and makes very good decisions. Her versatility will allow her to play anywhere along the back and she possesses all the physical tools to be a very tough one-on-one defender."

Ettinger is a goalkeeper who hails from Macungie, Pa. In her first three high school seasons at Emmaus, she was a varsity member and is a team captain entering her senior season this spring. In 2007, Ettinger was a member of the National Champion ODP team. During the 2006 season, she was tabbed a Morning Call All-Area First team selection. No stranger to successful soccer programs, she also led Emmaus to three District XI championships, two state quarterfinals appearances (2006 & 2007) and a state finals appearance in 2005 during her freshman year. Ettinger has also competed for five years in club soccer with the Vincent United Dragons and currently plays for the Spirit United Wildcats. She too is a member of the National Honor Society.

"Laura has all the attributes of a top goalkeeper," noted Karbowski. "She will be an impact player for our program and compete for a starting position immediately."

Roth starred as midfielder for Union Catholic High in Piscataway, N.J. As a captain during her senior year last fall, she led Union Catholic to a Mountain Valley Conference Championship. Roth has twice been named an All-County First Team selection and was an All-County Second Team selection following her senior season. She currently plays for the Manalapan Shooting Stars club team and has also competed for two years on the New Jersey ODP team. The true embodiment of a student-athlete, Roth amassed a 3.95 GPA and was a member of First Honor Roll, the National Honor Society and World Language Honor Society. She also won an Academic Excellence Award and Honors medallion.

"Jill is a very technical and heady player," remarked Karbowski. "She is a very complete midfielder who is a very good possession player to go along with her great work ethic and change of pace."

A native of Canandiagua, N.Y., Serafine played primarily as a midfielder for Canandiagua Academy, but projects as a defender this fall for the Saints. A two-year team captain, she led her team to a Finger Lakes League Championship and Section V Class AA Finals appearance. A three-time Finger Lakes All-Star First Team selection, Serafine totaled 43 goals and 37 assists over her five-year varsity career. As a member of the Rochester Junior Rhinos club team, she led the Rhinos to a State Cup Championship in 2004 & 2005 and was a team captain for six years. Serafine also played for five years on the New York State West ODP team which she led to a Region I finals appearance in 2006. In the classroom, Serafine was a High Honor Student, member of the National Honor Society and Class Vice President.

"Maren has a great combination of speed, athleticism and tactical awareness," said Karbowski. "Her technical ability and experience playing in the midfield in high school make her a complete player and will allow her to make an immediate impact to our defensive unit."

Sharo, a native of New Windsor, N.Y., was a First Team All-Section recipient and Fourth Team All-State selection her senior year. A four-year varsity starter and team captain as a senior, she amassed a whopping 52 goals and 43 assists over a stellar playing career at Cornwall Central. Currently, she competes for the Quickstrike F.C. club team which she led to a U20 Super Y League National Finals appearance and U20 State Cup Finals. She has also been a member of the Eastern New York ODP team.

"Kaitlyn is a dynamic offensive player," noted Karbowski. "Her high fitness level and competitive training habits will allow her to make a quick adjustment to the college game and make her a valuable addition offensive addition to our program.

Finally Tegas, a midfielder from Ontario, N.Y., brings a wealth of experience to the Green and Gold. A two-year team captain at Wayne Central, she was a three-time Finger Lakes East First Team selection and as a senior was also the Finger Lakes East Player of the Year, while also garnering All-State Second Team honors. Over a distinguished high school career, she concluded with 59 goals and 30 assists. A four-year member of the Rochester Junior Rhinos club team, Tegas led her squad to a US Club National Championship in 2007 and a NYSW State Cup Championship in 2006. She has also played for five years on the ODP team which captured a 2006 Region I Tournament Championship and was a member of the 2006 Empire State games Western New York gold medal winning team. A tremendous all-around athlete, Tegas was also a two-year varsity starter at point guard on the girls' basketball team. A member of the National Honor Society, she was also Class President of her junior class.

"Lindsay is a tough, athletic and versatile player," remarked Karbowski. "She will provide a dynamic offensive threat with her goal scoring mentality."

All seven student athletes will begin competition beginning with the 2008 season at Siena set to begin this fall. With a strong returning team complimented by an outstanding class, the bar is set high in particular for this year's squad.

"We are very excited about this class and the potential they will bring to the program," concluded Karbowski.