Women’s Soccer Announces 2009 Recruiting Class

Bulls Sign Six Student-Athletes for Next Season

BUFFALO, NY- Head Coach Michael Thomas announced six signings for the University at Buffalo Women's Soccer 2009 recruiting class this morning. The signees include two New York natives, three from Ontario and one from Colorado. Joining the Bulls for next season will be Natasha Arana (Island Park, NY/West Hempstead), Shannon Fisher (Mississauga, Ontario/John Fraser S.S.), Katie Kerr (Burlington, Ontario/Nelson), Danielle Quigley (Arvada, CO/ Arvada West), Taylor Thompson (Waterloo, Ontario/John A. MacDonald) and Stephanie Velez (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck).

Michael Thomas

Natasha Arana joins the Bulls from West Hempstead High School and the Oceanside Power Soccer Club where she has made a reputation as a prolific goal scorer, netting 17 goals and 10 assists her senior year, as she helped lead her team to a conference championship in 2008. The 27 points were fourth in Long Island and second in Nassau County. In high school she was a two-time all-Conference selection in addition to being named All-County and to the Exceptional Senior Team for Long Island. She has been equally exceptional outside the prep ranks. She has helped lead her Oceanside Power team to a state semi final berth, in addition to participating with the Eastern New York ODP program in 2004 and 2005 and the Long Island ODP in 2006 and 2007.

Coach Thomas on Natasha: ”Natasha brings a lot of skill to the program. She has a proven ability to create goal scoring chances for herself and others and we are excited to get her on campus and let her continue her success at Buffalo.”

Shannon Fisher will come over the border to join for the Bulls from the very successful Oakville Phantoms Soccer Club. The Mississauga, Ontario-based Phantom Club has enjoyed an unprecedented run of success winning the Ontario Cup in 2006 and 2007, while winning the Ontario Provincial League in 2005, 2006 and 2008. At John Fraser Secondary School, Fisher was named the Junior Female Athlete of the Year in both ninth and tenth grade and has been a three-year honor roll member.

Coach Thomas on Shannon: “Shannon has a cultured right foot and comes from a tradition of winning. She has been a leader on every team she has played for and we look for her to bring those qualities to UB.”

Katie Kerr is another Canadian, hailing from Nelson High School in Burlington, Ontario. Her club team, the Burlington Soccer Club was the 2004 Ontario Cup Champion and she has been on the honor roll throughout her high school career.

Coach Thomas on Katie: “Katie is a very complete soccer player. She is very willing to compete. We have seen her be successful in the midfield and in the back. We look for her to come in and compete right away.”

Danielle Quigley comes east to the Bulls from Arvada, Colorado where she is a longtime member of the Edge Soccer Club. The goalkeeper is a talented shot stopper from Arvada West High School.

Coach Thomas on Danielle: ”Danielle is an exceptional shot stopper. We think she can come in and compete to be a very good Division-I goalkeeper”.

Taylor Thompson joins teammate Katie Kerr from the Burlington Soccer Club. The speedy attacker has won the Golden Boot award as the leading scorer in the Western Ontario League, has been selected as the best player in the Waterloo region by the news media for high school soccer and has been named the Sir John A. MacDonald High School Athlete of the Year. Her team has also enjoyed considerable success as they have advanced to the district final the last three years.

Coach Thomas on Taylor: “Taylor brings a lot of pace to the field and has proven that she has a nose for the goal. We think she will provide a constant headache for opposing defenses.”

Stephanie Velez puts on the Blue and White after enjoying enormous success in her prep career. As a member of the Mamaroneck High School soccer team she has been named all-state three times, league player of the year in 2007, all–county, and all-section and was named an NSCAA All American in 2008. Her Mamaroneck Panthers team is currently ranked ninth in the country and is a member of the New York East ODP team.

Coach Thomas on Stephanie: “Stephanie has proven her ability to score goals wherever she has gone. We look forward to her continuing that success at Buffalo”.

Coach Thomas summed up his 2009 recruiting class by saying: “The thing that stands out to me about this recruiting class is their collective character. All of these players are committed to improving themselves and getting the Buffalo women’s soccer program to where we want it to be.”