WOMEN'S SOCCER

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BUFFALO, NY - Head coach Jean-A. Tassy has announced the signing of five women's soccer players to National Letters of Intent for the upcoming 2005-06 school year, including three that played on Mark Rodrigues' Unionville-Milliken Soccer Club.

Among the signees are Jenessa Banwell (Toronto, Ontario/Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute), Amy Coron (Farmington, NY/Victor), Brooke McCalla (Pickering, Ontario/Dunbarton), Julia Teskey (Markham, Ontario/Brother Andre) and Andrea Vescio (Niagara Falls, Ontario/A.N. Myer).

Jenessa Banwell

Banwell, a 5-7 midfielder/attacker, played for the Unionville-Milliken Soccer Club under Rodrigues. Banwell was also a standout hockey player at Birchmount Park. She will look to enroll in the pre-physical therapy program at UB.

"Jenessa is a versatile player with strong one-on-one skills that will provide a great attacking presence. She has the ability to play balls in from the flanks which will increase our scoring opportunities," Tassy said. "These qualities and strengths, along with her speed and creative ability to find the back of the net, will be an asset to the team in the fall."

Amy Coron

Coron, a 5-10 goalkeeper, was the starting goalkeeper for the two-time New York State West Champion Rochester Jr. Rhinos. She was also the starting keeper for coach Rob Potter at Victor. She was a New York West Olympic Development Program player and a first-team Finger Lakes All-Star selection. Coron also attended the Soccer Plus National Training Program for Goalkeepers. She was also member of her high school basketball team and intends to enroll in UB's Pre-Physical Therapy program.

"Amy brings a strong technical background, strength in the air, and an ability to dictate play inside of the 18-yard box," Tassy said. "She will be a tremendous addition to our program and her technical and tactical awareness allows her the ability to make key saves. We are excited about what Amy will contribute."

Brooke McCalla

McCalla, a 5-8 striker, also played for the Unionville-Milliken Soccer Club under Rodrigues, which won the Oshawa Tournament, Ontario Cup, and CGSL League, along with many other tournaments. McCalla was named Female Athlete of the Year four consecutive years at Dunbarton High. She will study either biology or biochemistry while at UB.

"Brooke plays very well with her back to the goal. She is creative with the ball and has the ability to take defenders on while having a quick release when finishing," Tassy said. "Brooke will change the look of the team next year with both her ability to create attacking opportunities and to take players on to goal. She will be a great asset to our team and will be a threat in the MAC."

Julia Teskey

Teskey, a 5-9 defender or midfielder, was also a member of the Unionville-Milliken team. Teskey attended Brother Andre High School where she was named the Junior Athlete of the Year and she was a member of the outdoor and indoor soccer teams, the hockey team and the track and field team. She earned the 2003 Indoor Soccer MVP at Brother Andre. At UB, Teskey is looking to enter the pre-physical therapy program.

"Julia's technical ability, physical presence, and good recovery speed will enhance productivity of the UB backline," Tassy said. "She will provide more leadership to our backline. Since Teskey can mix things up on the field, she will be able to see time in either the defense or the midfield."

Andrea Vescio

Vescio, a 5-11 striker, was a member of the Oakville Angels under coach Billy McKenna. While playing for the Angels, Vescio was a member of the Ontario Cup finalist team in 2001 and 2003, as well as the league cup finalists in 2003 and 2004. At A.N. Myer, she was a team captain, the leading goal scorer, and team MVP as well as the Junior and the Senior Female Athlete of the Year. Vescio was also a member of A.N. Myer's volleyball, basketball, tennis and badminton teams, and she was active in many community service activities. She will study accounting during her career at UB.

"Andrea has great strength in the air and is a physical player with a tremendous ability to finish," Tassy said. "She is very creative with the ball which will create a problem for defenses. Her explosive attack will make her a threat on the field."

Melissa Klein

In addition, Melissa Klein (North Bellmore, NY/Mepham) will look to join the team. Klein, a 5-5 midfielder, played for coach Jim McManus at Mepham, where she was a two-time All-Conference selection and a team captain as a senior. Klein was also a member of the Alberston Fury Soccer Club under coach Nick Fitzpatrick and a Long Island Select ODP player, where she was the team's captain in 2002. Klein's sister, Lisa, is currently a student at UB. Klein was also a three-sport athlete at Mepham, participating on the lacrosse and track teams. An honor roll student at Mepham, Klein plans to study either communication or psychology.

"Melissa brings more speed and physical presence to the team along with a passion to consistently improve," Tassy said. "Klein comes to UB with a strong history of success at the club and ODP level and her passion for the game will be a great asset to the team."