The Oregon women’s soccer team is adding some new spices for the 2003-04 season with the addition of two transfers and three incoming freshmen.
Oregon announced its new additions Thursday, and all have signed letters of intent.
“The group of newcomers are all fine athletes with good skills and pace,” Oregon head coach Bill Steffen said in a release. “They’re probably more specialized than previous classes, which is great, because they can complement the players that are coming back.”
The Ducks will welcome redshirt juniors Erin Engelhardt and Sabrina DeMonte, who will transfer in from their respective schools.
Engelhardt previously attended Virginia, where she started 18 of the 43 games she played for the Cavaliers. The New Jersey native scored three goals and has six assists in her sophomore season, as a midfielder, to help lead the Cavs to the NCAA Tournament.
DeMonte is currently enrolled at Oregon as a freshman, after attending Harbor Junior College last fall. The Torrance, Calif., native played on club teams that won the Surf Cup, League Cup and Premier League.
“We’re excited to have them both here,” Steffen said. “Erin owns a really strong background. She has tremendous athleticism with solid learning experiences.
“Sabrina comes from a very strong club background. She has a great go-for-it attitude, and since she hasn’t played organized soccer for very long, she has tremendous upside potential.”
There are also some baby Ducks arriving. Oregon will welcome freshman Dana Richardson. Richardson, a 5-foot-5-inch midfielder from Vancouver, B.C., is one of Canada’s star juniors as she has played on Canadian National Teams since the age of 15.
Oregon also acquired a new protector of the net, in goalkeeper Emily Marrer from Cactus High in Glendale, Ariz. Marrer had a 77-5-3 career record with 54 shutouts, one shy of the state record.
The Ducks’ final freshman is forward Kaily Winther, a local coming from Churchill High School. As a four-year letter-winner, Winther earned first-team all-league honors in her junior and senior seasons along with league MVP in her senior season.
“Kaily brings tremendous pace and has a knack for always being involved,” Steffen said. “Dana comes from a strong playing background with the Canadian National U-19 Team.”
“Emily is a very strong and determined player with good quickness, desire and a great work rate-great ingredients for a successful goalkeeper.”
Oregon’s recruits will try and fill the void of the seniors lost. Starting goalkeeper Sarah Peters, starting defenders Lindsey Peterson and Robi Thayer and starting forwards Amanda Orand and Sarah Denner all finished their Oregon careers in the fall.