HONOLULU –University of Hawai`i head women's soccer coach Michele Nagamine announced the program's 2012 recruiting class with nine players committing to the Rainbow Wahine. The group includes one local product and eight players from talent-rich California.
Joining the 2012 Rainbow Wahine this fall will be Georgia Barnes, Amanda Bates, Lidia Battaglia, Addison Carroll, Alexandra Gerrain, Amanda McCaskill, Carly Mottram, Rachel Steiker, and Erica Young.
“I am thrilled about our 2012 recruiting class,” Nagamine said. “In addition to being good students and people, this class is going to increase our team size and speed and most importantly, our soccer IQ. Our 2012 recruits play soccer all year long in some of the most competitive club and high school leagues in the nation. They are seasoned players who are well-traveled and understand the personal sacrifice and commitment it takes to succeed at the Division I level.”
The nine players look to continue the resurgence of the Rainbow Wahine under Nagamine, who enters her second season as head coach. UH posted a 5-12-1 overall record in 2011 while playing one of the most challenging schedules in school history. With a 4-2-1 league mark, UH finished in a tie for third place in the Western Athletic Conference, the program's highest finish in three years.
2012 University of Hawai'i Women's Soccer Recruits
Georgia Barnes (5-6/Goalkeeper/Fr./Concord, Calif./Northgate HS)
Amanda Bates (5-3/Forward/Fr./Aliso Viejo, Calif./Aliso Niguel HS)
Lidia Battaglia (5-6/Midfield-Defender/Fr./Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica HS)
Addison Carroll (5-3/Midfield/Fr./Redlands, Calif./Redlands HS)
Alexandra Gerrain (5-1/Midfield-Defender/Fr./San Clemente, CA/San Clemente HS)
Amanda “Ziggy” McCaskill (5-8/Defender/Fr./Waipahu, O'ahu/'Iolani School)
Carly Mottram (5-6/Forward/Fr./Mission Viejo, Calif./ Mission Viejo HS)
Rachel Steiker (5-4/Defender/Fr./Coto De Caza, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic)
Erica Young (5-7/Goalkeeper/Fr./Laguna Niguel, Calif./Dana Hills HS)
Georgia Barnes (5-6/Goalkeeper/Freshman/Concord, Calif./Northgate HS)
A four-year player for Northgate High School in Walnut Creek, California…two-time team captain…all-league honorable mention as a junior…named team's most inspirational player…led team to back-to-back appearances in the Northern California Section semifinals…team was Tri Valley Classic champions three straight seasons…also lettered in track as a thrower and sprinter…track team captured league championship and was an NCS finalist…a five-time scholar-athlete…plays club soccer for the Pleasanton Rage…helped Rage to 2011 Santa Barbara Classic finals…part of San Ramon SC squad that went undefeated in league play, advanced to the State Cup semifinals and captured the U19 Gold League Championship…posted 53 career shutouts during seven years of club soccer…also lettered in softball and served a place kicker on varsity football team…recruited by Alabama, Fresno State and Pepperdine.
Nagamine on Barnes: “Georgia has the ideal goalkeeper profile. She displays strong athleticism, her distribution is on the spot and she asserts her presence in the defensive third. In addition, she holds a firm dedication to the goalkeeping position, which, coupled with her strive for excellence, will allow her to compete within our program.”
Amanda Bates (5-3/Forward/Freshman/Aliso Viejo, Calif./Aliso Niguel HS)
A two-year letterwinner for Aliso Niguel High School…team is currently the top ranked team in California and ranked seventh nationally…team's leading scorer as a junior.. helped lead team to second round of CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs before falling to eventual champion Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy… teammate at Aliso Niguel of current Rainbow Wahine Alexis Colacchio…a member of the West Coast Futbol Club…a team captain…also recruited by Idaho State and Northern Arizona.
Nagamine on Bates: “Amanda possesses an uncanny ability to find the back of the net. She is a crafty player with good technical ability who can score goals a number of different ways. She will challenge for time up top.”
Lidia Battaglia (5-6/Midfield-Defender/Freshman/Santa Monica, Calif./Santa Monica HS)
A three-year letterwinner at Santa Monica High School in California…a two-time all-league selection…named Ocean League Defensive Player of the Year in 2010..also led the team in assists that season…has helped team to two consecutive Ocean League championships… serving as team captain this season….plays club soccer for Beach FC …father played semi-professional soccer in native Italy…also recruited by Jacksonville, CSU Bakersfield and Boston University
Nagamine on Battaglia: “Lidia has great vision and is the consummate playmaker. She reads the game well and is very good on the ball. She is versatile and can play both holding mid and center back, so she will be able to contribute in a number of ways.”
Addison Carroll (5-3/Midfield/Freshman/Redlands, Calif.,/Redlands HS)
Four-year letterwinner at Redlands High School in California…has served as team captain the last three seasons…a first-team all-CIF selection as a junior…has helped lead Redlands to back-to-back league titles and an undefeated record…also a member of two league championship squads in track…recorded the third-fastest 100m time in school history… advanced to the CIF track finals in 2010 and '11…member of the Legends FC that captured back-to-back Cal South National Cup championships…also played club soccer for Arsenal and Power Soccer…older sister Hannah plays soccer at SMU…also recruited by San Francisco, Nevada and Oregon State.
Nagamine on Carroll: “Addie is an absolute jet on the field. She is quick, tenacious and exciting to watch. She plays for one of the top club teams in the nation and I expect her to be a crowd favorite immediately.”
Alexandra Gerrain: (5-1/Midfield-Defender/Freshman/San Clemente, CA/San Clemente HS)
A three-year letter winner for Southern California power San Clemente High School… tabbed as team captain as a senior…an all-county second-team pick as a junior after registering six goals and 10 assists…tallied three goals and seven assists as a sophomore…helped lead San Clemente to the CIF Southern Section finals in 2010 and '11… member of two league championship teams…team also captured the Nolan Red Bull National Showcase…member of the of West Coast Futbol Club…a four-year captain for her club team…mother played collegiate soccer for UC Irvine…also recruited by Northern Arizona, Pittsburg and SUNY Albany.
Nagamine on Gerrain: “Alex is one of the most versatile players in our 2012 recruiting class. She can play both offense and defense and has an incredible work rate. Don't let her size mislead you—she is very aggressive and never backs down from a challenge.”
Amanda “Ziggy” McCaskill (5-8/Defender/Freshman/Waipahu, O'ahu/'Iolani School)
A four-year letterwinner at 'Iolani School in Honolulu…a two-time all-league selection, including first-team honors as a junior… helped 'Iolani to a state runner-up finish last year...team also captured the Arizona Soccer Showcase Tournament…as a sophomore helped the Raiders to a state tournament berth for the first time in a decade…teammate at 'Iolani of current Rainbow Wahine Krystal Pascua…also played softball for the Raiders…earned all-league honors while helping 'Iolani to the league championship in 2009…plays club soccer for Ka'oi Express…part of three USYSA Hawai'i State Cup championship squads…team also made semifinals of 2010 Surf Cup…an ODP state team selection in 2010…recruited by Fresno State, San Francisco and UNLV.
Nagamine on McCaskill: “Ziggy has long been one of the best defenders in the state in her age group. She is a self-described “beast” on the field—a fierce competitor who is good in the air and has great size and instincts. I feel sorry for whoever comes up on the wrong side of her.”
Carly Mottram (5-6/Forward/Freshman/Mission Viejo, Calif./ Mission Viejo HS)
A four-year letterwinner at Mission Viejo High School in California…a first-team all-league and second-team all-county selection in 2011…helped team to league championship in 2009 and CIF appearances the last three seasons....named one of the “Top 5 Players To Watch” at the 2010 Mater Dei Tournament…a member of the West Coast Futbol Club…part of the 2006 squad that captured the regional and national championships…also recruited by Colorado, Portland, DePaul, Brown and Cal State Fullerton.
Nagamine on Mottram: “Carly is incredibly athletic and her combination of size and determination creates an intensity in her game that we haven't really seen before. She is good on the ball and will compete for time on the outside mid and up top.”
Rachel Steiker (5-4/Defender/Freshman/Coto De Caza, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic)
A three-year letterwinner at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in California…team co-captain…selected to the ODP pool…plays club soccer for West Coast FC…part of SC Blues squad that captured the 2005 Surf Cup.
Nagamine on Steiker: “Rachel is a clean, bread-and-butter type of player with a very high work rate. She loves to build out of the back, has good pace and can cross with both feet. She will compete for playing time in the midfield and on defense.”
Erica Young (5-7/Goalkeeper/Freshman/Laguna Niguel, Calif./Dana Hills HS)
A four-year letterwinner at Dana Hills High School in Dana Point, Calif…helped Dana Hills to league title as a junior and team is on pace to defend its title this year…starting goalkeeper for San Diego Surf Club…helped lead team to the quarterfinals of the National Cup and to the quarterfinals of the Far West Regionals in 2011…team captured the 2011 Blues Cup championship…a black belt in tae kwon do.
Nagamine on Young:“Erica is an athletic goalkeeper with an incredible amount of potential. She will be a valuable asset to this program next year and in the years to come. Having played and competed at the highest levels of club soccer, I expect her to make a smooth transition to the college game.”
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