March 16, 2011
BOSTON - Head coach Nancy Feldman and the Boston University women's soccer program are pleased to announce its 2011 incoming recruiting class.
"I am very happy with the makeup of our 2011 incoming class," said Feldman. "They are an athletic and skillful group of players that have all played on highly competitive club teams. They are the type of student-athletes that have been successful here in the past. Committed to their studies, passionate about Boston University and the women's soccer program and motivated to come in, make a contribution any way they can, and to do their part to achieve an America East Conference Championship this coming fall."
Ariana Aston hails from Setauket, N.Y, where she was a three-year starter at St. Anthony's High School. As a senior, Aston was a Newsday Varsity Soccer Suffolk County Player of the Year, as well as an ENY ODP Player of the Year. She was ranked in the top 75 of TopDrawerSoccer.com's best players in the country for the class of 2001. According to Feldman, she will be an aggressive defender and is versatile to play both centrally and wide in the back.
"She has been successful in both the ODP program, with stints on the regional team, and with her club team - the Syosset Sting - which was runner-up National Champions in 2010. Ari has played at the most competitive level in the youth game. She will bring a terrific spirit to the team."
The next recruit, Ana Cuffia is coming off a state title in Florida, where the squad defeated the No. 2 team in the country and two other top ranked opponents in the tourney. Cuffia's St. Thomas Aquinas High School team, which now ranks sixth in the nation, has won 11 straight state titles and is one of the most prestigious programs in the country. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, the Florida native is a two-time Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel All County First Team honoree.
"Ana is a winner, having led her team to the state championship this season in FL 5A, scoring the second goal in the final of a 2-0 victory," noted Feldman. "She is a dynamic and technical attacker, and she plays with creativity and flair on the flank."
A native of Dove Canyon, Calif., Taylor Krebs comes across the country after a successful high school career. She was an All-Trinity First Team award winner, and a TopDrawerSoccer.com Player to Watch. Her high school squad won the Trinity League championships in 2009, while her club team was a Surf Cup finalist. She was also a Varsity Scholastic Athlete for maintaining a 3.63 GPA.
"Taylor is another crafty and technical attacker," said Feldman. "She has the ability to beat people with her speed and aggressiveness and has a knack for striking dangerous balls into the box and attacking goal. She has played in the very competitive Cal South Premier Club program, with and against some of the best talent in Southern California."
Another California native, Kai Miller of Carpinteria, Calif., comes from Santa Barbara High School where she was a four-year starter and the team's MVP as a sophomore. By her senior year she was an all-league first team honoree and team captain.
"Kai is a prototypical center defender," said Feldman. "She is physically strong, good in the air, mobile, reads the game well and is a leader. She will add much needed depth to our back line and she has the experience and composure to contribute right away. She has played on some of the best club teams in California, most recently, representing Real So Cal."
Hailing from Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif., Jamie Turchi was a four-time Scholar Athlete at Tesoro High School, where she was ranked 17th in her graduating class. Turchi is a strong central midfielder and brings a physical presence with her ability to win 50/50 balls in the air.
"Jamie is another incoming freshman with a Southern California soccer playing pedigree," said Feldman. "She has been the glue of the successful Irvine Strikers club team. She brings a terrific vision to put players behind the defense with a pass. She also has the power in her strike with either foot to score goals from her midfield position."
Dara DeMatteo, a native of North Atlanta High School in Atlanta, Ga., was a four-year starter and the NAHS Rookie if the Year in 2007, and went on to earn NAHS Offensive Player of the Year honors as a sophomore. In her junior campaign, she became the program's all-time leading scorer. In May, she will graduate in the top 10 percent of her class.
"Dara is our first ever recruit from Georgia in the program's history," said Feldman. "Dara is a versatile player who is lightening quick and can get separation from defenders. She is a tenacious competitor. I expect Dara to add depth to our flank positions in either attack or defense."
