FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Fresh off winning the Sunshine State Conference regular season title, head women’s soccer coach Mike Goodrich continues to improve his team by inking six new players to the 2011 women’s soccer team.
Included in the talented class of 2011 are five players from Florida and one from Kentucky. The newcomers bring many prep school championships from the district, regional, and state levels. Three of the new recruits are teammates for the Melbourne Eau Gallie United (MEGU) Fusion Club Soccer Team under coaches Adrien Moo and Julie Willamee.
“I am extremely excited to add these fine young ladies to our program,” Goodrich said. “In addition to their academic and athletic abilities they are quality people and I am positive we will be extremely successful on the field and in the classroom here at NSU.”
Melissa Madden, from Melbourne, Fla, played midfield for the 2010 5A High School State Championship team from Melbourne High School. She played her club soccer for the MEGU Fusion under coaches Moo and Willamee.
Sierra Lelii, from Seminole, Fla., played forward for the 2010 5A Florida High School State runner-up team from Seminole High School. She plays her club soccer for the Clearwater Chargers under head coach Garth Pollonais.
Kylie Griffiths, from Orlando, Fla., played midfield for Timber Creek High School. She currently plays for the Florida Rush Nike Premier team under head coach Allison Goff.
Kaitlyn Cauffman, a Merritt Island Fla. native, played her prep school soccer for the defending 4A Florida High School State Championship team from Merritt Island High School. Cauffman plays club soccer for MEGU Fusion under coaches Moo and Willamee.
Rounding out the sunshine state signees is Shadia Blair from Port St. Lucie, Fla. Blair played her prep school soccer for St. Lucie West Centennial High School while currently playing her club soccer for the MEGU Fusion under coaches Moo and Willamee.
Katie Pope is a goalkeeper from DuPont Manual High School out of Louisville, Ky. She currently plays club soccer for the Mockingbird Valley Club team under former Division I Louisville assistant coach and current Bellarmine University head women’s soccer coach Jonathon Velotta.
“Although the group is small in number, their cumulative success on the field is quite impressive including numerous Prep championships at the district, regional and state level,” said head coach mike Goodrich, “Additionally they have numerous individual awards and ODP (Olympic Development Program) experience and I expect them to all contribute to the defense of our recent SSC Conference Championship.”
Below is a brief summary of the class:
Shadia Blair
Position: Midfield/Forward
Hometown: Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Previous School: St. Lucie West Contennial HS
Club Team: Melbourne Eau Gallie United
Kaitlyn Cauffman
Position: Defender
Hometown: Merritt Island, Fla.
Previous School: Merritt Island HS
Club Team: Melbourne Eau Gallie United
Kylie Griffiths
Position: Midfield
Hometown: Orlando, Fla.
Previous School: Timber Creek HS
Club Team: Florida Rush Nike Premier
Sierra Lelii
Position: Forward
Hometown: Seminole, Fla.
Previous School: Seminole HS
Club Team: Clearwater Chargers
Melissa Madden
Position: Midfield
Hometown: Melbourne, Fla.
Previous School: Melbourne HS
Club Team: Melbourne Eau Gallie United
Katie Pope
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Louisville, Ky
Previous School: DuPont Manual HS
Club Team: Mockingbird Valley
