Caitlin Colfer Announces First Women’s Soccer Recruiting Class
ALBANY, N.Y. – UAlbany women’s soccer head coach Caitlin Colfer has announced her first recruiting class that will take the field as Great Danes for the 2014 season.
“I am very excited to have these players join our program for my first recruiting class,” said Colfer. “I look forward to positively affecting their lives while at UAlbany.”
Colfer will welcome in seven new recruits for next season, bringing in talented players from around the country, including three from the western United States and a foursome from the home state of New York. Two players competed in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), some of the top programs in the country.
“This 2014 recruiting class will bring depth and diversity to our team which will facilitate a positive change in our program’s culture,” said Colfer.
(Recruit, in order of last name – Position – Hometown – Previous School)
Katie Carnell – Back – Seattle, Wash. – Edmonds C.C./Holy Names Academy
Carnell will be the first UAlbany women’s soccer player from the state of Washington since the 2008 season. Carnell will come to UAlbany as a junior after two years at Edmonds Community College, leading the school to a 12-1-3 record, a NWAACC North Regional Championship and title game appearance last season. While at Holy Names, she was a two-time All-Metro Mountain selection.
Alex Dencker – Back – Newburgh, N.Y. – Newburgh Free Academy
Dencker will stay in her home state, coming to UAlbany from Newburgh Free Academy. Leading the midfield, Dencker led Newburgh to eight victories as a senior, earning Section 9 Class AA All-Star honors. She also played for the Quickstrike club team. The incoming freshman comes from an athletic family, being the sister of Jessica Dencker, an equestrian student-athlete at Georgia.
Angela Luizzi – Forward – Albany, N.Y. – Hartwick College/Guilderland, N.Y.
Luizzi will return to the Capital District after playing at Hartwick in 2013. Last season for the Hawks, Luizzi led the team with five assists and added six goals, leading Hartwick to an ECAC Metro Tournament berth. Boefre Hartwick, Luizzi played at Guilderland High, leading the team to a Section III Final Four appearance as a senior in 2012. She competed with the Albany Alleycats club team from 2003 to 2013.
Kelsey Luke – Forward/Midfielder – Lone Tree, Colo. – Mountain Vista H.S.
Luke becomes the first player from the state of Colorado to play at UAlbany during its Division I era. She competed with the U17 and U18 Real Colorado squad in the ECNL, scoring four goals in the 2013-14 season. She currently leads the #1-ranked high school team in Colorado at Mountain Vista, taking the Golden Eagles to a Class 5A state title with 12 points in 2013.
Morgan Loder – Forward – Richmondville, N.Y. – CRCS
Loder played club ball in the Capital District and will continue her play in this area with UAlbany. A member of the club team Capital United, Loder scored 137 goals with Cobleskill-Richmondville High, including finishing second in Section II last season with 58 goals, including 10 in one game. She earned NYSSWA Second Team All-State and regional all-star honors as a senior.
Alana Olivieri – Goalkeeper – Spencerport, N.Y. – University at Buffalo/Our Lady of Mercy
Olivieri will transfer to UAlbany from the University at Buffalo and will have four years of eligibility after redshirting last season. While at Our Lady of Mercy, Olivieri was a three-year starting goalkeeper, leading her school to a state semifinal berth in 2011. She earned Private-Parochial Division I all-league honors as a junior and senior. She competed with the Revolution Empire in club play.
Vivian Vega – Forward/Midfielder – Santa Ana, Calif. – Segerstrom H.S.
Vega will be the first UAlbany women’s soccer player from California since 2008. A former member of the U17 Mexican National Team, she played for the Strikers ECNL U17 club team. Vega scored 105 goals in her high school career with Segerstrom, earning All-CIF Southern Section honors her last three years. She led Segerstrom to 19 victories and a berth in the CIF semifinals this season, leading all of Orange County in goals.
