WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue women's soccer has unveiled its newest group of incoming Boilermakers, a recruiting class of 13 up-and-coming players set to join the program for the 2017 campaign in the fall.
Signing National Letters of Intent to attend Purdue and play for the Boilermakers includes: Sarah Clark (Brighton, Mich./Mercy), Abby Crabtree (Glen Carbon, Ill./Edwardsville), Alyssa Cwidak (Arlington Heights, Ill./Prospect), Sarah Griffith (Naperville, Ill./Waubonsie Valley), Kylie Hase (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg), Maya Lambert (Northbrook, Ill./Glenbrook North), Katie Luce (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy Orange), Alyssa Lum (Milton, Mass./Milton), Lexi Marks (Granger, Ind./Penn), Hannah Melchiorre (Thunder Bay, Ontario/Shattuck St. Mary's), Nicole Mondi (Naperville, Ill./Neuqua Valley), Jordan Oetting (Festus, Mo./Festus) and Katie Stephens (Oceanport, N.J./Shore Regional).
Head coach Drew Roff's second recruiting class at Purdue features a goalkeeper, two midfielders, three forwards, four defenders and three other versatile players that have the potential to contribute at multiple field positions. Luce is the goalkeeper. Clark, Lambert, Marks and Mondi excel defensively. Cwidak and Lum are projected to contribute as midfielders. Griffith, Hase and Stephens are the forwards. Crabtree (M/F), Melchiorre (M/F) and Oetting (D/M) are the versatile multi-position players.
"I would like to thank my assistant coaches, Jim Schneiderhahn and Katie Baumgardner, for all that they contributed in putting this special group of Boilermakers together," Roff said. "When our staff arrived two years ago, we knew how important the class of 2017 would be, and we began working on it right away. Our goal was to put together a big class, with an emphasis on talent, character, and mindset. This group of 13 will make our program stronger in all aspects, and they will have a chance to make an immediate impact next fall. As players they fit the style we want to play, and as people they will contribute immensely to the championship culture we are cultivating. We look forward to this class being the cornerstone of our program's future success."
Take a few minutes to learn a few career highlights & fun facts about our 2017 recruiting class. #BoilerUp https://t.co/rS3NXTFd9S
-- Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) February 2, 2017
The following is an alphabetical listing of the recruits' information along with comments from Roff.
Sarah Clark
- 5-foot-6 Defender
- Brighton, Michigan (Mercy HS/Michigan Hawks ECNL)
- 2016 ECNL National Champion
- Four-time ECNL Conference Champion (2013-2016)
- Coach Roff Says: "Sarah plays in the back, either central or out wide. Her confidence on the ball, decision making, and ability to serve a quality ball over distance make her stand out. Whether it is a long ball from the back, cross from the flank or a restart, her delivery is excellent. Her experience playing on a national championship club team should help her adjust to the pace of the college game quickly."
Abby Crabtree
- 5-foot-7 Midfielder/Forward
- Glen Carbon, Illinois (Edwardsville HS/St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro ECNL)
- Two-time Alton Telegraph Large School Area Player of the Year
- Three-year leading goal scorer for Edwardsville
- Coach Roff Says: "Abby is a versatile player that can play anywhere in the midfield or top. She has good pace, plays smart and strikes the ball very well. Abby is a goal scorer that is also willing to put in the hard work defensively for her team. A high work rate, selfless attitude, and a very positive personality are the important qualities that she provides."
Alyssa Cwidak
- 5-foot-5 Midfielder
- Arlington Heights, Illinois (Prospect HS/Sockers FC Chicago)
- Two-time U.S. Club Soccer National Champion
- Played for State and Regional ODP Teams
- Coach Roff Says: "Alyssa is a midfielder that fits really well with our style of play. She reads the game well, makes good decisions, and is strong technically. Her ability to cover ground, circulate the ball effectively, and play a quality final pass help make her a very versatile player. That ability to play quick, from a technical and tactical standpoint, will be a great asset to our midfield group."
Sarah Griffith
- 5-foot-3 Forward
- Naperville, Illinois (Waubonsie Valley HS/Team Chicago Brasilia)
- 2015 ODP National Training Camp Participant
- ChicagolandSoccer.org All-State Team
- Coach Roff Says: "Sarah is a very crafty attacking player that can be a playmaker up top or from a more withdrawn position. She has excellent technique and balance, which help her escape from pressure extremely well. She also has a feel for the game that is hard to teach, combined with great composure in front of goal. Sarah has the ability to be a difference maker in the Big Ten Conference."
Kylie Hase
- 5-foot-6 Forward
- Orland Park, Illinois (Carl Sandburg HS/Chicago Inter Soccer Club)
- 2015 Palos Heights Regional News Area Player of the Year
- ChicagolandSoccer.org All-State Team
- Coach Roff Says: "Kylie is a dynamic attacking player with great instincts. She has a great engine and covers a lot of ground on the pitch. She also brings a high level of creativity and confidence on the ball. That degree of industriousness and craftiness is a rare combination. Kylie's talent combined with her passion for the game help make her that special player that makes those around her better."
Maya Lambert
- 5-foot-4 Defender
- Northbrook, Illinois (Glenbrook North HS/Sockers FC Chicago)
- Two-time U.S. Club Soccer National Champion
- 2014 ODP National Training Camp Participant
- Coach Roff Says: "Maya is a savvy, intelligent player that can play anywhere on the back line. She understands the game at a high level, defends well, and is very comfortable with the ball. Her ability to play out of pressure, make good decisions with the ball, and strike an accurate long ball will help spearhead our attack. Maya also brings a great competitive spirit to the game as well as leadership potential."
Katie Luce
- 5-foot-8 Goalkeeper
- Lewis Center, Ohio (Olentangy Orange HS/Classics Eagles Soccer Club)
- 2013 ODP National Training Camp Participant
- Club Team Captain
- Coach Roff Says: "Katie combines the physical tools with all of the intangibles of an elite goalkeeper. She is an excellent shot stopper, is very good distributing with her feet, and has shown the willingness to step up and be a vocal leader on the field. She is also a great competitor that embraces the pressure that comes with the position. Katie has all the qualities necessary to develop into a standout goalkeeper in the Big Ten Conference."
Alyssa Lum
- 5-foot-6 Midfielder
- Milton, Massachusetts (Milton HS/NEFC Elite)
- NPL National Champion
- Led the Bay State League in Goals and Points
- Coach Roff Says: "There are few players that can play anywhere on the field and be effective. Alyssa is definitely one of them. We will look to utilize her wide range of talents in the midfield, where she can be a playmaker from a deep or advanced position. Defensively, her willingness to be vocal and organize those around her will also be a huge plus. Her talent, commitment and toughness will benefit our program tremendously."
Lexi Marks
- 5-foot-9 Defender
- Granger, Indiana (Penn HS/Indiana Fire Juniors ECNL)
- 2016 State Champion with Penn HS
- IHSAA Mental Attitude Award Winner
- Coach Roff Says: "Lexi is a back that brings good size and ball-winning ability. She defends well, plays smart, and does a nice job connecting out of the back. Lexi's high school team won the Indiana state championship this past fall, and she was recognized as the Mental Attitude Award recipient at the state finals. We are excited to add an in-state player of Lexi's ability and character."
Hannah Melchiorre
- 5-foot-5 Midfielder/Forward
- Thunder Bay, Ontario (Shattuck St. Mary's [Minn.])
- 2015: 36 Goals & 18 Assists in 41 Games
- Two-time Shattuck St. Mary's Athlete of the Year
- Coach Roff Says: "Hannah is a very dynamic athlete, with a good understanding of the game, and a nice finishing touch around goal. She has the technical ability to play in the midfield or up top. She is comfortable with her back to goal and she can also beat players 1v1 out wide. Hannah's ability to stretch the opponent's back line makes her a constant attacking threat, and she will add an extra dimension to our team right away."
Nicole Mondi
- 5-foot-7 Defender
- Naperville, Illinois (Neuqua Valley HS/Team Chicago Brasilia)
- 2016 National League Champion
- Team Captain for her High School and Club
- Coach Roff Says: "Nicole is a defender that can play center back or out wide. She defends very well, she reads the game at a high level, and she has very good composure on the ball when building from the back. Nicole serves as team captain for her very successful high school and club teams. We look forward to the leadership qualities and intangibles she will bring to our program."
Jordan Oetting
- 5-foot-8 Defender/Midfielder
- Festus, Missouri (Festus HS/Lou Fusz Soccer Club)
- Two-time Missouri State Cup Champion
- Varsity letterwinner in Soccer, Basketball, Softball & Track
- Coach Roff Says: "Jordan is a talented, versatile player that can play in the midfield or in the back. She is a very successful multi-sport athlete that has benefitted from competing in four varsity sports at the high school level. Jordan brings a strong physical presence, she reads the game well, and really takes pride in shutting down her opponent. Her high level of commitment and competitive spirit will be tremendous assets to our program."
Katie Stephens
- 5-foot-7 Forward
- Oceanport, New Jersey (Shore Regional HS)
- 2015 State Champion & Offensive Player of the Year with SRHS
- 2014 SRHS Rookie of the Year
- Ran the Anchor Leg for 4x100 Relay Team at 2015 Penn Relays
- Coach Roff Says: "Katie is a very good athlete, that has the skill, strength and speed to become a dangerous attacking player for us. She is willing to take players on, she serves a great ball from the flank, and she is an effective finisher. Katie has a high work rate and plays the game with an edge. Her passion for the game, and for winning, will be a welcome addition to our team dynamic."