EVANSVILLE – After guiding the University of Evansville women’s soccer team to a Missouri Valley tournament championship in 2015, head coach Krista McKendree is already well into her preparations for the 2016 campaign as she announced the signing of eight players for next season.
“We are looking forward to welcoming these eight wonderful young ladies to campus in August, and they all exemplify the qualities that we want to see in our student-athletes,†McKendree said. “I am excited to start incorporating them into our group. I am continually thankful for my coaching staff, who continues to work diligently to recruit high-quality student-athletes to our program.â€
The class, which draws mostly from Ohio and Illinois, features winners on nearly every level as McKendree hopes to push for a second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth in the fall.
Two of the Ohio signees hail from Cincinnati, as both Emily Rickett and Michaela Shepherd will be joining UE after all-conference campaigns for Mother of Mercy and Archbishop McNicholas high schools, respectively. Shepherd was a four-year letter-winner, guiding the Rockets to a state championship, while Rickett starred for Total Futbol Academy and helped the team to a pair of showcase titles as well as a final four finish in the State Cup.
Just across the river from the Queen City, Olivia Panella was a two-time all-region winner for Conner High School. A formidable track athlete, she scored the game-winning goal for the NKSA Mustangs to send the club to the semifinals of the State Cup.
Kasey Stefan, who hails from northern Ohio, will join the program after a decorated club career with Ambassadors FC. The Seven Hills native was an all-conference player for Normandy High School before switching to playing exclusively for AFC. She helped anchor a defense that recorded five clean sheets on the way lifting last year’s State Cup.
Meanwhile, Mikayla Harvey’s club career impressed thoroughly as she helped St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club to three state titles and three runner-up finishes. The Waterloo, Ill., native also starred on a national stage in Florida, where the team won the 2013 Disney showcase and finished second a year later.
Elsewhere in Illinois, Margaret Leazer, the sister of former Aces basketball player Michael Leazer, earned four letters for Saint Viator High School in the Chicago suburbs. She was an all-conference honoree for the Lions, earning regional titles in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Julie Rabe rounds out the Illinois prospects. An Ursa native, she played in goal for Notre Dame High School and helped the team to a state championship in 2013.
Alexis Cutrera, who was a four-year starter for Notre Dame de Sion High School, was a two-time all-district honoree. The Lee’s Summit, Mo., product helped the team to the 2015 state title. She also enjoyed state-level success with KC Premier soccer club, twice earning a trip to the State Cup championship match.
The 2016 Aces women’s soccer season will begin in August.
2016 SIGNINGS
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- Alexis Cutrera (Lee’s Summit, Mo.)
Four-year starter for Notre Dame de Sion High School … Earned all-district honors twice … Helped team hoist 2015 state championship … Also played club soccer for KC Premier … Booked trip to State Cup final on two occasions.
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- Mikayla Harvey (Waterloo, Ill.)
Lettered four times for Cor Jesu Academy … Started all four seasons, earning all-conference and all-region honors in the process … Helped team to district championships in 2014 and 2015 … Also played for the school’s field hockey and racquetball teams … Competed on the club level for St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club … Helped team to three State Cup championships and three runner-up finishes … Team also won Disney Showcase in 2013 and finished second a year later.
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- Margaret Leazer (Mt. Prospect, Ill.)
Four-time letter-winner for Saint Viator High School … Helped team to regional championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015 … Also earned all-conference and all-tournament honors … Lettered in basketball and volleyball as well … Brother, Michael, is a former Aces basketball player … Father, John, played basketball for Saint Louis University.
- Olivia Panella (Burlington, Ky.)
Earned four letters playing for Conner High School … Two-time all-region performer … Also named an honorable mention to the Cincinnati Enquirer Northern Kentucky all-star squad … Helped lead team to district finals twice … Also starred for the school’s track team … Played on the club level for NKSA Mustangs … Scored match-winning goal to send team to the final four of the State Cup.
- Julie Rabe (Ursa, Ill.)
Four-year letter-winner in goal for Notre Dame High School … Helped team to 2013 state championship … Also an all-sectional honoree … Lettered in volleyball as well … Played club soccer with Quincy United Soccer Club.
- Emily Rickett (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Earned three letters for Mother of Mercy High School, starting her final three seasons … Earned all-conference honors as a junior and senior … Also led team in scoring as a sophomore and junior … Scored 28 goals and dished out 15 assists over the course of her prep career … Played club soccer for Total Futbol Academy … Helped team to a final four finish in the State Cup … Also guided team to CASL and Blue Chip showcase crowns … Mother, Jamie, played soccer at St. Joseph’s College.
- Michaela Shepherd (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Four-year letter-winner for Archbishop McNicholas High School … Two-time all-conference honoree … Helped team to three district championships as well as a regional and state title in 2014 … Team ended that year with 21-1 record … Played on the club level for Beechmont Soccer Club Elite.
- Kasey Stefan (Seven Hills, Ohio)
Lettered twice for Normandy High School before playing final two high school years with Ambassadors Football Club … Earned all-conference honors and offensive player of the year award as a freshman … Led the team in scoring as a sophomore … With AFC, she helped the backline to five consecutive clean sheets on the way to the 2015 State Cup title … Also guided club team to a number of other showcase championships as well as a third-place finish in the national bracket at the Disney Showcase.
