Editor's note: This is the first installment in a three-part series introducing the Ohio soccer, field hockey and volleyball teams' incoming 2006 recruiting classes.
After a lackluster 2005 season and the loss of five seniors to graduation, the Ohio soccer team looked to add depth for the 2006 campaign with seven soon-to-be freshmen.
We knew we needed a couple goalkeepers
and we got that taken care of coach Stacy Strauss said. Over the course of the last few years we've tried to build on our team on our speed and athleticism
and with the quality of players coming in. I feel like we did that with the other five recruits.
Ohio brought in two different goalkeepers in 5-foot-7 Jessica MacLean; Loveland, and 5-foot-10 Dominique Wright; Durango, Colo., but Strauss said she sees the two helping each other grow as players.
I was really taken by (Dominique's) size and dominance; she's good with her feet and communicates well
Strauss said. Jess is a local kid out of Cincinnati and always wanted to go to Ohio
and it worked out perfectly. She's really good off the red line
talks really well and is quick.
Their strengths are going to complement each other, and as they train together for four years, we hope they learn from each other and improve.
Wright is a Colorado native but moved to New Mexico where she was a part of the Rio Vista Showcase 88's club team that won two state titles. She said she strives to push herself to a higher level of play.
I need to motivate myself a little bit more, Wright said. I train seven days a week, almost four hours a day, and I'm sure that's what it's going to be like in college, but I'm just going to have to raise the bar and try harder because I want to start.
Along with the two goalkeepers
Ohio is adding defenders Alyson Abernathy; Strongsville
and Rachael Goulding; Toronto
Ontario
Canada; midfielder Kelly Kinsella; Cincinnati
