June 7, 2010
Bronx, N.Y. -
Fordham women's soccer head coach Ness Selmani announced the newest additions to the 2010 squad today, as seven players will join the Rams. The list includes forward Kelley Alpaugh (Mullica Hill, N.J./Clearview Regional), forward Avilla Bergin (Derry, Ireland/Thornhill College), defender Kaitlyn Carballeira (East Setauket, N.Y./Ward Melville), midfielder/fodward Kelsey Dougherty Howard (Largo, Fla./St. Petersburg Catholic), defender Casey Nowakowski (Cheshire, Conn./Cheshire), midfielder Megan O'Conor (Potomac, Md./Georgetown Visitation), and midfielder/defender Mary Solimine (Rumson, N.J./Rumson Fair Haven Regional).
Nowakowski, a 5-3 defender, joins her older sister, Lauren, on the Rams, adding depth to the defensive line with her tremendous speed and ability to serve dangerous long balls. She played club soccer with Academica Futbol Club, which made the State Cup finals in 2008 and 2009, and was a member of the Connecticut ODP team from 2005-2009.
At Cheshire High School, Nowakowski was a four-year starting varsity defender, and served as captain of both the soccer and track teams in her senior season. Throughout her high school career, she was recognized as an All-Division (2008), All- Conference (2008), and All-State player (2009). Nowakowski also dominated the indoor track circuit, winning All-Division, All-Conference, and All-State awards all four years of high school.
In the classroom, Nowakowski was a four-year Scholar Athlete, Honor Roll and Student Government member. In her free time, she is very involved with SADD, Relay for Life, Lights for Hope and her Catholic Youth Group.
Selmani on Nowakowski - "I am excited to bring in a defender with her speed and confidence to the back line. She will fit seamlessly into our style of play."
Solimine, a 5-7 utility player, has the ability to gain time at both the defense and midfield positions for the Rams. She played club soccer for Arsenal World Class, the same program as current Fordham sophomore Kaitlin Abrams. She has experience with the NJ ODP State Team from 2004-06 and ODP Regional Team in 2004.
At Rumson Fair Haven Regional, Somiline was a part of two Group II State Championships in 2008 and 2009, and was a four-time All-Shore selection, receiving First Team honors during her junior and senior seasons. She finished her career as the school's all-time leader in points.
In the classroom, Somiline was a member of the National Honor Society and made the honor roll all four years.
Selmani on Solimine - "Mary is a great one-on-one defender. Her speed and field vision will make her a great asset to our program."
Carballeira, a 5-11 defender, will mesh perfectly into the Rams' defense due to her stature and calm nature on the field. She has the potential to immediately impact the Fordham squad in 2010. Playing with the Ward Melville Patriots, she was honored with All-County, All-Conference, and All-League accolades in 2007 and 2008. A team captain as a senior, Carballeira was named to the All-State and All-Regional team in 2009.
Carballeira played club soccer for Stony Brook Arsenal, serving as team cpatain and competing in the Region 1 Premier League. She helped her team to the ENY State Championship for U16 and U17.
In the classroom, Carballeira is a member of the Junior National Honor Society and Global Language Honor Society, and won the Presidential Award for Educational Excellence. She was also a recipient of the NYSPHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award three years in a row. Off the pitch, she excels in basketball, swimming and the violin.
Selmani on Carballeira - "Kaitlyn has a tremendous soccer mind. With her natural ability to anticipate the next play, she will make an easy transition into the college game. She has both great speed and a fearless attitude."
O'Conor, a 5-7 midifelder, is a natural lefty, who has a chance to see time immediately in her first year at the outside flank positions. She has tremendous speed with the ball at her feet and has a nose for the goal. She plays her club soccer with the Bethesda Freedom, the same club that current Fordham sophomore
Annie Worden plays for, helping the club to the 2009 State Cup Finals.
At Georgetown Visitation, O'Conor spent four years on the varsity soccer team, helping her team to a pair of ISL Championships. She was the team leader in points in 2008, while also being honored as an All-ISL League player twice. A natural athlete, O'Conor also played varsity basketball, served as class president, and was recipient of the Spanish Honors Award.
Selmani on O'Conor - "Megan's passion for the game comes out every time she steps onto the field. Her quick feet, combined with her desire to win the ball, makes her a dangerous opponent and difficult to defend."
A 5-9 midfielder/forward, Howard has a true forward's mentality with great ability to hold the ball and see the field. She is strong in the air, which allows her to transition easily into the midfield, and is a powerful runner, competing for her high school in 100 and 300-yard hurdle events. Howard played club soccer with Strictly Soccer FC, which made the Florida State Cup Final Four once and was a US Club Regional Champion and National Finalist twice.
At St. Petersburg Catholic, Howard served as captain of both the soccer and track teams, earning County All-Star team status and the Scholar-Athlete Award.
Howard graduated high school as a member of the National, Science, Spanish, and Mu Alpha Theta (Math) Honor Societies.
Selmani on Howard - "Kelsey has a wonderful physical presence on the field. Her quick and aggressive movement on the field will immediately fit into our high pressure system of play."
Alpaugh, a 5-7 forward, will add depth to the forward and midfield lines with the ability to play both the left and right sides of the field. She is a graceful, intelligent player, who has a gift at judging the perception of speed and flight of the ball. Alpaugh played club soccer with the Mount Laurel Comets, and is currently rostered on the WPSL's South Jersey United.
Alpaugh led her high school team in goals and assists two years in a row (2007-08) and was a two-time First Team All-Conference selection, as well as being named to the All-South Jersey Soccer Team.
In the classroom, Alpaugh is graduating in the top ten in her class, and received the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association Award for Academics and the Al Carino Scholar-Athlete Award for Academics. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, the honor roll, and SADD.
Selmani on Alpaugh - "Kelley's work ethic and hard nose style of play will help the Rams for years to come. We are excited to have her join the team."
Bergin, a 5-6 forward, will bring a wealth of international experience to the Rams' squad this fall. Having played with the Northern Ireland National Team since U-13, she now finds herself on the senior squad competing this summer in the World Cup qualifying matches.
In 2009, Bergin was a member of the Coca-Cola Championship team and was the top goal scorer of the tournament. Bergin was also named Player of the Tournament in the Galway Cup. She competed in both the U-17 and U-19 team European Championships and was named Player of the Tournament for Northern Ireland (U-19). In high school, she earned Player of the Year honors, leading her team in goals, and also plays for her local club team, the Drumahoe Ladies FC.
Selmani on Bergin - "Avilla will bring in a wealth of experience and knowledge of the game to our team. We look forward to seeing how her abilities can fit into our system."
The Fordham women's soccer team will open their 2010 campaign on Sunday, August 22nd at home against Seton Hall University.
