June 3, 2013 - Bronx, N.Y. - Fordham women's soccer coach Ness Selmani announced the addition of nine players for 2013 season today. The group features eight freshmen and one transfer student at a variety of positions.
The group includes defender Nicole Bates (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge), forward Turner Block (Fairfield, Conn./Staples), midfielder/defender Brianna Blunck (Coxsackie, N.Y./Coxsackie-Athens), midfielder Bryce Debolt (Annandale, Va./W.T. Woodson), defender Ally Doyle (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Ludlowe), goalkeeper Megan Fitzgerald (Monroe, Conn./Masuk), forward Nicol Natale (Media, Pa./Merion Mercy Academy), midfielder Sydney White (Verona, N.J./Verona), and transfer forward Jessica Melendez (Jersey City, N.J./McNair Academic (Saint Peter's)).
A 5-9 defender from Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Bates was a four-year starter and team captain at Ridge High School, helping the squad to the 2012 Somerset County Final. The team's 2012 team MVP, she was a part of a stingy defense that recorded 33 shutouts over her final two years, enabling Ridge to win the North Jersey Group 4 Section 2 Championship in 2011 and 2012, while making the NJ Group 4 State Final in each of those seasons.
Individually, Bates was ranked as a Top "20" player for the New Jersey North 2 Region in 2012, and was named First Team All-Skyland Conference, First Team All-Area by the Courier News, First Team All-Somerset County by the Star Ledger, and Second Team All-New Jersey by MSG Varsity. For club soccer, she was a four-year captain for NJSA04 Elite.
Off the pitch, Bates was an honors student with a 4.0 GPA at Ridge High School, and has volunteered at SHSC Overtime as a soccer instructor for kids with disabilities and at the Janet Zilinski Memorial Fund, which is dedicated to preventing sudden cardiac death in New Jersey's youth through awareness, legislation, AED placement and training.
Selmani on Nicole Bates - "Nicole is a calm and composed defender with the added bonus of speed and polished technical skills. We expect her to positively impact the team immediately upon arrival."
Block, a 5-6 forward from Fairfield, Connecticut, was a three-year starter at Staples High School, before an injury sidelined her for her senior season. A two-year captain, she finished as Staples' leading scorer as a junior, netting 14 goals and three assists, and earned the Block S Coaches Award. Block also competed in varsity track, setting school records in the 200 meters and 4x400 relay, and earned All-State honors as a sophomore and First Team All-FCIAC honors twice.
For club soccer, she competed for Yankee United Blaze, one of three incoming Fordham players to do so, while away from the pitch, Block had over a 3.9 GPA in high school and was a mentor for young girls in soccer.
Selmani on Turner Block - "Turner is a fast forward, who we believe can score a lot of goals for us due to her aggressive style of play. She has a great intensity about her on the field, and her work ethic is second to none. "
A 5-7 midfielder/defender from Coxsackie, New York, Blunck was a four-year varsity soccer and track athlete at Coxsackie-Athens High School, graduating as the team's all-time leader in goals with 70 to go with 25 assists. She earned All-Patroon Conference honors each year, which included First Team status in her final three years, while also receiving Section 2 First Team All-League standing three times (2010-12). As a two-year senior captain, she broke the single season school record for goals with 25 to win Patroon Conference MVP honors, and helped Coxsackie to the Patroon Conference Championship and a Section 2 Class B semifinal appearance.
For club soccer, Blunck is a part of 2005-11 Alleycats Lynx, who are currently ranked second in New York State and 45th nationally by National Soccer Ranking.com. Academically, she received Academic High Honors all four years of high school and was inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior. She also garnered NSPHSAA Scholar Athlete Awards for both soccer and track from 2009-11.
Off the field and outside the classroom, Blunck was a student council member as a senior, and was voted a class officer each of her four years at Coxsackie. She served as Treasurer of both the National Honor Society and the student council.
Selmani on Brianna Blunck - "Brianna is a fast, left footed player, who has accurate passes and crosses. She will see time on the left flank."
Debolt, a 5-8 midfielder from Annandale, Virginia, was a multi-sport athlete at W.T. Woodson High School in Fairfax, Virginia. She competed for the varsity soccer and basketball teams at W.T. Woodson, earning Scholar Athlete Award honors. For club soccer, she was a three-year captain for the LMVSC U17 team from 2009-11 before moving onto the U18 ECNL McLean Power in Fall 2011. With Debolt, the McLean Power was the U18 VA State Cup Championship.
Away from the field, Debolt graduated with a 4.1 GPA and was a member of the National and Spanish Honor Societies at W.T. Woodson. She has also donated her free time as a camp counselor/group leader at a soccer camp for underprivileged kids, a presidential campaign volunteer, and a volunteer at Martha's Table to help communities in need.
Selmani on Bryce Debolt - "Bryce had a lot of offers to play at other Division I schools, but she wanted a combination of an academically prestigious university, and a style of play that fit her well. She will be a great addition to our midfield because she reads the game well, and is one of the most efficient passers I have seen in the women's game."
Doyle, a 5-8 defender from Fairfield, Connecticut, was a four-year starter at Fairfield Ludlowe High School, serving as team captain as a senior. She led her team to eight shutouts in 2012, while contributing a goal and five assists, and was selected as the team's MVP twice (2011-12). She was awarded First Team All-FCIAC in 2011 and 2012, was named to the Connecticut Post All-Star Team in 2011 and 2012, and Second Team All-Connecticut by MSG Varsity 2012. She also played Connecticut ODP in 2011 and 2012.
In addition to her play at Fairfield Ludlowe, she is the second incoming player to compete for Yankee United Blaze in club soccer, while in the classroom, she posted a GPA over 3.8.
In her free time outside of school, she works with American Field Services to help organize volunteer efforts. She traveled to New Orleans to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina and to Washington, D.C. to volunteer with YSOP group. She also participates with Project Ludlowe Fashion Show, the school Spirit Club, Ludlowe Leaders, and volunteers at the Fairfield Half Marathon.
Selmani on Ally Doyle - "Ally is a hard-nosed defender, and a fierce competitor. We can't wait to have her energy and power on the field."
Fitzgerald, a 5-11 goalkeeper from Monroe, Connecticut, was a four-year varsity soccer player at Masuk High School, where she posted a 28-7-3 record in goal with 19 shutouts. She served as a team captain as a senior and was twice named to the All-Colonial League Team. She also garnered All-Star status from the Connecticut Post.
For club soccer, Fitzgerald played with fellow recruits Ally Doyle and Turner Block on the Yankee United Blaze, serving as a team captain for five years (U14-U18). Off the pitch, she is a member of the National Honor Society and the Masuk World Language Honor Society for both Latin and Spanish, and graduated with a 4.1 GPA. Fitzgerald also spends time with Interact, a community service club, and Action Against Hunger, for which she serves as club treasurer.
Selmani on Megan Fitzgerald - "Her physical presence and athletic ability will allow her to impact our defense immediately upon arrival."
A 5-2 forward from Media, Pennsylvania, Natale was a four-year starter at Merion Mercy Academy, serving as team captain as a senior. She led her team in scoring and was selected as Team MVP in her final season at Merion. She was a two-time All-Mainline selection, receiving First Team honors in 2012, as well as a four-time First Team AACA selection. In addition to soccer, Natale also competed in track & field, qualifying for the district and state championships in the 200 meter dash. For club soccer, she is a member of FC Europa Wildkickers.
Outside of soccer, Natale finished high school with a 3.5 GPA and was a member of the National Honor Society, the World Affairs Club, and the Community Service Crops, which included volunteering time for Gesu, Mercy Ministries, and Cradles to Crayons.
Selmani on Nicol Natale - "Nicol will be one of the fastest players we have ever had at Fordham, and she has great skill to go along with it. We look forward to her immediate impact on the front line."
White, a 5-3 midfielder from Verona, New Jersey, was a four-year varsity soccer and track athlete at Verona High School. A four-year soccer starter and team captain, she helped lead Verona to the 2011 NJSIAA State Sectional Championship, while individually she was an All-Conference selection. For track, she was a part of the Super Essex Conference Liberty Division Championship teams (2010 & 2011), as well as the NJSIAA State Sectional Championship squads (2010 & 2012). She also is a member of the school record distance medley relay team.
For club play, White is a member of the TSF Academy Fire, which won the 2011 U.S. Club Soccer National Cup X Championship, and was a three-time Super Y National Finalist (2009, 2011, & 2012). Academically, she finished with a GPA above 3.8, and is a volunteer First Responder on the Verona Rescue Squad.
Selmani on Sydney White - "Sydney is an aggressive right midfielder with a never die attitude. Her love for the game is contagious, and we look forward to her adding depth to our midfield."
Melendez, a 5-2 forward from Jersey City, N.J., spent the past two seasons at Saint Peter's College, playing in 37 games. She started 16 of those contests, registering seven shots and was named to the MAA All-Academic Honor Roll. Prior to Saint Peter's, she was a prolific scorer at McNair Academic High School, netting 92 goals and 45 assists. A four-time All-County selection, Melendez earned Player of the Year honors as a junior, and was First Team All-Group and team captain as a senior.
In addition to her time at McNair Academic, Melendez also played club soccer for the New York Magic, the Hoboken All-Stars, and the New York Gotham Girls.
Selmani on Jessica Melendez - "We look forward to Jessica adding experience and depth to our front line due to her speed of play and previous high level of play."
