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Feb. 19, 2004
CHARLOTTESVILLE – Virginia women’s soccer head coach Steve Swanson has announced that five players have signed letters of intent to join the Cavalier program next fall. Brett Burns (Minnetonka, Minn.), Laura Comeau (Lee, N.H.), Sarah Curtis (Yellow Springs, Ohio), Nikki Giunta (Ramsey, N.J.), and Jen Redmond (Morristown, N.J.) will form the first-year class for the 2004 season.
The five player class will bring new talent to every area of the field for the Cavaliers next season. The group features two players, Comeau and Redmond, that have U-19 National Team experience.
“We are extremely excited about this years recruiting class,” stated Virginia head coach Steve Swanson. “We do not lose a particularly large class to graduation this year but we do lose some outstanding players and leaders. So it was more important for us to bring in a quality group that could add to what we feel is an outstanding nucleus of returning players. We feel this group coming in, not only has the talent to help make us better on the field, but also has all the intangible qualities that are so important to building a National Championship caliber team. Each one of these individuals is a tremendous leader, hard worker, dedicated athlete, and a strong student. They are a great fit for the University of Virginia and our women’s soccer program and I am confident that, together, they will help make some more history for our team during the next four years.”
The class will join 17 players from last season’s team that still have eligibility remaining. In 2003, the Cavaliers posted a 12-5-4 record and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Virginia Women’s Soccer 2004 Recruits
Brett Burns – Defender – Minnetonka, Minn. (The Blake School)
2001 and 2002 All-State selection … four time All-Conference pick … helped The Blake School to 65-8-4 record over her career, including the 2000 State Championship … member of the Minnesota ODP team for the past seven years … helped Magnuson St. Croix club team reach a No. 7 national ranking.
Laura Comeau – Goalkeeper – Lee, N.H. (Oyster River)
Member of the United States U-19 National Team … became first player from New Hampshire on the U-19 national team … 2003 NSCAA All-Region I selection … All-New Hampshire and All-New England selection … led Oyster River to a state final, two state semifinals and a undefeated 2003 regular season… 2003 Portsmouth Herald Player of the year … veteran of the New Hampshire and Eastern Regional ODP teams.
Sarah Curtis – Forward – Yellow Springs, Ohio (Fairborn)
Helped Dayton Soccer Academy club team win three consecutive state championships (2001-03) … club also reached regional semifinals in 2003 … All-District performer at Fairborn High School … helped Fairborn to a district championship … veteran of the Ohio ODP team and a member of the regional pool.
Nikki Giunta – Defender – Ramsey, N.J. (Ramsey)
2003 Third-Team All-New Jersey selection … helped Ramsey H.S. to 2000 and 2001 state championships … assisted on game-winning goals in both state championship games … two-time All-North Jersey selection … four-year starter … played for New Jersey ODP team.
Jen Redmond – Midfielder – Morristown, N.J. (Oak Knoll)
Member of the United States U-19 National Team … 2003 NSCAA All-American … 2003 NSCAA New Jersey Player of the Year … scored 26 goals and 27 assists during her senior year to lead Oak Knoll to a 16-3-1 record … two time Associated Press All-New Jersey selection … veteran of the New Jersey and Region I ODP teams … helped club team PDA Galaxy to a Region I Championship and third place national finish.