Feb. 7, 2007

BEMIDJI, Minn.- Bemidji State head soccer coach Jim Stone has announced the signing of seven players to National Letters of Intent to his 2007 recruiting class. This year’s class includes six Minnesotans and one native of Illinois that will each begin their eligibility at BSU next fall.

Stone’s 2007 signing class will be counted on to help fill the shoes of six departing seniors. Those 2006 seniors, which including one All-American and three other All-NSIC performers, helped lead last fall’s team to a 10-6-2 record before losing to Wayne State (Neb.) in a shootout in the first round of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament.

The 2007 signing class includes two defenders, two forwards, a midfielder, a goalkeeper, and a one player who has spent time at both midfield and forward. This class marks Stone’s largest recruiting class since he brought in thirteen players, including the six graduating seniors, in his first signing.

• Sara Dalton (D, Fr-HS); St. Cloud, Minn. (Apollo HS)

Named Apollo High School’s Defensive MVP twice and team’s Most Improved Player in 2004... Earned all-conference honors and honorable mention honors during her career at AHS... Helped AHS to 2005 Conference Co-Championship... Also earned honorable mention honors for the AHS track team as well as being named team MVP... Will have five years to play four.

Stone on Dalton at BSU:
“Sara is the second player to come into our program from the St. Cloud area. Sara had a great prep career and can play both her
left and right boot deep down the field. She’s very athletic and I’m looking forward to working with her and seeing her develop at this
level.”

• Alysha Domiano (D, Fr-HS); Dayton, Minn. (Champlin Park HS)

Earned all-state, all-metro and all-conference accolades and was a four-time letterwinner in soccer... Served as co-captain for CPHS and U-18 Premier teams... Part of a 2006 conference championship with a 14-1-2 record... Scored four goals and four assists from her defense spot while helping Champlin Park to a 44-21-10 record in her four years... Also lettered in track three times and strength training once... Named all-conference, team MVP and captain for CPHS track... Named to CPHS honor roll and Honor Society.... Will have five years to play four.

Stone on Domiano at BSU:
“Alysha is about as decorated and as polished as you will see a player coming into DII ball. She has certainly enjoyed a great prep and club career and I’m extremely excited about her coming into our program and putting her stamp on it. Alysha has great leadership qualities along with having a great mind and feel for the game. She is a very good with keeping team shape, distributing and winning balls in the air.”

• Ashlee Ellefsen (F, Fr-HS); Hugo, Minn. (White Bear Lake HS)

Helped lead White Bear Lake HS to an 11-7-0 record on the season including 2-1 in the playoffs... Earned all-conference honorable mention and All-Section Tournament Team honors for WBLHS... Scored eight goals and 18 points as a forward for White Bear Lake HS... Will have five years to play four.

Stone on Ellefsen at BSU:
“I love the way Ashlee plays, she is extremely creative and isn’t afraid to take people on. Many soccer games come down to a 1 v 1 here or there and I believe, in time, Ashlee could be special at this level and give us a great take-on artist. I’m looking forward to Ashlee bringing her game here, along with her great attitude.”

• Kelsey Robinson (F, Fr-HS); Rochester, Minn. (John Marshall HS)

Earned varsity letters in soccer and speech... Selected as captain for John Marshall HS soccer... Part of Rochester United summer team that played in state and premier tournaments... Will have five years to play four.

Stone on Robinson at BSU:
“She brings a quality to our program that can’t be coached, great speed. I’m excited for Kelsey to come into our program, she has a great burst, a pretty good nose for the net and the ability to keep defenses honest with her pace. I’m looking forward to seeing her develop at this level.”

• Samantha Ross (GK, Fr-HS); Stillwater, Minn. (Stillwater Area HS)

Selected as Stillwater Area HS “Outstanding Defensive Player”... Earned two varsity letters and two varsity Coach’s awards in soccer... Collected over 200 saves as a senior in net... Part of Stillwater Area HS Honor Roll and National Honor Society of High School Scholars... Was also a four-time letterwinner in cross country skiing... Will have five years to play four.

Stone on Ross at BSU:
“Sam is the perfect fit for us. She really likes the whole “up-north” mystique and more importantly is a great goalkeeper. I played with and against her high school coach, Ryan Manning. I trust his judgement and she comes very strongly recommended. She has good height and has some great training experiences under her belt. She will have a great mentor in Jessica Meath and in time I’m confident that she will add to our great tradition of goalkeeping here at BSU.”

• Kara Smyth (M, Fr-HS); Cary, Ill. (Cary Grove High School)

Earned three varsity letters with one season remaining with Illinois’ spring soccer season... Earned all-conference accolades as a junior for CGHS... Helped lead team to a 12-5-3 record last season while starting every game each of the last two seasons... Part of a CGHS 2005 team that played in the State’s final 16... Named to CGHS Honor Roll... Will have five years to play four.

Stone on Smyth at BSU:
“Kara is a fantastic talent. She has a great engine that allows her to get up and down the field for 90 minutes. Kara is a very versatile player and is the rare player who can actually control temp while creating offensively and contributing defensively. She is highly skilled and I expect great things from her over the next four years.”

• Jennifer Stromberg (F/M, Fr-HS); Elk River, Minn. (Elk River HS)

Named North Suburban All-Conference (2005, 2006)... Four-time letterwinner in soccer... Selected as 2006 HS team captain... Ranked first on team in scoring (2005, 2006)... Helped team to State Section runner-up finishes in 2003 and 2006... Also part of MYSA summer league state championship team in 2003, runner-up in 2005, and league champ in 2003, 2005, and 2006... Part of Minnesota State Select Olympic Development Program in 2004 and 2005... Member of National Honor Society... Will have five years to play four.

Stone on Stromberg at BSU:
“Jenny is a special young lady. She is very strong academically and has an incredible work rate on the field. After I watched her play I wanted that work rate on our roster. I feel like Jenny can help us offensively as she has been a great prep goal scorer and defensively she is willing to do what it takes to win the ball back. Most importantly she is going to bring her tenacity, her work rate and her great attitude to our training every day.”