Syracuse Adds Six To Women's Soccer Program

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Syracuse, N.Y.-Syracuse women’s soccer head coach Pat Farmer has announced the addition of six players to the Orange program for the 2007 season. Megan Bellingham (Binghamton, N.Y.), Dana Bergstrom (Lexington, Mass.), Marjory Elwell (Moorestown, N.J.), Hayley George (Voorhesville, N.Y.), Kaitlin Robbins (Watertown, N.Y.), and Sharifa Wilkinson (Toronto, Ontario) will join 23 returning players to form the 2007 Orange.

“This 2007 recruiting class will be a strong group with all of the players at the level to compete for a starting role or significant playing time right away as freshman,” Farmer said. “The class will address several of the immediate needs of the SU team - especially goal scoring and added speed on defense. Kaitlin Robbins, Dana Bergstrom, Megan Bellingham, and Hayley George have each scored over 100 goals in their high school careers and are proven goal scorers in their club teams as well. Sharifa Wilkinson has played a variety of positions and roles in her club teams and most recently was the season goal scoring leader in the OYSL, the strongest youth league in Canada. Marjory Elwell has been a standout defender in her club and school and will bring her excellent speed and ball winning ability to the defending back line. The SU coaching staff believes that this 2007 class will have an immediate impact on our team both in quality of play and results on the scoreboard.”

Bellingham, a forward, totaled more than 200 points in her five-year career at Seton Catholic in Binghamton with 158 goals and 88 assists. She led her conference in scoring for four-straight years and helped the Saints to three sectional titles and a state title in 2001. She also participated in the New York State West Olympic Development Program that past three years.

“Megan is a strong front runner with a tremendous strike on the ball.” Farmer said. “Megan is a forward with a goal scorer’s mentality. She is very strong in the air with excellent ability on crosses, free kicks, and corner kicks as well. Megan is especially strong on the left side of the field and will compete for a significant role right away.”

Bergstrom, a forward/midfielder, is the fourth-leading all-time scorer in Massachusetts history, compiling 119 goals and 76 assists in her four-years at Lexington Christian Academy. She led her conference in scoring fall four years and was named a Christian School All-American twice.

“Dana can play both as a forward and midfielder,” Farmer said. “Her shooting and scoring range are very impressive, and her willingness to create her own shooting chances is something the SU team can use straight away. Dana’s range will probably lead her to be used more as an attacking midfielder in SU’s 4-3-3 system.”

Elwell, a defender, played four years at Moorestown High and helped the Quakers to two state championships. She was a three-time all-state selection and was named the South Jersey Coaches Association Defender of the Year in 2006.

Marjory will compete right away for a starting role in the defensive unit,” Farmer said. “She has excellent physical abilities, including very good speed and will be capable of playing both centrally or on the flank

with a gritty, ball winning attitude. In addition Marjory possesses a strong throw-in that will be utilized in attacking play.”

George, a forward, was a two-time all-state selection and received sectional and conference honors three times. She led her team in scoring as a sophomore and junior. She graduated early from high school and enrolled at Syracuse in January so she could participate with the Orange in spring drills.

“Hayley is a highly skilled, possessive, and tactical attacker,” Farmer said. “She is equally proficient at combining with her attacking partners or finishing goals. Hayley is well known to the SU coaches after her play at camp for the last two summers and should do very well in our preferred three forward attack.”

Robbins, a forward, is New York State’s all-time leading scorer, tallying 208 goals in her five year’s at Watertown’s Immaculate Heart, passing former SU star Courtney Spencer. She scored more than 30 goals in each season and was a three-time all-state selection. Robbins was named to the NSCAA adidas East Region Team twice and was a three-time participant at the New York State Games.

“Kaitlin brings the scoring mentality and ability that SU needs to produce more goals in 2007,” Farmer said. “She is a truly two-footed scoring player with excellent range and variety of goals. Kaitlin will compete in both the attacking midfield and frontrunner roles at SU right away as a freshman.”

Wilkinson, who can play all positions, excelled as a member of the Ontario Youth Soccer League All-Star team. She won the league’s golden boot award in 2006 for the most goals scored and toured the United States with the squad.

Sharifa is a tremendous athlete who has played as a defender, midfielder, and forward over her youth career,” Farmer said. “Sharifa has tremendous breakaway speed, very good vision and connecting ability, and is another of the 2007 class with a long throw-in. Although recruited at the forward position Sharifa is capable of competing for starting slots in the defensive and midfield areas as well.”

With this talented group of freshman joining an SU team that features five seniors and 10 juniors, the Orange looks poised to be a force in the BIG EAST in the school’s 12th season and make a triumphant return to the conference tournament in 2007.

Syracuse University Athletics

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