March 31, 2004

FAIRFIELD, CT (March 31, 2004) - Sacred Heart University women's soccer coach Joe Barroso announced that eight student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Pioneers in the upcoming 2004 season. Two other incoming freshmen will join this group to round out this year's recruiting class that includes five players from the State of Connecticut and one from Ireland.

"We are very excited about this incoming class," stated Barroso. "Their technical ability and competitiveness will be a great addition to the 2004 Pioneers."

Lisa Nowakowski leads a group of five Nutmeg State student-athletes due to enter the University this coming fall. Nowakowski, a Rocky Hill, CT native, was a four-time all-regional player. Captain of her ODP team, she has shown maturity and extreme talent in every position she plays. Nowakowski finished her high school career as the leading scorer at Rocky Hill High School where she was named All-New England, All- State, and all-conference. She has played for her premier team, Yankee United, for the past two years.

With the loss of All-Northeast Conference goalkeeper Leslie Konsig to graduation, the Pioneers welcome Katie Mulerhan to the goalie mix for 2004. Mulerhan, from Edina, MN, was a three-time letterwinner who led Academy of Holy Angels High School to three-straight state championships. She was named first team All-State as a junior and senior as well as Team Defensive MVP as a senior. Mulerhan garnered first team all-conference honors as a junior and was named to the all-tournament team as a sophomore and a senior. In addition to her success on her high school team, Mulerhan is the starting goalkeeper for her St. Croix premier team.

Erica Rico and Orlagh Cullen, both members of the Community College of Rhode Island's 2002 NJCAA National Champion team, will transfer to Sacred Heart for the fall. Rico, from Cranston, RI, is coming off a junior college season that saw her earn NJCAA All-American and All-National Tournament Team honors. In 2002 and 2003, she was first team All-New England, first team NSCAA All-American and an All-Northeast Regional Team selection. In 2002, Rico was named second team NJCAA and second team All-American.

Cullen, a midfielder from Offlay, Ireland, was also named to the NJCAA All-National Tournament Team in 2002. She followed that up in 2003 with a first team All-New England selection, NJCAA All-American honorable mention and a spot on the NSCAA All-Northeast Regional Team.

The Pioneers also signed Meagan Reimer from Ellington, CT and Ellington High School. Reimer was an All-State, all-conference and Team MVP for EHS as well as a seven-year member of the World Class Soccer Association with ODP. Midfielder Ashley Badera, who helped lead Farmington High School to a 2001 conference championship, has also signed on to join SHU this fall. Badera has played for the Eagle Elite Premier Association for two seasons and with the CFC Wolves for one.

Coach Barroso is also pleased to welcome Dana Sheftic and Alyssa Long to the team after signing National Letters. Sheftic is a product of Baldwinsville, NY and C.W. Baker High School. The midfielder was selected to the All-New York team as a senior and received All-Central New York honors as a junior and senior. She has been a four-year starter for nationally ranked C.W. Baker. Long, a Smithfield, RI native was a four-year starter and letterwinner at LaSalle Academy. She has played with the Rhode Island Sting Rays premier team for the last five years and has been with the Rhode Island ODP team for six years. She has garnered high school Team MVP honors as well as being named to All-State, all-division and all-tournament teams.

A pair of Connecticut products, Marissa Truglio and Ashley Smith, round out the 2004 recruiting class. Truglio, a forward from Berlin, CT, has been a member of the CFC Wolves for the past five years as well as a three-year varsity starter for Berlin High School. Smith, a midfielder from Waterbury, CT, is a member of the CFC Wolves premier team and played at Holy Cross High School for three years.

"This year's recruiting class is the deepest and most talented we have had since I got here," stated Barroso. "Many of these players will have an immediate impact on our team next season. I am looking forward to this season."

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