Feb. 7, 2012

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GREENVILLE, N.C. - Following a sixth-straight season with at least nine victories and a return appearance to the Conference USA Women's Soccer Championships, East Carolina Head Soccer Coach Rob Donnenwirth announced Monday he will add four student-athletes to this 2012 roster. Jennifer Betz, Jacqueline Cajigal, Kendall Frey and Haley Patsey have all declared their commitment to join the Pirates.

"We are excited to announce four outstanding players and people that will be joining our Pirate Family in 2012," said Donnenwirth who just completed his 13th season as the Pirates head coach. "We feel it is a very balanced class that will help us both offensively and defensively. All four of these student-athletes verbally committed during their junior year of high school and are excited to be Pirates!"

Jenny Betz, MF, 5-7, Fr., Cary, N.C. (Cardinal Gibbons/93 Triangle)
High School: Four-year letterwinner for coach Michele Miller at Cardinal Gibbons High School ... Member of three regular season conference championships (2A in 2009, 3A in 2010-11) ... 2009 NSCHSAA 2A State Semifinalist and two-time 3A NCHSAA State Finalist (2010-11) ... Member of the National Honor Society ... Honor Roll student ... Two-time Executive Student Body President (2011-12) ... Class secretary (2008-11) ... Member of the Franciscan Youth International Club, Green Army-General (Student Pep Club), Homecoming Court and selected for Principle Leadership Committee ... Club Experience: Played for coach Pete Sadin and the 93 Triangle Futbol Club ... Helped the club claim wins at the Discovery Cup (2010), CASL Showcase 17U Bracket B (2010), NCYSA Premier Division (2010), Greensboro Labor Day Shootout (2011), Jefferson Cup (2011) and the Super Y National Championship (2011) ... Member of 2010-11 NCUSYS State Semifinalist, 2011 Region III Premier League and 2011-12 NCUSYS State Cup Finalist ... ODP Experience: Member of the North Carolina ODP East Team in 2007 ... Four-time member of the North Carolina ODP squad (2008-11) ... Four-time member of the ODP Region III Team Camp Alabama (2008-11) ... Participated in the 2010 ODP Championships in New Orleans, La.
Betz on Choosing East Carolina: "When I first visited ECU, I knew I wanted to be a Pirate. I love the pride, traditions, atmosphere, and academic opportunities that ECU has to offer. I'm excited to become part of a competitive D1 soccer program, where the players and coaches make me feel right at home."
Donnenwirth on Betz: "Jenny is just returning from a knee injury, which sidelined her for over a year. She has excellent skill, is very creative and versatile as she can play in central or wide midfield positions. On top of all this, her upbeat personality is contagious!"

Jackie Cajigal, B/MF, 5-7, Fr., Colts Neck, N.J. (Red Bank Catholic/N.J. Wildcats)
High School: Four-year starter and 2011 team captain for coach Ken Santos ... Helped RBC reach the state non-public finals four-straight year claiming the state title in 2010 ... Member of three Shore Conference championship squads (2008-10) and four non-public south championships (2008-11) ... Two-time N.J. All-State selection by the Newark Star Ledger (2010-11) and two-time All-Shore Conference member by Asbury Park Press (2010-11) ... Received the Mathematic Award in 2011 and was a two-time Honor Roll recipient 2009 and 2011 ... Club Experience: Currently plays for the N.J. Wildcats U20 team coached by Kevin McDermitt ... Previously played for the Wall Wombats (Region I) in 2011 under coach Dan Manson where they were state semifinals in the State Cup ... Played for the Twin County Crew in 2008 and 2010 under coach Mike Lyons that reached the state semi-finals in both years.
Cajigal on Choosing East Carolina: "I wanted the opportunity to play Division I soccer with a quality program and competitive conference. I also wanted to continue my education at a well-respected university in the south, which has a number of opportunities in the fields I am interested in. After meeting the coaches I knew this was the right place for me. I want to help ECU win conference championships and be a regular participant in the NCAA tournament."
Donnenwirth on Cajigal: "Jackie is a versatile player that can play in the back or as a midfielder. Her defensive presence and toughness are her biggest strengths. She reads the game well and is a good ball-winner in the air. Her anticipation also allows her to pick off passes or destroy a play with a well-timed tackle."

Kendall Frey, F, 5-9, Fr., Mooresville, N.C. (Lake Norman/93 Penn Fusion)
High School: Played for coach Craig Reed at Downingtown East High School where she was named team captain her senior season before moving to North Carolina ... Named 2nd MVP of the ChesMont League in 2011 ... Earned first-team all-league honors as a junior and senior ... Helped the team win the 2009 district title and a pair league championships (2010 and 2011) ... Club Experience: Played for coach Darren Ambrose and the 93 Penn Fusion in 2010 and 2011 ... From 2009-10 played for 92 Gaels under the direction of coach Shawn Ferris, where they won the EPYSA State Cup title and advanced to the USYS Region I Finals.
Frey on Choosing East Carolina: "I have always wanted to attend a big university in the south, so after looking at different options, ECU came out on top. From the minute I met the coaches and players, I knew ECU was the perfect atmosphere for me to continue my soccer career and pursue my intended major."
Donnenwirth on Frey: "Kendall is a great target forward who has good size and is able to hold defenders off the ball so her teammates can move forward. She makes good decisions to keep possession and also has playmaking ability. Kendall has a knack for getting on the end of balls in the box and can finish her chances."

Haley Patsey, D, 5-6, Fr., Cary, N.C. (Green Hope/93 CASL)
High School: Played at Green Hope High School ... Seven-time Honor Roll student (2008-11) ... Ranked in the Top 8 percent of her class ... Club Experience: Five-year player for 93 CASL team under coach Rusty Scarborough ... Helped 93 CASL to 2007 NCSYA State Cup Finals, 2008 Score at the Shore Finals, 2008 Region III Premier East title, 2008 NCSYA State Cup crown, 2009 Disney Showcase Finals, 2009 Region III Quarter-Finals, 2009 NCYSA State Cup Finals and 2010 NCSYA State title ... Member of the 2007 US Club National Championship Final squad and 2007 CASL Shootout Finals ... Helped 93 CASL to a No. 12 national ranking, No. 3 ranking in Region III and a No. 1 ranking in North Carolina in 2010 ... Member of Region III Premier League East and Red Bull National League team ... ODP Experience: Selected to participate in the Super Y National Camp in 2008.
Patsey on Choosing East Carolina: "The moment my unofficial visit was over at ECU, my father turned to me and said `you want to go here don't you?,' and I replied `I'm going to go here!' Everything ECU has to offer is perfect from the sports facilities to classes and most importantly, the people. I can't wait to spend the next four years of my life in Greenville, N.C."
Donnenwirth on Patsey: "Haley is an outstanding outside back that has good speed, quickness and can cover a lot of ground. She is a good distributor and keeps possession well. Haley is also an offensive threat out of the back as she loves to get forward and has great service from flank positions."