Feb. 11, 2008

Photo Gallery

Greenville, N.C.--The East Carolina University Women's Soccer program announced that seven student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Pirates in 2008. The class includes Jessica Woodward (Wake Forest, NC), Stephanie Shaw (Knightdale, NC), Rachel Fuller (Coppell, TX), Leah Bagonis (Wallingford, PA), Kendall Booth (Epping, NH), Amanda Malkiewicz (Forked River, NJ) and Amanda Windsor (Temecula, CA).

Jessica Woodward - Midfield - 5'8"- Wake Forest, NC

Jessica was a member of the North Carolina Olympic Development Program (ODP) team in 2006 and was in the NC ODP pool from 2002-2005. Jessica has played club soccer for the 89 CASL Spartan Elite (out of Raleigh) since 2001 and was coached by Rusty Scarborough. She has been her team captain for the last three years. Her team won the North Carolina State Cup Championship in 2000,2001,2003,2004, 2005 and 2007. They were also the Super Y League South Atlantic Champion in 2001, 2005 and 2006. In 2005 the team was Premier League Region III East Champions, Super Y League Champions and US Southern Regional Quarter-finalist. Jessica attends Wake Forest-Rolesville HS where she has earned a 4.38 GPA and is ranked number 17 out of 545 students. She has been on the A or A/B honor roll all four years.

Reason I chose the Pirates:
"I chose ECU for the great educational programs, the beautiful campus, and the friendly and competitive Lady Pirate Soccer Team."

Coach Donnenwirth's Comments:
"Jessica is an excellent defensive midfielder. She is very technical, which leads her to be excellent in possession. She has good vision and has the ability to switch the point of attack or play killer passes behind opposing backs. Defensively, she is good in the air and is a good ball-winner."

Stephanie plays club soccer for the 89 CASL Spartan Elite (out of Raleigh) coached by Rusty Scarborough. Her team won the North Carolina State Cup Championship in 2005 and 2007 and was Region III Premier League East Champions in 2005. Stephanie is also a three year captain for William G. Enloe HS coached by Jason Wolfe. She has been name All-Conference (2005-2007), All-Region (2005 and 2007), and has received the team's Coaches Award (2006) and MVP Award (2007). Enloe HS was also the Triangle Alliance Conference Champions in 2005. Stephanie was also named to the Academic All-Conference Team in 2005 and 2006.

Reason I chose the Pirates:
"My sister just graduated from ECU and loved it. Seeing the experience that she had there made me want to have it as well. I became familiar with the campus and learned that they have the academic program that I want to pursue. After going on my official visit, I saw how close the team was and I can't wait to join them next year!"

Coach Donnenwirth's Comments:
"Stephanie is a competitor and has a good work ethic. She has very good tactical awareness and is a good distributing the ball out of the back. She is a good 1v1 defender and will be looked at as a back or outside midfielder."

Rachel Fuller - Forward - 5'4" - Coppell, TX

Rachel was a member of the North Texas Olympic Development Program Team from 2001-2003 and attended Region III camp in 2003. She is a member of the D'Feeters 90 club team coached by Hugh Bradford, which was ranked number 1 in the country in the spring of 2006. The D'Feeters won the North Texas State Cup Championship (2005 and 2007), the USYSA Region III Premier League West Championship (2005), and the Disney Soccer Showcase Championship (2006). They were also Southern Region semi-finalists (2006 and 2007), quarter-finalists (2005) and Surf Cup Super Group semi-finalists (2004 and 2005) and quarter-finalist (2006). Rachel is the team captain for Coppell HS coached by Chris Stricker. Her team was District Champions (2005 and 2006) and she was named First Team All-District (2005-2006 and 2007).

Reason I chose the Pirates:
"ECU is the largest and the #1 ranked Education School in North Carolina, and I intend to pursue an education degree. I lived in Cary from kindergarten through third grade and remember North Carolina to be a great place with the beaches, mountains, and the people. I really liked Coach Rob and Shannon on my unofficial visit and really liked all my future teammates on my official visit. I think ECU can win a Conference USA Title and go to the NCAA Tournament and I want to be a part of it when they do."

Coach Donnenwirth's Comments:
"Rachel is a handful for opposing backs. She has good speed and plays with aggression. By being constantly active, she gets herself in good scoring position and is able to wear down anyone marking her. She scores in a variety of ways whether it be using her breakaway ability or getting on the end of service in the box."

Leah Bagonis - Forward - 5'5" - Wallingford, PA

Leah is a member of the West Chester United Spartan's club team coached by Garry Chandler. Her team was Eastern Pennsylvania NCS State Cup Finalists (2007) and participated in the Super Y League North American Finals (2007). She was selected for the 2007 Super Y League National Camp. Leah also plays for Strath Haven High School coached by Gino Miraglia where they qualified for the State Tournament (2006), District 1 Tournament (2007) and were Central League Champions (2007). Leah was named the Delaware County Player of the Year and All-State (2007). She was also named All Delaware County First Team (2006) and All Central League First team (2006 and 2007).

Reason I chose the Pirates:
"Despite being eight hours away, ECU had all the characteristics I was looking for; Division I soccer, a strong nursing program, and a friendly atmosphere. I'm really excited to be playing and traveling with such a fun group of girls."

Coach Donnenwirth's Comments:
"Leah will be a good forward or outside midfielder. She has good 1v1 ability and is able to get around the corner and provide good service. She has good technical ability and is a good passer of the ball. "

Kendall Booth - Back/Midfield - 5'10" - Epping, NH

Kendall has been a member of the New Hampshire Olympic Development Program Team from 2000-2006. She plays club soccer for the Seacoast United Soccer Club (2000-present) coached by Kevin Walsh. Seacoast are six-time New Hampshire State Cup Champions (2002-2007), Sub Region I Northeast Champions, Super Y Regional Champions (2004-2007), USL Super Y North American Final National Champions (2004), US Club Regional Champions (2006) and advanced to the Region I Premier League (2007). Kendall also plays for Epping High School coached by Kevin Walsh where she is a NHIAA All State 1st Team Midfielder (2005-2007). She received the EHS Coaches Award (2006 and 2007) and holds school records for career goals (63) and goals in a single season (30). She is a multi-sport athlete that has school records in track (200m, 400m, 800m) and is the first girl to ever play football at Epping High School (holds school record for PAT's in a season). Kendall is in the National Honor Society is Vice President of her 2008 class and was named Artist of the Year (2005-2007) while winning and placing in Scholastic Art Competitions (2006-2008).

Reason I chose the Pirates:
"I have always been striving to play Division I soccer and ECU is the perfect place. Not only does it have all of the majors that I am interested in but it offers a new challenge and way of life coming from a small town in New Hampshire. I fell in love with the campus and all that is has to offer. My official visit is what finalized my decision because once I met the team and coaching staff I knew I wanted to attend ECU. It was great to see what it is like to be a Pirate and I can't wait to be a part of that."

Coach Donnenwirth's Comments:
"As great as an athlete that Kendall is, she is also an excellent soccer player. Her speed is superior, which makes her dangerous getting forward as an outside back or midfielder. Kendall also has good technical ability and is a good possession player."

Amanda Malkiewicz - Forward - 5'7" - Forked River, NJ

Amanda is a two-year member of the New Jersey Olympic Development Team and two-year ODP Regional Camp Attendee. She plays for Ocean Elite club team coached by Trevor Shearly. Her team is ranked third in the state. Amanda is also a four-year letter winner and team MVP for Lacey Township High School coached by Juliann Schlossareck. She was named First Team All-County, Second team All-Shore and First Team All-Conference (2006 and 2007). She was named to the Times Beacon First Team (2004-2007) and was a two-year MVP at the South of the Border Tournament. Amanda is a member of the National Honors Society, earned High Honor Roll every semester and is ranked 4th in her class of 420 students.

Reason I chose the Pirates:
"After my official visit to ECU I knew it was the right place for me. I loved the coaching staff, all the girls on the team, and the gorgeous campus. What really got me was the school spirit from the students as well as the whole town of Greenville."

Coach Donnenwirth's Comments:
"Amanda is a great athlete and goal-scorer. She has a great shot with either foot and has the ability to create her own shot off the dribble. She has a nose for the goal and good anticipation in the box."

Amanda Windsor - Midfield - 5'6" - Temecula, CA

Amanda is the team captain for the Rancho Santa Fe Attack coached by Jimmy Murphy. The team plays in the Cal South Premiere League. She is also a three-year letterman and captain for Chaparral High School coached by Sarah Aguilar. Her team was CIF Finalists (04-05) and undefeated league champions (04-05, 05-06, 06-07 and 07-08). She was named All-League and All-Valley First team and Press Enterprise Player to Watch (06-07 and 07-08). Amanda is the Senior Class President, a member of the National Honor Society and Amnesty International Secretary.

Reason I chose the Pirates:
"I initially had my mind set on another school, however from the moment I saw ECU I fell in love with it. From the academics to the players to the overall atmosphere- everything was a perfect fit. Even though it is far away from home, I can not wait to join the Pirate Family at ECU!"

Coach Donnenwirth's Comments:
"Amanda is a creative center-midfielder. She is active and gets a lot of touches due to her work-rate off the ball. She has very good technical ability and the ability to possess or play forwards in. She is also very good on set-pieces."