May 5, 2009

Signee Gallery

GREENVILLE, N.C. - Christiane Cordero (Valencia, Calif.), Hope Hanson (Apex, N.C.) and Amanda Reynolds (Branchburg, N.J.) have declared their commitment to attend and play soccer at East Carolina University beginning this fall, according to an announcement by 2008 Conference USA Coach-of-the-Year Rob Donnenwirth Tuesday.

Cordero plays club soccer for Santa Clarita United and is coached by Scott Christie. United placed first in 2008 and second in 2007 in the Coast Soccer League Gold Division while her 0.73 Goals against Average and five shutouts ranked best in the league. Cordero also is a three-year starter and team captain for Valencia High School, coached by Clint Greenwood. Her 0.88 Goals against Average this year helped lead the Vikings to their second Foothill League title in school history. Additionally, Cordero is a member of the National Honors Society, California Scholarship Federation and is the sports editor for the school newspaper.

Cordero on Choosing East Carolina: "When I first met with Coach [Shannon] Lewis and Coach [Rich] Stoneman last year, I knew that playing for ECU would be a great opportunity. Visiting the campus, as well as meeting the team and Coach Donnenwirth, only finalized my decision because they honestly made ECU feel like a home away from home. The change of pace and southern hospitality is everything that I had hoped it would be, which explains why the girls have such great chemistry. That is something of which I am very excited to be a part. I can't wait to spend the next four years contributing to a well-respected Division I program, working towards ECU's first NCAA Tournament appearance and earning my degree in Journalism."

Donnenwirth on Cordero: "Christiane has sound technique and is a hard worker. She relishes the opportunity to compete for the goalkeeper job."

Hanson joins the Pirates as a transfer from Texas Tech University. She played club soccer for TopHat in Atlanta, Ga. and was coached by Ted Colburn. TopHat was the Region III Premier League Georgia champion (2007 and 2008) and Region III Premier League Champion in 2006 as well as the Georgia State Cup winner (2005), semifinalist participant in 2005, 2006 and 2007 and quarterfinalist in 2005. Hanson was also a three-year captain for Middle Creek High School and was coached by Eddie Wasdell. She helped lead the Mustangs to the 4AAA Region title three times (2005-07) while earning All-Conference (2005-08), Team MVP (2005) and All-Academic (2008) honors. Additionally, Hanson was named to Sigma Phi Beta for her 3.5 GPA while at Texas Tech.

Hanson on Choosing East Carolina: "I chose East Carolina University because of the academics with an emphasis on Nursing, as well as the athletics."

Donnenwirth on Hanson: "Hope will be a great addition to the team. She played at a very high level with her club team and she already has some experience at the college level at Texas Tech."

Reynolds plays club soccer for the Parsippany Soccer Club, coached by Dominick Bucci. Her Parsippany Gazelles team was USL Super 20 League National Champions, PDA Girls Showcase Champions and a New Jersey State Cup Finalist in 2007. She was also named to the United States Mid-Atlantic All-Regional Team and to the Super Y League ODP Divisional Team. Reynolds attends Somerville High School and is coached by Michael Kydonieus. The Highlanders were Central Jersey Group 2 Champions this season as Reynolds earned First-Team All-Conference, Courier News All-Area, and NJGSCA All-State honors. Reynolds has been an academic honor award recipient all four years of her prep career, is a member of the National Honor Society and has served as her sophomore, junior and senior class treasurer.

Reynolds on Choosing East Carolina: "I've always wanted to go to a big school in the south. ECU has a great athletic program and the students display a lot of school spirit, which I love. ECU is also very strong in my desired major and attending school there will allow me to be close to home when my family moves to North Carolina next year."

Donnenwirth on Reynolds: "Amanda is a tough and tenacious defender. She has had some bad luck with injuries the last couple of seasons but we were impressed watching her recently. We feel she has a lot of potential as she continues to work her way back to top form."