Concordia Announces 2009 Women's Soccer Recruiting Class

2/5/2009 6:28:17 PM

PORTLAND, Ore. – Fresh off of appearing in the NAIA National Championship game, Concordia University women’s soccer head coach Grant Landy has announced its seven-member 2009 recruiting class for the Cavaliers.

Shelby Bloodworth (Vancouver, Wash./Central Catholic H.S.), Lauryn Helmers (Puyallup. Wash./Emerald Ridge H.S.) and Chase Lane (Lake Tapps, Wash./Auburn Riverside H.S.) will arrive to Concordia after standout careers in Washington.

Chelsea Malnes (Meridian, Idaho/Meridian H.S.), Victoria Talbutt (Boise, Idaho/Capital H.S.) and Kaylynn Winwood (Boise, Idaho/Columbia H.S.) will travel west to join the Cavaliers via Idaho and Alexandra Thomas (Wilsonville, Ore./Wilsonville H.S.) will stay in-state to don the Navy and White.

“We are really excited about this year's recruiting class,” Landy said. “Overall, this group is extremely athletic which will allow us to use them in a variety of roles next fall. I expect all of them to impact our team in a positive way in 2009.”

Concordia went 23-1-1 last season en route to its eighth straight appearance in the NAIA tournament and it ninth straight Cascade Collegiate Conference championship. Competing his 12th season at the helm, Landy is ranked No. 6 all-time in wins at the NAIA level with a 213-45-15 (.807) overall record.

Shelby Bloodworth helped Central Catholic (Ore.) to four straight state tournament appearances, including a title match visit as a junior and a semi-finals showing as a freshman. Bloodworth guided the Rams to a pair of Mt. Hood Conference championships, including an undefeated run through league play in 2007. She was a second-team all-conference player as a senior. On the club level, Bloodworth played for Lake Oswego Soccer Club.

“Shelby has the potential to be a very successful college soccer player. She has great pace and a tremendous work rate. Shelby will probably find herself in the rotation as an attacking player, and her pace alone will cause trouble for defenders,” Landy said

Lauryn Helmers was a two-time captain and team MVP for Emerald Ridge H.S. As a midfielder, Helmers earned second-team SPSL honors as a junior and again as a senior. Helmers also competed with Washington Premier FC.

“Lauryn will impact our backline immediately either as a center back or a wide player. She is pacy and athletic, and does not shy away from the physical side of the game,” Landy said. “Lauryn has a ton of leadership potential, and her personality will be a great addition to our team in 2009.”

Chase Lane will land on Concordia’s campus after pushing Auburn Riverside into the state playoff the past two seasons. Lane earned second-team all-league status as a senior after posting a first-team recognition as a junior. Lane is also a standout on the track, qualifying for state in the 800, 1,600 and multiple relays over her career with the Ravens.
Lane was also a member of Highline Premier FC in club soccer.

“Chase will give us another attacking personality on the flank or up front for this coming season. She is athletic, quick and can hit a dangerous serve. A superb track athlete, Chase's fitness and work rate will help raise the bar for our returning players,” Landy said.

Chelsea Malnes was a four-year starter as a forward/defender for Meridian High School. Malnes was named the Warriors’ offensive MVP as a junior and scored 37 goals and 22 assists throughout her per career. Splitting time up front and in the back as a senior, she was named a first-team All-Southern Idaho defender. Malnes was also a two-year starting point guard on the basketball team and played club soccer with the Boise Capitals.

“Chelsea will help us in a variety of roles next year. Her athleticism and pace will make her problematic for the opposition at any place on the field. She will probably impact our team in the midfield or defense, but she can also attack and score goals,” Landy said.

Victoria Talbutt attended two years at Capital High School after two years at Boise H.S. A 5-foot-7 goalkeeper, Talbutt guided her club team, Les Bois United, to a state championship during her sophomore season and to a regional championship as a junior. Talbutt also played several seasons of basketball as a post player.

“Tori is a fearless goalkeeper who commands a presence in the goal box. She is athletic, has good hands and has a big-time drop kick. She has blossomed into a very solid goalkeeper who is still peaking,” Landy said.

A three-time captain while attending Columbia High School, Kaylynn Winwood helped the Wildcats to a third-place finish at the 4A Idaho State Championships in 2008. Winwood was voted the team MVP at the conclusion of her sophomore and junior campaigns and was a two-time all-conference forward. Winwood also played with the Boise Capitals at the club level.

“Kaylynn is one of the most physical players that we encountered on the recruiting trail last year. She is an absolute machine in the middle of the park and loves the physicality of the game. Her presence as another ball winner in midfield will help give us much-needed depth at that position next year,” Landy said.

Alexandra Thomas will arrive to Concordia after a stellar career at Wilsonville High School. A two-year captain, Thomas was a first-team All-Northwest Oregon conference player for the Wildcats as a senior after second-team as a junior. She was the leading scorer for the Wildcats during all four years of her prep career and was also the leading scorer on her club team, FC Portland.

“Alex gives us another go-to player up front next year. She has a knack for the goal and is always looking to get forward and cause something to happen. Alex can play as a target player but also has the pace to take defenders on one-versus-one,” Landy said.