Ziesemer Announces Corban's First Five Recruits for 2013 Season
SALEM, Ore. – Corban University head women's soccer coach Marty Ziesemer announced Friday that five incoming freshman have signed Cascade Collegiate Conference Letters of Intent for the 2013 season.
The Class of 2017 include
Olivia Erskine (Chehalis, Wash.),
Emily Larick (Redlands, Calif.),
Amber Lennier (Tracy, Calif.),
Karissa Stark (Castle View, Colo.), and
Corinne Tank (El Dorado Hills, Calif.).
“This is a solid group of players that will continue their soccer career at Corban,” said Ziesemer. “They will contribute right away in specific areas of needs and will help provide additional depth for our program. I am very impressed with their character and attitude and will definitely be a group that will shine over their time at Corban.”
Erskine, a 5-foot-10 defender, will arrive at Corban this fall after playing four seasons at W.F. West High School in Washington. As a senior, Erskine was named 1st team all-league and honorable mention all-state after helping lead the Bearcats to its second straight Evergreen League championship. Erskine and the Bearcats also captured the district title and qualified for the 2A state tournament for the third time during her career.
Along with her accolades at the high school level, Erskine is also a member of the Blackhills FC '94 club team where she helped lead her team to runner-up finish at the State Cup in 2012.
“Olivia is a strong, physical player that desires to compete all the time,” commented Ziesemer. “She is great in the air and will contribute right away in the defensive part of the field.”
Larick, a 5-foot-4 midfielder, is in the midst of her senior season at Redlands East Valley High School in Southern California. With the Wildcats, Larick earned 2nd team All-Citrus Belt League honors as a junior.
Besides her high school accomplishments, Larick also plays at club soccer for Los Gauchos Soccer Club and competes on her high school golf team.
“Emily is a player that has a solid understanding of the game of soccer,” said Ziesemer. “Her vision and ability to find passes will be a great contribution to our possession game.”
Lennier, a 5-foot-7 midfielder, comes to Corban next fall after playing three years at Kimball High School in Northern California. Lennier earned Coaches' MVP honors as well as an all-conference player as a junior. Lennier also holds the school record for most goals in a single season, as she set the record as a freshman in 2009.
Along with her high school accomplishments, Lennier also plays club soccer for West Coast Kryptonite where she helped lead her team to the Tracy Orange Bowl championship. She also played for the WPSL team West Coast WildKatz.
“Amber is a quality midfielder that will contribute right away for us,” commented Ziesemer. “She has a great first touch and will help us link our defense and our offense together with her vision and passing.”
Stark, a 5-foot-7 midfielder, is preparing for her senior season at Castle View High School in Colorado. As a sophomore, Stark earned All-Continental League honorable mention and then led the team in goals with eight as a sophomore.
At the club level, Stark played for the U18 Colorado Storm Copa where she was named Most Valuable Player at the Phoenix ECNL tournament.
“I am excited to see what Karissa brings to the team this fall,” said Ziesemer. “She is a strong player that is great in the air and will be a ball-winner for us.”
Tank, a 5-foot-3 midfielder, is in the midst of preparing for her senior season at Ponderosa High School in California. Each of the past two seasons, Tank has helped lead the Bruins to the Division 1 state tournament earning all-tournament team honors as a junior. Tank began her high school Delta River League career by scoring a hat trick as a sophomore.
Along with her high school accomplishment, Tank also plays club soccer for American River Freedom '95.
“Corinne has excellent game intelligence, is a very hard worker and has the ability to play several positions,” commented Ziesemer. “She can pass with excellent vision which will complement our desire to possess the ball.”
Corban is coming off the 2012 season where the Warriors went 10-6-1 overall and 5-3-1 in Cascade Collegiate Conference games to finish fifth overall in the final league standings.
The 2013 season is scheduled to begin for Corban on Tuesday, August 27th, against Bethesda University at 2:30 p.m. on Warrior Field in Salem.