HACKENSACK, N.J. - Head coach
Eric Teepe and the Fairleigh Dickinson women's soccer program announce the class of 2020.
The class features seven newcomers that will take the field for the first time in the fall of 2016. Two signees hail from Ontario, New York and New Jersey and one coming from Australia.
Jackson Bennett comes to Fairleigh Dickinson from Toronto, Ontario, Canada and the Humberside Collegiate Institute. Bennet was a member of the Durham Regional Women's Team, which is a semi-pro team, which won the Ontario's Elite League One Championship in 2015. As a member of the Pickering Soccer Club, Bennett won the Ontario Indoor Cup in 2015. At Humberside, Bennett was named Athlete of the Year in 2014 and received the Community Service Award while making the honor in each term through winter of 2016. On the field, Bennett helped Humberside claim bronze in 2013 at the OFSSA, gold in 2014 and silver in 2015.
Teepe said, "Jackson is a clean player technically who will bring athleticism and versatility to our program. She will give us more attacking out of the back that we always look for as well as confidence on the ball to create opportunities".
Stasi Torcia also hails from Ontario, she is from Pickering. Torcia was a teammate of Bennett at the Pickering Soccer Club. Torcia was the captain of the team that won the Indoor Championship in 2015. The future Knight also helped Pickering SC to a sixth place finish at the Canadian National Championships back in 2012.
"Stasi is a tenacious player who has a very high work rate and can cover a lot of ground in the midfield. She will bring toughness and energy as well as a nose for finding seams in the opponents' defense", continued Teepe.
Amanda Fitzgerald played five years of varsity soccer at Sachem East High School and a member of the National Honor Society. In 2014, Fitzgerald recorded 12 shutouts -- second-most in school history -- and was named all-league, all-conference and all-county. Fitzgerald also lettered four times in softball and three in track and field. In 2015 on the diamond, Amanda was an all-league, all-conference and all-county performer and led Suffolk County in regular season home runs. As a track and field athlete, she was a state qualifier in the shot put. Fitzgerald played club soccer for the 2014 Eastern New York Premier League Champions -- Sachem Alliance -- and in 2015 for the Brentwood Pride; the 2015 New York Cup Championships, NPL Crossover Champions and the NPL Regional Champions.
Teepe elaborated, "Amanda is an extremely dynamic goalkeeper, who has the ability to make the big save. She will bring confidence and poise to our defense as well as the ability to play through her feet as she is very solid".
Wayne Hills High School is where Meghan Griffin played her high school soccer. Griffin was a two-time First Team All-Passaic County honoree, a three-time first team all-conference performer, a third team all-state and earned NJGSCA recognition. Finished her high school career with 61 goals -- started all four years at forward. Played club soccer with the SDFC Liberty, where she was club player of the year in 2013-14. Academically, Griffin is a member of the National Honor Society and the Math Honor Society.
Teepe told FDUKnights.com, "Meghan is a threat wherever she plays due to her pace and quickness. She can get in behind or can attack spaces from the back. With her versatility and speed, she will no doubt be a great addition to our team in the fall"
Julie Prentice arrives at Fairleigh Dickinson from Rochester, New York and Our Lady of Mercy High School. Prentice played one season of high school as a sophomore -- had 10 shutouts -- and has spent five years training with current NWSL Portland Thorns goalkeeper coach. Prentice was a member of the club team -- Rochester Futbol Club as part of Global Premier Soccer. Prentice is a member of the National Honors Society and a four-year honor roll student.
"Julie is a physical presence and can cover a lot of the goal due to her height. She has raised her game in her senior year and we are looking forward to seeing her reach her potential at the college level", said Teepe.
Daria Jones was a four-year letter winner at Jackson Memorial High School. The Jackson, New Jersey native was a high honor roll student with a GPA of 4.4. Jones played club soccer for Alliance and FC Lyons. She intends to major in biology.
Teepe commented, "A powerful and dynamic athlete, Daria will put defenses under pressure. She is dangerous in and around the box and is determined to get onto the end of a cross for the chance at goal."
Samantha Roff spent the last three years as a scholarship player with the ACT Academy of Sport (FFA's U17 National Training Center in Canberra). This year she has secured a 'train on' agreement with the Canberra United of the W-League in Australia. At Fairleigh Dickinson, Roff intends to major in marketing and arrived on campus for the current spring semester.
"Sam has had a great upbringing with the game through the Academy of Sport, combined with her experience playing at the highest level in Australia will make her ready for the college game here. She is strong and powerful and gets box to box in attack and defense. She will no doubt be a great addition to our team", finished Teepe.
The Fairleigh Dickinson women's soccer team in the midst of its spring schedule. The Knights will start fall camp in early August in preparation for the 2016 season.
