Women's Soccer Adds Eight for 2012 Campaign
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ? Belmont women's soccer head coach Heather Henson has announced the addition of eight signees for the 2012 campaign. These eight ? Cassie Blase (Waukesha, Wisc.), Rachel Dill (Carmel, Ind.), Emily Epley (Goshen, Ky.), Lindsay Espe (La Cañada, Calif.), Madison Foley (Union, Ky.), Sydney Omweg (Yorktown, Va.), Emily Proud (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Sydney Scheben (Union, Ky.) ? will add to an already deep Bruin roster poised for its first season as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference in the fall.
"We are very excited about our incoming class," Henson said. "We believe each of these young ladies will help us continue to grow our program as we move to the Ohio Valley Conference and compete for conference championships."
A photo gallery of the 2012 signees can be found here.
Waukesha, Wisc., native Blase will join the Bruins after completing her high school career at Waukesha West High School. The midfielder/forward was a two-time Honorable Mention All-Conference selection. Blase also helped her Waukesha West team to a conference championship in 2010 and state tournament bids in 2010 and 2011. She played club for the Elm Grove Soccer Club under coach Frank Crivello, and for FC Milwaukee, helping the team to a State Cup Championship in 2009.
"Cassie is a creative player who will enhance our dynamic style of play. Her ability to play the final ball will test our opponents," Henson said.
Dill will join the Bruins after wrapping her career at Brebeuf Jesuit Prep in Indianapolis, Ind. The center midfielder had a standout career, earning numerous honors including All-County three times, and All-State twice. Dill was tabbed All-District and Top Team Player as a senior. Her played helped Brebeuf Jesuit earn Sectional and County championships during her sophomore and senior seasons and earn a spot in the state's Top 15. Dill played club for Carmel United (U9-U17) for nine years and Dynamo FC (U18) for one. Carmel United was ranked the No. 1 team in state since her U12 season and won the state championship four consecutive years (U12-U16). Most impressively, the team was the ECNL U17B National Champions.
"Rachel brings the technical ability to play out of pressure and keep possession of the ball," Henson said.
Louisville, Ky., native Emily Epley is another versatile athlete who could see time up front or in the midfield. An All-Region selection as a senior, she helped lead her Sacred Heart Academy team to three-peat as State champions and earn a spot in national rankings in 2008 and 2009. Epley, who was a 2010 Catholic All-State honoree, played club for Mockingbird Valley and Javanon, helping them to five State Cup championships and two Region 3 Championship Invitational titles. She also played AAU basketball helping her team win State in 2008.
"Emily's athletic ability and physical presence will make her difficult to mark," said Henson.
Espe will join the Bruins' strong goalkeeper corps after her standout career at Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy in La Cañada, Calif. The Second Team All-Area honoree helped her team to become ranked the top program in the nation by ESPN Rise and win the Division I CIF championship as a junior. Espe also finished her career with the program's third-best GAA, a 0.82. She played club for Real SoCal, helping the team to a League Cup.
"Lindsey's competitive drive, athletic ability and communication skills will position her to battle for playing time," Henson said.
Foley will join the Bruins after concluding her career at St. Henry District High School in Erlanger, Ky. The midfielder helped her team to a trio of Small School State championships and a State championship title en route to earning All-Region and All-North Kentucky Team honors. During her four-year career at St. Henry District High, Foley saw the team go 75-14. She played club for Hammer FC under Lindsay Neihaus and Clay Revis, helping the team to a MRL Red Division championship in 2010.
"Madison is a calm player who already has the physical attributes to compete at the college level," Henson said. "Her ability to connect passes and will help us to keep possession."
Yorktown, Va., native Sydney Omweg is another versatile player adding depth to the forward and midfield corps. This highly decorated player earned numerous accolades throughout her career at Tabb High School including receiving First Team All-District honors three times and First Team All-Region and All-State honors twice. Omweg was also named to the All-Daily Press team as a sophomore and junior. She played club for Virginia Rush Nike for seven years under coach Vyburt Scott, helping the team to finish as State Cup Semi-Finalist twice and State Finalist once. Omweg also ran cross country and track and played field hockey at Tabb High.
"Sydney is versatile player who will help us to add high energy and determination to earn goals," Henson said. "Her experience in the ECNL will ease her transition into college soccer."
The lone signee from Tennessee, Proud will join the Bruins after wrapping her career at Webb School of Knoxville. The midfielder led the team in scoring as a sophomore with 16 goals and eight assists. Proud played club for FC Alliance 95 Black under coach Josh Gray for seven years, helping the team a State championship.
"Emily is a mobile player who keeps possession and has the ability to be dangerous on the attack," said Henson.
Union, Ky., native Scheben will join the Bruins after finishing her strong career at Notre Dame Academy. After leading the team in goals during her final two seasons and helping Notre Dame to the Kentucky High School State Championship as a senior, the forward garnered numerous awards including State Championship All-Tournament Team, MVP of State Tournament, All-Northern Kentucky First Team, All-State, Cincinnati Enquirer First Team All-Star, Northern Kentucky Conference All-Star, and District All-Tournament Team. Scheben played club for Kings Soccer Academy for seven years under coach Steve Bornehoffer, helping the team to back-to-back semifinal appearances in the Kentucky State Cup. She also played State ODP for two years.
"Sydney will be a spark in that attacking third that will aid us in creating goal scoring opportunities," Henson said."
