May 17, 2005
WEST POINT, N.Y. - Shortly after head Army women's soccer coach Gene Ventriglia bids farewell to five graduating seniors Memorial Day Weekend, he will be welcoming nine student-athletes into his program when the Class of 2009 arrives at West Point on June 27. Numbered among this talented class are five conference all-star picks, including an all-state selection, along with a National Pool Camp member.
Army's 2005 recruiting class, ranked No. 9 among the 18 schools listed in the Northeast Region by Soccer Buzz, an internet magazine, hail from nine different states with three from the Northeast, two from the South with the remaining four coming from the West and Midwest Regions.
"This is a very solid class that will have an immediate impact on the program by increasing our speed and strength in the middle," commented the 20-year mentor. "We have a solid veteran group back, but I expect several of the recruits to contribute. All nine players are very talented and come from strong programs, which makes us deeper at every position."
As Ventriglia bids farewell to one Biddick (Emily), he welcomes another (Drew) to his long list of siblings who have followed each other to the Academy. A central midfielder who hails from Norman, Okla., Drew Biddick brings in an impressive list of credentials. The four-year letterwinner earned all-city, all-district and all-conference honors at Normal Central H.S., where she will graduate as the school's valedictorian. A NSCAA all-region and all-southwest selection, Biddick has also been a member of the Oklahoma ODP program since 1997, along with playing club soccer for the Sting 87 and Edmond Premier/Shockers 86.
Molly Byrnes is an all-state player and three-time all-conference central midfielder who excelled at Attleboro H.S. in Massachusetts. A three-time Region I player, she was invited to the National Pool Camp as a 16-year-old. Byrnes also participated on the Massachusetts Olympic Development Team since 1999. At the club level, her Y-League won the national title in 2003, while the Fuller Hamlets were the state and WAGS champions in 1999.
Sarah Goss is a central midfielder from Lancaster, Pa., and recent 2004 Section 3 MVP at Lancaster Catholic H.S. The four-year letterwinner also garnered all-conference and all-district honors. Goss, who played club ball for the Challenge United, was a member of the Eastern Pennsylvania ODP State team and of the Region I Camp.
Amelia Janoski, whose father Frank is a 1974 graduate of West Point, excelled on the pitch at Mary Institute of St. Louis Country Day School in St. Louis, Mo., leading the squad to this year's state finals and a No. 2 ranking. The four-time all-conference midfielder was also her team's rookie of the year. A three-year member of the Missouri ODPT, Janoski helped the Bush Soccer Club Arsenal to four State Cup finals.
Nicole Mayoras from Fayetteville, N.C., is an all-district and all-conference defender at Terry Sanford H.S., where she starred four years on the pitch. Mayors also played club soccer for the Fayetteville Force 86.
Boulder, Colo., native Caroline Miller was the team captain of the Fairview H.S. team along with playing club ball for the Colorado Girls' Soccer Academy. As a high school sophomore, she attended IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.
Morgan Peterson is a goalkeeper from Plano, Texas, where she starred four years at Plano Senior H.S. earning all-conference and all-district accolades. She played club soccer for the Braddock Road Aurora, Solar, Sting and Dallas Texans.
The second newcomer hailing from the south is forward Pia White from Stone Mountain, Ga., who comes to the Military Academy by way of the USMA Prep School. A member of the Georgia State ODP Team, White led the Norcross Magic to the State Cup title in 2002 and the state finals the following year.
Randy Wintermantel from Newark, Del., helped Alexis I. DuPont H.S. to the state title in 2004 after reaching the semi-finals in 2002. A Delaware ODP member since 2001, Wintermantel led the DSB Kickers to the 2003 State Cup title along with playing for the FC Delco Tarheels.
Army's senior-dominated team has its sights set on winning the Patriot League title and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Black Knights will look to all four classes to achieve their goal, and the new recruits will be in the thick of battle vying for positions. At last year's conference tournament, the Black Knights battled eventual champion and top-seed Colgate to a 1-1 double overtime tie with the Raiders advancing on the shootout.
Army ushers in the 2005 campaign with a pair of exhibition games against Syracuse and Fordham, Aug. 20 and 22, respectively, in its tune-up for the BAE Systems Army Women's Soccer Classic being held at Clinton Field Aug. 26th and 28th. The host Black Knights will play Manhattan Friday evening in the second game at 7:30 p.m. and Buffalo in the first game Sunday at 1 p.m. Patriot League member Lehigh rounds out the four-team field.
2005 Army Recruits
Drew Biddick M Norman, Okla./Norman
Molly Byrnes M Attleboro, Mass./Attleboro
Sarah Goss M Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Catholic
Amelia Janoski M St. Louis, Mo., St. Louis Country Day School
Nicole Mayoras D Fayetteville, N.C./Terry Sanford
Caroline Miller M/D Boulder, Colo., Fairview
Morgan Peterson G Plano, Texas/Plano Senior
Pia White F Stone Mountain, Ga.,/USMA Prep School
Randy Wintermantel M Newark, Del./Alexis I. DuPont