Soccer Welcomes Seven Recruits in 2013
2/8/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Head coach Rob Marinaro has announced the addition of seven signees to the Golden Flashes soccer program in 2013. Joining the Kent State family will be Jenna Hellstrom (Sudbury, Ont.), Abbie LaVigna (McMuray, Pa.), Abbie Lawson (Stow, Ohio), Megan Lindbert (Roselle, Ill.), Brittany Maisano (Dublin, Ohio), Mariandrea Molano (Neiva, Colombia) and Morgan Williams (Cranberry Twp., Pa.).
"We're really excited for our 2013 class," Marinaro said. "Not only do we feel we have tremendous soccer players, but also wonderful student-athletes. This group of young ladies will help us continue on the road of success, on and off the field."
Hellstrom is one of two international signees of the class, coming from Lasalle Secondary in Ontario, Canada, where she played under coach Ceccetto. She led her team in scoring as a freshman, was named team captain her sophomore year and was the MVP after scoring 26 goals in eight games as a junior. Hellstrom gained international experience as a member of the 30-person Canadian World Cup team in 2012.
LaVigna joins the Flashes after four-years as a defender at Peters Township High School, coached by Pat Vereb. The Indians were section championships all four years of LaVigna's career as well as state champions three consecutive years, from 2010-2012. In her senior season, the team was ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps. LaVigna contributed as a three-year starter, helping the defense record 47 shutouts in that time. She has been named All-Section twice and was All-Conference and on Academic Honor Roll as a senior. LaVigna also played on the 2010 U-15 National Championship Bronze Medal team.
A four-year letter winner at nearby Stow-Munroe Falls, Lawson has picked up athletic and academic accolades along with her career 53 goals and 30 assists. She was named All-District, Conference Player of the Year, WAKR Student Athlete of the Week and Academic Second Team All-State. She was a captain of the soccer team and the basketball team her senior year and has earned three letters for basketball and track.
Lindbert has also racked up athletic and academic honors in her four years of varsity soccer at Lake Park High School in Illinois. As a freshman, Lindbert was named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America High School All-Academic Team. She has also been awarded as All-Conference, All-Section, High School All-Academic and Conference All-Academic. Lindbert was a part of the multiple State Cup-finalist Sockers FC Chicago team, who was State Cup Finalists for multiple years and US Club Soccer National Champions in 2007.
The second in-state recruit joins the Kent State program after earning four letters for Bishop Watterson under head coach Alyx Portier. Maisano was named First Team All-Conference and made honor roll in her final three seasons as an Eagle. She helped her team grab a Conference or District Championship every year of her career. As a senior, Maisano was named team captain and MVP while also being chosen for the All-Central Ohio Super 12 First-Team. As a defender, she scored 15 goals and 20 assists in her career and contributed to 28 shutouts. Maisano also played for Blast FC who, during her playing time, was a two-time State Cup Champion and three-time US Club National League Participant.
Molano will bring international experience to the 2013 team, coming to Kent State from Neiva, Colombia, adding to the Flashes' defense. She was a member of the Colombian U-17 Women's National team that played in the 2012 World Cup in Azerbaijan. Prior to that, she was on the Bogota Regional team in 2011. Molano's Gold Star club team won the Regional Championship for three consecutive years, from 2010-2012.
Rounding out the 2013 signing class, Williams lettered four years at Seneca Valley High School as a forward under the direction of coach Dave Sylvester. The Raiders were three-time Section Champions during Williams' career, including being undefeated and winning the Conference Championship in 2009. She was named All-State, All-Conference, Post Gazette All-Area and All-Section after her senior season. Williams finished her high school career with 49 goals and 32 assists. She also played nine years for the North United Fire, winning Pennsylvania State Cup Championships in 2011, 2009, 2008 and 2007.
The 2013 signees for Kent State soccer look to build upon the Flashes' 2012 season, where they finished 13-5-2 and made it to the semi-finals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. The new class will also help keep the soccer program ranked in the top 25 academically, where they have sat for the past four consecutive years.
