Three members of the Vancouver Whitecaps Elite REX program and a scholar athlete receiving the prestigious $24,000 Gordon M. Shrum entrance scholarship, highlight the women’s soccer 2015 recruiting class.

Nine athletes from seven different Lower Mainland high schools have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Simon Fraser University Clan women’s soccer program, second year head coach Annie Hamel announced Thursday.

article continues below

The 2015 recruiting class includes three individuals from Burnaby, three from Surrey, and athletes from Maple Ridge, Vancouver, and West Vancouver.

“We were able to sign an impressive freshman class and I am thrilled with the talent and character we were able to attract, it speaks volumes about the direction our program is taking and the quality of our academics here at SFU,” said Hamel. “I am beyond excited to work with the group and see what we can accomplish in the fall.”

The 2015 recruiting class will train together for the first time at the SFU Women’s ID camp beginning July 6 on Terry Fox Field. Female players aged 15 to 18 years old are invited to train under the supervision of Hamel alongside the new Clan players. Registration details are here: http://athletics.sfu.ca/sports/2015/4/17/WSOC_0417150919.aspx?path=wsoc

Joining the Clan from the Whitecaps Elite Program are high-scoring forwards Katelyn Erhardsen and Monpreet Heer and midfielder Samantha Donald.

“I wanted to play and compete against teams in the NCAA because the competitive level of teams in the states is so high,” said Erhardsen.

Simon Fraser is the only university in Canada that offers student athletes the NCAA athletic experience combined with the benefits of a Canadian education.

Erhardsen and Heer will bolster the Clan’s scoring potential, an area where the team has struggled. The Clan scored just nine goals in 18 games last season.

“Katelyn is impossible not to notice on the field and she makes the game easier for her teammates,” said Hamel. “Monpreet is a pure finisher and a special addition for us. She has proven to be a goal scorer at every level and I see her talents translating very well to NCAA.”

All three players from the Whitecaps program made their choice to attend SFU independently.

“We all had opportunities to go to schools in the United States but we all wanted to play close to home,” said Donald. “We didn’t realize we had all picked SFU for the same reasons until after we made our decisions.”

“Soccer wise and school wise this was the best fit,” said Heer. “We feel like we can help the current players establish the program as a force in NCAA.”

At age 15, Donald was picked for the Whitecaps Elite program. She started in midfield for the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite that won the 2013 Gothia World Youth Cup in the U-19 division and the 2013 Canada Summer Games.

"Sam understands the game in terms of rhythm and tempo and will bring a wealth of experience in anchoring the midfield,” said Hamel. “She will provide creativity, composure and control in the middle of the park for us."

Vancouver’s Carli Grosso, captain of the under-18 Mountain United High Performance League team, received the Shrum Scholarship after achieving a 94% admission average at Vancouver Technical Secondary School. Grosso led the B.C. u-16 provincial team to bronze at the Canadian national championships. The 5-7 centreback has also participated in the Canadian National Training Centre.

“Carli is a highly disciplined person and player,” said Hamel. “She possesses a great soccer IQ and her competitive nature and determined attitude will have a positive impact on our team.”

The 2015 SFU recruiting class (in alphabetical order)

Raven Dennehy

High School: West Vancouver Secondary

Position: Goalie

Athletic Accomplishments: North Shore All-Star Honourable mention with West Vancouver Secondary (school soccer) in 2014; MVP of the Slurpy Cup in 2011; advanced to the quarterfinals of the Gothia Cup (2011), allowing no goals against in regulation time.

Hamel: “Raven Dennehy is an agile and athletic keeper who has great hands. She understands the game well and has good instincts on the pitch.”

Allyson Dickson

High School: Burnaby North Secondary

Position: Midfielder

Athletic accomplishments: Winner of the B.C. Secondary School Soccer 2014 Golden Boot; Two-time Burnaby North Athlete of the Year as a Grade 10 and 11 student.

Hamel: "Allyson plays with a lot of heart, she is tenacious, and she competes with great intensity. She is a versatile player who can be utilized in attacking and defensive roles within the squad.”

Christina Dickson

High School: Burnaby North Secondary

Position: Forward/Midfielder

Athletic accomplishments: Member of the u-16 B.C. provincial team Member; Burnaby North Athlete of the Year as a Grade 11 student; Mountain United FC Player of Distinction award.

Hamel: "Christina is our most versatile incoming player. She can be a shutdown defender or a reliable goal scorer. Her grit and willingness to sacrifice her body exemplifies true passion for the game."

Samantha Donald

High School: Johnston Heights Secondary, Surrey

Position: Midfielder

Athletic accomplishments: Part of the Whitecaps Women's Elite REX program; Started in midfield for the Whitecaps FC Girls Elite that won the 2013 Gothia World Youth Cup in the u-19 division.

Hamel: "Sam understands the game in terms of rhythm and tempo and will bring a wealth of experience in anchoring the midfield,” said Hamel. “She will provide creativity, composure and control in the middle of the park for us."

Tanis Cuthbert

High School: Sullivan Heights Secondary, Surrey

Position: Midfielder

Athletic accomplishments: Plays for Surrey United in the BCSPL from U15-U18; Led B.C. to bronze at the 2011 Canadian u-14 Girls’ soccer national championships.

Hamel: "Tanis is a solid and hard-working player who will ignite our group with her competitiveness and positive attitude."

Carli Grosso

High School: Vancouver Technical Secondary School

Position: Defender

Athletic accomplishments: She has participated in the Canadian National Training Centre; member of the B.C. provincial team program 2010 to 2013. Played with Whitecaps Girls Elite u-18 team at Surf Cup in 2013.

Hamel: “Carli is a highly disciplined person and player. She possesses a great soccer IQ and her competitive nature and determined attitude will have a positive impact on our team.”

Monpreet Heer

High School: Ecole Panorama Ridge, Surrey

Position: Forward

Athletic accomplishments: Member of B.C. provincial team, u-13 to u-16; Participant in Canadian National Training Centre; member Whitecaps Women's Elite REX program

Hamel: “Monpreet is a pure finisher and a special addition for us. She has proven to be a goal scorer at every level and I see her talents translating very well to NCAA.”

Teagan McManus

High School: Burnaby Mountain Secondary

Position: Defender

Athletic accomplishments: Plays for Surrey United in the BCSPL; She has participated in the Canadian National Training Centre; member of the B.C. provincial team program 2010 to 2013.

Hamel: "Teagan is a player with unparalleled work ethic and unlimited potential. She has good insights in reading the game and provides an attacking threat from the back line.”

Katelyn Erhardsen

High School: Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary School, Maple Ridge

Position: Forward

Athletic accomplishments: Member of B.C. provincial u-15 team, and Whitecaps Women's Elite REX program; captained high school basketball, volleyball and soccer teams; Named junior and senior athlete of the year at SRTSS.

Hamel: “Katelyn is impossible not to notice on the field and she makes the game easier for her teammates. She possesses many of the same intangibles and qualities of the best players I have been around.”