Feb. 20, 2002

Charlotte, N.C. - Charlotte 49ers head women's soccer coach Neil Roberts announced, today, the signing of seven players to National Letters-of-Intent for the upcoming 2002 season, including a trio of club teammates from the 2001 North Carolina state champion Charlotte Soccer Club.

"I am extremely pleased with this year's recruiting class," said Roberts. "All of the new players are genuinely excited about joining our program and are ready to help us reach our goal of a C-USA Championship. We continue to attract not only excellent athletes and soccer players but quality people as well."

Among the members of the Charlotte Soccer Club is Des Moines, Iowa, native Courtney Crandell. Crandell is a forward from Roosevelt High School and recipient of the 2002 Gatorade state Player of the Year award. In addition to playing club soccer in North Carolina, Crandell has been a member of the US Region II ODP Regional Pool after being part of the Iowa ODP team. In 2001, she attended the adidas ESP Camp. She is also a former all-state player, in 1999, and all-conference performer. "Courtney is an explosive player who can and will be a dangerous player up top for us," said Roberts. "She possesses an excellent physical dimension, and a nose for the goal that impresses me on a regular basis. Her focus and intensity coupled with an incredible competitive spirit will help our program immensely in training and in games."

A teammate of Crandell's on the Charlotte Soccer Club also joining the program is Emily Erlandson. Erlandson, a defender from Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, N.C., is expected to bolster the 49ers strong defense. Her high school team won their conference championship in 2001, while she picked up individual honors as an all-region and all-conference selection in 2000 and 2001. "Emily is an excellent marker," stated head coach Roberts. "Her defensive presence and physical size will enable us to match up very well in the defensive third."

The final member of the state champion squad is Lacy Grover from Wilmington, N.C. Grover played high school soccer at Laney H.S., the same high school as current 49er Alex Ludtke. Grover is also an all-conference choice, after being selected to the team in 2001. "Lacy is a fundamentally sound player who reads the game very well," noted Roberts. "She will be a player we can rely on in the back or in midfield to help us maintain possession and start some attacks. Her work rate and positive attitude will enhance our team's play."

Roberts also added a player from Boone, N.C., named Ashley Rex. Rex is a defender from Watauga High School in Boone, while also competing for the HFC Quest Club team. She is a North Carolina state ODP team member. At Watauga H.S., she earned all-state, all-region, and all-conference honors. "Ashley is a very disciplined player, who reads the game very well," stated Roberts. "She bleeds with leadership and intensity for 90 minutes. I am constantly impressed by what she is able to do and how quickly she improves. I am convinced that Ashley will help to continue a tradition of defensive dominance here at Charlotte."

To round out the recruiting class, the 49ers welcome three additional players from out-of-state. Jenna Brenes joins the program from The Colony High School in The Colony, Texas. Brenes has played defender for her high school team and for the Solar Club team. At her position, she has earned all-district honors three years and was her high school's team captain. In addition to her high school accolades, Brenes has been a member of the North Texas ODP team and a US Region III ODP Regional Pool player. "Jenna is an excellent soccer player," stated Roberts. "She is technically very sound and tactically very aware. She reads the game very well and is very poised. I especially like her composure on the ball. Her presence on the field will help take our program to another level."

A member of the Georgia ODP state team, Kelly Eckstein, also joins the program. Eckstein is a forward from Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia, and a member of the Brookwood Steamers Club team. She has earned honorable mention all-county in addition to her ODP recognition. "Kelly is a very elusive player who possesses great speed," noted Roberts. "She has great 1v1 ability and is very effective at finishing in and around the box. She clearly is a player that can impact a game and will complement the other players on our roster well."

The final member of the 2002 recruiting class is Lindsey Palmiero, a forward from McLean, Virginia's Yorktown High School. Palmiero has played club soccer for Braddock Road Electra while earning first-team all-district and honorable mention all-Metro at Yorktown. With her senior season remaining at Yorktown, she has already tallied 28 goals in her high school career. "Lindsey is one of the hardest working players I have ever seen," stated Roberts. "I love the way she defends even though she is primarily a forward. She is dangerous around the box and excellent at finishing crosses. I am very confident that she will be productive in the attacking third."

The 49ers enter the 2002 season off a 9-7-4 overall mark, including a trip to the conference semifinals behind a 7-2-1 record. The team tied a school-record in 2001 with a 0.93 GAA clip, while facing one of the toughest schedules in program history. Charlotte returns ten of its 11 starters, including four seniors making their final appearances in a 49er uniform, this fall: 2001 first-team all-Conference USA selection Mikel Casey, D, second-team all-conference performer Jenn Howell, GK, second-team all-C-USA member Jennie Leeder, F, and third-team all-league selection Shannon Roberto, D.