Feb. 13, 2008

Allendale, Mich. - Head coach Dave DiIanni announced six recruits for the 2008 season today, consisting of five high school seniors and one transfer student. The class, which consists of five Michigan residents and one Ohio resident, joins a team which went 21-1-1 last season and made its second-straight trip to the NCAA Final Four before losing to the eventual champion, the University of Tampa, 2-1.

"We are very excited about this group of student-athletes that have chosen Grand Valley State University to continue their soccer careers," DiIanni said. "With this class we were able to fill some needs in the backline and at the goalkeeper positions that were created by graduation."

The lone transfer in the class is Caitlin Boyak, a midfielder from Madonna University. Boyak is one of two newcomers from Livonia, Mich. Despite sitting out last season, Boyak appeared in 34 games for the Crusaders in the two years prior, starting in 27 of them. In 2006, she was a first team all-conference selection, and in 2005 she was honorable mention all-conference after starting in 11 games as a true freshman.

"Caitlin is a transfer student from a very successful NAIA program at Madonna University," DiIanni said. "She will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to our young backline."

Megan Brown is a defender from Jenison, Mich. who has played the last four years at Jenison High School under head coach Jason Snyder. As a freshman, she was an all-district selection and the most valuable offensive player on the team. She is a four-year starter on the varsity team, and as a junior, she was chosen as both an all-conference and an all-district honoree. She was also a captain and team's most valuable player that season.

"It is always a special situation when you are able to get local girls to stay home and play in front of their family and friends," DiIanni said. "Megan is a very athletic, smooth defender who will help bring more speed and quickness to our backline."

A four-year varsity player, Katie Cunningham is a defender from Troy, Mich. She has spent the last four years playing for head coach Henry Steinwascher for Troy High School. In 2007, she was an all-district second team selection and helped guide her team to the 2007 district finals. She was also the team's most valuable player that season. She was a first team all-district selection in 2006 and her team won the district championship in 2005.

"Katie is yet another defender who will be looked upon to fill a void in the Laker defense," DiIanni said. "Katie was the first student-athlete to make a commitment to our program this year and we are very excited to watch her development throughout the next four years."

Kayla Klosterman is the lone recruit from outside of the state of Michigan. She hails from Westerville, Ohio and played her high school soccer at St. Francis DeSales under head coach Josh Brader. She was the team's captain in 2007 and earned second team all-district accolades. She was a First Team All-Columbus Catholic League pick in both 2006 and 2007. She led her team with nine goals and came in second in assists with six.

"Kayla is another one of our recruits from the Ohio Club Blast FC," DiIanni said. "We have had a great deal of success recruiting out of Columbus and Kayla is no exception. We are hoping that she will be able to come in and compete for playing time at center back."

The second recruit from Livonia, Mich., Lindsey Marlow played her high school soccer at Churchill for head coach Dave Hebestreit. She started in every game through her first three years as a varsity player. She was all-division and all-district as a junior and also earned all-state honorable mention plaudits. She was also a co-captain and a scholar-athlete her sophomore and junior seasons.

"Lindsey will bring another athletic presence to our program," said DiIanni. "She plays with a high work rate and crates a lot of her chances at forward because of her tenacity."

The final recruit, Chelsea Parise, is a goalkeeper from Sterling Heights, Mich. Parise played her high school soccer at Stevenson High School under head coach Bob Mondoux. She started as a freshman and earned all-country and all-district honors her sophomore year. As a junior, she earned all-county, all-district and all-region accolades, as well as all-state honorable mention.

"Chelsea is a very energetic, outspoken goalkeeper that loves the intensity and challenge that the position provides," DiIanni said. "She is looking forward to working with current all-american keeper Kristina Nasturzio to continue to develop her skills."