GREENSBORO, NC – UNC Greensboro women’s soccer coach Eddie Radwanski has received four commitments during the National Letter of Intent signing period and announced a fifth student-athlete who has enrolled in the University ahead of schedule.
Radwanski received NLI commitments from forward Kelly Attayek, midfielder Leigh Riordon, midfielder Jen Bronson and forward Kim Keener. Bronson, Riordon and Attayek all currently play club soccer together for the CASL Spartan Elite and head coach Jay Howell. CASL finished third at the national championships on the heels of their Region III title in 2005 and back-to-back Premier League titles in 2004 and 2005.
“We are very excited to announce the signing of these talented players,” said Radwanski. “The players coming in have national team, regional team and state team level experience. To recruit players from winning programs just brings another dimension. The CASL team may be the best women's club team ever to come out of North Carolina. They are well coached and are one of the top teams in the country. This may be our most talented signing class. In addition, all of these players are winners and are used to winning.”
Bronson, who is currently a senior at Leesville Road HS in Raleigh, is a two-time all-state and all-region selection. She has earned all-conference honors at Leesville Road three times and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player last year. She also earned NSCAA Regional All-American honors and played for the ODP Region III squad.
“Jen is a dynamic two-way player,” said Radwanski. “She is a defensive player who has the ability to go forward. We can play her anywhere on the field and she is an all out competitor.”
Attayek, an all-state selection last year, currently attends Broughton HS in Raleigh. The team’s leading scorer last year with 22 goals to go with seven assists, she helped led the Caps to the 4A state title with a 23-1-2 mark. Broughton has been to the state title game all three years during Attayek’s tenure, winning the crown in 2003 and 2005. In 2003, Broughton was ranked No. 1 in the nation. In fact, in the last three seasons, she has helped Broughton to an unbelievable record of 70-3-5.
“Kelly is a smart attacker who puts herself in good positions and has a knack for scoring goals. Her pace and high work rate will be great attributes for our team.”
Riordon is currently a senior at Northwest Guilford HS where she is a three-year starter for former Spartan Jennifer Kennedy. She is a three-time all-conference and all-region selection. Riordon is also a two-time all-state honoree, playing midfielder and sweeper. She has twice been selected as Northwest Guilford’s Most Valuable Player and is a Region III ODP pool player.
“To add the best soccer player from this area is great”, said Radwanski. “Leigh knows her way around the field. She is simply a ‘baller’... she brings it every game and loves to win.
Currently a senior at IMG Academy in Bradenton, FL, Keener was an NSCAA All-American last year as a junior at Forsyth Country Day. A two-time first-team all-state selection and member of the USA Under-16 national team pool, she was also on the ODP Region III team and the North Carolina State ODP team. She has also twice earned All-NCISA honors.
“Kim is an attacking presence and an impact player,” said Radwanski. “Her speed, power and tenacity separate Kim from the other players on the field. She has the ability to create and score goals. Adding Kim brings a new dimension to our attack.”
UNCG will also gain the services of Lauren Lopez. A native of Concord, NC, Lopez graduated from Robinson HS earlier and is already enrolled in classes at UNCG this spring. A member of the North Carolina ODP squad and a Region III pool player, she was a club teammate of Kim Keener last year, winning the North Carolina State Cup as a member of the Winston-Salem Twins. She was also an all-region selection at Robinson.
“It is great to have Lauren with us,” said Radwanski. “Lauren is a tough, no nonsense defender who flat out competes. She is all about winning and not being beat. Not too many people get by her. To add Lauren, with her leadership qualities and communication skills, will only make us a better team.”
UNCG finished the 2005 campaign 11-6-1, including a 6-3-1 mark in Southern Conference play. The Spartans advanced to the Southern Conference Tournament’s semifinal round, where they fell to tournament host Furman in overtime. UNCG graduates eight seniors off of that squad, but returns six regular starters.
- UNCG -