GREENSBORO, NC – UNC Greensboro women’s soccer head coach Eddie Radwanski received eight commitments during the National Letter of Intent signing period.
Joining next year’s squad will be midfielder/defender Tina Karam, goalkeeper Barrie Vogel, midfielder Jenn Partenheimer, forward Katelyn Jordan, midfielder Katie Evans, defender Carolyn Handy, defender Jen Rincon and forward/midfielder Kristin Player.
“We are very excited about this 2007 class. We’ve signed a number of talented players that will play an important part in defending our conference championship. They will help us take our game to a new level with the unique qualities they bring to our team. We feel great that the best players in North Carolina want to join our program here at UNCG.”
Karam was a two-time offensive Player of the Year at R-S Central HS in Rutherfordton, NC. A three-time all-conference performer, she is her school’s all-time leading goal scorer and led the squad in scoring for three straight years. Karam was a six year member of the North Carolina ODP team, has played with and been a member of the Region III Team and pool for 3yrs, and attended US National team training camp (Seattle) in 2004.
“Tina is an extremely fierce competitor and she has great knack for being around the ball. Her high level of experience will pay off.”
Vogel is a native of Charlotte, NC, and was 2006 Most Valuable Player at Vance HS as goalie. She also earned Defensive Player of the Year in 2005 for her school. Vogel was a member of her North Carolina ODP team from 2004-06 as goalie and participated in the Region III ODP Team Pool from 2005-06.
“Adding Barrie to the roster gives us two quality goalkeepers. She has a great ability with her footwork which makes her stand out above the rest.”
Karam and Vogel were teammates on the Greensboro Twisters club and their squad was USYSA Region III Champions and earned the bronze medal at the national championships in 2005. In 2006, the Twisters grabbed the North Carolina State Cup championship and were Region III finalists.
Partenheimer, a native of Apex, NC, is a 2006 Most Valuable Player winner at Apex HS. She was also an all-conference and all-region performer. Partenheimer led her team to the North Carolina 4A State Semifinals in 2006. In addition, she was placed on 2006 Top Drawer’s and American Kickers’ “Players to Watch” list. Partenheimer was also a member of her North Carolina ODP Team.
“She is a very versatile player with great attacking qualities. Jennifer is not afraid to pull the trigger and knows where the goal is.”
Jordan is a product of Southeast Raleigh Magnet School and a native of Raleigh, NC. Named the 2006 Greater Neuse River Conference Offensive Player of the Year, she holds her school’s record for most goals scored in a single season with 38 and also holds the record for highest scoring soccer player in her school’s history. Jordan was a two-time Super Y ODP National Camp selection.
“Katie is an added dimension to the Spartans that brings speed and quickness to our game. She is also a fierce competitor that always goes after it 100%.”
Evans, a native of Raleigh, NC, helped her Broughton HS team grab the 4A North Carolina Championship in 2005 and 2006 as well as earn state runners up in 2004. She was a member of the 2005 and 2006 North Carolina ODP teams and was awarded team captain.
“She is very smart, steady and coming from Broughton and CASL, Katie is a winner with competitiveness embedded in her.”
Partenheimer, Jordan and Evans were each members of the CASL Spartan club team that won the North Carolina State Cup Championship in 2005 and were finalists in 2006 and 2007. The team won the US Club National Championship in 2004.
Handy is a Defensive Most Valuable Player and an all-area Defensive Player of the Year at Jacksonville HS in Jacksonville, NC. A member of the North Carolina ODP team in 2005 and 2006, she also participated on the Super Y ODP National Camp All-Star Team. Handy is a three-time Scholar Athlete Award winner and earned the NSCAA All-American Scholar Award.
“Her work ethic, attitude and desire separate her from the rest. She has made great progress as a player and has a great desire to compete and work hard. Carolyn will flourish in the college environment.”
Rincon comes to UNCG from El Dorado HS in Placentia, CA and was a member of the team that earned back-to-back Century League Championships in 2004 and 2005 and again in 2007. She was awarded all-league and was honored with the Scholar Athlete Award in 2006.
“Jen is a very tenacious defender who is not afraid to get physical. She has a very successful background and we are looking forward to adding her competitive nature to our program.”
Player also comes from El Dorado HS in Placentia, CA. She helped lead her squad to Century League Championships as a midfielder. She is a two-time all-league team honoree in 2004 and 2005. In 2004, she was rewarded the Scholar Athlete Award.
“She is not afraid to take on opponents and cause havoc on other teams’ defenses. Kristin is also very comfortable with the ball and running at defenses.”
Both Rincon and Player were members of the West Coast Club team that were Southern California State Cup champions in 2002 and 2004 and finalists in 2006. They were 2006 Coast Soccer League Premier Champions and Las Vegas Showcase Champions. In November of 2006, the team won the North American Super Y League Championship in Tampa, FL. Player was named to the Super Y All-North American Team in 2006.
“We are really looking forward to bringing our SoCal connection to UNCG,” stated Radwanski. “Southern California is one of the hot beds of youth soccer in this country and we’re excited to have them as a part of our team.”
The Spartans finished the 2006 season with a 13-8-2 overall record and captured the Southern Conference regular season title as well as the SoCon Tournament crown after finishing conference play 9-0-1. Radwanski helped UNCG advance to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Tournament for the seventh time in the program’s history.
- UNCG -