DePaul University

CHICAGO – DePaul women’s soccer coach John Wilson announced today the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent.  Joining the Blue Demons next season are Ashley Andrews, Jennifer Dyer, Caitlin Ferrell, Stefanie Foley, Cara LaRocca and Emily Serruto.  Four of the recruits are from the Chicagoland area while two others are St. Louis natives.

"I’m excited to announce the signing of our 2004 recruiting class.  This class will be the one who helps us toward our goal of repeating as conference champs in our final year of C-USA play and prepares us to join the Big East in 2005," said Wilson.  “Again we are proud to have gotten a share of the deep talent pool that exists here in the Chicago area.  This class also represents our first foray into the St. Louis talent pool as well, a very difficult pool to break into.  All of our recruits are both wonderful people and athletes.  This recruiting class proves that we continue to bring in the best talent that Illinois and the Midwest region have to offer.”

Ashley Andrews brings ODP experience to DePaul as she enters her senior season at Schaumburg High School.  A three-year ODP member, she also played club soccer for the Chicago Sockers.  Over the last three years, the Sockers have won numerous regional tournaments playing against the top club teams in the nation.  As an All-Conference honoree and three-year letterwinner at Schaumburg she has scored four goals with seven assists.

"Ashley will figure into our defense as we will need to replace a starter this year and two next year," said Wilson.  "She is very athletic and has the pace to play with anyone we may face.  Her club team, Chicago Sockers, is one of the best in Illinois, if not the region.  Playing at that level has prepared her to help us out right away.  She is a great fit in our program and we are excited to have her join us."

A three-year starter at Naperville North, Jennifer Dyer has extensive experience at both the high school and club levels.  Her Eclipse club team is a three-time Illinois State Cup winner while playing in elite tournament throughout the region and nation.  With Naperville North, the midfielder has earned All-Conference and All-Area honors while leading the team to a pair of regional championships.

"Jenny just missed making the ODP Region Pool Team last year due to a back injury.  It was very unfortunate but it does go to show that she could easily be one of the top 25 players in our region," said Wilson.  "In addition, her club team the Eclipse is also recognized as one of the top clubs in the nation.  Thus, she receives great training on a weekly basis.  She is a dynamic player and possesses the pace and athleticism to have an immediate impact on our championship team."

One of two recruits from St. Louis, Caitlin Ferrell plays on one of the top high school and club programs in the country.  With St. Joseph's Academy, she was a member of the undefeated National Champion team in 2002 that has also won a pair of Missouri state high school championships.  Her club team, Busch Soccer Club, is one of the nation's top club programs.  Ferrell has won six Missouri State Cups, two regional titles and played in the national championship game twice while playing with Busch.  Her brother, Patrick, is member of DePaul’s men’s soccer program.

"Caitlin is a St. Louis kid and product of the Busch Soccer Club that we are grateful to bring into the program," said Wilson.  "The fact that her brother plays for the men's team makes it great for us to have a family connection within the family atmosphere we've created here.  She will ultimately figure into our defense and she will help raise the level of our training on a daily basis."

A three-year starter at Benet Academy, Stefanie Foley is a three-time All-Area and All-Conference honoree.  She also picked up All-Regional honors twice while leading Benet to Illinois’ “Elite 8” last season.  On the club side, she plays for Kopion FC.  Foley also plays an indoor version of soccer called Futsal.  She won the Futsal regional and national championship in 2002.

"Stef is a natural team leader and was a big reason for the success her high school team, Benet Academy, had this past season,” said Wilson.  “She plays a great deal of Futsal this time of year and at a national level.  The speed and quickness necessary to play this game at such a level will be great assets to our team.  She's just the type of athlete we look for in our program.  One that possesses a dynamic ability coupled with talent and speed."

The lone goalkeeper in the recruiting class, Cara LaRocca travels north to Chicago from St. Louis.  A high school and club teammate of Ferrell, she has seen outstanding success at both the high school and club levels.  A starter sincer her freshman season, LaRocca has led St. Joseph's to a pair of Missouri state high school titles.  The undefeated 2002 club was crowned National Champions.  While playing club soccer for the Busch Soccer Club, she has won six Missouri state championships and played in two national championship matches.

"Cara comes from another very strong club program in the Midwest and country, the Busch Soccer Club of St. Louis," said Wilson.  "She is a very athletic and agile goalkeeper possessing great hands and solid footwork.  She loves DePaul and the Chicago area and I could tell this was a perfect fit for her from the very moment she stepped on campus.  We look forward to four wonderful years with her."

Emily Serruto led Glenbard West in scoring with 10 goals and eight assists as a junior.  The team captain earned All-Conference and All-Area honors in 2003.  While playing club soccer for the Chicago Fire Juniors, she started for the U-19 team as a 15-year old.

"Emily is the 'diamond in the rough' in this recruiting class," said Wilson.  "Her club team, Chicago Fire Juniors, is quite new to the scene here in Chicago, but the training they receive is top notch.  She is a fierce competitor and has a quickness and speed that will be deadly in our attack-oriented team.  I know next season that I'm going to be asked continually, 'Where the did you find this kid?'"