Colorado College Reloads By Signing Seven
Colorado College added its largest recruiting class since 2009 when it received signed national letters of intent from seven student-athletes who will play Division I soccer for the Tigers, head coach Geoff Bennett announced.
Joining CC as freshmen for the 2015 campaign will be midfielder/forward Rae Conlon (Shaker Heights, Ohio); defender/midfielder Anna Gregg (Sacramento, Calif.); defender Rachael Martino (Colorado Springs, Colo.); midfielder/forward Lauren Milliet (Durango, Colo.); midfielder Clara Richter (Stockholm, Sweden); midfielder Kelli Sullivan (Sammamish, Wash.); and midfielder Madison Tominello (Monument, Colo.).
“We are very pleased with this recruiting class and we think it covers every need that we have in terms of players who are graduating as well as the areas in which we want to get better,” Bennett said. “This group will be asked to replace a very good and productive class in our seniors who are graduating.”
Conlon, who participated in the Ohio Olympic Development Program from 2009 through 2011, played for the Cleveland Futbol Club. Her team won the Ohio state club championship in 2014 and was a semifinalist in 2013. Conlon was captain of the Shaker Heights High School team, earning three varsity letters while playing both forward and midfielder.
“Rae is an athletic midfielder/forward who likes to use her speed & athleticism to beat players one v one,” Bennett said.
Gregg, who excels at both forward and midfielder, was invited to the U.S. Soccer Training Center in 2013 and ’14. She also trained at the Region IV Olympic Development Program Pool Camp in Camarillo, Calif., and helped her team advance to the 2013 ODP Championships in Las Vegas. Gregg played club soccer for Placer United 97 Gold in the NorCal National Premier League since 2010. Most recently, she helped her team win the 2014 NPL Winter Championship, the 2013-14 NPL Championship and the Davis Legacy College Showcase in the U19 division.
“Anna is tactically smart and possesses great athleticism,” Bennett said. “We can see her making an impact as a central midfielder or central defender in her time at CC.”
Martino, the only pure defender in the class, played club for the Pride Predators’97 squad that won the 2013 United States Club Soccer national championship and three Colorado Cup crowns. Her Pride team also advanced to the finals of the United States Youth Soccer regional tournament in 2012 and 2014. While playing for Air Academy High School, Martino helped the Kadets win the Colorado 4A state championship in 2012.
“Rachael is a very steady and technical outside back whose game is centered around her ability to link up and get forward,” Bennett said.
A versatile athlete who can play midfielder or forward, Milliet participated in the New Mexico Olympic Development Program team from 2009 through 2012 and trained at the Region 1V ODP Camp through 2011. She led her club team, Rio Rapids FC, to the New Mexico state championship in 2014. Milliet also played for Durango High School where she was the 2012 district player of the year.
“Lauren is a speedy forward who is dynamic in the final third and will cause problems for other team’s back lines,” Bennett said.
Richter, who is Bennett’s second European recruit, plays forward for Älta Idrottsförening in the second highest women’s soccer division in Sweden. Her team was ranked No. 19 among all Swedish teams in 2013. Richter also played three years (2010-12) with Värtans Idrottsklubb, winning the Swedish Championship in 2011 and ’12, as well as the Gothia Cup (World Youth Cup) in 2010 and 2011.
“Clara is a technical and exciting attacking midfield player who will bring an attack-first mindset to our midfield block,” Bennett said.
Sullivan trained with the Washington State ’97 Team in the Olympic Development Program and helped her team advance to the semifinals of the 2014 Region IV ODP Championship. Sullivan’s club team, Eastside FC 96 Red, won back-to-back United States Youth Soccer Far West Regional League Northwest Division crowns in 2015. While playing for Skyline High School in Sammamish, Wash., she helped the Spartans win three consecutive Washington State 4A championships and finish third in 2014.
“Kelli is our defensive minded midfielder of this signing class,” Bennett said. “She excels at sitting in the hole, breaking up the opposition’s attack and distributing to start our own attack.”
Tominello competed at the U.S. Soccer Training Center every year between 2011-14 and trained at the Olympic Development Program Region IV camp in 2012. She played club for the Pride Predators ’97 squad that won the 2013 United States Club Soccer national championship and captured three Colorado Cup crowns (2012, 2014-15). Tominello earned three varsity letters playing both forward and midfielder at Palmer Ridge High School and led the Bears to the semifinals of the state tournament in 2012 and 2013, as well as the quarterfinals in 2014.
“Maddie is our wide-attacking presence in this class,” Bennett said. “She likes to get up and down the flank, provides good service, and will be a great addition to our attack in 2015.”
The seven newcomers will join six starters and 15 veterans from the 2014 team that posted a 12-5-4 overall record and finished fourth in the Mountain West with a 7-3-1 conference mark.
“We’re excited for next fall,” Bennett said. “We believe these players can contribute right away and will mesh with our returning players.”
CC officially kicks off the 2015 season on Friday, Aug. 21, when the University of Northern Colorado visits Stewart Field for the opening game of the Colorado Cup.
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