Jacksonville State inks four for 2015
For the second consecutive year, Jacksonville State Head Coach Neil Macdonald has signed a solid recruiting class on the heels of one the most successful seasons in the program's history.
Macdonald added four standouts for the 2015 recruiting class during the Spring signing period that began last week. Macdonald, the 2014 Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year, kept the Canada pipeline flowing with two of the four signees coming from across the border. Danelle Lindo and Maddie Carruthers joined a program that already has six Canadians on the current roster. Lindo comes to JSU from Ajax, Ontario, Canada, while Carruthers is a native of Joining the two from Canada will be Claire Peterson Frankford, Ontario, Canada. Joining the pair of Canadians in the class will be Claire Petersen of Hermon, Maine and Kalea Romano from Dalla, Georgia.
Danell Lindo - D - 6'0"- Ajax, Ontario, Canada - Ajax HS - Club: FC Durham Academy
Prepped at Ajax High School in Ajax, Ontario, Canada...a four-year letterwinner for head coach Rich Hirst...Helped lead the Rams of AHS to a perfect 10-0 mark as a senior and a 9-1 overall mark as a junior....also a member of the AHS basketball team...member of the FC Durham Academy on the club circuit...helped the club to the 2014 OWSL U21 Regional League Cup Championship and the 2014 OWSL U21 Regional Central-East League crown.
Macdonald on Lindo
"Danelle is a Center Back who is a natural leader. She will help organize our back line, and is a defensive player who is very comfortable in possession of the ball. She has a great range of passing and is capable of launching attacks. At six-foot tall she will also be a big threat on set plays."
Maddy Carruthers - MF/D - 5'5"- Frankford, Ontario, Canada - St. Paul Catholic Secondary School - Club: FC Durham Academy, Bellevue Soccer Club, Ajax Soccer Club, Darlington Soccer Club
Attended St. Paul Catholic Secondary School in Frankford, Ontario, Canada...a four-year starter for the Falcons of SPCSS...mentored by Rich Hurst, Dave Staley, Rob Terry and Mary Carruthers on the prep and club level...named the squad's most valuable player three consecutive years (2012, 2013, 2014)...named to the All-Star Team at the GVSU Summer Camp...scored 20 goals while playing club soccer last summer...an all-around athlete by being named MVP for the rugby, volleyball and hockey squads at SPCSS...participated in the Helsinki Cup in 2012 and the NEWSS Tournament in 2013...claimed the Capital Fall Classic in 2013 in club soccer along with claiming the Regional Cup title in 2014 and the AAA COSSA Championship in 2013.
Macdonald on Carruthers
"Maddie is a quick technical player who can operate both as a wide player or as a central attacking midfielder. She is very creative with the ball at her feet, and can beat players 1v1 or combine well with others.
Claire Petersen - MF - 5'3"- Hermon, Maine - Hermon HS - Club: Blackbear Unites/Seacoast United
Played four seasons for Adam Leach and MJ Ball at Hermon High School...helped the Hawks of HHS to the Eastern Maine Runners up spot in 2011, 2013 and 2014...claimed the Eastern Maine Championship in 2012...earned All-State honors as a senior and a second team all-conference selection as a freshman and sophomore...named to first team all-conference as a junior and senior...a member of the All-Eastern Maine Team as a junior and senior...accumulated 49 goals throughout her prep career along with 42 assists...helped HHS to 60 wins in a span of four seasons...also on the varsity basketball and softball teams at HHS...earned honorable mention second team status in hoops and on the diamond...named the Big East Defensive Player of the Year on the hardwood as a sophomore and junior...led the Hawks softball program to the 2014 State Championship...participated with many club teams prior to her college selection...spent eight years with the Blackbear United/Seacoast United Blackbear program and six years in the Olympic development program...played with the Hampden Travel team for five seasons.
Macdonald on Petersen
"Claire is a Central Midfield player who is very talented with the ball. She has a good range of passing and her decision making in the middle of the park is excellent. She is a player who can score and make goals."
Kalea Romano - MF - 5'4"- Dallas, Ga. - East Paulding HS - Club: Cobb FC
Comes to JSU after prepping at East Paulding High School in Dallas, Ga. ... played for Coach Cartee and Coach Thatcher at EPHS...a four-year letterwinner for the Raiders on the pitch...named the 2014 County Player of the Year...earned team most valuable player honors in 2013 and 2014...selected to the First Team All-Region squad in 2012 and 2014...earned a spot on the 2013 All-Region Second Team...turned in 40 goals in the 2014 season at EPHS...coached by Ben Parks of the SSA Club team...member of the club team that won the Georgia State Cup in 2012 and 2013.
Macdonald on Romano
"Kalea is an 18 to 18 box midfielder. She is very athletic and has good technical ability. She is another player who has good creative ability in the final third."
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