University of Illinois soccer head coach Janet Rayfield announced the addition of four members to the 2015 signing class on Friday. The newcomers to the Illini soccer family include Lauren Ciesla (Palos, Ill./Neuqua Valley HS), Patricia George (Chicago, Ill./Friedrich Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center), early enrollee Morgan Maroney (Castle Rock, Colo./Castle View HS) and Katie Murray(Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills HS).

"The class of 2015 is relatively small in number, but they will be large in their impact on our soccer program," Rayfield said. "Collectively, they bring both athleticism and skill, and include playmaking, defensive and attacking personalities. This class is well-rounded as a group and their strengths are varied in a very synergistic and positive way. They will be able to make each other better as they develop through their careers and in turn they will help further the goal of national prominence for this program."

Notes:
• Helped the NSA Jaguars win the Illinois U.S. Youth Soccer State Cup four times (2010, 2012, 2013, 2014)
• Helped the NSA Jaguars win the U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championships twice (2013, 2014)
• Made an appearance with the NSA Jaguars at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships twice (2013, 2014)
• Won three IHSA regional championships (2011-14)
• Earned a varsity letter all four years
• Named Upstate Eight Academic All-Conference all four years
• Earned Academic Achievement award from Neuqua Valley High School every year (2011-15)
• Scored the game-winning goal against the defending national champions in the National League that led to her team advancing to nationals

Coach Rayfield on Ciesla: "Lauren is a well-balanced midfielder with the ability to contribute on both the attacking and defensive side of the ball. Her defensive tenacity coupled with a solid technical foundation give her the ability to both defend and make plays from the midfield area. She is comfortable endline-to-endline and can score goals when the opportunity presents itself."

Notes:
• Earned all-state and all-conference honors in soccer in 2014
• Won the Illinois Women's Soccer League in 2012
• Collected varsity letters in soccer, track and field, cross country and basketball
• Has three older siblings, who each played a collegiate sport, and one younger sibling

Coach Rayfield on George: "With excellent pace and a competitor's mentality, Patricia provides a dangerous threat as an attacking player but also has played as a defender in the boys leagues in which she grew up competing. Her speed, strength and power will cause problems for opponents but so will her skill and ability to read the game. We expect Patricia to become increasingly more and more dangerous throughout her career."

Notes:
• Early enrollee at the University of Illinois
• Joined the Illini for spring practice after starting classes in 2015
• Named Colorado 5A second-team All-League in 2012
• Voted Most Valuable Player of IMG's U-16 girl's team for 2012-13
• IMG Academy Defender of the Year nominee in 2012-13
• Earned a varsity letter freshman year of high school

Coach Rayfield on Maroney: "Smooth, composed and intelligent are the words I would use to describe Morgan as a soccer player. She can play anywhere along the back line (anywhere on the field possibly) because she sees the game as a soccer player first and whatever position she is playing second. Watching her play, you see someone who is constantly evaluating the game and solving situations. Morgan will be a problem solver on the field and will add composure and patience when we need it."

Notes:

National Team (NT)
• 2013 U-16 NT camp invitation
• 2012 U-15 NT Player Pool
• 2011 U-14 NT Player Pool
• 2011 September U-14 NT Camp

Olympic Development Program (ODP)
• 2010-14 ODP Ohio South Player Pool
• 2010-13 Region II ODP Player Pool
• 2011-14 Region II ODP Thanksgiving Interregional Pool
• 2012-13 ODP Thanksgiving Interregional Best XI Player All Star Team • 2011-2012 Costa Rica International Tournament, earning MVP honors in two of four games
• 2014 Costa Rica International Tournament Region II Champions

Kings Hammer Club Team
• 2012-13 USYS National Championship - Kings Hammer Academy Team Finalist (2nd place finish)
• 2012 National League Champions
• 2014 USYS National Championship - Kings Hammer Academy Team (5th place finish)
• 2013 USYS National Championship Best XI All-Star Team
• Named TopDrawerSoccer's Top 10 stars from U.S. youth finals
• Named TopDrawerSoccer's U.S. Youth Soccer Nationals Top-10 girls
• 2011 Named to the Puma National top 75 Players College Showcase Camp

High School
• Two-time Ohio all-state second-team selection (2013-14)
• Named to the Southwest Ohio All Star Team and won the game's MVP award in 2014
• Named to the TopDrawerSoccer's Watch List for the U.S. All-American Team in 2014
• Two-time Southwest Ohio First Team honoree (2013-14) and Second Team (2012) as a sophomore
• Two-time All-City First Team honoree (2013-14) and honorable mention (2012) as a sophomore
• Three-time Greater Miami Conference first-team selection (2012-14) and second-team (2011) as a freshman

Coach Rayfield on Murray: "Katie may be small in stature but she can control the pace of a game, make players around her look great and be unpredictably dangerous with her ability to create scoring chances for herself and others. She has an attacking mindset, great vision of the game and a great work ethic. Her quickness, deception and technical ability allow her to solve pressure, and we expect her to be a significant piece of a coordinated Illini attack.”

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