FLORENCE, S.C. – Francis Marion University women’s soccer coach Marty Beall has announced the program’s freshmen class for the 2008 season which consists of nine players: back Erin Breen of Martinsburg, W.V.; goalkeeper Casey Durham of Waldorf, Md.; forward Amanda Hall of Anchorage, Alaska; midfielder Caitlyn Margusity of Pottstown, Pa., back Rebecca McQuay of Baltimore, Md.; forward Emily Myers of Louisville, Ky.; back Dali Sterling of Augusta, Ga., forward/back Stephanie Squirewell of Columbia, and forward Kiley Williams of Shavertown, Pa.
Breen, a 5-4 outside back, is a senior at Hedgesville High School, where she played for coach Sunny Tippett. She is a four-time All-Conference and All-Area performer who amassed career totals of 53 goals and 20 assists. This past year she helped lead her team to the sectional championship match. She also lettered in both basketball and track. She played with the Epic Comets club team, winning the West Virginia state championship three times. She has been a part of the West Virginia Olympic Development Program (ODP).
| What Coach says........"Erin is very athletic, very competitive, and possesses good speed and strength." |
Breen says........"I liked how small and beautiful the campus was. I also enjoyed the coaching staff and meeting the players. I liked how close the team was and the bond they shared." |
Durham, a 5-10 keeper, is a senior at Westlake High School, where she played for coach Robert Griffiths. An All-State selection, she was named the 2007 County Player of the Year. As a senior, she recorded a school-record 111 saves, including a school-record 23 stops in one match. She earned All-SMAC honors twice and All-County recognition three times, and was her team captain for two seasons. She is a product of the same high school as former FMU midfielder Elizabeth Gallacher.
| What Coach says........"Casey is an athletic keeper that has good size (5-10), and is a great shot stopper." |
Durham says........"I really like the chemistry of the team and how close they were. It helped that the campus was really nice and they offered my major. I really liked the environment of the whole school and everyone is very friendly. It’s the perfect place for me to go to school." |
Hall, a 5-5 forward, is a senior at South Anchorage High School, where she is playing for coach Brian Farrell. The Wolverines are currently 5-0 and Hall has tallied nine goals and three assists. As a junior, she was named to the Alaska High School All-Tournament Team as her school played in the state title match. She was also been named her squad’s offensive most valuable player.
What Coach says........"Amanda has speed in excess, is very competitive, solid technically, and will be a serious threat up front. "
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Hall says........"I like the idea of playing for a Division 1 school with a smaller population and a warm climate. The girls were nice and I liked the competitiveness of the program." |
Margusity, a 5-7 midfielder, is a senior at Owen J. Roberts High School, where she plays for coach Joe Margusity – her dad. An honorable mention All-Area selection in 2007, she comes from a program that has won nine straight Pioneer Athletic Conference championships. The team finished 11-6-3 last fall. She also played club soccer with the Vincent United FC Fury, and has been a part of the Pennsylvania ODP program.
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What Coach says........"Caitlyn has good athleticism, combined with great vision, and will bolster our midfield unit."
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Margusity says........"When I went on my first visit the girls were really nice and Coach Beall’s coaching style pulled me in. He knew how to have fun but be serious. His determination to make FMU a top D1 program helped me realize that I wanted to be a part of the Patriot family." |
McQuay, a 5-7 back, is a senior at Mercy High School, where she played for coach Albert Oni. As a senior, she earned IAAM All-Star recognition as the Magic posted a 10-8-1 mark. A four-year starter, she garnered second-team All-City honors in 2006 and was named her team’s defensive MVP. She has also played with the Parkville SC Elite squad, currently plays with the SAC (Soccer Association of Columbia) U18’s, and at Mercy is four-year letterwinner in both indoor and outdoor track ands field.
| What Coach says........ "Rebecca has an excellent soccer mind, reads the game well, and has excellent speed." |
McQuay says........"I originally didn’t want to go far away from home, but when I got to FMU and saw the campus I changed my mind. It was a very welcoming place and felt like home. I am very excited to come. Coming to camp and meeting all the girls really helped me to make my decision. I could see myself here and knew I could count on someone to pick me up when I felt far from home." |
Myers, a 5-9 forward, is a senior at Sacred Heart Academy, where she played for coach Chris Moore. At Sacred Heart, she played on three state championship teams, including her senior year when Sacred Heart posted a 17-4-3 record. Also in 2007, she helped lead her club team (MSC Mockingbirds) to a Kentucky state title. She is a three-time KHSAA Academic All-State selection.
What Coach says........."Emily is an excellent target forward. She has good size and strength, is great at holding players off, and possesses a powerful shot."
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Myers says........."I love the campus, the team and the coaching staff. FMU fit my playing style and I liked the team dynamics." |
Sterling, a 5-5 outside back, is a senior at Lakeside High School, where she plays for coach Chris Newman. She attends the same high school as current Patriot keeper Emily Brandenburg. The Panthers are currently 10-2-2. Sterling is also a product of the Augusta Arsenal club program.
What Coach says......... "Dali is very competitive, has an outstanding work ethic, and is a battler on the field."
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Sterling says........."I really like the coaches, the girls and the beautiful campus. I really liked the way all the girls got along and helped each other. They all seem to bring out the best in each other. This atmosphere is what I have been looking for in choosing a college and team. I was looking for a team that is competitive, supportive and that will help make me a better player. I believe that FMU offers these things that I am looking for." |
Squirewell, a 5-4 forward, is a senior at Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, where she plays for coach Curtis Player. This season, she has scored five goals with one assists as the Lady Highlanders are currently 12-6-1. She also runs track for Heathwood Hall. She played club soccer for the Columbia United FC 89 Elite squad.
What Coach says........."Stephanie is an excellent athlete and is also blessed with great speed. She has a very bright future at FMU."
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Squirewell says........."I really like the campus and what the school had to offer. I also liked how nice and close the team was, as well as the bond they had together.” I liked Coach Beall’s coaching style and could see myself fitting in here." |
Williams, a 5-2 forward, is a senior at Dallas Senior High School, where she plays for coach Chris Scharff. Heading into her senior campaign this spring, she is a three-time All-State choice and a three-time District 2 Most Valuable Player. She was also named to the 2007 NSCAA/adidas All-Region II (East) squad. The Mountaineers won the 2007 PIAA Class 2A state title.
| What Coach says........"Kiley is a good all-around talent, one of the best recruits we have ever signed. She is quick, competitive, has excellent field vision, and makes great runs." |
Williams says........"I chose Francis Marion for the location, the size of the college, and the fact that they offer what I want to study. I liked knowing where I stood for helping make this the best program it can be, as well as Coach Beall and his coaching philosophies." |
Beall added, “The incoming class will continue our evolution as a Division I program, especially in the area of speed and quickness. This group also includes quality student-athletes, the type we want representing our university.”
Francis Marion loses four seniors off last season’s 10-7-1 squad that completed its first year as a full-fledged member of NCAA Division I. That marked the team’s 12th season with double-digit victories in its 13-year history.
