WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Head coach John Natale and the Hartford women's soccer program announced this week that five student-athletes have committed to joining the Hawks for the 2011 fall season. Four incoming freshmen and one transfer will suit up for the team next season as the Hawks search for their eleventh conference championship.
A midfielder/defender out of Loudonville, N.Y., Morgan Berry played four seasons of varsity soccer at Shaker High School. There, Berry was recognized as an All-Section II and All-New York State performer. Twice the Most Valuable Player for the Shaker squad, Berry started for the team since her freshman season and was named a captain as a senior.
Berry, who was an eight-time honor roll student at Shaker, played for the Albany Alleycats Storm Premiere club team, ranked fourth in the state.
Chanel Johnson is a forward/midfielder who comes to Hartford from New London, Conn. A star at New London High School, Johnson scored or assisted on every goal the team scored during her four-year varsity career. She was recognized as an All-State honoree last season.
Johnson also played for the Oakwood Soccer Club, which she led to three open cup championships. She also played for Rhode Island ODP. In addition to her prowess on the pitch.
Alissa Momot is a forward/midfielder from Plattsburgh, N.Y. A four-year varsity standout at Beekmantown High School, Momot helped the team to back-to-back CVAC championships in 2009-10. An All-Star and first-team performer in the CVAC, Momot was named a captain for her senior season.
Erin Quinlan joins the Hawks after spending her first two collegiate seasons as a goalkeeper for Syracuse University. After redshirting in 2009, Quinlan made three appearances last season, stopping ten shots. Quinlan was named a Big East All-Academic standout as a freshman.
While in high school at the Governors Academy in Saugus, Mass., Quinlan was named a All-New England and an NSCAA All-American as a senior in 2008. She tied the school record with nine shutouts that season, and was the Boston Defensive Player of the Year. A four-time CCL All-League performer, she was her team's Most Valuable Player three times and an All-Eastern Massachusetts All-Star twice.
A forward from Hooksett, N.H., Sarah Velasquez played three years of varsity soccer at Manchester Central High School. Velasquez helped her team to a state championship as a sophomore, following that up with a second-place finish as a junior.
A member of the New Hampshire All-State team as a senior, Velasquez was named to the state's ODP team.
“I am excited to have these players committed to our program,” head coach John Natale remarked. “I know that they will come in and make us a better team right away. We as a staff are excited for the arrival of these players, and look forward to a successful season in 2011.
