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By Joe Monaco, AU Sports
Information
“My Big Fat Greek Wedding” turned out
to be the biggest independent movie of all-time and now has
stretched into a sitcom series on CBS.
The Ashland University soccer program is always
looking to stretch the talent of its roster and the success of the
program, and it did just that with the addition of eight new
players – six women and two men.
Ashland is an NCAA Division II institution that
competes in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The Eagles are coached by John Hall.
Information on the new Eagles can be found
below.
Women
- Angela Berardinelli (Willowick,
OH/Eastlake North) – Beradinelli was a four-year
starter for Eastlake North where she scored 53 goals and added
44 assists. She was a Cleveland Plain Dealer all-star selection
and earned Player of the Week honors by the publication. She was
a two-time Premier Athletic Conference all-star team member and
a second team All-Greater Cleveland selection.
An all-around tremendous athlete,
Berardinelli earned 11 letters in high school – competing
in soccer, basketball and softball. She was a part of six
conference championship teams – four in basketball and
two in soccer.
Her sister, Jen, is a member of the AU
women’s soccer team and was a first team All-GLIAC
selection in 2002.
Berardinelli is the daughter of Gene and
Kathy Berardinelli.
Hall on Berardinelli: “Angela
is recovering from breaking her leg and we are going to assess
her fitness when she arrives. She is a hard-nosed player and
can dominate opponents physically. She will add competition at
the midfield spot.”
- Ashley Bigelow (Lexington, OH) –
Bigelow was a three-time first team Ohio Heartland Conference
and all-district selection. She earned four letters in soccer at
Lexington and was named the best sweeper in the OHC as a
freshman.
During her prep career, Lexington won four
district titles and two conference championships. She was part
of a team that captured the regional championship and advanced
to the state semifinals in her junior season.
Bigelow plans to major in athletic training
and is the daughter of Steve Bigelow and Carolyn Bennett.
Hall on Bigelow: “Ashley
will compete for a spot in the backline. She is recovering
from an ACL injury. She brings great experience from the club
level.”
- Lisa Burg (Medina, OH) – Burg
comes to Ashland after an established athletic career at Medina
High School. She was an All-Pioneer Conference selection and was
named the Medina Gazette Prep Athlete of the Week. She was
awarded with the Rollie Platz Sportsmanship award as a senior.
Burg excelled in track where she set a
school record in the 4x100 relay and sprint medley relay. She
earned all-conference accolades in track. She collected eight
letters at Medina – four in track and field and four in
soccer.
Her parents are Gary and Judy Burg and she
plans to major in biology and Spanish.
Hall on Burg: “Lisa
is a very athletic, no-nonsense type of player. She plays more
center-midfield and can dominate opponents physically.”
- Caitlyn Carducci (Powell, OH/Olentangy)
– Carducci was named Oletangy’s offensive most
valuable player as a senior. She scored five goals and added 15
assists as a forward. She was a second team All-Ohio Capital
Conference selection and played in the district all-star game.
Carducci earned 13 letters during her prep
career – four in soccer, four in track, three in
basketball and two in cross country. On the hardwood, she is
Olentangy’s all-time career assist leader and garnered
most valuable player honors as a junior. She holds the school
record in the 4x800 and 4x1600 in track.
She is the daughter of Dan and Roberta
Carducci and plans to major in sports communication.
Hall on Carducci: “Caitlyn
will compete for a spot in the midfield. She is left-footed
and has great technique. She’s a long thrower and good in
the air.”
- Karen Carty (Fairfield, OH) –
Carty was a two-time All-Greater Miami Conference and first team
All-Butler County selection during her prep career. She was a
first team member of the All-Southwest Ohio team and garnered
All-Cincinnati honorable mention honors. She was named most
valuable player at Fairfield.
Carty earned six letters for the Indians –
three in soccer and three in basketball. Fairfield won
district titles in soccer during her sophomore and senior
years.
The daughter of Jim and Beverly Carty, she
plans to major in early childhood education.
Hall on Carty: “Karen
is a hard-nosed defender. She is a good marker and can play
opponents one-on-one. She’s extremely mentally tough.”
- Julie Davis (Ashland, OH) – A
local native, Davis earned seven letters for the Arrows –
four in soccer and three in basketball. She was a captain during
her senior season and was honored with the coach’s award.
Ashland won two OHC titles during her career.
Davis is the daughter of Don and Rhonda
Davis and plans to major in business.
Hall on Davis: “Julie
is extremely athletic and quick. We see her predominantly as
an outside fullback. She is very tough and does not like to
lose.”
Men
- Alessandro Messina (Burnaby
Central/British Columbia, Canada) – Messina will add
depth to the midfield with his international experience. He
traveled to Amsterdam to play against some of the world’s
top players. At Burnaby Central, he excelled on the soccer field
and in track where he was named most valuable player in his
sophomore year. An extremely quick athlete, Messina ran the 100
meter dash in 10.79 and 200 meters in 22.38 and 400 meters in
49.68.
Messina is the son of Giuseppe and Maria
Messina and he has yet to determine a major.
Hall on Messina: “Alessandro
has very good technique. He is a natural left-footed player
and can take opponents one-on-one. He is very quick and we see
him as an outside-mid player on the left side.”
- Brendan Volkmar (Neelin/Manitoba,
Canada) – Volkmar brings another taste of international
flavor to the Eagles. He was named the most valuable player
during under-16, under-17, under-18 tournaments as a forward and
was a member of the Canada games soccer team for the under-20
team.
The son of Karl Volkmar, he plans to major
in athletic training.
Hall on Volkmar: “Brendan
is very good technique-wise. Another left-footed player, he
can play in the midfield or at defense. He is a very strong
player.”
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