Colgate University Athletics

HAMILTON, NY. (6/17/09) - Colgate women's soccer head coach Kathy Brawn welcomes eight high school standouts from 5 different states to the Raider soccer program for the 2009 season as part of National Signing Day.

“Intelligent; Athletic; Focused; these are the characteristics that come to mind when describing the class of 2013,” stated Brawn.  “I couldn’t be happier about this outstanding group of young women. They each bring a plethora of attributes, not just to our program but to the college as a whole. I have no doubt that they will blend in well with their new teammates and be great assets to the Raider Soccer program.”
Coming to Hamilton, New York to don the maroon and grey will be forward Avery Atkins (Dallas, Texas), midfielder/forward Elise Amioka (South Berwick, Maine), defender Sarah Henderson (Rochester, N.Y.), forward Jillian Kinter (Newburyport, Mass.), goalkeeper Alexis Longwell (McLean, Va.), midfielder/forward Alyssa Manoogian (Peabody, Mass.), defender Ariel Rivera (Babylon, N.Y.), and goalkeeper Ashley Walsh (Cicero, N.Y.).

Elise Amioka
South Berwick, ME. • Midfielder/Forward
Marshwood HS
Seacoast United
A four-year letter-winner and Salutatorian at Marshwood High School ... 2008-09 Gatorade Maine Soccer Player of the Year … named two-time NSCAA/adidas All-Region Team ... US U-14, US U-15 Women’s National Team Pool … four-year member of the Region 1 ODP Team ... named one of Top Drawer Soccer's Top 100 recruits (ranked #73 in the country) … two-time Foster’s Daily Democrat’s Player of the Year ... SMAA Player of the Year … three-time MVP … Maine Soccer Coaches Class A Regional Team … All-time top goal scorer at Marshwood with 69 goals … two-time first team Maine All-State selection ... played club for the Seacoast United for Derek Dan.
Why I chose Colgate: "When I went on a visit I felt comfortable there. It is a great school. Everyone there was nice and welcoming and I loved the campus. The setting is beautiful in the mountains of New York. “
Brawn on Amioka: “Elise is a stellar student-athlete.  Her versatility and athleticism give us great options in midfield and up front.”

Avery Atkins
Dallas, TX • Forward
Lake Highlands HS
Solar 91
A three-year letter-winner at Lake Highlands High School … 9-5A District Champions … Regional Quarterfinal Champions … 1st Team All-District 9-5A … District 9-5A Offensive Player of the Year … 2nd Team All Area 2009 … Nolan Showcase All Tourney Team … named two-time Lake Highlands Offensive Player of the Year … Dale Hansen’s Scholar Athlete of the Week 2009 … three-time North Texas ODP Team member … semifinalists at the 2007-08 Disney Showcase ... President of the National Honor Society ... played club for Solar 91’s for coach Randy Shaw.
Why I chose Colgate: “I chose Colgate because it is a small, selective school that competes at the Division I level. I also liked that a large percentage of the student body are athletes which is rare at highly academic schools.”
Brawn on Atkins: “Avery typifies everything we’re looking for in a striker.  Her instincts around the goal
are fantastic.”

Sarah Henderson
Rochester, N.Y. • Defender
Aquinas Institute
Rochester Rhinos
A four year letter-winner and team captain at Aquinas Institute… named two time NSCAA/adidas All-Region Team … named 2008 NSCAA/adidas All-American … member of the 2007 Region 1 ODP Team  … three-time Western New York ODP Team member … 2006 NY State Champions … New York All-State First Team … four-time sectional champions … two-time All Greater Rochester All-Star … three-time Most Valuable Player … played club for the Rhinos coach Dan Shoniker … helped the Rhinos to win two State Cup championships.
Why I chose Colgate: "I decided on choosing Colgate University for many reasons. The fact that the school is so beautiful and considered one of the top universities while offering top level soccer; it’s the best of both of all worlds."
Brawn on Henderson: “Sarah’s speed and tenacity will serve her well at this level.  She has an edge to her that makes her a formidable opponent in any situation.”

Jillian Kinter
Newburyport, MA • Forward
Newburyport HS
NE Aztecs
A four-year starter and letter-winner at Newburyport High School ... ESPN RISE National Player of the Week … two-time Massachusetts Division III State Champions ... Newburyport’s all-time top goal scorer (89 Goals), 2nd all-time point scorer … 2007 Cape Ann League Player of the Year … two-time Boston Globe All-Scholastic … two-time Boston Herald All-Scholastic … two-time All League … four-time Cape Ann All-Star … two-time Daily News Player of the Year … two-time Massachusetts First Team All-State … four-time Golden Boot Award Recipient … helped lead her Aztec club team to the State u17 title.
Why I chose Colgate: "I chose Colgate because of it’s outstanding reputation and the closeness of the community and the opportunity to play high level Division I soccer.”
Brawn on Kinter: “Jillian possesses a great finishing ability.  She is also a terrific playmaker which makes her a double threat on attack.”

Alexis Longwell
McLean, VA. • Goalkeeper
McLean HS
McLean Freedom Elite
A three-year starter and three-year letter-winner at McLean High School … 2009 Liberty District Champions … McLean Highlanders team captain  ... played club for McLean Freedom Elite and Bethesda Sharks ... lead McLean Elite to 2008 Region I U18 Championship … 2008 Virginia State Cup Champions … 2007 CASL Shootout Champions … 2007 WAGS Champions … 2007 Region 1 Premier League Finalists … 2008 Liberty All-District Honorable Mention ... 91% career save percentage … three-time McLean High School Scholar Athlete … second team all-county.
Why I chose Colgate: “I chose to play for Colgate because the school has a fantastic academic reputation. The competitive nature of both the University and the soccer program was prevalent in helping me make my final decision. Once I got to know the girls and the coaching staff it was obvious that Colgate was the best match for me.”
Brawn on Longwell: “Alexis is an intelligent, fearless keeper.  She joins a group that will challenge one another in the best possible way.”

Alyssa Manoogian
Peabody, MA. • Midfielder / Forward
Peabody HS
FC Stars of Mass
A four-year starter and letter-winner at Peabody High School ... recorded 62 career goals and 65 career assists … US U-14 Women’s National Team Pool … 2007 Girls Thanksgiving Inter-Regional Event … named one of Top Drawer Soccer's Top 100 recruits (ranked #81 in the country) … three-year member of the Region 1 ODP Team … four-time Massachusetts ODP Team member … three-time Massachusetts All-State Team … three-time Top 10 goal scorer Eastern Mass … three-time first team Eastern Mass All-Star … three-time Salem News All-Star … 2007 Salem News Player of the Year … three-time Boston Globe honorable mention … two-time Greater Boston League All-Star … 2007 Northeast Conference Player of the Year … plays club for FC Stars of Mass for coach Jason Dewhurst.
Why I chose Colgate: "I loved the Colgate coaches, Kathy Brawn and her assistant, Chris McLain. I liked their approach and always felt comfortable with them. They e-mailed me every other day. I felt like one of those kids who they really wanted. They knew stuff about my game that made me feel they had seen me play a lot of times. I knew they were dedicated about recruiting me. They talked to me more than anyone else on a personal basis."
Brawn on Manoogian: “Alyssa is a brilliant playmaker. Her vision and sense of the game should have an immediate impact on our team.”

Ariel Rivera
Babylon, NY. • Defender
Babylon HS
HBC Elite
A four-year letter-winner and team captain at Babylon High School … U17 Columbia National Team Member … USYS 2007 New York State Semi-Finalist … US Club 2007 National Semi-Finalist … All-District Team from St. Dominic High School … two-time Suffolk County Finalist … Recipient of the National Athletic Award … 2008 MAPS College Showcase Champions … U17 MSSL Summer Showcase Champions …  2007 ENYYSA State Cup Semi-Finalist … 2007 US Club Regional Champions … 2006 Jefferson Cup Semi-Finalist … 2006 Score at the Shore Champions … played club for the HBC Elite coach Marcelo Sanchez.
Why I chose Colgate: "I chose Colgate because it is a high caliber and very prestigious school, it has high quality DI athletics and great friendly coaches. It has small class sizes, and it is an all around beautiful school."
Brawn on Rivera: “Ariel plays with heart and determination every time she steps on the field.  She is a determined, hard-nosed defender.”

Ashley Walsh
Cicero, NY. • Goalkeeper
Christian Brothers Academy
Syracuse Surge
A four-year letter-winner at Christian Brothers Academy … named two-time NSCAA/adidas All-Region ... named 2008 NSCAA/adidas All-American ...  named 2008 NSCAA/adidas HS State Player of the Year … US U-14, US U-15 Women’s National Team Pool… 2007 Region I ODP Costa Rica Trip … 2007 Thanksgiving Inter-Regional Event … 2006 Girls International Trip (Spain) … five-year member of the Region 1 ODP Team ... named to 2007 adidas ESP camp … nine-time New York West ODP Team member … The Post Standard All CNY First Team … two-time sectional champions ... four-time Freedom league Single A Champions … 0.65 Goals Against Average … 25 career shutouts … New York All-State selection ... played club for the Syracuse Surge and led them in two straight shutouts to win the 2009 State Cup Championship.
Why I chose Colgate: "I loved the coaches, the campus atmosphere, the academic reputation, and the soccer program. I also liked that it was closer to Syracuse because my family is really important to me and it’s nice to know that I don’t have to travel far to see them.”
Brawn on Walsh: “Ashley brings a high level of polish and athleticism to the keeper position.  Her effectiveness with the ball at her feet adds a great dimension to her overall play.”