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Women’s Soccer Announces Recruits 3/7/2006 NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Commodore soccer squad will welcome four freshman for the 2006 fall season, Megan Forester (Hendersonville, Tenn.) Abby Jones (Cincinnati, Ohio), Nicole Lukens (Littleton, Colo.), and Lindsay Ratterman (Cenntennial, Colo.). “We are very excited about our 2006 recruiting class. This is a diverse group of young women all sharing one characteristic-they love Vanderbilt and are committed to helping us win Championships,” Vanderbilt Head Coach Ronnie Coveleskie Hill said. The only local recruit this season is Megan Forester, out of Hendersonville. In 2004, Forester tore her ACL at a tournament, but quickly rebounded to become Middle Tennessee Division II Player of the Year in 2005. Forester also helped the Pope John Paul II squad take the Division II State Championship her senior year. “Megan has a long line of honors this season, and we could not be more proud of her rebound from her injury of her junior year. I am always excited to add another Tennessee player to our roster. Megan is a hard worker with an intense desire to win. Her hard working attitude and love for Vanderbilt will lead us on and off the field. I am positive that Megan possesses the ability to help us win championships at Vanderbilt,” Hill said. Among the four recruits are two out of Colorado, Nicole Lukens and Lindsay Ratterman. Lukens assisted her Faith Christian team to the state playoffs in 2004 and 2003 and was named second team all-conference for two consecutive years. “Nicole is a dynamic attacking player. She is going to provide us with an additional creative player to add to our talented front line. Nicole’s ability to score goals make her a very important addition to our program.” Ratterman helped lead the Arapahoe Warriors to the Colorado State Finals in 2005 in addition to leading club team Real Colorado to the State Championship as team captain in 2004 and 2005. “Lindsay’s versatility will allow her to play several different roles for us this fall. I was instantly attracted to her athleticism. She will be one of the most gifted athletes on our roster. I expect to see Lindsay make an immediate impact on our program,” Hill said. The final addition to the 2006 squad will be Cincinnati native Abby Jones. Jones currently holds Loveland High School’s record for consecutive starts (69), and led the team in steals in 2004 and 2005. In 2005, Jones was named Team Offensive MVP, was voted All-southwest Ohio Player, and was named a Cincinnati Enquirer All-Star. “Abby is a very athletic outside back. Her strengths fit right into our possession oriented style of play. She is composed on the ball and can find feet with her passes. I expect her to challenge for playing time right away,” Hill said. In 2005, the Commodores went 16-3-3 overall and went to the NCAA tournament for the first time in six years. “The combination of our returning players with our new additions brings about an intense feeling of excitement for the 2006 season,” Hill said. “Our staff combed the US for talent that fit Vanderbilt perfectly-and I think they have done a fantastic job of finding the perfect Vanderbilt women’s soccer player.” |
