February 11, 2010

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo and women's soccer head coach Michael Thomas announced six signings for their 2010 recruiting class this morning. The signees include two student-athletes from New York, two from Colorado and one from Ontario. Joining the Bulls for next season will be Megan Abman (Denver, CO/Colorado Academy), Lauren Coviello (Parker, CO/Ponderosa), Courtney Gross (East Meadow, NY/East Meadow), Natalie Jurisevic (Burlington, Ontario/Assumption Catholic S.S.)and Karen McMahon (Buffalo NY/Cleveland Hill). In addition to this, transfer studentShannon Algoe (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville North) is currently enrolled at UB and training with the team.

Coach Thomas on Megan: "Megan is a player who can play anywhere on the field. I have seen her play up front, in the midfield and in the back for a very good Fort Collins Arsenal team. We are excited to have her join our program."Megan Abman joins the Bulls from the Colorado Academy Mustangs and the Arsenal Colorado. She has been a member of the Colorado Olympic Development Pool while helping lead the Arsenal to a 2008 State Cup finals appearance. As a high school player, Megan has been named All-Conference while helping her team qualify for the state tournament; making it as far as the state quarterfinals. Megan is also an academic standout as she is been on the honor roll 13 of 13 trimesters at Colorado Academy.

 

Lauren Coviello comes from the REAL Soccer Club in Highlands Ranch Colorado and Ponderosa High School. Lauren's club soccer experience is riddled with deep runs into the tournament including a State Cup Championship, and most recently an appearance in the 2009 State Cup finals. For Ponderosa, Lauren has been a mainstay on the team winning All-Conference recognition in 2007, 2008, and 2009, while also being named Honorable Mention All-State for her 2009 campaign. In addition to her exploits on the field, Lauren excels in the classroom and has been named to the Colorado All-State First Team for her academic work.

 

Coach Thomas on Lauren: "Lauren is a player who plays on a very good club and high school team. She has played against some of the best competition in the country. She is able to change games with her ability in the air and we are very excited to have her join the team."

 

Courtney Gross has had a history of success on every level as a player. At East Meadow High School she has been named All-Conference, All-County and All-State while enjoying a prolific prep career. She has also been a two-time State Cup finalist and has won numerous tournaments as a member of the Albertson Fury and the Stony Brook Arsenal/HBC Intense 91 Arsenal. In addition to this, Courtney has consistently participated as a member of the New York East Olympic Development team.

 

Coach Thomas on Courtney: "Courtney is a very natural wide player. She is capable of getting in behind a defense or playing the simple ball. We think the sky is the limit for her at UB ."

 

Natalie Jurisevic comes across the border from the Burlington Sting where she has captained one of the most successful club teams in the Country. Her team has won the OYSL Championship as well as the Ontario Cup in the last two years in addition to numerous other team honors. As a member of the Assumption Catholic Crusaders, she has been named the Most Valuable Player on her team, and been named the school's Athlete of the Year while participating in basketball, volleyball and soccer.

 

Coach Thomas on Natalie: "Natalie brings a good physical presence to the backline. We have seen her change a game by getting forward in the attack and we are excited to see this dynamic on the field at Buffalo."

 

The Bulls did not go far to find Karen McMahon, as the local product chose to stay home and play for the hometown team. As a member of the Empire United Soccer Club, Karen won a State Cup Championship in 2009, as well as the USC National Championship in 2008. She has been an honor roll member since the sixth grade.

 

Coach Thomas on Karen: "Karen is an athletic specimen. She is capable of stretching defenses and opening up the field. She is a player who has shown she is willing to do whatever it takes for her team to win and we are excited we were able to convince her to stay home."

 

The Bulls also added transfer student Shannon Algoe to the program from the University of Connecticut. Shannon is a local product who is returning to Western New York where she experienced a prolific prep career. While leading her Williamsville North team to two Section VI Championships, Algoe was named All-Western New York, third-team All-State, and to the ECIC Division One First Team. Shannon played club soccer for Buffalo United where she won a State Cup under head coach Nick DeMarsh and finished playing for the Rochester Junior Rhinos where she added another State Cup to her accomplishments. During her two years at Connecticut the team qualified for the national tournament twice.

 

Coach Thomas on Shannon: "It's nice to have another local product in the program. Shannon is a player who brings a lot to the program on and off the field and we are proud to have her back in Buffalo."

 

Head coach Michael Thomas summed up the 2010 class by saying, "Athletically and academically we are very proud to have this group of young women join the UB family and we are confident that they will represent us proudly for four years."