Feb. 15, 2007
DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis women's soccer signed a class of six prospective student-athletes to national letters of intent (NLI) during the spring signing period, it was announced by head coach MaryClaire Robinson. Each is a high school senior who is expected to enroll at UC Davis for the fall 2007 quarter.
Alphabetically, the signing class comprises Mariel Egan of Davis, Calif., Samantha Faber of Moraga, Calif., Maureen Griffin of St. Louis, Mo., Shawna Kelley of Rohnert Park, Calif., Jennifer Prokop of Claremont, Calif. and Afiya Roberts of Fremont, Calif.
Egan is a senior forward and a two-time All-Monticello Empire League honoree at nearby Davis Senior High. She earned team MVP distinction as a junior and her team's Golden Boot Award as a sophomore for the nationally ranked Blue Devils. Egan, who plays club ball for Davis Legacy 89, was named to the ODP State and Regional pools.
"Mari will provide great physical presence in our forward line," said Robinson. "She plays tough and uses her body well to maintain and win possession. She's a proven goal scorer and we'll look for her impact in the attacking third on both sides of the ball."
Faber stars as a midfielder for her SAC California Northstars U18 and Campolindo High teams. In varsity play, she was selected as Diablo Foothill Athletic League MVP as a junior, after winning first-team All-DFAL merit as a sophomore and second-team recognition as a freshman. Faber has twice led her team in assists and goals, ranking second in the DFAL in scoring as a junior. In 2006, the Contra Costa Times named her on its Select Team and Top 100 Athletes of the East Bay lists.
Faber, who helped the Northstars to State Cup quarterfinal berths in 2005 and 2006, previously played for the Diablo Valley Black Pearl U17 squad. Also known as "The Nightmare", her team won the Nomad College Showcase, the USSC National Cup III title and advanced to the finals of the Surf Cup and U.S. Youth Soccer Association regional. Additionally, Faber was selected to Super Y League ODP national and regional teams. Academically, she has earned North Coast Section Scholar-Athlete honors every year.
"Samantha is a gifted playmaker in the midfield," Robinson said. "She directs traffic well and has the ability to spray the ball out on the flanks or in behind the defense. She has a superb work ethic and is very active around the ball, both offensively and defensively. We look to Samantha to improve our team speed in transition."
Griffin is the Aggies' lone out-of-state signee, hailing from Visitation Academy in St. Louis, Mo. She is a three-time All-Metro Women's Athletic Association honoree and a member of the 2006 all-state second team. Griffin helped lead the Vivettes to state championships in her freshman and junior seasons, scoring the game-winning goal in the 2004 title game. Academically, Griffin is a National Merit commended scholar and a National Honor Society member. In club season, she currently plays for St. Louis Soccer Club, ranked 11th nationally.
"Maureen is one of the most polished players we've signed, a technically savvy player with excellent field vision." said Robinson. "She is a midfielder who will improve our presence in the attacking third. We're looking forward to her impact in the midfield and attack."
Kelley is a two-time defensive MVP at Rancho Cotate High School and a member of Santa Rosa United. She earned first-team All-North Bay League honors in 2006 after making the second team as a junior in 2005 and winning honorable mention as a sophomore in 2004. She played her first season as a forward, recording four assists, then moved to defense where she has anchored the back line for three seasons. In club ball, Kelley helped United capture the State Cup title and both the fall and summer Surf Cup championships in 2005.
Prokop plays midfielder for Claremont High School and Arsenal FC in Alta Loma, Calif. She scored 22 goals and nine assists in her first three seasons at CMS, earning first-team All-Baseline League honors in 2005 and honorable mention in 2004 and 2006. In club action, Prokop helped lead Arsenal to the Surf Cup finals in 2005.
"Jenny is a dynamic attacking player who has a knack for making herself dangerous," Robinson said. "She can play in the midfield and up high as an attacking player. Jenny is not afraid to battle for the ball, and her speed will be an asset on the field. She will provide spark in the attacking third."
Roberts is an All-Mission Valley Athletic League defender at Washington High, helping her team capture three straight conference titles and three North Coast Section playoff berths. As a freshman, she earned All-MVAL second-team honors, then picked up first-team nods as a sophomore and junior. Roberts hails from a soccer-rich family: her older brother Jamil is a standout at Santa Clara, while her oldest brother Troy is a defender for the Los Angeles Galaxy.
"Afiya is a gifted athlete and an excellent 1-v-1 defender," said Robinson. "Her play is so smart that she makes defending look easy. She is confident with the ball at her feet and has a great understanding of her role within the defensive shape. Afiya is a smart decision-maker who can begin our attack out of the back. We're looking forward to her athleticism in our back line."
UC Davis finished 9-6-2 in its final year of transition to NCAA Division I status. The Aggies will begin play as a full-fledged member of the Big West Conference beginning this fall.
