Cowgirl soccer signs eight

University of Wyoming head soccer coach Danny Sanchez announced on Thursday the signing of seven student-athletes to national letters of intent and one to a letter of admittance. The future Cowgirls will attend Wyoming in the fall of 2009.

The seven letter of intent signees include Carmen Blume, a forward from Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Meagan Burke, a goalkeeper from Lakewood, Colo.; Mara Cosgrove, a defender from Thornton, Colo.; Taylor Grillo, a midfielder from Centennial, Colo.; Shalayne Janis, a midfielder from Orem, Utah; Jenny Johnson, a midfielder from Fort Collins, Colo. and Olivia Mohtadi, a forward from Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Sydney Jones, a defender from Sugar Land, Texas, will join them as a recruited walk-on after confirming her intent to enroll at UW.

"We are excited to have eight players join our program," said Sanchez. "Although we lost six players to graduation, we feel each one of the incoming freshman are capable of coming in and making an immediate impact on the team. We don’t necessarily recruit players for specific positions, we try and find the best players we can and let them compete for positions."

Blume was the co-captain for her club team, the Calgary Foothills Colts for five seasons. Blume and her team were five-time Provincial Champions, and two-time Canadian National Champions in 2007 and 2008. She was a Provincial team member for three years and along with soccer, lettered in basketball, cross country, and volleyball.

"Carmen is a bit of an unknown in that she is coming off some injuries, but we feel that she can have an immediate impact on our team," Sanchez said. "Having won two national championships with the Calgary Colts, we feel Carmen is capable of contributing right away up top or in the back."

Burke earned Colorado 5A All-Conference honors from 2006-2008. She also played for the Puerto Rico under 17 and 23 national teams in World Cup Qualifiers. Along with soccer, Burke also competed in basketball and swimming at Green Mountain High School. She played her club soccer with the Colorado Storm.

"Meagan has all the tools to be a very good keeper," Sanchez said. "She has good size and great distribution. Meagan will have the opportunity to compete immediately for time in goal."

Cosgrove was the team-captain for two years at Legacy High School, where she earned first team all-conference in 2007 and 2008, as well as second team all-state in 2008. Cosgrove also played basketball, where she earned honorable mention all-conference in 2006-07. Her basketball team was second in the 5A State Championship in 2007 when she was the team captain. Academically, Cosgrove was four time Academic All-Conference, National Honor Society member for three years, and Academic Letter Winner for four years.

"Mara is great in the air and strong in the tackle," Sanchez said. "She has played primarily center midfield growing up, but has been moved to center back with her Colorado Rush Club team. We feel that she is capable of stepping in and competing for time along the backline."

At Cherry Creek High School, Grillo led her team to the 5A state championship game in 2007, and state semifinals in 2008. Her club team, Riverside Renegades, were the 2007 Colorado State Cup champions and runner-up in 2008. Grillo earned high school letter in soccer her sophomore through senior seasons.

"Taylor has great pace and the ability to run at people," Sanchez said. "She has had a lot of success with her Riverside SC Club team, winning multiple state championships. With Taylor’s athleticism, she will compete for time in the wide midfield and up top."

Janis was a four -year varsity starter for Mountain View High School. In 2007, she led her team to the state semifinals and earned all-state honorable mention. In 2008, Janis was the team captain and earned First Team All-Valley. She played her club soccer with the Utah Rush.

"Shalayne is a very creative player, who sees the field well and will really add to our attack," Sanchez said. "She is versatile and can play any role in the midfield, but will primarily be looked upon to add a spark to our play in the final third."

Johnson played on the Fort Collins Arsenal Club Team. As a team captain, her team was in the Colorado State Cup semifinals in 2007 and 2008. For her high school team, Johnson lettered all four years and was named 2008 first team all-conference. Johnson also lettered three years in basketball.

"We feel that Jenny can have a real impact on our Cowgirl program," Sanchez said. "Jenny really moves the ball around well and also pushes up into the attack. She gets all of teammates involved and will improve our midfield play."

In 2008, Mohtadi was the top scorer in her high school conference with 26 points. Her Calgary Foothills Colts Club team won Canadian Nationals in 2007 and 2008. She participated two years in volleyball and basketball in high school, as well and was a 2006 Provincial team member.

"Olivia has won two national championships with her Calgary Colts Club team and brings great experience to the Cowgirls," Sanchez said. "She will to compete for time immediately upfront, but also has a nice left foot that may see time on the flank."

Jones was apart of the 5A District championship team in 2006 and 2008 in South Texas and was named to the 2008 All-District team for her efforts. On her Challenge Club team, Jones was a part of the 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007 National Cup South Texas State Championship team. Academically, Jones earned letters three years and was a National Honor Society member in 2008 and 2009.

"Sydney came to us late in the recruiting process, but is a player with good size and reads the game well," Sacnhez said. "She is capable of playing anywhere along the backline. She has had a ton of success with the Challenge Soccer Club."