Ziesemer continues to add to list of recruits for 2007

May 31, 2007

Former women's soccer player Karyn Allen will return to the Warriors next season following a one-year absence, as she looks to be the main-stay in goal for Corban and Coach Ziesemer. (Photo courtesy of Corban Sports Information)

SALEM, Ore. – Twelfth-year head coach Marty Ziesemer announced today the signing of four more recruits, including a trio of Californians and one player from Idaho, as well as the return of former Warrior goalkeeper Karyn Allen (Merlin, Ore.) for the upcoming 2007 season.

Allen, who returns to Corban after one year of junior college, will battle for the starting position between the pipes after recording a Goals Against Average (GAA) of 1.35 during the 2005 season. Currently, Allen is ranked first in school history with a Goals Against Average of 1.24 in two seasons in goal for the Warriors.

Along with Allen, Ziesemer inked four high school seniors -- Mary Leal (Yreka, Calif.), Stephanie Henderson (Bakersfield, Calif.), Alexandra Paradis (La Quinta, Calif.), and Genessa Neeser (Pocatello, Idaho) -- to his roster for the upcoming season.

Leal is coming from Yreka High School where she helped lead the Miners to the Northern Athletic League title and second place finish at the state tournament during the 2006 season. The 5-foot-10 forward/midfielder also earned all-state honors in soccer, while pulling down All-Northern Athletic League honor in volleyball.

"Mary will give us added depth on the field this year," commented Ziesemer. "After being away from soccer for a year, I expect her to be an integral part of the team in the future."

Henderson arrives at Corban after playing at Highland High School in Bakersfield, California. The 5-foot-5 forward/defender was named league MVP honors following the 2003-04 season, while earning scholar-athlete accolades in soccer, softball, and tennis during her time as a Scot.

Stephanie will give us added depth in the defense," said Ziesemer. "Due to a recent knee injury in a club game, she will end up red-shirting this year in order to recover properly and be ready next season."

Paradis comes to the Capitol City following four years at La Quinta High School where she helped lead the Blackhawks to the Desert Valley League championship during her junior and senior seasons. The 5-foot-5 defender was named team captain prior to her 2006-07 senior season and then was awarded with the Best Defender Award following her junior and senior campaigns. Paradis is also a two-time 1st Team Desert Valley League member, while earning 3rd team CIF Division IV and being named as a member of the Division IV Senior All-Star Team.

Ziesemer was quoted as saying, "Alex will enhance our defense immediately in many ways with her speed, understanding of the game and leadership abilities. She also a carries a 4.0 GPA in high school so she combines academic quality with the ability to play quality soccer."

Neeser comes from a three-time Idaho state championship team at Century High School, where the 5-for-3 defender helped lead the Diamondbacks to the state title in 2003, 2005, and 2006. Neeser was named All-District V in 2006 and earned Century HS Defensive Player of the Year honors. At the club level, Neeser helped lead PVSC United to the PVSC Spring Classic crown on three separate occasions, including two via shootout victories.

"Genessa will get the chance to play right away in the defense," commented Ziesemer. "She is a competitor who doesn't back down in her play, while also being is a 4.0 student."

The quintet of incoming players join fellow recruits Katie Hanson (South Salem HS), Kelly Yount (Silverton HS), Miranda O'Connor (Gladstone HS), Erin Laughlin (Ephrata HS), Sheree Kuehl (Klahowya Secondary School), and Melissa Malone (El Toro HS) as members of the Warrior squad next season.

Corban will open the 2007 season on Friday, August 24th, against NCAA Division II member Northwest Nazarene beginning at 12:00 p.m. in Nampa, Idaho.