Ziesemer inks younger Mendenhall as first recruit

November 27, 2007

Incoming freshman Amanda Mendenhall is the first officially signed recruit for thirteenth-year head coach Marty Ziesemer. (Photo courtesy of Corban Sports Info. Office)

SALEM, Ore. - Thirteenth-year head coach Marty Ziesemer signed midfielder Amanda Mendenhall (Windsor, Calif.) to a Letter of Intent earlier today, therefore making the youngest Mendenhall the first recruit of the Class of 2012 for the women's soccer program.

Mendenhall is the younger sister of former women's soccer all-conference goalkeeper Kim Mendenhall (2002-05) and current men's soccer all-conference defender Mark Mendenhall.

"I am very excited to have Amanda become a part of the team," said Ziesemer. "She is a quality player who will make an immediate impact with the team. She has great experience as a player and is a quality person who will enhance our team more than just with her on the field play."

A current senior at Rincon Valley Christian High School, Mendenhall concluded her soccer career earning three-straight league Most Valuable Player awards and all-league honors. The 5-foot-9 midfielder scored 11 goals and handed out four assists this past season en route to helping lead Rincon Valley Christian to a semifinal berth in the sectional playoffs. At the conclusion of her 2004 freshman season, Mendenhall was named to as a member of the all-league first team therefore beginning a run of four-straight all-league first team honors.

"For me, life is about more than soccer," commented Mendenhall. "It's about more than education. I want to know God better so I can live His way the rest of my life. I believe Corban will help me fulfill that goal."

Besides her high school accolades, Mendenhall also played club soccer for the Santa Rosa United Freeze. While competing at the club level, Mendenhall helped guide Santa Rosa to the 2007 State Cup championship while earning semifinal berths at the 2007 President's Day tournament and Disney Showcase.

"(Amanda is) a very smart player who has a great touch on the ball, very physical, aggressive, strong in the air, who was outstanding in our team winning the Cal North State Cup this year," said Paul Dixon, head coach of the Santa Rosa United Freeze. "I have no hesitation in saying Amanda will be a very big success for (Corban's) soccer program, and that she is just a quality player & person who will do very well in the years ahead."

Corban's women's soccer program has 15 players returning from last season's team that finished the season at 10-9-0, including 7-3-0 in conference play.