Coming off a difficult season with no senior players and an excess of injuries, the Simon Fraser University women's soccer will look to mature as a team, with a 2013 recruiting class that will add depth both defensively and offensively.
"Signing four players from one of the top teams in the B.C. Soccer Premier League, Mountain United, is a step in the right direction," said SFU head coach Shelley Howieson. "This is a quality group of athletes on and off the field and will give us some depth and versatility at every position."
Teagan Sorokan, who started at centreback for Mountain FC, is one of the local products joining the Clan.
"She will give us composure at the back and her precision when passing the ball will be a great asset when going forward," said Howieson.
Sorokan is a product of Handsworth Secondary School. She finished first at the Welsh International Super Cup with Europa Academy and placed on the tournament all-star team in Florida at the USL finals.
"The opportunity to play in the NCAA is very exciting," said Sorokan. "To do it at home is that much better. I'm excited to go to SFU with a chance to earn some playing time. I think I can play out from the defensive line with a composed and strong presence."
Burnaby's Andrea Di Lorenzo will head to Burnaby Mountain, competing for a spot in the centre-mid position.
"Her ability to pass the ball and high work rate will increase the competitive atmosphere on the team," said Howieson.
Di Lorenzo has played on the provincial team and with the national training centre west. She has competed in both the Dana Cup in Denmark and the Gothia Cup in Sweden.
In addition to being a gifted soccer player, Di Lorenzo is a gifted student, who boasts one of the top five grade-point averages in her class. She is also the sister of current Clan player, Marissa Di Lorenzo.
"When I was looking at different schools I narrowed the decision down based on academics, the group dynamic of the team and the quality of the coaching. SFU seemed like a great fit," said Di Lorenzo. "My sister and I are close and having her there already really gave me a feel for what to expect. We've never played competitively together before so that will be a nice bonus, to play with her as I start my collegiate career and she finishes hers."
Moving up the field, the Clan are pleased to add Kate, a 5'7 product of Sutherland Secondary School in North Vancouver.
"She will add strength to our attack and can play in the midfield as well as up top. Kate moves off the ball well and can open up dangerous spaces in the attacking third for the other forwards," continued Howieson.
Pearsal was a North Shore Senior Girls AA first team all-star in 2011-12 and a second team all-star from 2009 to 2011. She is also a gifted student, earning honour roll with distinction and was a two-time recipient of the Sutherland athlete of the year award.
"I wanted to continue to play soccer at a high level and it doesn't get much better than the NCAA," said Pearsal. "I also wanted to get a first-class education which SFU offers. I hope I can bring speed and an aggressive attitude to the team."
Sophie D'Souza of Vancouver, another Mountain FC product, is expected to provide the Clan much needed depth going forward.
"She is very active and can score in bunches, so we look forward to her contributing to our goal production," said Howieson.
D'Souza is a forward/midfielder, who will graduate from Kitsilano Secondary School. She was part of a Welsh International Supercup Championship in 2011, attended the Y-League North American Championships in Florida in 2008, 2009 and 2011 and is also an honour roll student.
"I think I will bring speed and a good work ethic," said D'Souza. "I was really interested in SFU's criminology program and wanted to continue playing soccer at a high level, which playing in the NCAA offers."
There will also be two players joining the Simon Fraser University women's soccer program this fall that will bring a Can-Am connection to the Clan as both players reside in the United States, but hold dual citizenship.
Joining the Clan from the competitive Total Soccer Systems program is Devon Kollymer, who has been crossing the border from Washington State to play for TSS Academy, which is based in Richmond.
A versatile player, able to play in the midfield and on the back line, Kollymer has gained valuable experience playing in the Women's Premier League and under the tutelage of program director Brendan Quarry at TSS.
"Devon is a hard-working player who has great decision making on the field," said Howieson. "She has a strong passing game and is a reliable defender. Devon is a student of the game and she will bring some footballing intelligence."
Kollymer has SFU connections to SFU, as both her mother, father and grandfather are graduates of the university.
"I wanted to play soccer at an NCAA school and SFU also offers a wealth of academic programs relating to science," said Kollymer. "I think I will bring good technical ability to the team. I am good on the ball and I think I am a smart player."
The Clan's other Can-Am player will be competing for a spot in net.
Simone Tessler from Eugene, Oregon adds size and natural shot-stopping ability to the position.
"Simone has a very good presence in net and has good agility for her size. She is fearless and has sure hands. We feel she will become a real force as time goes on in her career up on the mountain," continued Howieson.
Tessler was born in Canada before moving down to the U.S. at a young age.
"I wanted to return to the Vancouver area where I moved from when I was four," said Tessler. "When I visited the campus, I fell in love with the school."
The Clan's incoming class of 2013 with join the rest of the team atop Burnaby Mountain for training camp beginning in August.
"We're looking forward to training camp. The returning players have been working very diligently in the off season to set the table for a solid 2013 campaign. The integration of the new players in August will be paramount to our success in the fall," said Howieson.
