March 24, 2006

PHILADELPHIA - Saint Joseph's Women's Soccer Head Coach Jess Reynolds today announced the signing of five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent and freshman transfer for the 2006-07 season.

Defenders Sarah O'Malley (West Chester, PA/Bishop Shanahan) and Taylor Carr (Fairfax, VA/Robinson Secondary School), midfielders Danielle Debernardo (Richboro, PA/Council Rock North) and Lauren Sutcliffe (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown West) and goalkeepers Megan Bastianelli (Bear, DE/St. Mark's) and Katie Cagle (Phoenix, AZ/Xavier Prep/ Point Loma Nazarene) will don the Crimson and Gray next season for the Hawks.

A four-year letterwinner at Bishop Shanahan, O'Malley led her team to the PIAA Quarter finals as a junior. A First Team PIAA All-Area and All-Ches-Mont selections, O'Malley has helped her club team, the West Chester United Predators to three Pennsylvania State titles and a No. 10 national ranking. A five-year member of the Eastern Pennsylvanian Olympic Development Program, she led her Region 1 squad to two straight regional titles in 2001 and 2002.

"Sarah played at a very high level, with the West Chester Predators," Reynolds said. "Her experience alone will make an immediate impact here at Saint Joseph's. We look for her to come in compete for the central back position. Sarah has the mentality, toughness, leadership, and desire to do this."

A three-year letterwinner at Robinson Secondary School, Carr twice was named an All-District selection. Seeing action both at midfield and defense, Carr was a five-year member of the Northern District ODP team and three-year member of the Virginia ODP State squad. An honor roll student, she also is a two-year letterwinner in track and field.

"Taylor is a very speedy tenacious central defender," said Reynolds. "She is smooth and composed. Taylor is very intelligent and we have no doubt she will step into the central back position with ease."

A four-year starter at Council Rock North, Debernardo led her team to three straight PIAA District Semifinals. A Suburban One Colonial Division All-Star and Bucks County Golden Team selection, she has led the FC Bucks Lightning to four Pennsylvania Club titles. A seven-year starter at midfield, Debernardo helped her Regional 1 Summer League squad to the 2003 National Championship.

"In her defensive center-mid position, Danielle is a blend of soccer intelligence and instincts," said Reynolds. "She is a very technical player who, through her vision and distribution skills, should be able to spark our attack.."

A four-year starter at Downingtown West, Sutcliffe was named to the 2005 All-Ches-Mont First Team after being selected to the Second Team in 2004. A five-year member of the EPYSA ODP team, she is also a member of the National Honor Society.

"Lauren has an endless work rate and is a tough, hardnosed midfielder," Reynolds said. "She will bring a different dynamic to our midfield with her toughness and determination."

A two-time All-Delaware First Team selection at goalkeeper, Bastianelli led St. Mark's to the finals of the 2005 Delaware State Championships. Selected to the 2005 All-East Region Team by the National Soccer Coaches of America, she has posted 27 shutouts over her final 39 games. A two-time First Team All-Catholic Conference selection, Bastianelli has led her club team, the Kirkwood Twisters, to two Delaware State Cup titles.

"Megan is very athletic, agile goalkeeper who displays wonderful leadership qualities, said Reynolds. "She will have the opportunity to compete right away for the starting position."

An Honorable Mention NAIA All-American Team, Cagle led Point Loma Nazarene to a 12-4-4 record and #10 national ranking. An athletic goalkeeper, Cagle set Point Loma Nazarene records for both shutouts (seven) and goals against average (0.80). A two-time All-Arizona and All-Region selections at Xavier College Prep, Cagle led her team to an Arizona State Championship.

Katie has great command of her box, good size and presence as well being very quick and athletic," Reynolds said. " We look for her to compete with Jen Kuhn and Megan for the starting spot."

The Hawks will lose seniors Jess Daugherty, Nicole DiEnna and Alisha Paine to graduation this spring. Saint Joseph's is coming off its third consecutive appearance in the Atlantic 10 Championship.