Akron Women's Soccer Signs Six To National Letters Of Intent

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AKRON, Ohio– The Akron women's soccer team and head coach Noreen Herlihy announced the signing of six student-athletes to a National Letter of Intent, on Wednesday.

Joining the Zips in the fall of 2020 are Annabel Thomas (Canonsburg, Pa.), Brenna Springer (Ligonier, Pa.), Clara Knopke (Baden-Württemberg, Germany), Jill Rocco (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Katie Stafford (Gahanna, Ohio), and Sarah Nguyen (Irwin, Pa.).

"We are very excited to have this group of young women join us. They are excited to be a part of this program and will add nicely to the current squad we have as we all look to keep moving this program forward," said Herlihy. "I want to personally thank my staff for their continued efforts, and also Anne Jorgensen and Greg Landis who are always so willing to assist in our recruiting efforts. We look forward to seeing these players in the Zips jersey in 2020."

Signee Biographies

Annabel Thomas
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Hometown: Canonsburg, Pa.
High School: Canon McMillan
Club: Pittsburgh Riverhounds

High School: Four-time varsity letterwinner and one-time captain at Canon McMillan High School … led her section in goals scored as a junior and senior with a combined 42 goals while finishing second in the scoring in the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League … is a three-time Big 56 All-Section team selection, three-time WPIAL all-section team honoree … 2016 PIAA State Champion.

Brenna Springer
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Ligonier, Pa.
High School: Greensburg Central Catholic
Club: Pittsburgh Riverhounds

High School: In three seasons at Greensburg Central Catholic, scored 23 goals and recorded 30 assists … competed for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds soccer club for nine years.

Clara Knopke
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Baden-Württemberg, Germany
High School: Ellentalgymnasium Bietigheim
Club: FV Lochgau

Club: Since 2009, Knopke has competed for four clubs including, TSV Kleinsachsenheim (2009-11), C Jugend FV Löchgau (2011-14), B Jugend FV Löchgau (2014-17) in the ENBW Oberliga, and FV Lochgau (2017-19) in the Regionalliga Süd league and Oberliga.

Jill Rocco
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.
High School: Upper St. Clair
Club: Century United Soccer Club

Club: Played for the Century United Soccer Club for six years … played in the US Youth Soccer National League for four years … played PA West ODP for three years, made the state team, and was a runner-up in the Region 1 Championship.
High School: Competed for the Upper St. Clair High School Panthers for four years … received All-Section Award, Big 56 nomination, USA Today Player of the Week, and earned four varsity letters … three-time State Champions (2016, 2017, 2018), runner-up in GLA League (2019), first place in Champions League (2016), and four-time Regional 1 qualifier.

Katie Stafford
Position: Defender
Hometown: Gahanna, Ohio
High School: Gahanna Lincoln
Club: Ohio Premier ECNL

Club: Three-time National qualifiers with Ohio Premier … placed second in the OP ECNL in back-to-back seasons.
High School: In her four-year career, scored 53 goals and tallied 12 assists … was named a two-time captain as a junior and senior … captured a district championship as a freshman while making appearances in the regional finals as a freshman and district finals as a sophomore … two-time First Team All-OCC honoree and a Second Team All-OCC selection as a freshman.

Sarah Nguyen
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Irwin, Pa.
High School: Penn Trafford
Club: Pittsburgh Riverhounds/Century V FC

Club: Earned two PA West Championships with Century V FC.
High School: Three-time WPIAL Big 5/6 selection … captured the 2017 WPIAL-AAAA Champion … 2018 All-WPIAL honoree … three-time All-Section AAAA selection.

The University of Akron Athletics

Akron Women's Soccer Signs Six To National Letters Of Intent

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