Quinnipiac Women's Soccer Signs Four To Class Of 2015

HAMDEN, Conn. - Quinnipiac University women's soccer head coach Dave Clarke has announced the signing of four student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Angela Ellison (Peabody, Mass.), Jessica Lavoie (Berlin, Conn.), Caitlyn Shaw (North Haven, Conn.) and Kathryn Young (Fairfield, Conn.) will join the Bobcats for the 2011-12 season.

Angela Ellison joins the Bobcats as a four-year varsity starter from Peabody Veterans Memorial High School. She was voted captain in her junior and senior seasons and was named the Northeast Conference's Most Valuable Player. The defensive midfielder was named an Eastern Mass All-Star, a Boston Globe All-Scholastic player, and was All-State and All-New England selections. Ellison played for the Stars of Mass., where she helped lead the club team to a State Championship in 2010 and to the ECNL National Finals.

"Angela may end up being the best player of the four coming in," said Quinnipiac head coach Dave Clarke. "She plays on a very good club team, with national team players around her. I think her ability on the ball, to play in midfield in a variety of positions, will stand to her with the team."

"I choose Quinnipiac because its Physicians Assistant program is a good fit for me and I want to continue my soccer career," said Ellison.

Caitlyn Shaw, a North Haven native, comes to Quinnipiac after playing varsity soccer at North Haven high school for three years, where she recorded the most combined goals and assists. Shaw was named All-Division in her junior year and had to sit out during her senior season due to injury. She also started for the CFC United, where her team won four State Cup Championships across six years. Shaw was one of three juniors in the state to make the CFC Passion Team's roster in 2010.

"Cait has a great attitude, in terms of personality, and will bring a lot to the team in that regard," said Clarke. "I'm hoping that her pace in the Northeast Conference will help us unlock defenses."

"The reason I chose Quinnipiac is because they have such an amazing soccer coach," said Shaw. "When I visited the school I really enjoyed it and I love being close to home."

Kat Young, a midfielder from Fairfield, Conn. played varsity soccer for Fairfield Warde High School, where she helped lead her team to a State Championship in 2007. Young was named captain as a senior and received All-State honors in 2010. A 2010 FCIAC Scholar Athlete, she was also selected to the All-FCIAC First Team and NSCAA Scholar All-Region Team in her senior year. In 2009, Young received All-FCIAC Second Team honors. Young has played for CFC since 2004 and was a part of the CFC United 17 that won the 2010 State Championship. She was a recipient of the Wendy's High School Heissman Award for Fairfield Warde.

"Kat is probably the most versatile of the four players coming in," said Clarke. "She's good on the ball, strong and athletic."

"Attending Quinnipiac University affords me the opportunity to be a part of a strong academic and athletic community," said Young. "I am very excited about pursuing my dream of a degree in Physical Therapy and having the privilege to continue playing the sport I love, under the direction of a coaching staff committed to excellence."

Lastly, Jessica Lavoie joins Quinnipiac from Berlin High School, where she played varsity soccer and was named All-Conference. The center midfielder chose Quinnipiac "not only for the soccer program and great coaching staff, but also for the comforting campus and friendly environment."

"Jess will do very well in midfield and play a big role over the next four years," said Clarke. "She's got that physical drive and presence that will help immensely in the NEC."