March 12, 2007

Loudonville, N.Y. - Head women's soccer coach Steve Karbowski announced the commitment of eight student-athletes after receiving National Letters of Intent confirming their decision to attend Siena beginning next fall. Local product Jenna Placke (Ballston Lake, N.Y./Shenendehowa), Tabitha Tice (Manlius, N.Y./Fayetteville-Manlius High School), Cara Riley (Berlin, Ct./Berlin High School), Deonna Gould (Slate Hill, N.Y./Minisink Valley High School), Elizabeth Barna (Chatham, N.J./Chatham High School), Samantha Butzke (Port Jefferson Station, N.Y./Comsewogue), Jessica Kuehne (Grand Island, N.Y./Grand Island High School) and Susan Schneck (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollow Hills High School) round out the Saints Class of 2011.

Placke, a defender from Ballston Lake, N.Y., was a four year letterwinner at Shenendehowa High School. Last season, Placke was named to the First Team All-Section and the First Team Suburban Council. She also served as captain of the Adirondack team who earned the silver medal at the 2006 Empire State Games. In 2005, Placke was named to the Second Team Suburban Council after guiding Shenendehowa to the regional championship. She was a member of their 2004 state championship squad. Placke spent five years with the Shenentaha Soccer Club and three years with the Alleycats Soccer Club.

"Jenna is a technical defender who reads the game very well. She makes good decisions with the ball and positions herself well defensively," said Karbowski. "Jenna has all the characteristics of a strong central defender."

Tice is a prolific scorer who can play either the forward position or at the midfield. A four year varsity starter and two year team captain at Fayetteville-Manlius H.S., she tallied 78 goals and 32 assists over her high school career. Last season, Tice earned Second Team All-State Class AA honors. For the past two years, she was named the Colonial American League Player of the Year. She played six years with the New York State West team of the Olympic Development Program. During her tenure the team took the NYS championship in 2002 and 2005. Tice is a member of the prestigious National Honor Society.

"Tabitha is a very intelligent and technical player," Karbowski said. "She has a great touch on the ball and possesses the awareness and field presence to be a very creative offensive player. Tabitha has all the qualities to be a standout offensive minded central midfielder here at Siena."

Riley, a midfielder from Berlin High School, was a four year varsity starter during her high school career. She earned All-State recognition twice and was a three time All-Conference pick. Riley was a veteran with the Oakwood Soccer Club after spending nine years with the team. She is also a member of the National Honor Society. Riley, a standout outdoor track athlete, currently holds school records at Berlin in the 3200m, 1600m and 4 x 800m.

"Cara is a skillful and intelligent player that can play any midfield position. She has the speed and endurance for the outside mid, as well as, the playmaking and ball winning ability of a central midfielder," said Karbowski. "These qualities will allow Cara to adapt to college soccer quickly and lead to a very successful career at Siena."

Gould is a product of Slate Hill, N.Y. who can play both forward and midfield. She was a four year letterwinner at Minisink Valley High School and served as team captain for two seasons. Over her career, she registered 44 goals and 22 assists. Last season, she earned Third Team All-State recognition. Gould was a three sport athlete playing five years of varsity basketball and three years of softball at Minisink Valley. Gould is also a member of the National Honor Society.

"Deonna is a tremendous athlete," Karbowski explains. "She has a nice touch on the ball, excellent speed and can play with both feet. Combining Deonna's skill and athleticism with her toughness and competitive spirit gives her the potential to be a top goal scorer in the MAAC."

Barna, a four year varsity goaltender from Chatham High School, will add depth to the Saints in net. In 2006, Barna served as the team captain and was an All-State selection after an impressive senior campaign. Barna, also a multisport athlete, played both basketball and softball at Chatham H.S. She was a three year basketball letterwinner earning Second Team All-Conference honors as a junior. Barna was also named to the Second Team All-Conference for softball following her junior season, and during her senior campaign she was named to the league's First Team.

"Liz is a great athlete and competitor," Karbowski said. "She has a solid base of all the goalkeeping skills and combined with her great attitude and work ethic, she has potential to be one of the top keepers in the conference. As a three sport standout in high school, Liz brings a competitive edge and leadership skills to Siena."

Butzke, a defender from Comsewogue H.S., scored 47 goals and recorded 61 assists starting on varsity all four years. She was a two-year captain and a three time All-State selection (2004, 2005 and 2006). Butzke spent six years in the Olympic Development Program. In 2005, she played every minute of the squad's national championship season. Butzke currently plays in the National Y-League and is a member of the Massapequa Rascals, the ninth ranked team in the country. She is a member of the National Honor Society.

"Sam is very consistent, intelligent and steady defender," Karbowski explains. "She has played at the highest level in her club and ODP experience against some of the top forwards. Sam will not only contribute as a great defender, but as a defender with offensive skills to play out of the back and get forward from a defensive position."

Kuehne, a defender from Grand Island High School, helped guide the Lady Vikings to a 77-7-9 record over her career. She was a member of the team who won five NFL titles, five Section VI championships, four Far West Regional titles and participated in the NYSPHSAA tournament four times. She was a four time NFL team player, three time All-WNY team player and a three time All-NYS team player. Kuehne helped anchor the Lady Vikings defense who registered 62 shutouts during her tenure. She was a member of the Western team who earned the 2005 Empire State Games gold medal. Kuehne was a part of the Olympic Development Program from 2003-2006.

"Jessica is a versatile defensive player," explains Karbowski. "She has great speed, is quick to the ball and is an intense competitor. Jessica has the ability to read the game as a central defender, man mark when necessary and get the team started out of the back offensively. With her athletic ability, she will adapt quickly to the college level."

Schneck can play at both the forward position and at midfield. A native of Dix Hills, N.Y., she was a 2006 State Team Selection being named to the Fifth Team following her senior campaign. Schneck currently plays for the Albertson Fury club team.

"Sue is a very talented offensive player. She has good pace, 1-on-1 ability and good vision to set up her teammates," said Karbowski. "Sue also has a high fitness level and a great work ethic which will allow her to make a quick transition to college soccer."

With an impressive incoming freshman class, the Saints have all the assets to compete for the MAAC title again this season. The future looks bright for Siena who returns a talented core of veterans from last year's squad who made a run for the MAAC championship.

"The 2007 recruiting class will provide us with athleticism and speed, intelligent play and a high skill level. The depth and quality of the class will make an immediate impact on our program," Karbowski said. "The four offensive players (Gould, Tice, Riley and Schneck) will add a nice combination of possession, playmaking and goal scoring ability. Butzke, Kuehne and Placke bring a high level of experience to the defensive unit. Each of them read the game very well and are technically sound. Liz Barna is a skillful and athletic goalkeeper that has great potential."