Hurricanes Announce 2005 Signing Class

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (February 8, 2005) – Head coach Tricia Taliaferro, along with the University of Miami, announced Tuesday the signing of seven players to national letters of intent to play for the Hurricane soccer program in 2005.

The incoming class heralds four players from the talent-rich state of California, two players from the midwest and one product of the south Florida area, all of which boast resumes which include numerous all-state and all-conference selections and several members of ODP and nationally recognized club teams.

UM’s 2005 incoming class includes Miami’s Gulliver Prep standout, forward Valeria Blanco of Miami Premier Soccer Club in Florida, defender Corynn Carino of Stanford Quake in northern California and teammate midfielder Meghan McKinsey, midfielder Bryn Heinicke of Internationals in Ohio, forward Tessa Lennala of Laguna Hills Eclipse in southern California, forward Paulette Ricks-Chambers of San Juan Spirits in northern California and defender Nikki Stecich of JB Marine in Missouri.

“This is a top notch class,” said Taliaferro on the signees. “It’s a large class, but we think each one of these players can come in and compete for a starting position or significant playing time.”

“This class, with their speed and technical ability, is going to help improve our program. These student-athletes will contribute to our development and competitiveness within the ACC.”

The seven players will join 20 returning players in what will be Taliaferro’s fourth season at the helm of the Hurricane soccer team.

Val Blanco
Forward
Miami, Fla.
Gulliver Prep
Club: Miami Premier
Taliaferro on Blanco:
“Val is an extremely technical forward who plays very well with her back to goal. She is dangerous on the turn and can finish from short or long range with any surface. I have known about Val since coming to Miami and in my opinion she has been the best player in Miami-Dade for the last three years. It is great to have a local talent who can generate more excitement for Hurricane soccer within the community.”

Corynn Carino
Defender
Los Gatos, Calif.
Los Gatos High School
Club: Stanford Quake
Taliaferro on Carino:
“Corynn is an outside back who is very athletic and fast. She is a good one-versus-one defender who can transition into attack with pace and create offensive opportunities for us."

Bryn Heinicke
Midfielder
Bay Village, Ohio
Bay Village High School
Club: Internationals
Taliaferro on Heinicke:
“Bryn is a defensive center-midfielder who is very technical with both feet and tactically understands the game at a high level. She is going to help set the rhythm and anchor our midfield.”

Tessa Lennala
Forward
Temecula, Calif.
Chaparral High School
Club: Laguna Hills Eclipse
Taliaferro on Lennala:
"Tessa is a blue collar forward out of southern California who plays on one of the best club teams in the country. She creates chances with her work ethic offensively and defensively and her ability to finish under pressure is uncanny."

Meghan McKinsey
Midfielder
Los Altos, Calif.
Los Altos High School
Club: Stanford Quake
Taliaferro on McKinsey:
“Meghan is extremely quick and technical and is very good at picking up balls in the midfield and running at the backs. She is a threat to shoot from long range or complete the final pass.”

Paulette Ricks-Chambers
Forward
Sacramento, Calif.
C.K. McClatchy High School
Club: San Juan Spirits
Taliaferro on Ricks-Chambers:
“Paulette is very confident going one-versus-one because of her technical ability and pure speed. She is tactically savvy in her decision making in the attacking third of the field."

Nikki Stecich
Defender
Frontenac, Mo.
St. Joseph’s Academy
Club: J.B. Marine
Taliaferro on Stecich:
“Nikki is an outside back who positionally makes it difficult for attackers to get in behind her. Her size and athleticism will be an outstanding asset to our back four.”