Feb. 4, 2010

PITTSBURGH--University of Pittsburgh Head Women's Soccer Coach Sue-Moy Chin announced the signing of five players to a National-Letter-of-Intent for the upcoming 2010 season. Providing depth to its field positions, Pitt welcomes two forwards, two midfielders, two defenders and a goalkeeper to their 2015 class.

"Reflecting on the progress we made and the success we had last fall, it is with great pride and anticipation that I present our 2010 class," Pitt Head Coach Sue-Moy Chin said. "I am so happy and excited for this class to step on campus. This group joins the line of strong classes that we've been able to bring in over the past four years. In this class we have three Regional ODP members, two Player of the Year winners, All-State and All-Section selections, and a 2009 NSCAA All-American selection. This class is well balanced and gives us great depth in all positions."

Nicole D'Agostino (Clarendon Hill, Ill./Hinsdale Central) will join the Panthers as a goalkeeper. D'Agostino  led her team to two conference titles in 2007 and 2009 and regional championships in 2008 and 2009.  D'Agostino led Hinsdale Central to the state championship in 2009, when it finished the season as the No. 11 team in the country As a four-year starter, D'Agostino excelled in net. In her freshman season, she allowed .83 goals per game, with eight shutouts. She totaled four shutouts her sophomore year, and nine shutouts her junior year, when she led her team to a 20-3-2 record and a state title. D'Agostino was named Honorable Mention All-Sectional for her stellar play in her junior season.

"Nicole has great size, athleticism and very good hands. She has all the tools to become a very good Division 1 starting goalkeeper," Chin said. "I am looking forward to her joining our already strong talent pool of goalkeepers this fall."

Dana Dellefemine (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin HS), Katelyn Lippert (Etters, Pa./Red Land) and Morgan Masci (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel Area HS) will contribute at forward and central midfield.

Dana Dellefemine was a four-year varsity letterwinner at Norwin High School. She also plays for the Beadling Soccer Club travel team, which was No. 3 in the nation and defeated the No. 1 team in 2009.  She was named All-Section Class 3 A from 2007-2009, was a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette All-Star East Team selection in 2008 and 2009 and was named the Fay-West Female Athlete of the Week in 2009. Dellefine guided her team to Section Class 3A championship in 2006, a state quarterfinals berth in 2008, and a state semifinals appearance in 2009. She concluded her four-year varsity career with 48 goals and 26 assists.  Additionally, Dellefemine contributed as a member of the track and field team.

"Dana has blazing speed and has developed into a very nice forward, polishing her ability to finish plays over the last year," Chin said. "I'm excited for her to come in this fall and can't wait to watch her continued development. I strongly believe she can be a threat in this conference."

Katelyn Lippert was a four-year varsity letterwinner, and led her squad to their first state playoff win in school history. As a senior, she was named the 2009 Mid-Penn Commonwealth Player of the Year, as well as being an All-State Selection. Through her junior season, Lippert had scored 47 goals and added 16 assists. Lippert was also a member of the CPYSL Alliance Boys Select Team from 2005-2007, and the Hershey Attack travel team for 2008-2010, where she won the 2009 Pa. State Cup Championship. Lippert was a member of the prestigious Region 1 Olympic Development Program (ODP)  in 2008, and attended the U14 National ODP Camp in 2005.In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Lippert is a member of the National Honor Society.

"Katie is a very well rounded player," said Chin. "She has a great touch on the ball and great vision playing out of the center midfield position. She has played at a high level and will look to bring that experience in with her to compete for playing time right away this fall"

Morgan Masci will add depth at the forward position. The Fox Chapel forward led her team to a 13-7 record as a sophomore, and was a contributing member of the Pittsburgh North Stars travel team for 5 years, where she played in a higher level age group and won the state championship in 2005. Additionally, Macsi was a member of the Varsity Golf team.

"Morgan will add depth to our forward position this year," noted Chin. "She is a very good athlete and has good speed."

Providing strength to the Panthers defense are Caroline Keefer (Moon Township, Pa./Moon Area HS), Alyssa Meier (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville) and Morgan Sharick (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell)

A four-year varsity letterwinner, Caroline Keefer led her team to three Section championships and the WPIAL playoffs. During her freshman season, she led her team to the state title game. Keefer is also a member of Beadling Club traveling team, and has served the captain for three years. Named by TopDrawer.com a Top 20 player in Pennsylvania, Keefer finished her career with 64 goals and 56 points. She concluded her career ranked No. 4 in all-time career points in Moon Area High School history. Keefer was named to the 2009 Pennsylvania All-State team. As a result of her success, she was an ODP Regional Pool Selection and Region 1 ODP member in 2007, and was invited to the 2008 ODP Developmental Camp. Additionally, she was a member of the varsity track and field team and the National Honor Society.

"Caroline possesses great power and skill and is a very versatile player," Chin said. "In High School she was a successful forward and with her club and ODP teams, she plays as a central or wide defender. Her versatility will give us many options in the fall."

Alyssa Meier will join the Panthers defense as a highly decorated four-year varsity letterwinner. In her freshman season, Meier earned Rookie of the Year honors and was a Conference All-Academic Award honoree. During her sophomore and junior seasons, Meier was named First Team All-Conference and was a Conference All-Academic Award winner, after leading Stongsville High School to the state title game. Following her senior season, Meier was selected a 2009 NCSAA High School All-American, as well as Greater Cleveland Coaches Association Player of the Year. Meier was also a member of the Region II ODP Team in 2008, and was named to ESPN RISE Fall Girls' Soccer All-America Third team. In addition to soccer, she was also a member of the National Honors Society.

"Alyssa is a tremendous player who has great size, speed and skill. She has played at a high level and has many well deserved accomplishments," Chin said. "I anticipate Alyssa making an immediate impact on the team this year."

Morgan Sharick will provide depth to the Panthers defense. A four-year varsity starter in high school, Sharick led her team to the Ambridge Tournament Championship. In her freshman and sophomore seasons, Sharick also led her team to the WPIAL playoffs. As the central defender in the State Cup, Sharick led her teams to five shutouts in five games. In addition to soccer, Sharick was also a member of the varsity basketball and varsity track teams, as well as a member of the National Honor Society.

"Morgan is a raw talent. She is very athletic and is coming into her own as a soccer player." Chin added, "As she develops, she will add depth to our already strong defensive group."

Pitt ended its season with a record of 8-5-5 overall and 3-3-5 in the Big East.

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