JU women’s soccer signs more players for the 2006 season

Dolphins add four players to the 2006 recruiting class

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- Feb. 9, 2005 There is no rest for collegiate coaches in the off- season. This fact holds true as the Jacksonville University women’s soccer team signs four players for the 2006 season.

Earlier this week, the Dolphins signed forward/defender Amber Anderson (Chesapeake, Va.), midfielder Jamie Kuykendall (Oakton, Va.) and forward Kristen Toth (Brownsburg, Ind.) for next season. Joining the trio for the 2006 season is midfielder/defender Regan Riley (Indian Shores, Fla.), midfielder/defender Kristen Alioto (Cooper City, Fla.), midfielder/forward Chelsea Chidgey (Gainesville, Fla.) and midfielder/defender Rosann Emmons (St. Augustine, Fla.)

Riley helped led Seminole High School to two district championships during her four-year tenure. She has earned all-conference, MVP and player of the week accolades in her playing career. On the club level, she plays with the Countryside Lighting, who have been a semi-finalist in the Florida Snickers State Championship in four of the past five years. The Lighting also finished second in the Region III premier league and was a semi-finalist in the Adidas Disney Soccer Showcase. In the classroom, she was selected Who’s Who among American High School Students and Who’s Who among High School Athletes.

“Regan is a very tough and tenacious defender and should compete for playing time very quickly after her arrival on campus,” said Kouns “She has good 1 v 1 defending ability and plays a very simple game, which does not often lead her to many mistakes. She is tough to beat, which can help us in the center of our defense and also has the versatility to play on the left side as a man marker.”

Alioto is a four-year letter winner at Western High School. She led her school to state regional and semi-final berths over the last three years, including a No. 18 ranking in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll. She has also been named all-country and all-state team honors in her playing career. Alioto played club soccer with Team Boca. Her club team have played in the top tournaments as the Raleigh Shootout, the Orange Classic and the Surf Cup. Alioto also participated in the Florida Olympic Development Program with fellow Dolphin newcomer, Regan Riley.

“Kristin has a toughness and tenacity to her game, which makes her an option for us in the center of the field in either the midfield or the backline,” Kouns said. “Her calmness on the ball will serve her well in either position. If she is able to step in and show the same toughness for us, she will have an opportunity to see significant minutes.”

Chidgey plays for Buchholz High School and was a teammate of current Dolphin, Megan Surrency. As team captain, she has helped led the Bobcats to two district championships and regional semi-final appearance. Chidgey has earned two consecutive Gainesville All-Area honors. On the club level, she splits time between the Gainesville Vipers and the Indialantic Force. While playing on the Force this past December, they won the SuperClubs Champions and placed at the Orange Classic. The Force also ranked fifth in the state of Florida and 31st in the Region III polls. In the classroom, she earned Mu Alpha Theta academic honors in her junior and senior years.

“Chelsea is a very good change of pace and has the potential to cause some problems for people out on the flank,” said Kouns. “She is a tough kid and very willing to learn. I would expect her to find her way into the line up in the midfield or up top on the right flank.”

Emmons is a recent transfer to Nease High School from Kent Island High School in Maryland. While playing at Kent Island, she was named first team and second team all-country teams during her two-year tenure. Emmons picked up team sportsmanship and MVP accolades in her junior season. She also ran track at Kent Island. Emmons is the school-record holder for the 100-meter hurdles and qualified for state in the 4X400-meter relay. As a freshman, she was earned freshman of the year accolades.

Emmons currently runs track at Nease and plays club soccer for the U-18 First Coast Kyx soccer club.

“Rosann has the physical tools that can’t be taught,” Kouns said. “Her track credentials speak for themselves and with more technical refinement, I believe she will be able to bring her skills on the ball up to a place where she will be a threat to get behind people.”

The Dolphins wrapped up the 2005 season with a 8- 10-3 finish and a berth in the Atlantic Sun Conference semi-finals in the second year under Kouns.