LIU Women's Soccer Signs Seven to National Letters of Intent

6/19/06 --Long Island University women’s soccer coach Tracey Bartholomew has announced the signings of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the fall season. Kimberly Bishop (Valley Stream, N.Y.), Tasia Davis (San Francisco, Calif.), Alyssa Hanson (New Milford, N.J.), Jeannethe ‘Neddie’ King (Williamsville, N.Y.) Jeane’ Piper (Pine Beach, N.J.), Felicia Reynolds (Mount Laurel, N.J.) and Angela Schumaker (Bayside, N.Y.) will join the Blackbirds in August.

Bishop, a forward/midfielder, registered 35 goals and 20 assists over two seasons on the varsity squad at Kellenberg High School in Uniondale, N.Y. She paced the team in assists her senior campaign, earning all-CHSAA honors. A member of the Stony Brook Impact Premier U-17 team, Bishop is coached by Pat Vignona, head coach at Molloy College and father of Ryan Vignona- a sophomore on the LIU men’s soccer team. She is member of the National Honor Society and has been named to the honor roll for the past four years. Bishop will be enrolled in the University Honors Program.

Davis is a versatile performer from the San Francisco area. After being named second team All-West Catholic Athletic League her junior year as a forward, the 5-6 athlete moved to a defender role for her senior season and earned the same honor. In doing so, Davis helped lead Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep to shutout ties against the top-ranked CCS team, Archbishop Mitty, and cross-town rival St. Ignatius. A two-time team MVP in soccer, Davis is also an accomplished athlete in track & field and basketball. She was named Athlete of the Year as a sprinter her junior year in track. She has played for a number of club teams, including the MVLA Titans. She will also be enrolled in the honors program at LIU.

Hanson comes to the Brooklyn campus after a decorated high school career at New Milford High School that saw her score over 100 career goals. A four-time All-Bergen County performer, the striker led all of Northern New Jersey in goals scored (35) in 2005 for the second straight season. As a senior, Hanson was a third team New Jersey High School All-State. She has played for a number of club teams, including the Manhattan Hawks (2004, 2005). Hanson has also competed for the W-League’s NY Magic, pitting her against some of the best college and female players in the country. Hanson’s ability is not limited to the soccer field as she has posted top 10 showings in the 400-meters at the New Jersey State Track and Field Meet the past two seasons. She is also expected to run track for the Blackbirds, the defending NEC indoor and outdoor champions.

King, excepted to play in the midfield for the Blackbirds, is a Williamsville, N.Y. native. King attends Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart where she was the team most valuable player the past two seasons. In addition, she was a Monsignour Martin first team selection for three straight seasons. A member of the Buffalo United U17 squad for five years, King played at both the forward and midfield spots. The upstate NY product played for the Lancaster Soccer Club, earning MVP honors. in 2003 and 2004. She will also be enrolled in the honors program at LIU.

Piper hails from Pine Beach, N.J. where she was a four-year letterwinner at Toms River South High School. A two-time first team all-conference selection and team co-captain, she scored 24 goals and 20 assists over her career. Piper was an all-county coaches first team honoree the past two seasons and also was tabbed to the third team All-Shore squad Asbury Park Press. Piper was a member of the Toms River South team that captured the 2002 NJSIAA Group III State Championships and was ranked 15th in the nation. Piper plays for the travel team Voorhees SA Berlin Bulldogs and in the past played for the MatchFit Academy FC Storm.

Reynolds comes to Brooklyn from Lenape High School in Medford, N.J. A defender, she played three varsity seasons. In addition, she is a two-time school record holder in the DMR 800-meter relay as a three-year member of the track team. As does Piper, Reynolds plays for the Voorhees SA Berlin Bulldogs. She was a member of the squad that reached the 2004 and 2005 NJ State Cup semifinals. Reynolds was a South Jersey Select Soccer team selection for two years and a member of the South Jersey ODP pool in 2001.

Schumacher, a goalkeeper, is the third New York product among this year’s class. She attended Saint Mary’s High School in Manhasset, playing three years of varsity soccer. Schumacher, a Bayside, N.Y. resident, earned the Coaches Trophy and MVP accolades following her senior season. She competes for the Albertson Fury 87 Madrid club team, competing in the Mid-Atlantic Area I Soccer League. From 2002-2005, she starred for FC Westchester helping the squad reach the 2005 Northeast Region I finals. A member of the National Honor Society and four year honor roll recipient at Saint Mary’s, Schumacher will be enrolled in the LIU Honors Program.

The Long Island University women’s soccer team won a school record 13 games last fall and advanced to the Northeast Conference finals. The Blackbirds return seven starters in 2006, including second team All-NEC performers Allison Andreano (Denville, N.J.) and Stephanie Kansky (Bellevue, Wash.). Bartholomew’s crew opens the season on August 25 at St. Mary’s (Calif.).