2004-05 Recruits
05-06-04 Top Recruit Signs With Graceland Women’s Soccer
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Head Coach Kevin Sherry is extremely pleased to announce the signing of Julia Prohaska to the Graceland University (Lamoni, Iowa) women’s soccer program to start in fall 2004. “Julia Prohaska is not only a great player but has a great personality also which is essential for all Graceland recruits to have,” says Coach Sherry. “It is not enough just to be a good soccer player, you have to be of good sound character in order to join, fit in and contribute to the program. Julia showed this side of her personality during her visit to the school recently and everyone was very impressed, not only as a soccer player but as a person too.” |
“Julia is hard working, very coachable, and full of energy, humorous, listens to instructions well, puts the team first and is extremely motivated to become the best soccer player she can be,” continues Sherry. “Prohaska will anchor the midfield and help to not only protect the back four but provide opportunities for our exciting forward line. I strongly believe that Julia will have a tremendous influence on the soccer program and campus life as a whole. We welcome her with open arms.”
Prohaska’s individual awards include: In 2002-03: MVP outdoor for Durham College, MVP indoor for Durham College, League All-Star selection. In 2003-04 Prohaska was the captain for indoor and outdoor soccer teams, provided an honorary speech for the opening of the Vaso Vujanovic Field on campus at Durham College and received the Coach's Leadership Award for Durham College and the Award of Excellence from the Durham College Athletic Department.
“The signing of Julia Prohaska highlights the desire the Graceland women’s soccer program has to becoming the national champion,” says Sherry. “Julia’s accomplishments speak for themselves. To be able to recruit such a high level player such as Julia to the team shows how much this program has developed in the last few seasons.”
During her high school career at Pine Ridge High School in Pickering, Ontario, Julia won recognition in soccer, wrestling and swimming as well as excelling in the classroom, maintaining a high GPA. In her spare time Julia works for the Scarborough Soccer Association and has achieved the Level 3 Coaches Certificate from the Canadian soccer association.
Julia is the daughter of Sue and Jak and the sister of Jaclyn, Joanna, and Jessica. Julia is a graduate of Durham College, in Ontario, Canada, with a diploma in sports administration (two years).
“Graceland University is now a power house in US College women’s soccer, currently ranked at # 17 in the nation, and Julia’s signing illustrates how we can now attract the highest level of player to the program,” concludes Sherry. “There are more top level players on the way for the 2004 season and a huge database of players looking at Graceland for 2005 and beyond. The future is indeed very bright for the program.”
04-27-04 Eagan to Play for Yellowjackets
Graceland University’s head women’s soccer coach, Kevin Sherry, is pleased to announce the signing of Jillian Eagan from Cameron, Mo. to the soccer program for fall 2004.Jill, the daughter of Ray and Jacqueline Eagan, will graduate from Cameron high school in June 2004 and plans to major in Pre-Vetinary at Graceland University.
Jillian played soccer, basketball and volleyball in high school but her first love is soccer. Miss Eagan played in every position for the Cameron Dragons except goalkeeper and will be a very useful ‘utility’ player to have in the Yellowjacket program.
“There are very few people who can play in many different positions well and it is a real jewel to find someone who can," says Sherry. "We plan to observe Jill’s strengths and weaknesses in pre-season before guiding her to playing in one or two positions only, but it is always an advantage to have a player who can slip into any area of the field if there is a problem. Jill has a very caring and supportive character. She has the inner self belief and drive to become the best player she can be. Jill is an ideal fit for our program and we welcome her with open arms.”
Eagan is on the high school honor roll, has received FFA area proficiency awards in 2003 and 2004, is a soccer referee for youth leagues in the community, helps with youth soccer clinics, and is very prominent in volunteer work with the local church.
“Jill has made her skills known during her time with our young program," says Coach Don Harrison of the Cameron Dragons. "She has been a vital part of our team and will continue to develop her game in Lamoni. Her tenure will be our loss and Graceland’s gain.”
03-03-04 Cummins to Play Soccer for Graceland
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Head Women’s Soccer Coach Kevin Sherry is pleased to announce the signing of Nicole Cummins to attend Graceland University to study and play soccer. “We are proud and happy to have Nicole joining us in the fall,” says Coach Kevin Sherry. “She is an extremely gifted soccer player with huge potential.” Cummins, a defender, was recently named honorable mention all-state, all-regional and conference select team, during her junior season at Harrisonville High School in Harrisonville, Mo. Nicole is one of the captains at Harrisonville High and was voted 2003 MVP, 2003 defensive player of the year and 2003 Gatorade player of the year. Nicole will be playing her final season at Harrisonville this spring and the team has high expectations under her leadership for the 2004 season. |
Nicole will start her college career at Graceland University, Lamoni, Iowa in fall 2004 and is undecided as to which major to study. As well as on the soccer field, Nicole has been very successful in the classroom, maintaining a high GPA and will no doubt have a great influence on many areas of student life at Graceland when she arrives. Nicole’s school coach and teachers describe her as being dedicated, coachable, hard working and a natural leader.
“I am very confident that Nicole’s presence will help the team improve on its national ranking of 17 in 2004, as it strives for an entry into the national tournament for the first time in the program’s history,” adds Sherry.
02-18-04 California Soccer Player Signs With Graceland
Meghan Dunagan, from Prospect High School in San Jose, Calif. signed a letter of intent to play soccer for Coach Kevin Sherry and the Graceland University women’s soccer program beginning in the fall of 2004.“Meghan is a very competitive player who will give the team a ball-winning edge that will supplement the amazing offensive power we have in the squad at present,” says Coach Sherry. “Meghan is one of those gifted players that can not only win the ball but use it intelligently and with great skill.”
Dunagan is primarily a sweeper, but also plays forward and stopper for Prospect High, where she has garnered a team MVP award and four varsity letters. Meghan was also Blossom Valley Athletic League--Mount Hamilton Division--All League First Team and on the Mercury News Honorable Mention All Star Team. Dunagan’s team placed second in the 2002 District Cup, losing in a shootout, and allowing only two goals the entire tournament.
“Unfortunately Meghan ruptured her ACL in her last ever high school game and her rehab will mean that she will not be 100% to go until around mid September. Knowing Meghan's strength of character and determination I am 100% convinced that she will come back to full fitness better and stronger than ever before ready to contribute to the team.”
Meghan plans to study secondary education while attending Graceland University, an NAIA institution in Lamoni, Iowa.
“Meghan is recruited primarily to be the holding player in midfield but she has the adaptability where she can play in defense if called upon,” adds Sherry. “This ability to adapt to any situation is always a great sign when looking for real soccer talent. Meghan is such a talent and we are looking forward to her joining the team.”
02-17-04 Creson Signs With Graceland Women’s Soccer
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Glendale High School senior Erin Creson signed a letter of intent to play soccer for Coach Kevin Sherry and the Graceland University Yellowjacket women’s team for the 2004-05 season. “We are extremely happy to announce the signing of Erin Creson to the Graceland University women’s soccer program for fall 2004,” says head coach Kevin Sherry. “Erin was the result of a national search to find a replacement for our graduating captain and central defender Kacey Loving.” Creson is a defender for Glendale High in Springfield, Mo. and for the Springfield Premier Spirit club team. Coach Sherry first spotted Creson while she was playing for the Premier Spirit in the MYSA tournament in St. Louis, Mo. |
In high school Creson was honored with the 2002 defensive MVP award, was a member of the southwest Missouri class 4A all-region team and received first team all-district and second team all-conference accolades. While Creson attended Glendale High, her team was the 2001 conference champion and a 2003 state quarter-finalist.
“Erin has achieved many awards throughout her soccer career at Glendale High and we have high hopes that these awards continue to be bestowed upon her during her college career,” says Sherry. “I am very confident that Erin will have a tremendous impact in many areas of student life at Graceland University. These are exciting times for the Graceland women’s soccer program--currently ranked as # 17 in the nation--and I am very happy to see Erin as being part of it all.”
Creson holds a 4.23 GPA and is a member of the National Honors Society. She plans to major in pre-professional biology while attending Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa.
