Wake Forest Athletics
Women's Soccer Inks Six for 2005-06
2/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Feb. 22, 2005
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest women's soccer team announced the signing of six athletes to the 2005 recruiting class. The class includes Amanda Lebo (Camp Hill, Pa.), Camelyn Dillion (Greensboro, N.C.), Whitney Berry (Lenior, N.C.), Christy Carter (Raleigh, N.C.), Amy Smerdzinski (Chantilly, Va.) and Erin Baldwin (San Diego, Calif.)
"The 2005 Recruiting Class may be one of our best ever. All the players are versatile, skillful and love the game," head women's soccer coach Tony Da Luz said. "I am so excited to coach this group because they are such naturally gifted soccer players. This is the class that will provide the depth necessary to get to the next level."
Amanda Lebo, a native of Camp Hill, Pa. will join the Deacs in the midfield as a member of the Under-17 National Team. Also a member of the Under-16 and Under-14 team, Lebo was also a selection for the ESP/ODP National Camp in both 2002 and 2003. A NSCAA youth All-American from 2002-04, she helped lead the Arsenal World Class club team to four Eastern Pennsylvania State Cup Championships and the New Jersey State Cup Championship. A National Honor Society member, Lebo also earned four varsity letters and All Suburban 1 Conference honors from 2002-04.
""Amanda is a highly technical, playmaking midfielder," da Luz said. "She is incredibly creative on the ball, a pure soccer player. Amanda will make an impact as a freshman."
Amy Smerdzinski will join the Deacs as a midfielder. A key player for the Chantilly/RFC Milan, she helped lead them to eight State Cup Championships (1996-2003) and to four regional championships. For her high school team, Smerdzinski was named the Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year in her junior year, in addition to first team all district and all-region.
"Amy is another natural soccer player with great instincts for the game," da Luz said. "She can play out of pressure situations because she has uncanny vision. Her versatility will help her push for a starting spot as a freshman."
Whitney Berry, one of three North Carolina natives, will help Wake Forest on the front lines, after a strong high school career. A native of Lenior, N.C., Berry helped lead Hibriten High School to the 2004 State Championship finals, while being named to the all-conference, all-region and all-state teams. Named the Caldwell County Player of the Year her sophomore year, she scored 56 goals during that season and added 42 in her junior year. Also a standout track athlete, she place first in the 100 and 200 meters at the Regional Track meet.
"Whitney is a natural goal scorer with power and speed. She will give us a strong target pesence up front, and has an imposing shot with both feet. She will always be a threat to our opponents," da Luz said. "Whitney will be a great compliment to Sarah Kozey and Elizabeth Remy"
Camelyn Dillon also joins the squad as a midfielder and is another North Carolina product. A member of the 2002 and 2004 North Carolina 4-A State Championship squad, she was named to the All-Conference squad from 2002-04. Playing for the 1986 Greensboro Twisters Green and the 1986 Lady Twin White, she helped lead the team to the 2005 North Carolina State Championship, giving them the opportunity to compete in the regional tournament during the summer of 2005.
"Camelyn has a great engine, she can run all day," said da Luz. "She will fill different roles in midfield with superb passing and possession skills. I expect that Camelyn will make a very positive impact in our deep midfield."
The third North Carolina native joining the team next season will be Carter, a defender out of Raleigh, N.C. Anchoring the back field on the on the 87 CASL Premier League Champions she helped win the 2004 Region III Premier League in addition to the 2003 US Club Nationals. She was also a 2004 all-conference and all-region pick for Ravenscroft School.
"Christy is a very composed and saavy centerback. She finds her teammates with sure passing ability," da Luz said. "She reads the game so well always seems to be a step ahead of dangerous situations. She is in the right place at the rights times. Christy will push the returners for playing time."
Baldwin, a product of San Diego, Calif., will also join the Demon Deacon in the either the midfield or the back after earning four varsity letters in soccer for the University City High School Centurions. An All-CIF second team selection in both 2003 and 2004, Baldwin helped her team to a Western League Championship in 2004 and a CIF Championship in 2003. A member of the Principals Honor Roll, she also helped her club team to the California State Cup Championship in both 2003 and 2004.
"Erin is your typical Southern California defender," da Luz said. "She is a technically gifted defender with the ability win 50/50's. She anticipates very well and is a sure tackler. Erin has the ability to push for time as a freshman."
