Feb. 7, 2007
OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University head women's soccer coach Bobby Kramig announced today (Feb. 7) the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Rachel Byron (Elkhart, Ind./Mishawaka Marian), Jessica Byron (Elkhart, Ind./Mishawaka Marian), Kathleen Callahan (Brecksville, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit), Michelle DeZarn (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mother of Mercy), Eva Candia (Malmo, Sweden) and Sara Lundh (Malmo, Sweden) will join the RedHawks for the 2007 season.
The first two student-athletes in Miami's signing class are Rachel (F/MF) and Jessica Byron (F/MF), identical twin sisters from Mishawaka Marian (IN) High School. As two potent offensive threats, the duo combined for 51 goals in the 2006 season and helped Marian finish as the semi-state runner-ups for the first time in school history. The two also were named the Northern Indiana Co-Players of the Year last season and led their club team -- Junior Irish Premier -- to a third-place national finish.
Rachel finished her prep career with 69 goals and 60 assists and was named to the all-conference team four times. Tabbed as the conference player of the year in 2006, Jessica also was selected to the all-state second team last season, as she finished with 24 goals and helped Marian win a conference championship. The forward holds the Marian school record for most goals scored in a game (5), ranks first on the career assists chart (60) and finished as the team's leading scorer in three of her four seasons. Rachel also was an all-state track honoree in the relay events.
Jessica, meanwhile, ended her four-year career with 49 goals and 49 assists, including a team-best 27 goals as a senior. A three-time all-conference selection, Jessica was named Marian's offensive MVP after leading the Knights to a conference title. Also an accomplished track athlete in the middle distance events, Jessica was an all-state track honoree and ran legs on the school-record setting 4x400 meter and 4x800 meter relay teams.
"Rachel and Jessica are terrific players who fit perfectly into the Miami Soccer mold," Kramig said. "They are fast, skillful and active players, and we're thrilled they will be bringing these qualities to our team."
Joining the Bryon twins in Miami's signing class is Kathleen Callahan (MF/D), a four-year letterwinner from Walsh Jesuit (OH) High School. Helping the Warriors to a combined record of 81-3-3 in her four seasons, Callahan won a pair of Ohio Division I State titles in 2004 and 2006 and led her team to the 2006 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Championship. Callahan also was tabbed as team captain and the team's defensive player of the year as a senior. In addition, Callahan has excelled in club soccer, as she was a member of the six-time Ohio North State Cup Champion Cleveland Internationals.
"Kathleen is a quick, skillful and very intelligent player who possesses a great work ethic," Kramig said. "She can play either in the back or in midfield, and I'm very pleased that she will be joining us for the 2007 season."
Local product Michelle DeZarn (D) is set to join the RedHawks after earning three letters at Mother of Mercy High School in Cincinnati. As the team's leading scorer in 2006, DeZarn earned Girl's Greater Cincinnati League (GGCL) first-team honors. DeZarn tallied 17 goals and 19 assists in her three seasons on the varsity squad and served as team captain as a senior. Also a successful club soccer player with the Cincinnati Futbol Alliance, DeZarn led her team to the Ohio Elite Showcase Champions' title in 2005 and 2006 and to the 2006 Buckeye Elite Championship.
"Michelle is a great competitor and exactly what our team needs -- a tough, hard-nosed player who will shore up the middle of our defense," Kramig said. "I believe she will have an immediate and very positive impact upon our team."
The first of Miami's two international recruits is Eva Candia (MF), a skilled midfielder who plays for the Husie IF soccer club in Malmo, Sweden. Kramig expects Candia to help offset the graduation of two midfielders from last season's squad.
"Eva is a savvy, skillful, playmaking midfielder who possesses great vision and tactical understanding," Kramig said. "She is a very talented player whose poise and experiences in the Swedish First Division will prove a very valuable asset to our team."
Rounding out Miami's 2007 recruiting class is Candia's Husie IF teammate Sara Lundh (F), another Swedish signee who looks to make an impact stateside.
"Sarah brings many great qualities to our team," Kramig said. "She is very a very athletic, skillful player with great presence in and around the penalty area. She is one of the Swedish First Division's top forwards, and we're very excited to have her coming to us."
Coming off its second straight appearance in the Mid-American Conference Tournament Semifinals, Miami must replace nine departing letterwinners, including 2006 MAC Player of the Year and CoSIDA Academic All-American Kathleen Vistica. The RedHawks also graduate all-MAC honorees Aimee Prevallet and Kate Padfield but return two all-MAC freshman team selections in Krista Pace and Jodi Zwingelberg.
Now in its 11th season, the Miami women's soccer program has won three MAC titles (2000-02), won first-round NCAA Tournament games in 2001 and 2002 and advanced to the MAC Tournament in seven of the past eight seasons.
MIAMI SOCCER 2007 SIGNING CLASS
1.) Jessica Byron (Elkhart, Ind./Mishawaka Marian) - Midfielder/Forward
2.) Rachel Byron (Elkhart, Ind./Mishawaka Marian) - Midfielder/Forward
3.) Kathleen Callahan (Brecksville, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit) - Midfield/Defender
4.) Michelle DeZarn (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mother of Mercy) - Defender
5.) Sara Lundh (Malmo, Sweden) - Forward
6.) Eva Candia (Malmo, Sweden) - Midfielder
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