Michigan Receives Commitments from Five Prep Seniors
2/11/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan women's soccer program has added five prep seniors to its roster for the 2003 season. Midfielder Judy Coffman (San Jose, Calif./Santa Theresa HS), forward Emily Kalmbach (Coto de Caza, Calif./Santa Margarita Catholic HS), defender Brenna Mulholland (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS), defender-midfielder Katelin Spencer (Brighton, Mich./Brighton HS) and goalkeeper Megan Tuura (Tucker, Ga./St. Pius X Catholic HS) have committed to join the Wolverines next fall.
"I am very excited about the 2003 class," said head coach Debbie Rademacher, "not only because they are very talented, but because they are also a great bunch of girls. They all come from quality youth soccer programs and will provide us with depth at every position. I expect them to fit into our system right away."
A 5-5 midfielder, Coffman had a successful 2002 season with the Pleasanton Rage Under-17 club team. Coffman helped the Rage to a Region IV championship en route to winning the U-17 national championship. A three-year member of the Northern California state Olympic Development Program, Coffman attended the Region IV training camp in July 2000. In November, Coffman traveled with the Region IV U-16 to the prestigious USYSA ODP Interregional in Boca Raton, Fla. Coffman's high school team is currently ranked No. 18 in the country according to Studentsports.com. Coffman was also a 2000 adidas Elite Soccer Program (ESP) participant.
"Judy has invaluable experience on the regional level and has won a national championship at the club level," said Rademacher. "She is able to serve a great ball with her left foot and is very good on set pieces. She has versatility in that she can play in the midfield or on the forward line and is comfortable scoring goals or being the passer."
Kalmbach, a 5-9 forward, was a member of the Cal-South State Champion Newport Beach Slammers in 2000. A two-time member of the Southern California state ODP team, Kalmbach attended Region IV U-17 ODP camps in Idaho (2001) and Wyoming (2000). In addition to her soccer prowess, Kalmbach is a well-rounded athlete and scholar. She was a named to the Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register all-county track and field teams, as well earning membership to the California Scholarship Federation and the International Baccalaureate Program.
"Emily is going to provide some great speed and strength for us up front," said Rademacher. "She has the ability to run by people, and we need that after losing Abby Crumpton's speed up front. Emily is a quality player who will complement our other frontrunners nicely."
A 5-5 defender, Mulholland is a four-year member of the Michigan state ODP team (1999-2002) and has played with the Region II ODP squad for the past two seasons. She joined the Michigan Hawks in 1999 and has collected a wealth of regional experience. Following consecutive seasons in the Region II semifinals, the Hawks were regional finalists in 2001. Mulholland's Hawks team was also Michigan state champion.
"Brenna is a local girl who we were lucky enough to have stay home," said Rademacher. "Brenna is a tough, physical defender. She is tough on the tackle, serves the ball well and is a vocal leader. After losing so many seniors along the backline, we will look for her to contribute immediately in the defense."
Spencer is a versatile player who can play both defense or midfield for the Wolverines. Joining the Michigan Hawks at the same time as Mulholland (1999), the 5-5 Spencer served as team captain in her first season. She was an integral part of the Hawks' 2001 state championship and Region II finals appearance. Spencer also played on the Michigan ODP team in 2000 and 2001. Off the field Spencer is an accomplished vocalist, having twice earned the highest rating at the Michigan State Sole Ensemble.
"Katelin is one of the top players in Michigan," said Rademacher. "She can play either defense or midfield on our team; her versatility gives us a lot of options. She is very good in the air, and her work rate is excellent. She can be tenacious on defense and is also a solid passer through the midfield."
Tuura is a top caliber player, listing three seasons as an ODP national pool goalkeeper on her impressive prep resume. Tuura is a two-year member of the Region III ODP team and has been a member of the Georgia state ODP team since 1997. Tuura joins Coffman as the second member of the incoming Michigan class to have won a club national championship. As the goalkeeper for GSA Phoenix Red, Tuura helped the squad to a U-16 national title in 2001. Tuura's Pheonix Red squad was also two-time Region III champion (2001, '02). A 2002 NSCAA High School Academic All-American, Tuura won consecutive state championships in 2001 and 2002 with the St. Pius X Golden Lions. She was an Atlanta Journal Constitution Girls' All-Star Soccer Team member and DeKalb County co-Player of the Year in 2001.
"Megan is an athletic goalkeeper who will provide strong competition for our existing keepers," said Rademacher. "Megan has good height at 5-9 and is a great athlete. She has played in the ODP national pool and on the regional level. She has great credentials, winning a club national championship and a regional ODP title."
The five signees join a Wolverine program coming off its most successful season ever, having advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight for the first time in team history. Michigan compiled a 16-7-1 record in 2001, finishing second in the Big Ten Conference with a 7-2-1 mark, and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the sixth straight season.
| Name | Pos. | Ht. | Hometown (High School) |
| Judy Coffman | MF | 5-5 | San Jose, Calif. (Santa Theresa) |
| Emily Kalmbach | F | 5-9 | Coto de Caza, Calif. (Santa Margarita Catholic) |
| Brenna Mulholland | D | 5-5 | Ann Arbor, Mich. (Pioneer) |
| Katelin Spencer | D/MF | 5-5 | Brighton, Mich. (Brighton) |
| Megan Tuura | GK | 5-9 | Tucker, Ga. (St. Pius X Catholic) |
Contact: Andrew Ladd (734) 763-4423
