Feb. 6, 2003
Bowling Green, Ky. - Western Kentucky University women's soccer coach Jason Neidell announced today that five new players will join his Lady Topper squad beginning next fall.
"Our 2003 recruiting class has the most accolades in the short history of our program," said Neidell, who has led WKU to back-to-back winning seasons in the only two years of the program. "We are anxious to blend this new talent with a fantastic foundation of returning players. With some good chemistry, we feel that this group of athletes will make some waves on a national level and, hopefully, bring the Sun Belt Championship to Western Kentucky University."
Jenna Silverberg will be the first native of Florida to play for the Lady Toppers. A four-year letterwinner at Nease High School in Jacksonville, Fla., Silverberg has recorded 135 goals and 105 assists at forward during her prep career, with several games remaining in her senior season. She was named the Florida Times Union player of the year in 2002, and has been a first-team selection by the paper all four years. Silverberg led NHS to the state semifinals in 2001, and a state championship in 2002. She played three seasons in the Florida Olympic Development Program, and played two seasons with the Jacksonville Jade, a member of the W-League which is a developmental system for the WUSA.
"Jenna is an extremely gifted soccer talent," said Neidell. "She has the total package - size, strength, speed and skill. She also has an incredible passion for the game. We are eager to see the impact she will make on our 2003 team."
Joining Silverberg at forward will be Kim Wilkowski, a four-year letterwinner at Ralph H. Poteet High School in Mesquite, Texas. As she continues her senior season at Poteet, Wilkowski has already recorded 36 career goals and 36 assists in her first three seasons. She is also a three-time all-district selection, and was named team MVP in 2002. Wilkowski has also played five years for the North Texas State Team, and is a member of the Andromeda Club team.
"Kim has played youth soccer at a very high level," Neidell said. "She has excelled with the Region III ODP Pooland is one of the best prospects out of Dallas this year. We are always excited to steal one of the top players out of Texas."
Neidell has also added depth to one of the Sun Belt's best defenses with the addition of Tara Tidwell and Emily Suiter. Tidwell is a four-time team MVP and all-district selection at Hillwood High School in Nashville, Tenn. She was also selected as district player of the year in 2002, and was an all-Mid State selection each of the last two years. Tidwell has proved to be an all-around athlete as she also has lettered in track, cross country, basketball and three years in football.
"We feel that Tara is the top defender out of Tennessee this year," added Neidell. "She is a truly gifted athlete. She excelled so much in her senior season that she was awarded district player of the year, an honor typically reserved for an attacking player. WKU was her top choice throughout the recruiting process, and this just goes to show the strides we are making on a national level."
Suiter will join a strong Lady Topper goalkeeping corps next year after a solid prep career at Fort Campbell High School in Fort Campbell, Ky. She posted 24 career shutouts, while averaging 19 saves per game this past fall. She earned all-district accolades three times, and was also an all-region selection.
"Emily is a very spirited and upbeat player," said Neidell. "She has incredible raw talent and agility. Without a doubt, Emily has a huge upside, and we look forward to working with her to sharpen her goalkeeping technique."
Western was also able to invade the state of Ohio for the first time this year, bringing Lauren Carstens, a three-year letterwinner at Lakota East High School in West Chester, Ohio, to the Hill. Carstens was an all-Greater Miami Conference selection this past season, while also earning the Coaches Award for Outstanding Play. Also a standout in the classroom, Carstens earned all-academic Southwest and all-GMC academic honors the last two years. She is also an expert equestrian, earning the Dressage Rider Regional Championship.
"Lauren is our first recruit from the Cincinnati area, which is a major soccer hotbed. She is a very technical and smart player, who will immediately give us great depth in the midfield. We are excited to have her in the Lady Topper Soccer Family."
Western finished 2002 with a 10-9 record, advancing to the semifinals of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament for the second straight season.
- WKU -
