Corban Inks Quintet of Soccer Recruits for 2007 Season

Corban ended last season with an overall record of 7-11-1, 5-4-0 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play.

Corban Women's Soccer Photo: Kevin Hays

SALEM - Twelfth-year head coach Marty Ziesemer announced today that he has signed five players for the upcoming 2007 season, including a pair of Oregonians, two players from the state of Washington, and a player out of the state of California.

Ziesemer is tied for ninth all-time in women's soccer coaching history in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' (NAIA) history with 136 wins.

In eleven season, Ziesemer has guided the Warriors to ten Cascade Collegiate Conference post-season tournaments, seven NAIA Region I tournaments, and four National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) national tournaments.

The five recruits that have signed Letters of Intent for the upcoming season are Kelly Yount (Silverton, Ore.), Miranda O'Connor (Gladstone, Ore.), Erin Laughlin (Ephrata, Wash.), Sheree Kuehl (Seabeck, Wash.), and Melissa Malone (Lake Forest, Calif.).

Yount, who is from nearby Salem Academy High School, was named team captain for the Crusaders prior to both her junior and senior seasons.

The 5-foot-2 defender earned 2nd team all-league honors this past season, while helping lead Salem Academy to the playoffs for the first time in ten years.

Along with her high school experience, Yount has also competed as a member of the Cascade Futbol Club that took 1st place at the Waterfront Tournament during the summer of 2006.

"Kelly will give us additional depth in the back line," commented Ziesemer. "She has a great attitude and a great desire to learn and develop into a solid player."

O'Connor, who arrives from Gladstone High School, was a member of the Capital League championship team that advanced to the 3rd round of the state tournament last season.

The 5-foot-9 midfielder earned Gatorade Rookie of the Year honors as a sophomore, as well as playing as a member of the FC Canby United team during the summer.

Ziesemer was quoted as saying, "Miranda will give us additional help in the midfield with her hard work and potential to be a great player at the level."

Laughlin, who is the younger sister of current Warrior Sara Laughlin, comes to Corban from Ephrata High School where she was a member of the 4-time state playoff qualifiers.

The 5-foot-8 midfielder earned 2nd team all-league honors twice, while being named as a member of the 1st team following her senior season.

Laughlin ended her high school career scoring 12 goals and handing out 14 assists, while playing club soccer for the Wenatchee Valley Zypher.

"Erin is a quick hard working player that will give us additional options in the midfield," said Ziesemer. "I am excited to have her contribute with her abilities in a variety of ways."

Kuehl, who comes to the Capitol City from Klahowya Secondary School, was named two-time team captain prior to her junior and senior seasons.

The 5-foot-6 midfielder scored 2 goals and handed out 3 assists in high school en route to being named 2nd team all-league following her junior and senior campaigns.

Kuehl also earned all-county honor following her junior season before being touted as one of the top 10 players to watch in the area during her senior season.

"I am pleased that Sheree will be part of the team next season," commented Ziesemer. "She provides good speed, an aggressive style of play, and a desire to continue getting better as a player."

As the lone Californian, Malone comes to Corban from El Toro High School in Lake Forest, California.

The 5-foot-6 defender/midfielder earned MVP honors following her sophomore season, while earning MVP club honors following the 2003 and 2005 seasons.

As a member of the West Coast Futbol Club team, Malone helped guide her squad to the 2003 San Diego Fire championship, the 2004 OSC Classic championship, the 2005 ASC Spring Cup championship, and the 2006 JUSA Classic championship.

"Melissa is a solid player that I expect to contribute immediately," said Ziesemer. "Her experience as a member of her West Coast FC club team will be of benefit to our program."

Corban ended last season with an overall record of 7-11-1, 5-4-0 in Cascade Collegiate Conference play and qualified for its seventh straight conference post-season tournament.

The Warriors will open the 2007 season on Friday, August 24th, against NCAA Division II member Northwest Nazarene beginning at noon in Nampa, Idaho.

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