Kansas Soccer Signs Six to National Letters of Intent
Feb. 2, 2006
LAWRENCE, Kan. –
The University of Kansas soccer program announced the signing of six players to National Letters of Intent. Of the six player, Monica Dolinsky (Carmel, Ind.) and Shannon McCabe (Tulsa, Okla.) earned NSCAA High School All-American status. Joining Dolinsky and McCabe are three Colorado natives, Kim Boyer (Arvada), Merideth Monson (Lone Tree) and Estelle Johnson (Fort Collins), and Megan Jensen of Lincoln, Neb.
“We are very excited about this class,” commented head coach Mark Francis. “These young ladies are quality players and quality people and they will help us continue in our quest to win another conference title and compete deep into the NCAA Tournament. They are all “team” players and understand what it means to put it all on the line for the benefit of the team.”
Monica Dolinsky
Hometown: Carmel, Ind.
Club team: Carmel Cyclones
High school: Carmel HS
ODP: Member of Region II team
Honors: An NSCAA Adidas High School All-American … Named Hamilton County Player of the Year and MIC Conference Player of the Year … Named all-state, all-district, all-city … Played on the Indiana State ODP team and Regional Team from 2000-04 … Captain of six-time state championship club team Carmel Cyclones … Led the Cyclones to the Regional semifinals in 2003 and 2004.
Head Coach Mark Francis on Dolinsky:
“Monica is an extremely technical player and reads the game very well. She has a tremendous shot with both feet. She has extensive experience playing for the regional team which will help her in the transition to the Division One college game. She will compete to play as a forward and in the attacking midfield spot.”
Kim Boyer
Hometown: Arvada, Colo.
Club team: Colorado Edge Select
High school: Ralston Valley HS
Honors: Led her club team to the state quarterfinals in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006 and the state semifinals in 2005 … Plays for the Mile High Mustangs of the W-League … Two-year letterwinner for Ralston Valley High and was the teams scoring leader as a junior, helping guide Ralston Valley to the state quarterfinals and a 16-4 record … A member of the Mentor Program and honor roll.
Head Coach Mark Francis on Boyer:
“Kim is a very fast attacking player. She will probably be our fastest forward next year. Kim will play wide forward where she can utilize her speed to beat players 1v1 and cause problems.”
Megan Jensen
Hometown: Lincoln, Neb.
Club team: Sparta Velocity
High school: Lincoln East HS
ODP: `87 Nebraska Team
Honors: Named all-city, all-conference and class A all-state in 2004 and 2005 … Named Super State First Team midfielder and All-Nebraska defender in 2005 … Captain of the two-time Nebraska state championship team Lincoln East Spartans … Captain of the five-time state championship club team Sparta Velocity … A member of the National Honor Society … A Wendy’s High School Heisman nominee.
Head Coach Mark Francis on Jensen:
“Megan is a very tough defender. She is very good 1v1 and is very tough to beat. She is also very good in the air. She will bring more depth to our back line and will compete to play either at marking back or in the middle of the back.”
Shannon McCabe
Hometown: Tulsa, Okla.
Club team: Tulsa Soccer Club 88 Girls
High school: Jenks HS
ODP: Member of the Oklahoma State team
Honors: An NSCAA Adidas High School All-American … Named the Oklahoma High School Player of the Year … A four-year starter on the varsity team .. Led her team in points in 2004 and assists in 2005 … Named all-district, all-metro and all-state … Club coach was Gene Jackson … Led her club team to the 2005 state championship and Region III quarterfinals and the Plano Labor Day 2005 Championship … Was named to the Principals and Superintendents honor roll with a 4.2 weighted GPA.
Head Coach Mark Francis on McCabe:
“Shannon is a naturally left-footed player and serves the ball extremely well from the left side, something we have been lacking in the last few years. She has good pace and is a good 1v1 player. Shannon will compete to play as a wide forward.”
Merideth Monson
Hometown: Lone Tree, Colo.
Club team: Real Colorado National
High school: Arapahoe High
Head Coach Mark Francis on Monson:
“Meredith is a very technical player who will compete for one of our midfield spots. She is quick and technical and will fit in very well with our style of play, especially at the attacking midfield position.”
Estelle Johnson
Hometown: Fort Collins, Colo.
Club team: Fort Collins Arsenal
High school: Rocky Mountain HS
ODP: Member of Region IV pool
Honors: A member of the ODP Region IV pool the last two years … Captain of the Fort Collins Arsenal club team … Four-year letterwinner at Rocky Mountain High … All-state as a junior … Named team MVP as a sophomore and junior and best defensive player as a freshman … Earned all-conference first team as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
Head Coach Mark Francis on Johnson:
“Estelle is a very fast , athletic defender who is exceptional in the air. She is also technically good and will help us maintain possession in the back and start the attack from the defensive third. We will use Estelle either at outside back or in the center back position.”
