Lady Jacket Soccer Signs Four (2/8/06)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings women’s soccer coach Don Trentham announced the first four players of his 2006 recruiting class on Wednesday.  All four are currently high school seniors.  Joining the Lady Jackets in 2006 will be Jelisa Guy from Kalispell, Mont., Samantha Boehm from Wilsonville, Ore., Dani Ritter from Great Falls, Mont., and Caitlin Differding from Sammamish, Wash.

The Yellowjackets were 11-5-2 last year, their second consecutive winning season.  The Lady Jackets also qualified for the Heartland Conference Championship Tournament in their first year in the league.  In the past two seasons MSU Billings is a combined 23-9-5. 

“Nine starters and 17 players from the 2005 team will be returning as well as Kelsey Vinnedge, a two year starter who had to take a medical redshirt last year,” said Trentham.  “The focus of this recruiting class was to bring in quality players to help take the team to the next step—the NCAA Tournament.  We expect to sign a few additional student-athletes over the next two months.”

Guy will graduate from Flathead High School where she was a four-year letter winner.  She helped FHS to three conference championships and three top four finishes at the state tournament.  One of the most highly decorated Montana players last year, Guy was a two-time all-state first team selection, an NSCAA/adidas All-Region VII selection, and the Gatorade Player of the Year for Montana.  As a senior she scored 16 goals and had seven assists in leading Flathead HS to an unbeaten regular season.  Guy also played in the Montana Olympic Development Program.

“We are excited to have Jelisa sign with the program,” said Trentham.  “She is one of the top players in the state.  Her athleticism, passion for the game, and ability to score goals are just a few of the many outstanding traits she has as a player.”

Boehm will graduate from Wilsonville High School where she lettered four years as a defender.  She was a three-time all-league selection, earning first team honors both as a junior and a senior.  She was also named to the all-state second team two times.  In her senior season Boehm helped the Wilsonville defense hold opponents to just four goals.  Wilsonville advanced to the state quarterfinals in her freshman, sophomore, and junior seasons and to the state semifinals in her senior year.  Boehm also played three years of ODP and her club team won the 2005 U17 state title.

“Sam fits the package of what we look for here in the MSU Billings soccer program,” said Trentham.  “She is a true student-athlete who understands the importance of academics while at the same time excelling as a soccer player.  Her experience playing at a high level in high school will transition to the college game." 

Ritter will graduate from C.M. Russell High School where she lettered four years.  She played forward as a freshman and sophomore, earning CMR’s best offensive player award.  She switched to defense where she earned all-conference recognition as a senior after recording five goals and 14 assists.  CMR made the state tournament in Ritters’s junior and senior seasons, finishing third in 2005.

“Dani is a true competitor and always expects the best from herself and her teammates,” said Trentham.  “She has a solid understanding of the game and is able to play equally well with both her left and right foot.  I expect her to be a solid player her over the next four years.”

Differding will graduate from Eastlake High School where she was a four year letter winner.  She received her school’s scholar athlete award all four years of high school.  As a junior and senior she was selected as team captain, earning honorable mention all-league honors as a junior.  Differding helped Eastlake qualify for the state playoffs as a senior and played on Eastlake’s 2002 state championship team.

“Caitlin is another addition to our program from the Seattle area,” said Trentham.  “Many of the players we have brought in from the Seattle area have done a great job for us.  Caitlin will be no different as her technical, tactical, and physical play will add depth to our attack.”