February 5, 2009


SEATTLE – Seven outstanding high school seniors signed letters of intent to attend Seattle Pacific University and play for the defending NCAA Division II national champion women's soccer team, Coach Chuck Sekyra announced Thursday.

Three of the signees are Washington natives, including forward Megan Lindsay and defender Taylor Sawyer, who Sekyra claims are arguably the best prep forward and defender in the state.

“It's an incredibly talented class. If you look at it, this class has been winners in every single program,” exclaimed Sekyra. “All of their club teams and high school teams are state champions or final four teams. All of these kids have played at an elite level and they are all very talented.

 “We continue to move in the right direction as far as getting an extremely high-level quality player here.”

The class also features Andrea Chan, Brittany Langdon, Taylor Lundquist, Hannah Masson and Taylor Ochs.

Lindsay was a three-time All-Greater Spokane League player at Gonzaga Prep. She was one of just two players from the state of Washington invited to participate at the prestigious adidas ESP camp.

“Megan Lindsay is one of the best forwards to come out of the Northwest in the last few years,” Sekyra said. “She has it all -- strength, speed, great ability to score goals and beat defenders off the dribble and she is a tremendous passer. Megan is dynamic and creative and is going to be fun to watch in an SPU uniform.”

Sawyer is an All-Olympic League honoree from North Mason High School. She scored 15 goals to lead the Bulldogs into the 2008 district playoffs.

“She is one of the most competitive players that we have ever watched.  Whether she is playing for her state championship Washington Premier club team or our state ODP team, Taylor makes it difficult for her opponents not only to score, but to even get chances,” Sekyra described.

Chan is the third in-state signee. She lives in Vancouver, Wash. and attends Central Catholic High School in Portland, Ore. Chan was a first-team all-league pick her senior season.

“Andrea has been a starter and key player for her state championship FC Portland team,” Sekyra said. “She is a very skilled defender who can play centerback or outside back at an equally high level.”

Sekyra singled out Hannah Masson as Idaho's most talented senior. Masson netted 19 goals during her senior season at Centennial High School.

”We feel that Hannah is the most complete player in her class from the state of Idaho. She is an impact player in the midfield who has a history of winning everywhere she plays,” Sekyra remarked.

The SPU recruiting class features a trio of Taylors, including Taylor Sawyer.

Taylor Ochs hails from Omaha, Neb., but attends Shattuck-St. Mary's Academy in Minnesota. She is a standout defender and an exceptional student who topped her class with a 4.17 grade point average as a junior.

”Taylor is a left back who plays at an extremely high level,” explained Sekyra. “Her skill with the ball and ability to get forward and serve great balls really caught our eye.”

Taylor Lundquist plays at Willow Glen (Calif.) High School where she received the league's Junior of the Year award in 2008. She twice competed in the Super Y-League North American finals.

“Taylor Lundquist is a very athletic defender who reads the game well and is exceptional in playing a four back zonal system like we play,” Sekyra said. “Her attitude, work rate and determination have us really excited about how she can make a difference in our program.”

Completing the class is Langdon, a versatile player from Northwood (Calif.) High School. She garnered first-team all-league accolades.

”Brittany Langdon is a flat-out a difference maker who can run forever and plays at an incredibly high pace,” said Sekyra. “She has a heart and level of determination that is going to unquestionably make a difference for us. She is someone who has the talent to play multiple positions and play them all well.”

The seven recruits commence their collegiate careers in August of 2009, joining an SPU team that registered a 22-1-2 record last season and beat previously undefeated West Florida 1-0 on Dec. 6 in the national championship game.

The incoming players have big shoes to fill as the departed five-player senior class participated in four NCAA Tournaments and qualified for three Final Fours.

Six starters and 14 letterwinners return from the Falcons squad that concluded the 2008 season with a 17-game unbeaten streak.

“This class will give us more depth. Without a doubt we're looking for anyone to come in and help us,” Sekyra concluded. “We like the group we have coming back. I think this group can compete for time and also complement those players. There is no doubt that this gives us an extremely high level of depth.”


2009 SEATTLE PACIFIC WOMEN'S SOCCER RECRUITING CLASS

Andrea Chan
Defender, 5-4, Fr., Vancouver, WA (Central Catholic)

Brittany Langdon
Defender/Midfielder, 5-10, Fr. Irvine, CA (Northwood)

Megan Lindsay
Forward, 5-7, Fr., Spokane, WA (Gonzaga Prep)

Taylor Lundquist
Defender, 5-8, Fr., San Jose, CA (Willow Glen)

Hannah Masson
Midfielder, 5-7, Fr., Meridian, ID (Centennial)

Taylor Ochs
Defender, 5-6, Fr., Omaha, NE (Shattuck-St. Mary's, MN)

Taylor Sawyer
Defender, 5-5, Fr., Gig Harbor, WA (North Mason)