May 31, 2006
LAS VEGAS - Two goalkeepers have signed national letters of intent to play women's soccer for UNLV starting in the fall of 2006, head coach Katherine Mertz announced on Tuesday, increasing the Rebels' signing class to a total of eight.
"I'm real excited that we were able to sign two quality goalkeepers for this year," said Mertz. "This should give the team great depth at the keeper position, and at the same time, I expect our three goalies will be pushing each other in practice, which should make all three better as the season goes on."
The first is Kathryn Alario, a transfer from Tulane whose team was dropped due to Hurricane Katrina. Alario, a 5-8 native of Warren, N.J., appeared in three games as a freshman for the Green Wave, who played a shortened 12-game slate in 2005. She finished with a 1.69 GAA and made 14 saves in 213 minutes of action, and earned a shutout in the only win of the year for Tulane, 1-0 against Southern Miss. A 2005 graduate of Watchung Hills Regional High, she was a two-time AP First Team All-State selection, and was also named to the Regional All-American Team her junior and senior years. She helped her team to three conference championships, three state sectional titles, and to the state semifinals her senior year, when she posted a 0.68 GAA with eight shutouts.
"Kathryn, coming from Tulane, will be bringing a year of college experience with her, and that will be a big advantage for her first year here at UNLV," said Mertz.
Alicia Lugo is a 5-5 native of Lancaster, Calif., where she played for Quartz High. She was the goalie for the 2005 U16 Club National Champions, the Slammers from southern California, and also received the adidas golden glove award for best keeper in the national championships. For Quartz, she was first team all-league and all-valley as a junior, and all-section her sophomore year. Lugo was also named All-Valley Freshman of the Year as a starting center midfielder and backup goalkeeper.
"Alicia is a quick, agile, and strong competitor," said Mertz. "With the experience she gained leading the Slammers to the national championships, we expect her to bring that winning attitude and competitor edge to the team."
Alario and Lugo join six players previously announced by UNLV back in February; defender Macy Neeley of Scottsdale, Ariz., midfielder Brianna Moore of Riverside, Calif., defender Dani Morin of Saugus, Calif., forward Niki Connolly of Woodland Hills, Calif., midfielder Taylor Fuentes of Davie, Fla., and Jamie McCoy of Las Vegas.
UNLV made its' second-ever, and second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 2005 after winning the Mountain West Conference Tournament with a 1-0 overtime win over New Mexico. The Rebels then fell at No. 15 Cal State Fullerton 1-0 in overtime in the NCAA first round, to finish the year with a school-record mark of 13-6-3,
