CLINTON, Iowa - The Ashford University athletics recruiting cycle for 2010 officially started as the Saints' women's soccer program reeled in a pair of commitments from Bettendorf natives and Pleasant Valley High School standouts, Trisha Shoemaker and Brittany Paustian.
Shoemaker and Paustian will finish their senior season in the spring guided by Ashford Men's Soccer Head Coach and Midwest Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year Richard Markham at PV.
AU women's soccer Head Coach Mick Regan continued to show a penchant for signing high school teammates, inking his third consecutive tandem after signing Canadians Chelsea Fisher and Brittany Caddell (from Central Memorial H.S.) last year and Cassie Fitzgerald and Stephanie Spencer (from Sardis H.S.) in 2008.
"I am very excited about the addition of Trisha and Brittany to our squad," AU Head Coach Mick Regan said. "They come from a very strong high school program and will help us take the next step in our development."
Shoemaker, a high scoring forward, earned Second Team All-State and First Team All-Conference honors during her junior campaign that was marked with a staggering 19 goals and 15 assists in just 21 games. She combined for 11 goals and eight assists in her first two years for the Spartans.
"Trisha is a true goal scorer who has a natural eye for scoring goals," Regan said. "She will fit in very well with our current offense and provide us with more strength and power. She has a hunger to score goal every time she steps on the pitch, which is a tough quality to find. I am excited to see her knocking in the goals next year."
"She is a flat out gamer," Markham added. "There is no reason to believe that Trisha can't top the 30-goal mark this year. She is tough on the ball and adds the element of speed, a dangerous combination in women's soccer."
Paustian, a converted midfielder by Markham, is a three-year varsity starter for Pleasant Valley. As a sophomore, she collected four goals and an assist after netting three scores and a pair of helpers as a freshman.
"Brittany is an intelligent defender who will be challenged with the role of replacing (First Team All-MCC performer) Samantha Green (of Clinton)," Regan said. "She not only has the ability to break up attacks, but the talent to start attacks on her own. Her poise and vision will add a new dimension to our defense."
The duo has helped take Pleasant Valley to three consecutive state tournament appearances and pair of Mississippi Athletic Conference (MAC) Championships in their careers to date.
Shoemaker,
the daughter of Timothy and Michelle Shoemaker, chose Ashford over the likes of
Paustian, the daughter of Jeff Butt and Ginny Paustian, will pursue a major in biology at Ashford. She gave her pledge to Ashford against Baker University (Kan.) and Loras College.
