Fresno State Athletics
Bulldog Soccer Signs Five for 2012
2/14/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Feb. 14, 2012
By Jennifer Jones
jjones@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - The Fresno State women's soccer team is preparing to enter its only year in the Mountain West Conference and signed five new recruits to help it make its mark.
"We never recruit players that we don't feel have the potential to come in and impact our team from day one and this class is no different," said head coach Brian Zwaschka. "These young ladies have impressed us immensely by impacting their respective club and high school teams. Every one of them has special qualities that we are confident can carry over to the next level."
The newest class of Bulldogs includes three student-athletes from the Central Valley, Samantha Brechmann (Fresno, Calif), Alyssa Cruz (Visalia, Calif.) and Dani Rodriguez (Tracy, Calif.).
"We always start our recruiting with local talent in the Valley which never fails to impress," said Zwaschka. "Keeping the top players home is excellent for the understanding and character of what this area is all about, and it holds a special meaning in the community to see the local stars continue to shine at the highest level locally as Bulldogs."
Zwaschka also signed Savannah Roberson (Oxnard, Calif.) and Alyssa Wilson (Fontana, Calif.) to the 2012 squad.
Samantha Brechmann
Brechmann was a four-year starter at Clovis North. The two-time team captain helped lead her team to a Division II Valley Championship and two Valley finals. Brechmann earned All-CMAC her freshman and junior years as a midfielder.
"I'm extremely excited to have the chance to play soccer at Fresno State in front of my family and friends," said Brechmann. "I'm looking forward to working hard and I'm also excited to follow both my grandfather's and my mother's footsteps in being a Bulldog."
She was also a member of the Odyssey U-18 Red team that appeared in the National Cup finals in Virginia Beach. Her club was ranked No. 1 in the Norcal 2011 Olympic Development Program and claimed Blues and Surf Cup Championships.
Alyssa Cruz
Cruz was a four-year starting midfielder for Redwood High School. A two-time captain, she was also a three-year member of the honor roll. Cruz was named all-league three times, earning first-team All-County (Visalia Times Delta) and second-team All-Valley (Fresno Bee) honors in 2011.
She has attended camps held by the Bulldogs coaching staff in the past and appreciated their coaching style.
"I chose Fresno State because I enjoy playing under the coaching staff," Cruz said of her decision to remain in the Valley. "I'm comfortable and confident with the coaching techniques. With their encouragement, I hope to excel as an athlete."
Cruz was a four-year captain of the California Odyssey Soccer Club. She participated on state and regional ODP teams 2006-07.
Dani Rodrigues
Rodrigues spent three years on varsity at Tracy High School as a midfielder. She has belonged to two premier clubs in her career. After helping the U-15 Tracy Revolution win the 2010 Nor Cal Premier Gold State Championship, she moved on to the Pleasanton Rage Premier Club. While competing in the ECNL U-16, U-17 and U-18, Rodrigues participated in several showcases and tournaments including the ECNL National Championships and ECNL Final Four.
"I am really excited to be playing soccer at the college level and doing it at Fresno State," said Rodrigues. "The things that set Fresno State apart from other colleges were the coaching staff, players, the college atmosphere and academically Fresno State was a great fit for me."
Rodrigues also participated in the ODP as a member of the U-15, U-16 and U-17 Cal North teams. She helped lead her team to two Region IV ODP Championships (2010 and 2011). In 2011, she had five goals and three assists in the tournament and scored the gamewining goal against Washington to reach the semifinals.
Savannah Roberson
Roberson was a two-time team most valuable player and captain at St. Bonaventure High School. She was named to All-Tri-Valley teams in 2009 and 2010 as a forward. Roberson earned athletic academic award honors for all four years.
"I chose Fresno State because I immediately felt like I was at home," said Roberson. "The coaches are great and the players are welcoming. Fresno State also has a great nationally acclaimed business school that I am very excited to become a part of."
She also played for the Camarillo Eagles Soccer Club, a U-17 premier team in the Elite Clubs National League, as a defender.
Alyssa Wilson
Wilson is a four-year letterwinner in goal at Etiwanda High School. The senior class president and team captain in 2011, she earned second-team all-league accolades, the High School Coaches Award and was selected for Cherif Zein All-Star England team.
"I chose Fresno State because of the opportunity to play for a team determined to succeed and contend for a conference title," Wilson said of her decision to become a Bulldog. "The Craig School of Business is also highly rated and gives me the opportunity to have a successful future."
Wilson helped the West Coast FC to the Surf Cup finals in 2010. A four-sport student-athlete, she also participated in track, basketball and volleyball.
"The spirit, humility, commitment, passion and ability of this class gives my staff and I a very high sense of excitement for what's just around the corner," said Zwaschka. "By the returners and staff, they will be welcomed and pushed, revered and challenged, respected and expected to rise to the occasion, and we are confident they will give what it takes to help the team in this special new step in our program's history and development."
"We Are Your Team!" There is still time to learn from the some of the best coaches in college soccer. The Bulldogs have a Residential Camp coming June 26-29. You can stay connected with Fresno State Athletics on Facebook (fresnostateathletics) and Twitter (@FSAthletics).
