The 2007-2008 school year will not only be the first year for the debut of the newfound Triton name for the athletic teams here at UM-St. Louis, but will also bring in new student-athletes.
Coaches and players will try to either build on their success or correct their failures from last year and the incoming players will definitely play a role during the season.
The rosters for UM-St. Louis' teams are not yet official, but here are some of the new players who will be representing the Triton name.
The men's soccer team has four new players who will try to help them reach the GLVC tournament again. The team finished 9-7-2 and compiled a GLVC record of 6-5-2 last year.
Jack McKenna was an all-conference selection for 2006 and 2007 for Trinity High School. McKenna graduated ranked number one in his class. Kyle Wogtech was an all-conference selection twice for Hazelwood West High School. Wogtech and McKenna both played for the Busch Soccer Club.
Mike Wania was an all-conference selection in 2006 and 2007 for Eureka High School.
Ryan Gresco transfers to UM-St. Louis from Lewis and Clark Community College in Illinois. Gresco helped to lead his team to a spot in the NCJAA Region 24 Tournament.
Women's basketball head coach Lisa Curliss-Taylor has signed junior Mary Slaughter for next season. Slaughter is the first player recruited by Curliss-Taylor since she became the coach of the team.
Slaughter transfers to UM-St. Louis from East Texas Baptist University. Curliss-Taylor was Slaughter's coach for her two years at East Texas Baptist University.
The women's golf team has signed Ashley Stout for next season. Stout was named a four-time all-country selection. In 2006, Stout was named the Indiana Golf foundation Player of the Year. Last year, she finished with an 80.6 stroke over 18 events.
Women's volleyball head coach Josh Lauer has recruited a few new players for next season. Elizabeth Cook was a second team all-state selection last year for Archbishop O'Hara in Kansas City. In 2005, the team won the Missouri 3A State Championship.
Carolyn Holstein was named an all-west first team selection last year as well as being named an academic all-state honorable mention selection. Kayla Kinzinger was named an all-conference and all-area selection last year. Breanna Pratl played for Frankfort High School in Frankfort Illinois as an outside hitter.
The men's basketball team has the largest number of new players for the 2007-2008 school year with six members joining the roster. Head Coach Chris Pilz added two seniors to the lineup and four juniors.
Sky Frazier and Paul Paradoski represent the incoming seniors to the team. Frazier transfers to UM-St. Louis after playing three years for Missouri State. Paradoski played for Southeast Missouri State for three years before transferring.
Jason Black is one of four incoming juniors and transfers from Division I Samford University in Alabama. Adam Kaatman is another incoming junior transferring from Meramec Community College.
Two incoming transfer students are former teammates from Itawamba Community College in Mississippi: Larricus Brown and Tim Green.
The new players for the men's basketball team will need to "come together as individuals to be a better team," said Pilz. "Hopefully they will have good team chemistry."
The women's soccer team has added six new players to assist the 16 returning players. The team finished with a record of 12-7-1 last season. Another high point for last season was the 100th career win for Head Coach Beth Goetz.
Jessica Hampton comes to UM-St. Louis from state champions St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Kansas City.
"Jessica has great speed and athleticism, and can really play anywhere on the field. We will look to use her on the outside in the mid or in the backfield," Goetz said.
Jessica Bartolacci comes to UM-St. Louis from Mehlville High School.
"Jessica is a midfielder with good field vision who can distribute well. She will give us some added depth at the outside midfield position," Goetz said.
Rachel Hoff is a two-time all-state selection at Lafayette High School.
"[Hoff] has great speed and does a great job of organizing the team defense. She will look to be an immediate contributor to our team in the back or in the midfield," said Goetz.
Caitlin Farrow is sophomore from Ontario Canada, and is transferring from University of Tennessee-Martin. "She has a tremendous work rate and is very versatile on the field with the ability to play both the forward and defensive positions," said Goetz.
Kelly Campbell is a junior transferring from Lewis and Clark Community College. Goetz described Lewis and Clark as one of the most successful Junior college programs in the country.
Maggie Gabris is a sophomore who transferred to UM-St. Louis from Eastern Illinois. "She will be an impact player for us as a central back or central midfielder," said Goetz.
The fall season will start soon and players and coaches will start their climb to the GLVC tournament. Returning players and incoming players will have their chance to represent UM-St. Louis and hopefully bring a championship home.
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