University Southern California Trojans
USC Women's Soccer Signs Five Top Players
February 09, 2000 | Women's Soccer
Feb. 9, 2000
LOS ANGELES -- Five outstanding high school women's soccer players--midfielder Megan Abbamonto of Capistrano Valley High in Mission Viejo, Calif., midfielder Whitney Cale of Marymount High in Los Angeles, Calif., forward Jessica Edwards of Dobson High in Mesa, Ariz., defender Nicole Goza of Carondelet High in Concord, Calif., and defender Amanda Roach of Upland (Calif.) High--have signed letters of intent with USC, Trojan head coach Jim Millinder announced today.
"This is the strongest class we've recruited in my four years at USC," said Millinder, who has led the Women of Troy into the past two NCAA tournaments. "Every player we signed this year can have an immediate impact on our team."
Abbamonto was a 1998 All-CIF Division I first teamer as a sophomore, as well as an Los Angeles Times All-Orange County first team and Orange County Register All-Orange County first team pick, when she posted 5 goals and 2 assists. As a junior in 1999, she made the second teams of the Los Angeles Time All-Orange County and Orange County Register All-Orange County squads. Her sister, Kim, is a sophomore defender at USC.
"Megan is one of the top three prep defensive midfielders in the country," said Millinder. "She has a great competitive spirit to win and be successful and a great appetite to play. She has tremendous ability to win balls in the air and is an outstanding tackler."
Cale made the 1999 All-CIF Division IV second team and All-League first team as a junior.
"Whitney is a big, strong, athletic player," said Millinder. "She has unlimited potential. I believe she will step up her game and rise to this level of play."
Edwards, a member of the U.S. Under 16 national team, was a NSCAA All-American as a senior in 2000. She was the 1999 Arizona 5A state Player of the Year as a junior. In her career, she has 140 goals and 65-plus assists. She scored 39 goals in a season and had 7 in a game.
"Jessica is a tremendous goal scorer, with great speed and quick feet," said Millinder. "She has shown a knack for scoring goals at every level."
Goza was a 2-time (1998-99) All-League selection and her 1999 team was ranked No. 1 nationally. She played for the Cal North Under 17 state team and was on the ODP regional team in 1997 and 1998.
"Nicole is a smart, technical player who provides great leadership," said Millinder.
Roach made the 1999 All-CIF Division I first team as a junior and was a 3-time (1997-98-99) All-League selection. She played for the Cal South Under 16 state team.
"Amanda gives us that big, prototype national team defender," said Millinder. "She's strong, fast and very tough."
