Huskers Add Seven-Player Class

The <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska soccer team will welcome seven new faces this fall, as Head Coach John Walker announced the 2006 recruiting class on Thursday. The class features four in-state recruits and three out-of-state players.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Each of the seven players are from either Lincoln, Omaha or Dallas, Texas. Carly Peetz (Pius X) is the lone Lincoln native in the class, while Julie Berkshire (Westside), Anna Caniglia (Millard North) and Jackie Walsh (Burke) each hail from Omaha. Outside of the state borders, the Huskers picked up a trio of players from the talent-rich Dallas metro area. Set to join the Huskers in the fall are Brittney Lanier (TrinityChristianAcademy), Shay Powell (Lutheran) and Jacy Wicker (Colleyville Heritage).

 

The seven newcomers will fill out a talented 2006 Husker roster that features nine returning starters, including reigning two-time Big 12 Player of the Year and NSCAA All-American Brittany Timko. The added depth and talent should help the Huskers improve on last year’s 14-8-1 record and increase Nebraska’s chances of advancing to the third round of the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in 11 seasons.

 

A complete breakdown of the 2006 class, including quotes from Coach Walker can be found below:

 

Carly Peetz, F, Lincoln, Neb. (Pius X/Sparta Velocity)

Peetz will be a forward at Nebraska after starring as a midfielder for Lincoln Pius X. In 2005, Peetz was a Lincoln Journal Star first-team Super-State selection and an All-Nebraska first-team selection by the Omaha World-Herald. Peetz was also a Class B first-team selection by both papers after producing five goals and a team-high 11 assists for Pius. In addition to her individual success, Peetz also helped lead Pius to the 2005 Class B state championship, the Thunderbolts’ second consecutive title. Peetz played club ball for the Sparta Velocity, which has won five consecutive State Cup championships.

 

Peetz on why she chose Nebraska: “I’ve attended Nebraska camps since I was younger, and I grew up watching the program. I got to know the players and I’ve just always wanted to go there since I was little. They have a really strong tradition with their athletics, I really liked the staff and players and I was really impressed with the academic support that the student-athletes receive.”

 

Coach Walker on Peetz: “Carly is a very explosive, powerful player who still has so much potential. She is someone who physically can come in and make an impact right away.”

 

Julie Berkshire, MF, Omaha, Neb. (Westside/West Omaha Gladiators)
As a midfielder for Omaha Westside, Berkshire garnered honorable-mention all-state honors from both the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World-Herald as a junior for the Warriors in 2005. Berkshire played her club ball for the West Omaha Gladiators, the same club team as fellow recruits Anna Caniglia and Jackie Walsh.

 

Berkshire on why she chose Nebraska: “I chose Nebraska because of its outstanding academics and competitive athletics. I am impressed with the soccer program that the coaching staff has put together at Nebraska and the style of play they have. I am excited for the opportunity to play for an outstanding program like Nebraska's. Attending Nebraska will also push me to excel in academics. Nebraska has had numerous All-Americans, so I can see that I will have no trouble balancing academics and athletics. Seeing all of these great opportunities made it easy for me to choose Nebraska.”

 

Coach Walker on Berkshire: “Julie is a tall central midfielder. She is good in the air, is a good passer and reads the game well.”

 

Anna Caniglia, MF/D, Omaha, Neb. (Millard North/West Omaha Gladiators

As a junior at Millard North, Caniglia scored 10 goals and added five assists for the Mustangs. She also ranked 19th in Class A with 25 points. Caniglia joined Peetz as a midfielder on the JournalStarSuperState first team, as well as the World-Herald All-Nebraska first-team. Caniglia was also a first-team Class A all-state selection by both papers, in addition to being named a first-team All-Metro selection by the World-Herald. Caniglia played club ball for the West Omaha Gladiators, the same club team as fellow recruits Julie Berkshire and Jackie Walsh.

 

Caniglia on why she chose Nebraska: “Nebraska has a first-class soccer program and I didn't feel the need to go far away when there is such a great program so close.  I immediately knew Nebraska was the right choice after seeing the facilities and meeting the coaching staff.  I have always been a Husker fan and Nebraska is a place where I can play for a great program at a great school and still have my family close by.”

 

Coach Walker on Caniglia: “Anna is a pure left-sided player. She has excellent speed and is a fantastic athlete. She’s a little bit like Carly, in that her potential is enormous.”

 

Jackie Walsh, F, Omaha, Neb. (Burke/West Omaha Gladiators)

Walsh was a Lincoln Journal Star second-team SuperState selection and a second-team All-Nebraska pick by the Omaha World-Herald as a junior for Omaha Burke in 2005. Walsh tallied 26 goals and 11 assists to total 61 points in her junior campaign. She ranked second in Class A in goals, fourth in assists and third in points. Walsh played club ball for the West Omaha Gladiators, the same club team as follow recruits Julie Berkshire and Anna Caniglia.

 

Walsh on why she chose Nebraska:  "The reasons I chose Nebraska are because I know they have an excellent Criminal Justice Program and the education I will receive will be one of the best there is to offer.  I feel that the soccer program will challenge me and help me reach my potential.  Everyone I met in the Athletic Department was very encouraging and upfront about what their goal is as a team and what would be expected of me as a student-athlete." 

 

Coach Walker on Walsh: “Jackie is a very quick forward. She is quick over five yards, has quick feet, is good around the box and is a good dribbler.

 

Brittney Lanier, F/MF, Dallas, Texas (Trinity Christian Academy/Dallas Texans)

Lanier will either play up front or in the midfield for the Huskers. Lanier played club ball for the Dallas Texans, the same club team as fellow recruit Jacy Wicker. As a member of the Olympic Development Program, Lanier helped lead her team to the semifinals of the fifth annual Olympic Development Program National Championships in 2005.

 

Lanier on why she chose Nebraska: ”When I first talked to Coach Walker, I really liked how he talked about the player development.  He said they have one of the best programs for developing players and it really excited me. John was so nice and so easy to talk to and really made me feel comfortable. I felt like (assistant coach Marty Everding) was someone I really wanted to get to know a lot better.  He was really laid back and easy going and had a joy that attracted me.  I loved (assistant coach) Ann (Cook).  She was so kind and funny. I was also really impressed with the facilities. The new buildings were great and really exciting.”

 

Coach Walker on Lanier: “Brittney is an excellent 1-v-1 player. She is very fast, very fluid and has excellent speed.”

 

Shay Powell, F/MF, Dallas, Texas (Lutheran/Dallas Sting)

Powell is expected to be either a forward or midfielder for Nebraska. Powell played her club ball for the Dallas Sting. She helped lead the Sting to the 2004-05 Texas Cup championship, the Sting’s second consecutive title.

 

Powell on why she chose Nebraska: “Knowing that I wanted to play Division I college soccer, I sought out a major university with a terrific academic program and an accomplished and well-respected women’s soccer coach. When visiting the University of Nebraska during my junior year, I was amazed by the school spirit. After visiting for the first time and seeing the athletic facilities and student centers, I knew that I would not have been happy anywhere else. Being on campus just felt like home. Coach Walker made my decision an easy one, being that he is one of the most respected coaches in women’s collegiate soccer.”

 

Coach Walker on Powell: “Shay is a very explosive player. She’s a good 1-v-1 player and a terrific athlete with a lot of potential.”

 

Jacy Wicker, D/MF, Dallas, Texas (Colleyville Heritage/Dallas Texans)

Wicker has helped lead Colleyville Heritage to an 8-1 record thus far in 2006, her senior season. A talented and fast defender, Wicker has helped anchor Colleyville’s defense that has allowed only three goals in nine games, including seven shutouts. In addition to her defending abilities, Wicker has also contributed to the offensive attack, producing two assists. Wicker was a Class 5-A all-district selection in both her sophomore and junior seasons. Wicker played club ball for the Dallas Texans, the same club team as fellow recruit Brittney Lanier. As a member of the Olympic Development Program, Wicker helped lead her team to the semifinals of the fifth annual Olympic Development Program National Championships in 2005.

 

Wicker on why she chose Nebraska: “The reasons are obvious, from the coaches to the awesome atmosphere around campus. I have had the opportunity to play on the highest level of club and ODP play. I feel by choosing the University of Nebraska, I will have the opportunity to continue to compete at the highest level, play with the best players, and be coached by the best coaches in the country.  On my visit to the University of Nebraska, I was overwhelmed by the campus, the academic accomplishments of the athletes that have come before me, and the school spirit of the students and Nebraska people. I feel like Nebraska, with the coaching staff, with the players and the academic advisers will allow me to grow as a person and feel like I never left home.”

 

Coach Walker on Wicker: “Jacy is a very fast right fullback or right-sided midfielder. She is a good individual defender who can also provide creativity in the attack.”