May 28, 1999

Milwaukee - MILWAUKEE - UWM womens soccer head coach Michael Moynihan announced his 1999 recruiting class today. Six players have committed to the team.

"This class has a combination of speed, skill, and experience that will compliment our current team very well," said Head Coach Michael Moynihan. "What makes this even better is that much of the talent is local. But also, this class shows that people recognize UWMs academic excellence."

Two of the top local high school players will bring experience to an already deep Panther midfield. Katie Kubacki (Milwaukee, Wis.-Pius) and Maggie Suminski (Shorewood, Wis.-Shorewood) both play club soccer for the state champion Milwaukee Kicker Nationals. Kubacki, a two-time all-state selection, won two state championships at Pius. Suminski, a first-team all-conference selection, won six state championships with the kickers. Her team placed third in the 1998 Region II Championships.

"Both are crafty with the ball and have unbelievable distribution skills," said Moyihan. "They will help our possession game and increase our ablility to circulate the ball on offense."

Emily Jessen (Omaha, Neb.-Marian) and Amy Oechsner (Hartford, Wis.-Hartford) will add speed to the Panther scoring attack. Jessen, an all-state selection in Nebraska, was also named to the all-conference and all-metro teams. Oechsner earned all-conference honors as a junior, and her team finished second in state her junior season.

Moynihan said, "Both bring us threatening speed and tireless work rates."

To help maintain the Panthers dominating defense, Moynihan brings in Kristin Munyon (Omaha, Neb.-Burke) and Carrie Durand (Brighton, Mich.-Brighton).

"Kristin brings a physical presence and experience to our defense," said Moynihan. "She has been on the Midwest Regional Team almost all her life and brings valuable high-level experience with her. She is tremendous in the air, has good speed, and is just an awesome presence. She and Carrie will really help solidify our defense."

"We have built our program around players from Wisconsin and we have risen to national prominance with them," said Moynihan. "We are excited at the opportunity we can provide them and we will continue to move forward with them."