Highlander
Women’s Soccer Team Signs Recruit
(Houghton, N.Y.)—The Houghton
College women’s soccer team has signed Katie-Jean Vandzura
to a national letter of
intent. Vandzura is a
forward and midfielder from Minotola, N.J., who has led her high school
team to two consecutive Cape Atlantic League titles.
Vandzura attended
Buena (N.J.) Regional High School, where she was a four-year varsity
starter and had 72 goals and 47 assists.
“KJ has been
instrumental to our team’s success both as a playmaker and a finisher,”
said Buena coach Misty Russo. “She is fast, technically sound, has great
vision and possesses very strong one-on-one skills. On a personal level,
KJ is a mature, honest, sincere young lady with a pleasant demeanor. She
has been a delight to coach.”
Vandzura was
named to the All-Cape Atlantic Team four times and scored the winning
goal in the Senior Select game this year. In addition to her play with
Buena Regional, Vandzura was a leader for the South Jersey Banshees club
soccer team.
“KJ leads by
example with a tireless attitude and work ethic,” said Banshees coach
Cliff Simmons, “You put that with a personality that everyone loves and
you have a great team player. As she has learned more of the nuances of
the game over the last two years she has improved significantly and I
still think her best is ahead of her.”
Highlanders head
coach David Lewis certainly hopes so. “KJ is an impact player who should
play a key role for us,” Lewis said. “She fits our team philosophy and
character and I am enthusiastically looking forward to her addition to
our team and campus community.”
Vandzura is the
daughter of Steve and Deborah Vandzura of Minotola, N.J. She has not yet
declared a major, but anticipates earning a minor in Sports Ministry at
Houghton.
Houghton finished
the 2007 season with a 13-3-3 record and won the American Mideast
Conference, North Division (going 7-0-0 in the division). It was the
team’s 14th conference or divisional title in the past 15 years. They
also competed in their 15th consecutive NAIA Regional Final
Four and captured the Region IX championship. They advanced to the Sweet
16 of the NAIA national tournament, held in Daytona Beach, Fla. It was
the Highlanders’ fifth consecutive national tournament appearance.
