February 4, 1999
Columbia, Mo{} After a season with the best record in school history, the University of Missouri Women's Soccer Team will add three Tiger cubs to strengthen their already strong squad. With the signing of a defender, an attacking midfielder, and a defensive midfielder, Head Coach Bryan Blitz looks to add some depth a team that returns all of its starters from the 1998 season. "This recruiting class is full of strong athletes with a good knowledge of the game, and determination," said Coach Blitz.
1999 Missouri Women's Soccer Recruiting Class
Tamisha Ellis D Potomac, Md./Wootton High Bethesda Broncos Amy O'Leary MF Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zurich High ELA Alliance Kathleen Wiley MF St. Louis, Mo./ St. Joseph Academy White Star
Missouri Soccer's first ever player from Maryland, Tamisha Ellis, led her team to the Maryland State Championships, Regional championships, and Division Championships as a junior. A first team all-everything player, Ellis was a member of the senior all-star team. Her club team, the Bethesda Broncos, won the Maryland State Cup Championships in 1998 also.
Blitz on Ellis. . ."Tamisha will bring a defensive presence to this team. With her raw athleticism and power, She has the ability to dominate attackers. She is an imposing figure, and will add another dimension to the defensive line."
Amy O'Leary, an attacking midfielder out of Lake Zurich, Illinois will add a threat to Missouri's already strong attack. A member of the Illinois Olympic Development Team, and Region II National Team. O'Leary was also a high school all-area, all-conference, and all-sectional selection at Lake Zurich High in 1996-98. She leads her high school team in scoring in 27 goals, 16 assists, and has been voted the offensive Most Valuable Player for three straight years. As a junior, O' Leary was voted the 1998 All-Area Honorary Captain. Her club team, the ELA Alliance were state cup champions in 1995, '97-'98.
Blitz on O'Leary. . ." Amy is the best player out of Chicago. She is a great attacking player, and we will look to her to make an immediate impact. She has great vision, and we like her ability to score goals at crucial times. She is a proven star."
Out of St. Joseph Academy in St. Louis, Kathleen Wiley will come to the Tigers as a defensive midfielder. Wiley was a member of the 1998 Missouri State Championship Team at St. Joseph. White Star, her club team placed second in state cup championships in 1998. A member of the Missouri Olympic Development Team, Wiley chose the Tigers over Kansas, Creighton, and Butler.
Blitz on Wiley. . ."Kathleen will add depth to the defensive line. She has a high work rate, is very tenacious, and a determined defender with a very positive attitude."