March 31, 2006
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Three members of the University of Missouri soccer team's 2007 signing class were named top-150 recruits by Soccer Buzz, giving the Tigers one of the top recruiting classes in the nation. Katya Hessel, a forward from Edwardsville, Ill., and Crystal Wagner, a defender from Houston, Texas are listed as top-100 recruits while Kristin Andrighetto, a midfielder / forward from Pleasant Hill, Calif., is a top-150 recruit.
Joining Andrighetto, Hessel and Wagner as newcomers on the Missouri sideline next season are midfieler / forwards Michelle Collins from Naperville, Ill. and Breanna Thornton from Lake View Terrace, Calif.
A National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) / ADIDAS Youth Girls All-America team selection in 2004, Hessel also attended training camp for the Women's National U16 Pool Team in 2004. Hessel also earned NSCAA / ADIDAS All-Midwest Team accolades in 2005 for Edwardsville High School. A two-time Alton Telegraph Player of the Year, Hessel is a three-time all-region, all-conference and all-area first team honoree. Hessel also boasts international experience from her time with the United States Youth Soccer Association / ADIDAS All-Star Team that played in Germany, Holland and Scotland and again has the opportunity with the Olympic Development Program Region II International Tour in March, 2006. As a member of the U17 Metro United club team, Hessel won the 2004 Gateway Shootout and took second place in the 2004 Fall Metro Classic.
"Katya is an exciting and explosive talent that will add a great deal of experience to our team," said Missouri head coach Bryan Blitz. "She is also a creative and savvy playmaker that can score goals as well as set up her teammates with great passes. She is an individual that has been involved in the National Team program since she was 15 years old and we know that her knowledge and understanding of the game will make an impact in the Big 12 Conference."
In 2003 and 2004, Wagner helped lead Memorial to state semi-final finishes. Invited to the Olympic Development Festival U18 Boca Camp, Wagner will attend the College Station (Texas) event in February with the Region 3 Team. She helped lead her Challenge `88 club squad to an U17 state championship in 2005 and the North Oklahoma City Soccer Club United club team to Premier League Division Championship in 2003 and 2004 and a state championship in 2003 as a Region III Team member.
"Crystal is a wonderful athlete that is gifted with speed, a tenacious attitude and a tremendous passion for the game," said Blitz. "She is a quality defender who also possesses the mindset to get forward in the attack. These qualities along with a strong desire for winning will only help bolster our team and our back line." An ADIDAS All-Far West Team selection in 2005, Andrighetto led Carondelet High School to a 16-1-1 record her senior season after scoring 17 goals and six assists. Over her four year career, she totaled 86 goals and 33 assists as the squad earned the 2005 Golden State Soccer League Championship. Andrighetto earned Bay Valley Athletic League first and second team honors in 2004 and 2003, respectively. As a member of Olympic Development Program squads, Andrighetto was on the 2005 Super Y League National Select and 2003 Regional teams.
"Kristin is a very sophisticated player that is extremely efficient inside the 18-yard box," said Blitz. "She is the type of player that possesses the knack for scoring big time goals as well as always being in the right place at the right time. We are very excited about the depth and versatility that she will add to this recruiting class."
The Missouri soccer team continues its spring schedule against Marquette on Saturday, April 8 at 1:30 p.m. in Maryland Heights, Mo. Three days later, the Tigers host the full Canadian National Team at Walton Stadium on Tuesday, April 11 at 7 p.m.