Feb. 4, 2005

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.--Head coach Janet Rayfield announced Wednesday the signing of five prep soccer athletes to letters of intent to suit up for the Orange and Blue. Jamie Alvis, Marti Desjarlais, Jessica Levitt, Emily Rucker and Danielle Wagner will be the latest to join the Fighting Illini soccer family in the fall of 2005.

"There is an air of excitement already about the 2005 season," said Rayfield. "The returners are ready to put their stamp on Illinois Soccer and so is the class of 2005. "Their collective, competitive spirit may be one of the trademarks of the class and it will continue to elevate the training atmosphere and help push this program to new heights."

The class of 2005 includes three state products, a Wisconsin native and a standout from California. All five athletes have had successful club careers with top club teams. As teammates on the Windy City Pride U-17 Elite team, Rucker and Wagner led their club team to three consecutive State Cup Championships since 2002 and back-to-back President's Day Championships in 2003 and 2004. With the addition of Rucker and Wagner, the Windy City Pride-Fighting Illini connection remains strong as the two signees join former Windy City Pride members and current Illini Shannon and Mary Therese McDonnell in Orange and Blue. Levitt comes to Illinois after a celebrated career with the Eclipse Select where her U-17 claimed a Region II championship in 2003.

Desjarlais also enjoyed club success in 2003 when she led her U-17 FC Milwaukee club team to their fifth straight Wisconsin state championship since 1999 and a Region II semi-final appearance that same year. As captain of her U-16 club team, Alvis led the FC Slammers to two tournament title matches and three separate championship titles in 2004.

The five signees join a Fighting Illini squad that has enjoyed two straight years of unparalleled success under Rayfield. After capturing the program's first Big Ten Tournament title and setting numerous records in 2003, the Illini followed up this season by posting its best postseason record in school history. The Illini's final record of 16-6-2 included the best start in school history with seven straight wins, two come-from-behind victories and two wins over top-10 opponents with a 1-0 victory over then-No. 10 Kansas and a 2-1 win at No. 7 Texas A&M in the second round of the national tournament. In addition, the Illini went 4-0 vs. the Big 12 this season, defeating Missouri, Kansas, Texas A&M and Nebraska.

Rayfield is pleased with her latest class of talent athletes, notably their versatility to play on both sides of the ball. With the exception of Wagner who has specialized at the goalkeeper position, the other four signees were valuable members of their high school and club teams for their talents offensively and defensively.

"The signing class of 2005 for the Illini women's soccer program is one with all the pieces," commented Rayfield. "They will strengthen and improve us on both sides of the ball, especially in the back and in the midfield. "This class is one that provides a great deal of versatility and fans may see some of them playing different positions throughout their careers."

Illinois Soccer Recruiting Class of 2005:

JAMIE ALVIS
Position: Defender/Midfield
Hometown: Los Alamitos, Calif.
High School: Los Alamitos
Club Team: Slammers FC

Notes: 2004 Los Alamitos High School Most Valuable Defensive Player...2004 Sunset League Most Valuable Defensive Player...First-Team All-Sunset League and Second-Team All-CIF in 2003...Named to Long Beach Press Telegram Dream Team in 2003 and 2004...Played three years of Division I high school varsity soccer for Los Alamitos High School...Lead prep team to 2004 Sunset League title...Slammer G '87 team captain...Led club team to a Far West Regional title, a Jefferson Cup championship and Cal South GU-16 State Championship in 2004...Team also advanced to the final match of the USYSA GU-16 National Championship that same year...2003 California State GU-16 Premier Champion...Part of club team that captured USYSA National title in 2002...High school coach was Pat Rossi...Club coach was Walid Khoury.

Coach Rayfield on Alvis:
"Jamie has played soccer in some of the most competitive youth environments that are out there. Her competitiveness will maintain the environment that we have developed here that has helped us to be successful. She has the potential to play center back or as a central midfielder. In either role, we feel strongly that Jamie will be a leader on the field. She has a great sense of the game and has the technical and tactical ability to make an impact in any game."

MARTI DESJARLAIS
Position: Midfield
Hometown: Pewaukee, Wis.
High School: Brookfield Central
Club Team: FC Milwaukee

Notes: 2003 Wisconsin State Player of the Year...2003 U-19 National Team member...Named First-Team All-State, First-Team All-Conference and First-Team All-Area in 2003...Led Brookfield Central to back-to-back state championships in 2002 and 2003...Was named Wisconsin Little Ten Conference MVP in 2002...A Olympic Development Program (ODP) state team member since 1999 and ODP Region II team member since 2000...Club coach was Jesse Rosen...High School coach was Bryan Yenor.

Coach Rayfield on Desjarlais:
"Marti is one of those complete players. She has seen time in our U.S. National Team pool because of her ability to play both offense and defense at a very high level. Her ability on the ball is excellent and she has great vision - the combination of those talents makes her a great attacking midfield prospect. However, her tenacity and ability to defend means she can play any midfield position and in any formation allowing us to be an even more creative team."

JESSICA LEVITT
Position: Forward/Midfield
Hometown: Naperville, Ill.
High School: Naperville Central
Club Team: Eclipse Select

Notes: 2003 IHSSCA All-Sectional...Named Third-Team All-Area by the Chicago Sun-Times in 2003...A Chicago Tribune Top-40 Player...Naperville Sun First-Team All-City...A four-year varsity letterwinner at Naperville Central...Led Eclipse Select U-16 club team to a Snickers Region II championship in 2003...Illinois State Cup Finalist in 2003...Academic All-Conference in 2002...High school coach was Ed Watson...Club coach was Rory Dames.

Coach Rayfield on Levitt:
"Jessica will be the next in line of the small, but dynamic and dangerous attacking outside backs that have become a tradition here at Illinois. She may play up front some as a freshman as she adapts to the college game, but her ability to defend and attack will make her an Illini outside back of the future."

EMILY RUCKER
Position: Forward/Midfield
Hometown: LaGrange, Ill.
High School: Lyons Township
Club Team: Windy City Pride

Notes: A 2003 IHSA All-Sectional selection...Helped lead Lyons Township to a Regional title, Sectional title and fourth-place finish at State in 2003...Led Windy City Pride club team to a State Cup Championship in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and President's Cup Championship in 2003 and 2004...Team advanced to finals at Disney Tournament and Alamo Cup in 2003 and was a Final Four participant at the Snickers Nationals in 2002...Named Club-wide Player of the Year and Team MVP in 2000...Club coach was Ko Thanadabouth.

Coach Rayfield on Rucker:
"Emily will bring another element of physical presence in our midfield. Her strength will be winning balls and battling the physical teams that we face in the Big Ten. As a holding central midfield, Emily could provide a solid anchor to a very dynamic and creative team."

DANIELLE WAGNER
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Worth, Ill.
High School: Stagg
Club Team: Windy City Pride

Notes: An All-Conference and All-Sectional selection in 2002, 2003 and 2004...2004 All-State selection...Named All-Area by the Daily Southtown in 2003...Led Stagg to a Regional championship and Sectional finals in 2003...Club teammate of fellow Illini signee Emily Rucker...Helped lead Windy City Pride U-17 Elite team to three consecutive State Cup championships in 2002, 2003 and 2004...Club team claimed back-to-back President's Cup titles in 2003 and 2004...2002 Club-wide Goalie of the Year...Named to 2002 Alamo Cup Tournament Team and was final MVP...Club coach was Ko Thanadabouth.

Coach Rayfield on Wagner:
"Danielle will be the one member of this class that doesn't change positions throughout her career. She will be competing to follow in the footsteps of an All-American goalkeeper and she has some great physical tools to help her in that battle. Her size and strength allow her to have a great presence in the air and her soft hands make that presence very effective."