Dec. 16, 2011

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - University of Illinois soccer head coach Janet Rayfield and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics announced the addition of Shannon Roche to the Illini squad on Friday. Roche comes to Illinois as a transfer student, bringing a history of success at the scholastic and club levels to Champaign.

"Shannon comes from a great club system and brings the competitive spirit that we value," said Rayfield of the newest addition to the Illinois soccer family. "Her ability to win balls in the air, her defensive ability and her desire to help this team go even farther than this year will be felt immediately."

Roche was a four-year letterwinner at the Pennington School in Pennington, N.J., and led the Red Raiders to four Prep A state championships and Mercer County Tournament titles, while anchoring a defense that boasted 50 shutouts en route to a 70-5-9 record during the 5-foot-8 defender's tenure. Roche also earned consistent success with the Yardley, Pa., native's club team, the Players Development Academy, as the program was state and regional cup champions in 2005 and from 2007-10. Roche brings in experience playing for the Olympic Development Program in addition to the success experienced at the scholastic and club levels, earning time with the Eastern Pennsylvania State Team from 2004-08, the Region One program from 2005-08 and as a National Pool Player in 2006.