PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland State women's soccer team, coming off its second regular season conference championship in the past three season, will add nine to its 2012 roster as announced by head coach
Laura Schott on Saturday.
“I am very excited about our 2012 class,” Schott said. “We add a bit of competitiveness and depth at every position. They are intelligent, motivated players and I look forward to having them join us this fall.”
Cory Bianchini (Hillsboro, Ore./Glencoe HS), Emily Cooney (Eugene, Ore./Marist HS),
Lynsey Gaines (Dana Point, Calif./Dana Hills HS),
Whitney Hilde (Renton, Wash./Charles Lindberg HS),
Beka Lofstedt (Roseburg, Ore./Roseburg HS),
Lindsey Millen (Las Vegas, Nev./ Northwest Career and Technical Academy),
Torie Morris (Bend, Ore./Mountain View HS),
Rebecca Sikora (Vancouver, Wash./Skyview HS) and Anna Stewart (Milwaukie, Ore./Rex Putnam HS) will all be joining the Vikings on the Park Blocks for the 2012 campaign.
Five of the nine newcomers to next fall's roster are from the state of Oregon as Schott and the Vikings continue to pull in some of the best in-state talent that Oregon has to offer. Along with the five from Oregon, two more were added from Washington and one each from California and Nevada.
Bianchini played varsity soccer all four years at Glencoe HS and was an Oregon 6A honorable mention following her senior season. She's played for the Westside Metros Fury since 2005 and helped the team to the OPL State Championship in 2011.
Cooney, a four-year varsity player from Marist High School, earned conference Player of the Year and team MVP honors following her senior season. She was also a first team all-league and all-state selection after helping lead her team to a third place finish in the Midwestern League.
Lynsey Gaines comes to Portland State From Dana Hills High School in Dana Point, Calif. She has played on the West Coast United club team for the past six years and led the team twice in assists (2009 and 2010) and three times in scoring (2008, 2009 and 2010). She is she has helped lead her high school team to a current record of 12-5 record with two matches to play. Her team has won six of its last seven matches.
Whitney Hilde is the raining Seamount League Player of the Year out of Charles Lindberg High School in Renton, Wash. She helped lead the Eagles to a 12-6 overall record and a 10-1 conference record to win the conference title. She also led the team in goals (11), assists (10) and points (32).
Beka Lofstedt helped lead her Roseburg High School team to a third place conference finish during the fall of 2011 with an overall recorded of 9-6-0 and a conference record of 5-3-0. She was named to the Sothern Oregon (6A/5A) all-league first team.
Lindsey Millen comes to Portland State from Las Vegas, Nev. where she played soccer at Cimarron Memorial High School. Not only does she excel on the field but has received Nevada All-State academic honors three years. She is currently playing out her final season.
Torie Morris, of Mountain View High School in Bend, Ore., missed part of her senior season due to injury but was an all-state selection and first team all-conference during her junior year. She's played for the Oregon Rush club team since 2004 and is a four time Oregon State Cup Champion.
Rebecca Sikora started all 16 games for Skyview High School in 2011 and led the team in points (27) and assists (9) and was second in goals with eight. She was named a team captain, league Player of the Year, Greater St. Helens all-region team and all-state second team as a forward following her senior season. Her team was two time Washington state Academic Champions and was on the honor roll all four years. She also played on the Oregon ODP (Olympic Development Program) '94 four years.
Anna Stewart wraps up the Portland State additions for the 2012 campaign as a goalkeeper from Rex Putnam High School in Milwaukie, Ore. Stewart was named to the Northwest Oregon Conference second team as a keeper following her senior year. She helped lead her squad to a 10-6 overall record and a 4-3 conference record her senior season.
“This 2012 class and returners will push each other in our competitive atmosphere,” Schott said. “I think they will blend very well and help us with continued improvement.”
The Vikings are coming off of and 8-6-3 overall record and their second regular season Big Sky championship in the past three years and fifth straight Big Sky Conference tournament appearance, a program record.. The Vikings lose six seniors to graduation going in to next season but return their leading scorer and reigning Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year in
Megan Martin.
Full bios of the 2012 additions are listed below.
Cory Bianchini | Fr. | 5-7 | Forward/Midfielder | Hillsboro, Ore. (Glencoe HS)
Emily Cooney | Fr. | 5-3 | Midfielder/Forward | Eugene, Ore. (Marist HS)
Lynsey Gaines | Fr. | 5-6 | Forward | Dana Point, Calif. (Dana Hills HS)
Whitney Hilde | Fr. | 5-7 | Midfielder | Renton, Wash. (Charles Lindberg HS)
Beka Lofstedt | Fr. | Roseburg, Ore. (Roseburg HS)
Lindsey Millen | Fr. | 5-4 | Defender | Las Vegas, Nev. (Northwest Career and Technical Academy)
Torie Morris | Fr. | 5-9 | Defender/Midfielder | Bend, Ore. (Mountain View HS)
Rebecca Sikora | Fr. | 5-3 | Defender/Midfielder | Vancouver, Wash. (Skyview HS)
Anna Stewart | Fr. | 5-3 | Goalkeeper | Milwaukie, Ore. (Rex Putnam HS)
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Cory Bianchini
Freshman | Forward/Midfielder | 5-7 | HS
Hillsboro, Ore. (Glencoe HS)
Schott on Bianchini: “Cori is an attacking minded player with good speed. Expect to see her on our front line or running the wings for us this fall.”
ODP/CLUB:
Played from 2005-12 for the Westside Metros Fury and won the OPL State Championship in 2011 … Played on the Oregon ODP '94 team in 2010.
GLENCOE:
Played varsity soccer all four years and participated on the varsity track team the for three years … Was first team all-league (6A), All-State 6A honorable mention and Hillsboro Argus Player of the Year during her senior year … Was second team all-league (6A) as a junior … Was first team all-league (5A) and was awarded the Aerie's Player of the Week honor once as a sophomore … Was an all-league (5A) honorable mention as a freshman.
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Born July 6, 1994 … Daughter of Mark and Lori Bianchini … Has one sister Niki … Enjoys soccer, running, wakeboarding, and snowboarding … Aspires to go to nursing school and becoming a nurse following Portland State … Majoring in Health Sciences.
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Emily Cooney
Freshman | Midfielder/Forward | 5-3 | HS
Eugene, Ore. (Marist HS)
SCHOTT ON COONEY: “Emma is a versatile player that can play up front, or in the midfield. She creates problems for defenses with her distribution and dynamic runs off the ball.”
CLUB/ODP:
Played for the Eugene Metro FC (EMFC) Spirit from U-11 to U-18 … Club team was a finalist in the Northwest Champions League … Finalist at the US Club Soccer National Cub X 2011 as a part of the U-17 Super Group … Champions at the Pleasanton Rage College Showcase in 2011 as a part of the u-19 Super Group and champions at the Las Vegas College Showcase in 2011 … Played on the Oregon '94 ODP team for three years.
MARIST:
Played varsity soccer all four years and competed in track for three years … First team all-league, first team all-state, Midwestern League Player of the Year and team MVP her senior season … Second team all-league and voted team MVP her junior year … All-league honorable mention as a sophomore.
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Born March 22, 2994 … Daughter of Steve and Kate Cooney … Has a twin brother Evan and a sister Tessa.
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Lynsey Gaines
Freshman | Forward | 5-6 | HS
Dana Point, Calif. (Dana Hills HS)
SCHOTT ON HILDE:
“Lynsey comes to us from WCFC in California. She was on our radar for quite some time and impressed us with her ability to create opportunities and score goals.”
CLUB/ODP:
Started on the Storm FC and Fury FC for two years each … Then Played on West Coast United for the past six years … led the team in assists in CSL 2009 and 2010 … led team in scoring in CSL 2008, 2009, 2010.
DANA HILLS:
Lettered four years in soccer and played softball during freshman and sophomore years … Won Offensive Player of the Year following sophomore and junior season in soccer … Earned first team all-league and second team all-county following her junior season … Received the Coaches Award following here sophomore year in softball … Soccer team won the league title her junior year … Earned the Scholar-Athlete award following her junior year.
PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Born September 25, 1993 … Daughter of Steve and Kim Gaines … Has one brother Kyle … Aspires to teach mathematics.
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Whitney Hilde
Freshman | Midfielder | 5-7 | HS
Renton, Wash. (Charles Lindbergh HS)
SCHOTT ON HILDE:
“Whitney will be challenging for time immediately in our center-midfield rotation. She reads the game well, and has rarely gives the ball away. Her distribution should help create opportunities for our attackers.”
CLUB/ODP:
Played on the Greater Renton FC from U-10 through U-17 … Was a finalist at the Lake Oswego Nike Cup in 2011 … Finalist at the Winter Classic in 2011 … Champions at the Nike Crossfire Challenge and a club team captain … Played on the Washington ODP '94 team in 2011.
Charles Lindberg:
Named Seamount Player of the Year and team captain her senior year … First team all-league in 2010 and 2011 … Second team all-league in 2009 … DECA member of the month as a senior … Ignite mentor as a sophomore and Ignite Executive Mentor as a junior … DECA state finalists as a junior.
Personal/miscellaneous:
Born August 17, 1994 … Daughter of Wayne and Janett Hilde … Has one sister Ashley … Enjoys DECA, Keyclub, photography, shopping, baking, cooking … Aspires to be an entrepreneur … Majoring in Business with a minor in graphic design.
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Lindsey Millen
Freshman | Defender | 5-4 | HS
Las Vegas, Nev. (Northwest Career and Technical Academy)
SCHOTT ON MILLEN:
“Lindsey was a fantastic late find for us. She is intelligent and responsible in the classroom, and she defends much the same way. She is a player her teammates can rely on and her work rate is outstanding.”
CLUB/ODP:
Played on the Las Vegas Premier Soccer Club from 2004 to 2009 … Played for Neusport FC from 2009-2011 … Played on the Heat FC from 2011-12 … Was Nevada state champion as part of Premier in 2006 and 2007 and as a part of Neusport in 2010 … Was a Nevada state finalist in 2005 and 2008 for Premier and in 2011 for Neusport … Regional participant in 2006, 2007 and 2010 … ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) participant from 2009-2012.
Cimarron Memorial:
Played soccer at Cimarron Memorial High School because Northwest Career and Technical Academy did not offer soccer … Lettered in varsity soccer every year … Achieved Nevada All-State Academic Team honors in 2009, 2010 and 2011 … Received the Academic Letter Award for having straight A's for the entirety of the 2009 and 2010 years.
Personal/Miscellaneous:
Born November 22, 1993 … Daughter of John and Laura Millen … Has two sisters, Michelle and Amanda … Enjoys playing the violin and participated in her high school's Advanced Orchestra all four years … Also Participated in the CCSD's Honor Orchestra in 2008 … Enjoys hiking, traveling and reading … Majoring in Health Sciences with a minor in Spanish … Aspires to be a physician's assistant.
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Torie Morris
Freshman | Defender/Midfielder| 5-9 | HS
Bend, Ore. (Mountain View HS)
SCHOTT ON MORRIS:
“Torie is a strong defender out of Bend, Ore. She also has a calm presence on the ball and distributes well. Arguably one of her best attributes is her ability to win balls in the air.”
Club/ODP:
Played for the Oregon Rush from 2004-2012 and played for the WPSL (Women's Premier Soccer League) Oregon Rush in 2011 … Oregon State Cup Champions in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011 … CASL Final Four Showcase Champions in 2010 … Surf Cup Gold Champions in 2001 … Pleasanton Rage Showcase Super Champions in 2010 … Las Vegas Nike Premier Champions in 2007 … US Soccer Club Nation Club V Finals participant in 2007 … USYS Region IV Quarterfinalist in 2007 and 2009 … USYS Region IV Semifinalist in 2011 … Played Oregon ODP from 2009-2010.
MOUNTAIN VIEW:
Participated in varsity soccer and varsity track all four years and varsity swimming in 2011 … Soccer team were state finalists in 2009 and 2011 … Intermountain Conference honorable mention as a freshman, second team as a sophomore and first team as a junior … All-State team as a junior … Missed part of her senior season due to injury … Earned Soccer Defensive MVP and Most Inspirational awards … Was a team captain for both soccer and track.
Personal/Miscellaneous:
Born November 15, 1993 … Daughter of Michael and Erika Morris … Has one brother Scott … Enjoys reading, snowboarding, camping, hanging out with friends, board games, riding bikes, traveling and just about anything outdoors … Majoring in Pre-Law … Aspires to pursue a career in law or criminal justice.
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Rebecca Sikora
Freshman | Defender/Midfielder | 5-3 | HS
Vancouver, Wash. (Skyview HS)
SCHOTT ON SILKORA:
“Becca is a vocal organizer and leader who loves to win. Expect to see her winning hard tackles and attacking aggressively down the wings.”
CLUB/ODP:
Played for the FC Vancouver Independence from 2004-2007 ... Played for the FC Portland Yellow/93G Navy from 2008-2012 … Played for the U23 Portland Rain in 2011 … Played on the Oregon ODP '93 from 2005-2006 … Played on the Oregon ODP '94 in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011.
SKYVIEW:
Lettered all four years in soccer … Participated two years and lettered once in golf … First team all-league as a midfielder as a sophomore … Team captain, league Player of the Year, Greater St. Helens all-region team and second team all-state as a forward during her senior season … Soccer team was Washington state semifinalists in 2010 … Soccer team were Washington state Academic Champions in 2010 and 2011 … Ranked 13th at districts in 2009 in golf … National Honor Society member from 2010-2012 … Honor Roll from 2008-2012.
Personal/Miscellaneous:
Born May 2, 1994 … Daughter of Scott and Barbara Sikora … Has twin sisters, Ashley and Amber, who play soccer at the Air Force Academy … High school activities include the key club (2008-11), Red Cross (2008-12), executive secretary on the student council (2010-12), and associated student body (2008-12) … Hobbies include watching hockey, wakeboarding, baking, watching movies, golfing and volunteering … Majoring in Health Science with a minor in chemistry … Aspires to be a pharmacist.
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Anna Stewart
Freshman | Goalkeeper | 5-3 | HS
Milwaukie, Ore. (Rex Putnam HS)
SCHOTT ON STEWART:
“Anna is a solid goalkeeper coming to us from OSSA. Her decision to join our program will add to the competition and depth of that position. She is a solid person as well as athlete and student.”
CLUB/ODP:
Played on the Thelo Unitec Futbol Club from 2005-2009 … Played on the Bridlemile Soccer Club from 2009-2010 … Played on the Oswego Southside Soccer Academy team from 2010-2012 … Surf Cup semifinalists in 2011 … Oswego Nike Cup Champions in 2011 … US Regional semifinalists in 2011 … OPL State Cup finalists in 2011 … OPL U18G Premier Division League champions … Undefeated at the 2011 Las Vegas Players Showcase … Finalists at the 2010 Disney Soccer Showcase … Winners at the 2011 FC Portland Winter College showcase … Played on the Oregon ODP '93 team for one year.
REX PUTNAM:
Lettered four years in soccer and two years in track … Athlete of the month in October 2010 … Three Rivers League second team all-league as a sophomore … NWOC second team all-league as a senior … Placed third in the Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship.
Personal/Miscellaneous:
Born December 1, 1993 … Daughter of Keith Stewart Jr. and Dina Betschart … Has one brother, Ryan Stewart … Enjoys camping, hiking, running, reading, playing ultimate Frisbee, watching kids' movies, and riding her bike … Majoring in English and aspires to be a teacher.