May 6, 1997

Virginia Announces Incoming Class for Fall of 1997

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - University of Virginia head women's soccer coach April Heinrichs announced today that six student-athletes will be joining her program as freshmen this coming fall. Signing national letters of intent were Julie Harris (Ridgefield, Conn.), Tracy Lache (Littleton, Colo.), Katie Tracey (Richmond, Va.) and Tammy Westinghouse (Seattle, Wash.). In addition, both Breanne Smith (Rochester, N.Y.) and Sasha Wilson (Charlottesville, Va.) have accepted their offer of admission to the University and will play for the Cavaliers.

"This class marks one of the best groups ever to attend the University of Virginia, both in talent level and in the depth of that talent," said Heinrichs. "I expect many of them to come in and contribute to our team immediately."

Harris, a goalkeeper, played for coach Phil Santoro at Ridgefield High School. She has earned All-County, All-State and All-New England honors, and last year she had a goals against average of 0.45. Harris led her team to the league and county championships, while being selected as the most valuable player of the county championship. She has played on the state team in the Olympic Development Pool (ODP) since 1992, and is also a member of her high school basketball team.

Heinrichs on Harris: "Julie is a tall, strong and athletic goalkeeper. She has excellent physical skills and will come in and push Brit Swenberg and Megan Boehm for the starting job in goal."

Lache, a midfielder, played for coach Greg Sumlin at Heritage High School. Last year, she was named a high school All-American by Parade magazine, while also earning All-State and All-Conference honors. Lache been a member of her regional ODP team for the last two seasons. In addition to soccer, she has also been an outstanding cross country runner in high school. Lache has been been a first team All-Conference selection and a state qualifier all four years, in addition to being named the team's most valuable performer.

Heinrichs on Lache: "Tracy has tremendous speed, quickness and agility, with a great ability to get behind the defense. She does an excellent job of serving the box and will complete for the starting job at right wing midfield."

Tracey is midfielder who played for coach Rachel Mead at James River High School. She was named the District and Regional Player of the Year in both her sophomore and junior seasons, while also earning first team All-State honors. Tracey was selected as the top player in the region by Soccer America in its list of Super 11 Recruits for Region I, while also being named one of the top 20 players coming out of high school by USA Today. She led her high school team to championships in both the Dominion District and the Central Region last season. Tracey has played with both the U.S. under-16 and under-17 national teams, and is currently a member of the poll for the under-20 national team. In addition to her soccer honors, Tracey was the District and Regional Player of the Year in basketball, while earning All-State honors three times and leading her team to a runner-up finish in the state tournament.

Heinrichs on Tracey: "Katie is a great competitor who will help us out from the central midfield. She is an outstanding playmaker who also has great technical ability with the ball."

Westinghouse is a defender who played for coach Chuck McChesney at Lakeside High School. She was a four time All-League selection, while being named the league's most valuable player each of the last two seasons. Westinghouse was named one of the Super 11 Recruits in Region IV by Soccer America, while also being selected as one of the top 20 players coming out of high school by USA Today. She also led her team to a pair of state championships. Westinghouse has played with the U.S. under-16 national team and, along with Tracey, is a part of the under-20 national team pool. Westinghouse, who played played on the regional team in the ODP since seventh grade, also played softball in high school.

Heinrichs on Westinghouse: "Tammy has a great deal of experience and has played at very high levels. She has very sophisticated skills on the ball and will help us out as a central defender."

Smith, a defender / midfielder played for coach Ken Andrews at Penfield High School. She was a first team All-County selection, while also earning Division I Player of the Year honors in the county. Smith has been a member of the state team in the ODP for five years, while also playing on the regional team for one year. Last season, Smith totaled seven goals and 15 assists.

Heinrichs on Smith: "Breanne is the most versatile player in the class and could play a number of positions on defense or in the midfield. She has great athleticism, endurance and strength on the ball."

Wilson is a forward / midfielder who played for coach Amy McDonough at Albemarle High School. She has been honored as a first team All-Central Virginia and All-Western District selection, while leading her team to district championships each of the last two years and a state quarterfinal appearance last season. Wilson, who is vice president of her chapter of National Honor Society, also earned first team All-Central Virginia honors in field hockey and was named her team most valuable player. She also played basketball and ran track at Albemarle.

Heinrichs on Wilson: "Sasha is a versatile forward and a hard worker who is strong on the ball. She could play for us up top or even help us out in the back, depending on where we need her."

Virginia is coming off a 1996 season in which it posted an overall record of 12-7-2. The Cavaliers finished tied for second in the Atlantic Coast Conference and advanced to the semifinals of the ACC Tournament. Virginia concluded the season ranked No. 10 in the nation by Soccer America, while taking part in the NCAA Tournament for the ninth time in the last 10 years.