Soccer Signs Five To National Letters Of Intent

BOULDER - Jenna Glad, Madison Krauser, Carly Manso, Olivia Pappalardo and Heather Ward have signed National Letters of Intent to play soccer and continue their education at the University of Colorado in 2012-13, first-year head coach Danny Sanchez announced on Wednesday.

Glad is a native of Tucson, Ariz., and plays center midfield for Catalina Foothills High School and Tucson Soccer Academy Club programs. She has led Catalina Foothills to the last two Arizona Class 4A Division I state titles, scoring the lone goal in each championship game. Glad also scored the game-winning goal for Tucson Soccer Academy in its state title win in 2011.

"I'm really excited, I feel like it's a great opportunity to play at the next level and meet that next challenge," Glad said.
"I came to a camp (at CU) last January. The girls on the team were really welcoming and happy to show me around and introduced me to what life would be like. Campus is the most beautiful one I've ever been on and I can't think of a more perfect place to go to college."

Catalina Foothills claimed the 2012 Southern Arizona Region title and ranks third in the state in overall power points. Touted as a "Player to Watch" by The Arizona Republic, Glad and her Catalina Foothills teammates are scheduled to begin their title defense today as the Arizona State Tournament gets underway.

"I've grown up watching teams in the Pac-12," Glad said, who lives less than a mile from the University of Arizona campus. "It's exciting to step into this new world and experience a level of soccer that I never thought possible."

Krauser is a native of Irvine, Calif., and plays the midfield position for the Woodbridge High School and So Cal Blues club teams.

She has had a lot of success with the So Cal Blues program, helping the squad claim numerous championships including the 2011 USYSA Region IV title, the 2010 Coast Soccer Premier League crown and the 2009 National League Far West Regional championship.

"I loved the location of the campus and I just liked everything about CU," Krauser said. "I'm really excited for this next level of competition."

A three-time first team All-Sea View League selection, Krauser helped Woodbridge to the CIF State Tournament for the first time in 10 years in 2011 and was a team MVP in 2010. She is considering studying interior design while at CU.

"I'm looking forward to new experiences, and making new friends," Krauser said.

Manso is a native of Vernon Hills, Ill., and has played forward for Eclipse Select Soccer for the last seven years. A team captain for the last three seasons, Manso is rated the No. 12 player in the Midwest Region by TopDrawerSoccer.com. She was named to the Elite Club National League PDA All-Event team in May 2011. Manso and her Eclipse Select team are gearing up for a shot at nationals in June.

"I've been playing soccer since I was 4-years old and being able to expand on my soccer career is exciting to me," Manso said. "I've dreamed of playing Division I and finally making it a reality is great. It's taking soccer to the whole next level."

Manso played one year of high school soccer for Vernon Hills High School, earning all-conference, all-sectional and Rookie of the Year honors. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is an Illinois State Scholar.

"I visited the campus last February and this last summer and fell in love." Manso said. "It's absolutely beautiful. Everyone seems so friendly, healthy and outdoorsy."

Pappalardo is a native of Niles, Ill., and plays for the Eclipse Select, the No. 2 ranked girls soccer club program in the country by Soccer America. She has been a part of the Eclipse Select program since 2005, helping the club team win the 2011 Elite Club National League championship. TopDrawerSoccer.com rates Pappalardo as the 97th best player in the nation and she was also named one of the ESPNHS Top 150 high school recruits for 2012.

"The girls (CU soccer players) were really nice (on my visit) and the school is so beautiful," Pappalardo said. "Just being there was a great experience."

Pappalardo has been a team captain each of the past three years. In February, 2011 she was invited to the ID2 National Camp in Tallahassee, Fla. Her U17 team was also an Illinois State Cup finalist and an NSR Gold Cup Finalist. Pappalardo played her freshman season at Maine South High School before deciding to play club soccer year round with the Eclipse Select.

"I'm offensive minded, but I like to do everything," Pappalardo said. "I like to go on big runs and distribute the ball to the forwards. I have good field vision. I'm excited to be able to play against the best teams in the country (in the Pac-12)."

Ward is a native of Littleton, Colo., playing at center defender for the Colorado Rush Club team. Ward helped the Colorado Rush to four Colorado State Cup championships (2007-10) and the 2010 Region IV title, earning a berth to the national tournament.

"It's a dream come true that I get to play in my home state," Ward said. "If CU was anywhere, I would have gone there, but it's a bonus being closer to home."

Ward, who will graduate from Dakota Ridge High School this spring, helped her U17 ODP team to the 2010 Region IV title and she has been a member of four ODP State Teams (2007-10).

"I feel I can bring a positive energy to the team...help them get fired up," Ward said. "I'm so excited to play in the Pac-12, playing with others that are as passionate (about soccer) as I am."