NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Class of 2009 made quite an impact on the Yale women’s soccer program, helping the Bulldogs to 42 wins, an Ivy League title and a berth in the quarterfinals of the NCAA College Cup. Head Coach Rudy Meredith hopes the eight players joining the team this fall have similar success.

Here is a closer look at the Class of 2013:

Trish Berkanish   M   5-10   Oradell, N.J.   River Dell HS

Two-time first team all-state selection at River Dell High School…. Set the school record with 24 assists as a junior… Three-time first team New Jersey All-Group 2, All-North Jersey, All-Bergen County and All-Suburban selection… Served as team captain as a senior… Ten-year starter with World Class Hawks Soccer Club… Served as team captain from 2006-09… Team was 2008 New Jersey State Cup finalists and 2007 US Club Soccer national finalists… Sister ran track at Lehigh.

“It has been my dream since childhood to play college soccer at the highest level. Yale not only offers an ideal learning environment but a tradition of excellence in women’s soccer. I can’t wait to become a Bulldog and compete for the Ivy League title.

Jenny Butwin   M    5-5   Old Westbury, N.Y.    Wheatley HS

Captain and four-year letterwinner at Wheatley High School… Named all-conference and an All-Class All Star in both 2008 and 2009… Helped lead Wheatley to the Long Island championship and state finals in 2007… Recipient of the School’s Coach’s Award for leadership and excellence as a senior… Nine-year member of the five-time New York State Cup champion Albertson Fury, which was ranked third in the nation and was the USYS Region 1 finalist in 2008.

“I am honored and ecstatic not only to be attending the nation’s top university, but also to be playing for a truly first-class soccer program. From the moment I set foot on Yale’s magical campus and met my future coaches, teammates and classmates, I instantly felt at home and part of the wonderful Yale community. I will wear my Bulldogs uniform with great pride and look forward with excitement to my experience as a Yale student-athlete.”

Kristen Forster   F   5-8  Trumbull, Conn.  Trumbull HS

Two-time All-New England and all-state selection at Trumbull High School… Earned first team all-conference recognition three times… Named MVP of the Class LL state championship tournament twice… Helped lead Trumbull to three consecutive state titles… Team co-captain as a senior… Scored 64 goals and had 30 assists in her career… Played club soccer for Yankee United and CFC United… Teams won five state championships during her tenure… Super Y-League national ODP player pool selection… Played for the CFC Passion of the W-League in 2008 and 2009… Member of the Connecticut ODP from 2004-2008… Father was co-captain of the 1977 Lafayette men’s soccer team… Older sister played soccer at Wofford.

“I chose Yale because of its reputation for academic and athletic excellence. I am thrilled to join the soccer team and compete for an Ivy League championship.”

Adele Jackson-Gibson    GK     5-7     Buffalo, N.Y.     Nichols School

Voted the 2008 Class B Soccer Player of the Year by the New York State Sportswriters and Coaches’ Organization… Two-time league most valuable player selection at the Nichols School… Two-time first team State Division Class C selection… Named the co-MVP of the Class C State Division as a senior… Earned first team all-league honors in each of her four years… Helped lead Nichols to two league titles and two appearances in the state championships… Played with soon to be Yale teammate Jacque Sahlberg on Les Bois Soccer Club, the 2008 National Fustal champions… Member of Buffalo United Tempest, the 2006 State Cup champions… Plays for Syracuse Surge, the Region I Sub-Regional League champions in 2009… Will run track at Yale as a sprinter and long jumper… Personal best in the 100 dash is 11.8, in the 200 dash is 25.2 and in the long jump is 18’7”… Qualified for the Federal State Championships four times, placed second in the 100 dash and sixth in the long jump in 2008.

“I chose Yale because it just clicked for me. I like the coaches, I love the campus, the people are passionate and friendly, and it is one of the best schools in the country. I know that at Yale I will develop into a great soccer player, scholar and cultured person.”

Mary Kubiuk     F     5-4    Barrington, Ill.    Barrington HS

Led Barrington High School in scoring in each of her four years… Finished with 84 career goals and 193 career points…  Three-time all-conference and all-section selection… Named co-captain for the Daily Herald All-Area Team as a senior… Four-year varsity letterwinner… Barrington reached the super-sectional final in her senior year… Helped lead team to conference, regional and sectional championships in 2006… Member of the Illinois ODP state team and Region II team… Participated in the Under-14 National Development Camp in 2005 and the Under-16/Under-17 National Training Camp in 2007… 2007 ODP Region II Tournament Golden Boot Award recipient… Selected to Top Drawer Soccer 2009 Players To Watch list… Played for the Eclipse Soccer Club, which was the national runner up in 2008.

“A high level of academics combined with a competitive soccer program is what I was looking for in a university. I selected Yale because it provides the perfect combination of both in a setting that is unlike any other. I am excited about the opportunity to become a member of the Yale women’s soccer team and to be a part of the Yale community.”

Torrey Leroy   D   5-6   West Hartford, Conn.  Westminster School

Four-time all-state and all-league selection at the Westminster School… 2008 Boston Globe Prep All Star… Three-time team most valuable player… Helped lead Westminster to the New England Championship Tournament in 2007 and 2008… Captained the Connecticut Football Club, which won two state cups and was a US Club national finalist… Selected as a 2008 Super Y National ODP player and played in the USL Super 20 league…. Five-year member of the Connecticut ODP team… Attended ODP regional camp from 2002 to 2006… Playing for the Connecticut Passion of the CFC W league where she is a teammate of Yale’s Megan Ashforth, Kate Macauley, Maggie Westfal and Sophia Merrifield.

“I chose Yale for its incredible academic resources and reputation, the opportunities for research and internship programs and the friendly environment I found on campus.”

Lauren Mathy   D    5-10     Kenilworth, Ill.     New Trier HS

Led New Trier High School with 12 assists as a senior… All-sectional and all-conference selection… Helped lead team to an 18-5-1 overall record and a sectional title… Played only one year of high school soccer… Member of the Eclipse Select club soccer team, which won the under-15 nationals in 2006… Part of under-18 Eclipse team that finished third in the nation in 2008… Played varsity basketball for four years at New Trier… Earned third team all-state and all-conference honors… Helped lead team to two Elite 8 appearances… Recipient of the New Trier Lee Kennicke Award which honors the female who excelled academically and athletically… Received the New Trier Trevian Scholarship.

“I chose Yale because the soccer program values working hard and winning as well as the importance of being successful off the field.”

Anne Song   F    5-8     Hudson, Ohio   Western Reserve Academy

NSCAA/adidas All-Central Region selection… Western Reserve Academy’s all-time leading goal scorer with 63… Tri-County League Player of the Year… Earned first team All-Ohio Division II recognition… Two-time all-district and team MVP selection… Scored 25 goals and added 11 assists as a senior… Helped lead Western Reserve to two league championships… Named to NSCAA/adidas Scholar All-America team… Played for Excalibur Premier Soccer Club… 2009 Presidential Scholar… 2009 National Merit Scholar… Cum Laude Society.

“I chose Yale because I fell in love with the campus and the sense of community within it when I visited. Academically, Yale offers one of the best undergraduate educations in the world, and I am excited to have the opportunity to continue playing soccer while learning from and with so many bright minds.”