Flint inks six recruits for 2011

SMITHFIELD, R.I. - Bryant University head women's soccer coach Chris Flint is pleased to announce the signing of six student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to enroll at the University and join the roster in the fall of 2011. Bryant's latest recruiting class includes forwards Katy Biagi (Natick, Mass.) and Suzanne Sanders (West Chester, Pa.), midfielders Emily Barbato (Sutton, Mass.) and Danielle Scheuer (Acton, Mass.), and defenders Michelle Durand (Sudbury, Mass.) and Samantha Shaw (Irvine, Calif.).

Coach Flint and his coaching staff are hoping to ignite more consistency in the attack and continue their climb to the top of the Northeast Conference in the program's last season of transitional play to Division I status.

"The class of 2015 will add more technical ability, pace, and depth to the Bulldog roster," said Flint. "With great club experience, all six should be able to vie for considerable minutes next season."

Emily Barbato                    Midfield, 5-5                                      Sutton, Mass. / Worcester Academy
High School: Three-year starter at Worcester Academy for Coach Adam Strogoff… Helped the Hilltoppers win the league championship in 2008 and 2009… Led team to undefeated season in 2008 and 2010… Team captain as a senior… Named team MVP as a senior… All-state selection in 2010… Honor roll.  

Personal: Born on January 8, 1993… Daughter of Maura and Joseph Barbato… Also recruited by Providence, Assumption, Trinity and New England College.

Head Coach Chris Flint: "Solid technical player who can attack and create, could see minutes in the middle or up top; had a very successful high school career and plays for a very strong club, FC Stars of MA." 

Katy Biagi                             Forward/Midfield, 5-5                   Natick, Mass. / Natick High School
High School: Four-year starter at Natick High School for Coach Lisa Wilkins… Helped team capture Bay State League championship in 2010… Named bay State League all-star from 2008-10… Named Metrowest Daily News all-star from 2008-10… Selected as a 1992/93 USL Super Y-League Olympic Development Program National Select player… Also participated in basketball and softball… Senior captain for soccer, basketball and softball… Honor roll all four years… National Honor Society.

Personal: Born on November, 26, 1992… Daughter of Jane and Ronald Biagi… Has one brother, Timothy and one sister, Steph… Father Ron Biagi played baseball at Westfield State… Also recruited by Elon, Quinnipiac and Wingate.

Head Coach Chris Flint: "Solid athlete who is very versatile and could fit in at several positions during her Bulldog career; great work rate and strong presence in the air; Biagi is bound to be a pest for opponents in the attack."

Michelle Durand               Defense, 5-7                                      Sudbury, Mass. / The Rivers School
High School: Four-year starter on defense at The Rivers School… Helped the Redwings capture NEPSAC Class "B" Championship in 2007… Honored with the Rivers Pioneer Award in 2010… Scholar-Athlete Award in 2008, 2009 and 2010… Also participated in basketball… Academic honors all four years.  

Personal: Born on October 7, 1992… Daughter of Hazel and Michael Durand… Has one sister, Jacqui, who plays soccer at Connecticut College… Also recruited by Amherst, Bucknell and Bowdoin.

Head Coach Chris Flint: "Club teammates with Barbato, and is s strong left footed defender who is not afraid of any challenge. She will add more depth to the Bulldog back line."

Sue Sanders                       Forward/Midfield, 5-4                   West Chester, Pa. / B. Reed Henderson HS
High School: Four-year starter at B. Reed Henderson High School for Coach Tom Gotthold… Led Warriors to District I qualifiers in 2007, 2008 and 2010… Helped Warriors qualify for state tournament in 2009... Named all-Ches-Mont first-team in 2010… All-area second-team in 2010… All-Ches-Mont second-team and all-area honorable mention in 2007… Also participated in track & field… 4 x 400 state qualifier in 2008… Honor roll all four years… National Honors Society.

Personal: Born on September 13, 1992… Daughter of Regina and Paul Sanders… Also recruited by Scranton, Kutztown, Lehigh and Longwood.   

Head Coach Chris Flint: "A speedy attacker who has the ability to put defenders under pressure; solid technical ability; club team lost in the regional finals this past summer."

Danielle Scheuer              Midfield/Defense, 5-1                   Acton, Mass. / Acton-Boxborough High School
High School: Three-year letterwinner at Acton-Boxborough High School… Helped lead team to Dual County League Championship in all four years and 2008 and 2009 Massachusetts State finals… Named 2010 Dual County league All-Star…2009 Dual County League Second Team All-Star… Honor roll…

Personal: Born January 27, 1993… Son of Diane and David Scheuer… One brother, Michael and one sister, Jaci… Also recruited by Monmouth and Northeastern. 

Head Coach Chris Flint: "Great work rate, plays in the middle of the field against the best club teams from all over the US. She could see minutes in a few different roles for Bryant this fall… She lost in National finals last summer to current Bulldog GK Lauren Viverito."

Samantha Shaw                                Defense, 5-8                                      Irvine, Calif. / Mater Dei High School
High School: Four-year letterwinner at Mater Dei High School… Played in All-Southern California All-Star Game and CIF All-Star game in 2011... Named First Team All-Trinity League as a senior... Named All Trinity League Defensive Player of the year as a senior... Also awarded All County Second Team, Mater Dei program MVP, and Butch Lee/Cathedral Classic First Team player in 2011... Helped Monarchs to win Trinity League Championship in 2007 and 2008… Led club team to National Cup Champion-region IV champion in 2007 and 2008… Named Trinity League honorable mention in 2010… Coaches ward in 2009… Team captain as a senior… Irvine Strikers team captain… Principals Honor Roll…

Personal: Born on May 4, 1993… Daughter of Pam and Eric Shaw… Cousin Ashley Dean played volleyball at Dartmouth… Also recruited by BU, Gearge Washington, Drexel, NJIT, St. Rose and Bakersfield.  

Head Coach Chris Flint: "Very strong player who will challenge in the middle of the field and defense. Good technical ability and not afraid to go forward. She plays for a great club at the highest level and will compete for solid minutes this fall."