Head coach Jim Wendling enthusiastically unveils the 2009 Canisius College women's soccer class, announcing five student-athletes committed to play for the Golden Griffins. The class features players from New Jersey, Ohio and New Hampshire.

Joining the Griffs for the 2009 season will be Brooke Bandazian (Wyckoff, NJ), Juliette Esteve (Morristown, NJ), Keily Funk (Manchester, NH), Emily Paquette (Loveland, Ohio), and Lauren Speas (Flanders, NJ).

“These young women are tremendously talented soccer players and dedicated students,” commented coach Wendling.  “They have great character, work ethic and outstanding soccer skills that will make them successful as a class and individually. Griffs family and fans will be excited and thrilled to see them as they represent Canisius College this fall in the classroom, in the community and on the soccer pitch. These young ladies will add depth to our talented group of players and the strong will of our team to win a Metro Athletic Atlantic Conference Championship.”   

Brooke Bandazian
Position:  Forward
Height:   5' 11”
Hometown:  Wyckoff, NJ
High School:  Ramapo
Club/ODP:  SPA Nirvana/Super Y
Plan To Study:  Elementary Education

Coach Wendling's Comments on Brooke:  “Brooke has a great combination of size, speed and strength.  She is one of the top goal scorers in New Jersey, and will be a great asset to our attack-minded tactical play.  She has experience scoring in high-pressure games, scoring two goals for her high school team to help win the New Jersey State Championship this past fall.  She will be an excellent addition in combination with our two returning forwards Sylvia Kowalski and Jenny Griffin.

Soccer Honors/Awards:
High School:  A three-year varsity player for Ramapo High School...Won 2008 NJ State Championship Group III while scoring two goals in State Championship Game, including the game-winner... Ramapo had a record of 20-4 during the 2008 Championship season, with Bandazian earning 17 goals and 7 assists...Named 2008 1st Team All-League and 2nd Team All-County... An ESPN Player of the Week Finalist...Named a North Jersey 2007 All-Star and selected to travel to Brazil with the All-Star Team.
Club:   Selected to attend the 2008 USL Super Y-League ODP National Camp...US Congressional Commendation...Brother, Brett is a member of the Varsity Ice Hockey Team at Skidmore College.
   

Juliette Esteve
Position:  Defender/Center Back
Height:   5'10”
Hometown:  Morristown, NJ
High School:  Morristown High School
Club/ODP:  Parsippany Mystics/Super Y
Plan To Study:  Broadcasting/Communication

Coach Wendling's Comments on Juliette: “I expect Juliette to be an immediate impact player for the Griffs in the fall. She is another player with great size, strength and speed.  Juliette will be expected to be a strong contributor in our center defense or center midfield next fall. She has excellent technical abilities, a strong defensive sense, outstanding aggressiveness and is strong in the air.“

Soccer Honors/Awards:
High School:  A 2008 team captain for the Colonials...Earned two-time All-State recognition...Also a 2008 - 2nd Team All County and All Star Iron Men Senior Game... In 2007, earned 3rd team All-County, 2nd Team All-Conference, Daily Record 2nd Team, Star Ledger 3rd Team, County Tournament Champs, second-place in her conference and was a State Semi-Finalist Group III.  Was also named to the 2007 2nd Team All-Conference, 3rd Team All-County, Daily Record 2nd Team and Star Ledger...Chosen for USL Super-Y Elite camp 2008.

Club Soccer:  Region 1 League WAPS Division Champions, Bethesda Thanksgiving Tournament Finalist, Chester VA Big Toe Tournament Semi-Finalist, FC Delco Finalist, National Cup Region B Finalist, CJ Invitational Champions.  2006-2007: Region1 Premier 4th Pace, MAPS Champions, National State Cup Quarter-Finalist, National Cup Region B Premier Champions.  2008 Jefferson Cup Champions,  2008 Super Y Elite Camp...Finalist 2008 Orange Classic...2008 Finalist Blue Chip Showcase.

Emily “Keily” Funk
Position: Midfielder
Height:  5'6”
Hometown: Manchester, NH
High School: Central High School
Club/ODP: Seacoast United Premier/Super Y
Plan to Study: Business

Coach Wendling's Comments on Keily:  “Keily is a proven winner at both the high school and club level having won two club championships and a high school state championship.  She can score goals from a central midfield position, but is expected to be more of a creative midfielder with her ability to set up goal scoring opportunities for our forwards with her vision and strong passing game.”    

Soccer Honors/Awards:
High School: A 2007 team captain and four-year varsity starter for the Little Green...Earned All-State 1st Team honors in 2007 and 2008, and earned Honorable Mention All-State in 2006...Selected for the All State Team by City Paper in 2008 and was a Union Leader All State in 2005... Won N.H. State Championship in 2008... Earned 15 Goals and 35 Assists in her senior season... Was also a three-year varsity basketball player and team captain for the 2008-2009 season...Advanced to State Basketball Final Four for four straight years...Earned the Female Athletic Academic Award for work in honor classes.  

Club:  Two-time State Champions... ODP State Pool for three years... ODP Regional Pool for one year...Played for the Super Y National Pool Select Team... Champion at Score at Shore Tournament... A member of the National Honor Society and the English Honor Society...Made the NH Academic Honor Roll.

Emily Paquette
Position:  Midfield/Forward
Height:   5'4”
Hometown:  Loveland, Ohio
High School:  Milford High School
Club/ODP: Classics Hammer
Plan to Study:  Fashion Design

Coach Wendling's Comments on Emily:  “What most impresses me about Emily is her energy, quickness and speed. She can play a variety of positions, but I expect to see her as a wide midfielder with her ability to attack down the flank with speed and skill.  She can score from a wide position and will provide great assists with her pinpoint crossing passes.”  

Soccer Honors/Awards:
High School:  A four-year varsity starter for the Milford Eagles...In 2008 the Eagles held a record of 15-0-1 and ranked in the top five statewide...Paquette was All-League FAVC in 2008, as well as a member of the All-Academic Team and the National Honor Society.  

Lauren Speas
Position:  Defender/Center Back
Height:  5' 9”
Hometown:  Flanders, NJ
High School:  Mount Olive High School
Club/ODP:  Parsippany Mystics/Super Y
Plan to Study: Pre-law

Coach Wendling's Comments on Lauren:  “Lauren is a tough defender with good size and aggressiveness.  I expect her to be playing anywhere in our defense.  She is an excellent tackler of the ball and will start our attack with her ability to possess the ball and play the correct pass into our midfielders.  Her enthusiasm, energy and defensive skill should make her a strong contributor in the fall.”       

Soccer Honors/Awards:
High School:  A four-year varsity starter for the Marauders...Earned 2008 3rd Team All-County and 2007 Honorable Mention... In 2007, team was named the County Quarter Finalist...Earned Student Athlete Award Winner from 2006-2008...Awarded Renaissance Academic Excellence Award from 2006-2009...Also a member of the National Honor Society...Speas was class president and a member of the World Language National Honor Society.

Club:  A 2008 Orange Cup Finalist with the Mystics...Won the 2008 Jefferson Cup Championship...Team was a National State Cup Quarter Finalist-Region 1 League WAPS Division Champions, Bethesda Thanksgiving Tournament Finalist, CJ Invitational Champions and the National Cup Region B Finalist...Also the 2008 Blue Chip Showcase Finalist, FC Delco Finalist, and the VA Big Toe Tournament Semi-finalist.