Apaches News
Thu, Jun 17, 2010 - [Women's Soccer]
Haig Introduces 2010 Signing Class
 

MELBOURNE, Fla. (Women's Soccer) - Five student-athletes have each signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Florida Tech women's soccer program this fall, head coach Fidgi Haig announced on Thursday.  The signing class features a goalkeeper from Sweden, two teammates from Daytona Beach's Seabreeze High School, one local product and one NJCAA National Champion. 

   
"Our signing class is a mixture of experienced and hungry players, looking to make an impact on our team," Haig said.  "We have a transfer from a junior college that will bring two years of experience.  We also have several key signees that did very well in high school last year.  On paper, the recruiting class looks strong.  We just have to wait for the season to start and see how fast they can adjust to the college level."
 
Suiting up for the Panthers for the first time will be Emma Ahlstrand (Norrkoping, Sweden), Chelsea Belfer (Daytona Beach, Fla.), Carlene Harrison (Melbourne, Fla.), Karley O'Brien (Ormond Beach, Fla.) and Christine Ragona (Lake Dallas, Texas).
 
Ahlstrand, a goalkeeper, becomes the second Swede on the team, joining midfielder Paula Lillsjo.  The 5-foot-6 netminder helped her club team, IFK Norrkoping DKF, place third in Swedish Division 2.  At Kunskapsgymnasiet Norrkoping, she was president of the student council and served as a student ambassador.
 
A standout forward at Seabreeze High School, Belfer was awarded numerous honors, including Volusia County Player of the Year and First Team All-Area by The Daytona Beach News-Journal, following a stellar senior season where she scored 39 goals and added 13 assists.  By the time she closed out her Sandcrab career, she finished just one goal shy of 100.
 
Harrison stays within Brevard County following a four-year stint as a two-sport athlete at Viera High School.  The defender was a rock on the backline, starting each year and representing the team as its captain during three seasons.  She guided the Hawks to the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 5A regional semifinals earlier this year.  She also competed for the school's track and field team, running in the 100m, 220m and 4x400 relay.
 
A portion of Belfer's success at Seabreeze High School can be related to the eyes and feet of fellow signee, O'Brien.  As one of the team's playmakers, the midfielder captured the school's career assist record with 89, 40 of which came during the 2009-10 season.  A two-time team captain, she was named First Team All-Area by The Daytona Beach News-Journal. 
 
After hoisting the 2009 NJCAA Women's Soccer National Championship, Ragona joins the Panthers following a two-year career at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas.  A starting defender for the Apaches, she helped the team go undefeated at a record of 19-0-1 in 2009.  For her efforts, on the pitch and off, she was named NJCAA All-Region XIV and NJCAA Academic All-Region.
 
With the Panthers successful 2009 season behind them, they will look to soar to new heights this fall.  The team will begin preparations for its season with the first workout scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 11.