CHICAGO (November 16, 2018) – Loyola University Chicago head women's soccer coach Barry Bimbi announced the signing of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent on Friday.  The seven newcomers will join the Ramblers at the start of the 2019 season.
 
"I'm very excited about this class because it is filled with multiple players that play multiple positions," Bimbi said.  "I know they will come in and work hard to build on our successes from this past season."
 
AMANDA CASSIDY
Midfielder/Forward | Maple Grove, Minn. | Benilde-St. Margaret's | Minnesota Thunder
 
Versatile midfielder/forward Amanda Cassidy makes her way to Rogers Park from Maple Grove, Minn.  She starred at Benilde-St. Margaret's, the same program that produced current Loyola junior Aleksa Tataryn, leading the Knights to a pair of state titles.  Cassidy also appeared on the club level for coach David Alberti's Minnesota Thunder Academy, earning a pair of selections to the Olympic Development Program Boca Thanksgiving Interregional Tournament.
 
Bimbi on Amanda: "Amanda is a silky smooth technical player.  She's played a high level for many years and will provide us with great depth in the midfield."
 
MEGAN DEMSKI
Defender | Hoffman Estates, Ill. | William Fremd High School | Sockers FC Chicago
 
The first of four members of Loyola's 2019 recruiting class to call the state of Illinois home, Hoffman Estates, Ill. product Megan Demski played exclusively for Sockers FC Chicago, under the direction of coach David Richardson.  The hard-nosed defender is coming off a 2017-18 season that saw her play every minute of every game along the backline.  Demski also has been lauded for her work away from the field, earning William Fremd High School's Viking Pride Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon the member of the student body.
 
Bimbi on Megan: "Megan is a quick and powerful defender.  She can strike the ball with either foot and can play anywhere across the backline."
 
GRACE DROESSLER
Goalkeeper | Blue Mounds, Wis. | Mount Horeb High School | Madison 56ers
 
Goalkeeper Grace Droessler brings an impressive list of honors with her to Loyola.  A three-time All-Badger North Conference selection at Mount Horeb High School, Droessler has backstopped the Vikings to three consecutive conference titles, a run that also included a regional crown as a freshman.  The 5-foot-9 netminder, who plays on the club level for coach Brian Feyrer's Madison 56ers, sports a sparkling 0.70 goals against average for her career.
 
Bimbi on Grace: "Grace is a very athletic goalkeeper that commands her box.  She has the ability to make a tough save look routine."
 
OLIVIA KNAB
Defender | Chandler, Ariz. | Hamilton High School | SC Del Sol
 
Chandler, Ariz. native Olivia Knab was a Second Team All-State selection for coach Eddie Hertzenberg at Hamilton High School.  She was part of a defensive unit that led the Huskies to a pair of deep runs in the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) state playoffs, highlighted by an appearance in the championship game in 2015.  Knab is a member of Les Armstrong's SC Del Sol club side, which is currently ranked fourth nationally.
 
Bimbi on Olivia: "Olivia is a hard-working player with great speed.  She can fit in and excel anywhere on the field."
 
MEGAN NEMEC
Midfielder/Forward | Tinley Park, Ill. | Andrew High School | Windy City Pride
 
Out of suburban Tinley Park, Ill., Megan Nemec brings a goal-scoring pedigree with her to Loyola.  The midfielder/forward has been a force in the offensive third, totaling 25 goals and 25 assists throughout the first three years of her career at Andrew High School with head coach Loren Zolk.  A two-time All-Southwest Suburban Conference selection, she was named an All-State honoree by the Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association (IHSSCA) as a junior following a season that saw the Thunderbolts to a third-straight regional title and fourth place finish in the state tournament.  Nemec also features on the club level for the Windy City Pride and coach Ko Thanadabouth, who she helped to a championship at the 2018 Presidents Day Cup in Phoenix, Ariz.
 
Bimbi on Megan: "Megan is a goal scoring machine with good speed and strength.  Most importantly, she has a high soccer IQ, making her a very dangerous player."
 
KYRSTEN PELLIKAN
Midfielder/Forward | Elgin, Ill. | Central High School | FC United
 
Kyrsten Pellikan arrives at Loyola from Elgin, Ill. and Central High School.  She enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign with the Rockets, scoring 15 goals and adding eight assists as Central picked up a Super Sectional crown.  Pellikan turned her attention exclusively to the club level following her sophomore year, featuring with FC United.  She has found the back of the net five times and dished out 12 assists, leading coach Fabrice Gautrat's team to a berth in the 2018 Development Academy Playoffs.
 
Bimbi on Kyrsten: "Kyrsten will provide us with another weapon in the midfield and up front.  She's a technical player with a motor that seemingly never stops."
 
MADI ROSEN
Defender | Barrington, Ill. | Barrington High School | FC United
 
Dynamic defender Madi Rosen brings an established pedigree with her to the Maroon & Gold.  She has played a major role in Barrington High School winning back-to-back state titles, most recently dishing out 12 assists during her junior season with the Broncos.  Named an All-State selection by both the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) and Chicago Tribune, Rosen experienced success on the club level as well, leading Mike Skupien's FC United team to a runner-up finish in the Illinois State Cup.
 
Bimbi on Madi: "Madi is a very competitive and athletic defender.  She possesses a great left foot and likes to attack from the back."
 
The seven newcomers will join a group of 19 returning letterwinners as Loyola looks to build off of a banner 2018 season that saw it win its first Missouri Valley Conference title and end an 11-year NCAA Tournament drought.