Women’s Soccer Signs Two to National Letters of Intent 2/24/03

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Vanderbilt women’s soccer team has signed two players to national letters of intent, head coach Ronnie Hill announced on Monday. Midfielder Susan McAleavey (Syosset, N.Y./Syosset) and defender Monica Buff (Lilburn, Ga./Parkview) are the newest additions to the Commodores’ roster. Hill believes both players will see action immediately for the Commodores.

“I am very excited about our recruiting class,” Hill said. “ I believe our staff has identified student athletes who will fit in our Vanderbilt system perfectly. Athletically, each player will bring special and unique qualities to our program. With this group added to our returning core, we have the chance to have tremendous depth and a team capable of playing at a very high level. Most importantly, these young ladies are good people, and we are pleased to welcome them to our Vanderbilt family.”

McAleavey brings a lengthy list of accomplishments to the table from an athletic and academic standpoint. Some of her personal athletic accomplishments include being a U.S. National Camp attendee in 1999 and 2000. She has also been a member of the Region I team in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002, while also being named a region camp all-star in 2000. McAleavey has been a mainstay in the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association Olympic Program since 1998. She has been her ODP team’s captain in 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001.

As a member of the HBC Magic club team, she finished third in the 2001 and fourth in 2002 at the national championship tournament. Prior to their trip to the national championship tournament, her club team won the 2001 Region I Championship and the New York State Cup. McAleavey was also named a National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American in 2001 and an Academic All-American in 2002.

McAleavey has also excelled in the classroom at Syosset High School. While being an honor roll student and enrolled AP and Honors classes, she has won several awards. She was named the Dupont Essay A ward winner, which is a national science competition. McAleavey was also given the St. John’s Women of Mathematics and Science Awards and the Engineering Design Award. She is also a member of the National, Spanish and Russian Honors Societies.

“Susan will bring a new dimension to our midfield this fall,” Hill said. “ As a Region I team member, she is a technical, hard working and experienced midfielder who will make an impact in our program for many years. She possesses amazing vision on the field and the ability to create opportunities for our attacking players.”

Buff will be a major benefit to Hill’s squad, as she is capable of playing several positions. While being a four-year member of the Parkview High School soccer team, where she has been team captain her junior and senior years, she has been a six-time member of the Olympic Development Program state team (1997-2002). Buff also made the regional pool for 1999-2000 and 2000-01 and was a member of the Region III team. She also had the honor of attending national camp, which is an opportunity given to only a select number of players from around the country.

While playing for her club team, GSA Phoenix, she won the 2001 and 2002 Snickers Regional Championship and the 2001 Snickers National Championship. Her club team also won a Open Cup State Championship in 1999 and 2001, while it finished runner-up in 2000.

Just like McAleavey, Buff has also succeeded off the playing field. She is a member of the gifted honors program, the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Spanish Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and the Beta Club.

“Monica joins us after a successful club and ODP career,” Hill said. “She has won a national championship with her club team (GSA Phoenix), while being a consistent member of the Region III team. As a player, she is a hard working, technical and extremely versatile player.

With the loss of defender Kelly Kulsrud and midfielders Katharine Carroll, Lizzy Johnson and Marissa O’Leary to their upcoming graduation, both McAleavey and Buff will definitely help fill the gaps in the Vanderbilt defensive half of the field.