Feb. 5, 2009

DAVIS, Calif. - The UC Davis women's soccer program has signed six future Aggies to National Letters of Intent, announced head coach MaryClaire Robinson. The list includes Epiphany Harragin, Allison Kelly, Alexis Knudtson, Macie McMillan, Elaine Tanski and Stephanie Winkenweder.

Harrigan is a defender/midfielder from Los Angeles, Calif. (Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy). She is a three-time All-Mission League selection and has twice received All-Area honors. Entering this season, her team won a combined 40 games in her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons.

"Epiphany is well-known in the southern Californian soccer scene," said Robinson. "She's calm on the ball and will help us maintain possession coming out of the back and into the midfield. Pip excels at reading the game, which makes her a great decision-maker with the ball at her feet and defensively."

Kelly is a forward from Sacramento, Calif. (Rio Americano HS). She was named most valuable player on her team last season after averaging .846 goals and .462 assists per game. She has twice led her team to first-place finishes in the Capital Athletic League with one trip to the section final and another to the quarterfinals.

"Allison has club experience both in the back and up top, and her physicality and toughness make her special," said Robinson. "She will bring speed and fight to our attack, has a great attitude and work rate and uses her body to break down defenders. Allison is not afraid to mix it up on the field to win a loose ball."

Knudtson is a forward from Granite Bay, Calif. (Granite Bay HS). She has helped lead Granite Bay to a pair of Sierra Foothill Conference titles as well as second-place finishes at the section championship. Knudtson is a three-time first-team All-Area selection. The two-sport athlete has also received that distinction as a member of the basketball team.

"Alexis will bring speed and athleticism to our attack with an excellent work rate on both sides of the ball," said Robinson. "It's a huge plus to have your attacking players be some of your most relentless defenders, and Alexis is that type of player."

McMillan is a defender from San Jose, Calif. (Valley Christian HS). She is a current team captain and has helped lead Valley Christian to a Central Coast section title as well as another trip to the championship game. Her career has also included a second-team All-Western Catholic Athletic League selection. McMillan is a three-time Scholar Athlete and her club team, the De Anza Force 90, has twice advanced to the semifinals of the Cal-North State Cup.

"Macie is a tough defender who plays big," said Robinson. "She uses her body well to win possession, has great range and is a good communicator out of the back."

Tanski is a midfielder from Orinda, Calif. (Miramonte HS). She has twice been named first-team All-Diablo Foothill Athletic League and helped lead her team to a DFAL and North Coast Section championship last season. Tanski has also been named first-team All-DFAL three times as a member of the cross country team.

"Elaine is a quick and crafty player who is comfortable both centrally and out wide," said Robinson. "She has a tremendous work rate with the ability to make things happen. She's a classic play-making midfielder who will improve our team speed in that area."

Winkenweder is a defender from Temecula, Calif. (Great Oak HS). Her club team, the San Diego Surf, finished third in its league last year and was a finalist in the Surf Cup. The future Aggie is a two-time most valuable player of Great Oak's water polo team and is also a standout on her school's swimming team.

"Stephanie brings a physical presence in the back. She's an excellent one-v-one defender who is very competitive and has a ball-winning mentality," said Robinson. "She's a veteran center back with a deceptive change of pace and a super attitude."