TERRE HAUTE, IN ? Although the 2008 Indiana State soccer team has already added 14 recruits to their roster for the upcoming season beginning in August, head coach Vernon Croft announced the addition of two more players to finalize the total roster count to 16. Seyma Erenli and Claire Gibbons, both sophomores, round out Croft's largest recruiting class since his arrival in 1999.
"Over the spring we have tried to create an environment of competitiveness for positions and with the last two to join our team we have succeeded in that,” said Croft. “Seyma and Claire both come from environments where soccer is a premier sport and the addition of them will certainly continue the passionate level our players have for soccer."
Erenli is the second recruit who hails from Australia that will join the Sycamores in the fall. She has played club soccer with the Ashburton Women's Soccer Club for five years under Coach Chris Mikail. She has also been in the Victorian Women's Premier League for four years which is the highest level of competition in the state. She has represented Victoria in four separate national tournaments. In addition, she is a part of the Australian National Futsal Team who will be competing in the FIFA Women's World Cup this fall in Barcelona.
During high school, Erenli was recognized for being the best female athlete in her class each year of high school. Her soccer team was crowned District Champions in 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2006 along with Zone Champions in 2004 and 2005. She was selected as a team captain in every year she participated. Erenli was also a standout cross country runner.
"Seyma's recent call up to the Australian National Futsal Team is a huge accomplishment for her and really shows the level of experience and success she can bring to our program here as a very dangerous forward,” Croft added. “Her leadership ability within her club and the National Team will help continue the competitive environment we have at ISU."
Gibbons is a transfer from Saint Leo University in Irchester, England. She is the fourth recruit who will come to ISU from outside of the United States. Gibbons has played with many different teams beginning with the Irchester Romans. After, she moved on to play with the Rushden and Diamonds where she played for the ladies team and the Centre of Excellence. She captained the team to a League Cup in her last season. Gibbons also participated on the U-16 county team where she was crowned an All-County Champion.
At the age of 16, Gibbons moved to London and played for the Charlton Women's Academy and the women's reserve team where she trained regularly with the England international team. She played collegiately for one year at Saint Leo University.
"Claire has had the experience of playing with England National Team members within her club, Charlton Athletic, and this experience and maturity at playing within that level will be a big asset for us,” Croft said of Gibbons. “Her composure and technical ability on the ball will help in our ability to keep possession in the back."
