Long Beach State University Athletics
49er women's soccer signs four for 2010 season
7/6/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
July 6, 2010
LONG BEACH - Long Beach State women's soccer head coach Mauricio Ingrassia has announced the signing of four recruits for the upcoming 2010 season.
Tori Baldridge, Kristyn Benavidez, Kassidy Hause and Jazmarae Strozier will join the 49ers in the fall.
"We're extremely excited about the quality of student-athletes in our 2010 class," Ingrassia said. "They are an outstanding group of young ladies both on and off the field that will fit right into our team culture. The class addresses positional needs and adds athleticism to our program. I look forward to integrating them to our current team during double days, as all four of them have the potential to get minutes right away."
Baldridge, who originally signed with Kansas but did not attend school there, was a four-year starting defender at Crescenta Valley High School. As a senior, she was tabbed the All-Area Player of the Year and Pacific League MVP, while also garnering first-team All-CIF Division II honors. A three-time all-league and all-area selection, Baldridge was also named a 2008 Far West Regional High School All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA). Baldridge played club for Real So Cal for seven seasons, helping her team to the 2009 Cal South National Cup championship.
"Tori is a very smooth soccer player," Ingrassia said. "She reads the game very well out of the back, has great timing and can pinpoint passes both short and long range. I look forward to seeing what she can add to our team."
Benavidez lettered four years at Wilson High School, where she led the Bruins to the CIF, state and national championships in 2008. The forward/midfielder was a two-time first-team All-Moore League selection. Benavidez has also helped her club team to the Premier championship in each of the last two seasons, and was selected to play on the 2010 North All-Star Team.
"Kristyn brings pace and skill to the wide midfield area," said Ingrassia. "She can beat defenders on the inside and outside, and serves a great ball."
Hause won four letters at Lakewood High School where she was a first-team All-Moore League selection every year. As a senior, she scored an area-best 31 goals, earning her league MVP and Press-Telegram Dream Team Co-Player of the Year honors. Hause was also a two-time All-CIF Division I pick. She has played club soccer for both Infinity and Slammers FC, winning nationals five years in a row.
"Getting the Dream Team Player of the Year is always exciting, and this is the second year in a row for our program," Ingrassia said. "Kassidy is a steady, heads-up midfield player, capable of keeping the ball with the best of them. She will fit right in and get minutes right away."
Strozier comes to The Beach from Ventura College where she was an NSCAA/adidas first-team All-American in 2009. She was also tabbed the team's offensive MVP after compiling 30 goals and four assists. Strozier broke a school record with seven goals scored in one game. As a freshman, she earned Western State Conference MVP honors after ending the season with 17 goals and 11 assists.
"At 6-foot-1, Jazz will make her presence felt immediately on our front line," said Ingrassia. "She is an impact player who has grown tremendously as a student-athlete at Ventura College since I last remembered her two years ago. I'm excited at the opportunity of getting the most out of her abilities, and if that happens, we can have a special player in Jazz."
Long Beach State officially kicks off the 2010 season on Friday, Aug. 20, when it plays host to BYU at 5 p.m.
49er Women's Soccer Signees
Tori Baldridge, Defender, La Crescenta, Calif. (Crescenta Valley HS)
Kristyn Benavidez, Forward/Midfielder, Long Beach, Calif. (Wilson HS)
Kassidy Hause, Forward, Long Beach, Calif. (Lakewood HS)
Jazmarae Strozier, Midfielder, Ventura, Calif. (Ventura College)
