Contact: John Hartrick (hartrick@binghamton.edu)

VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton women's soccer will add six talented newcomers to its roster for 2015, head coach Sarah McClellan announced on Thursday. The half-dozen scholastic standouts join a BU program that has advanced to the postseason eight times in the last 10 years.  
 
Set to suit up in green, black and white this fall are Sierra Barr (Elmira, N.Y.), Megan Ferrara (Guilford, N.Y.), Julianne Johnston (Sayville, N.Y.), Patricia Loonie (Lynbrook, N.Y.), Katherine Pickard (Woodbridge, Va.), and Melissa Righetti (Somers, N.Y.).
 
"We are very excited about this group of student athletes," McClellan said. "They all have been leaders of their teams and demonstrate a high level of desire to compete.  This class gives us a lot of options in many positions and will help us get better right away.  Just as important, they are great people and committed students." 
 
Below is capsule on each:

Sierra Barr (M): A midfielder from Elmira, NY and Elmira High School… Four-year varsity soccer starter…  Leading team scorer… Holds the district record with 80 career goals and record holder for most goals in a season (30)…. Also logged 39 career assists… Two year team captain… Received 2014 Athlete of the Year Award by WENY TV… Led team to two Section IV Class AA Sectional Championships… 2013 Team MVP… Named NY All-State for class AA in 2012, 2013, and 2014… Also recognized to the STAC All-Conference Team on three occasions in addition to being named to the STAC All-West Team… Three year Corning Leader All-Star selection… HS scholar athlete… Longtime member of UFC/GBUFC Premier club teams… Member of the National Honor Society… High Honor Roll student… Volunteer at Arnot Ogden Medical Center… Member of Health Occupations Students of America… Daughter of Greg and Jeannanne Barr. 


Sierra Barr 

McClellan on Barr:  "Sierra is a strong, competitive player; she is capable of being dynamic in our attack and scoring from midfield.   She is technical on the ball, both footed, and has good vision.  Her ability to keep the ball and penetrate makes her a real threat.  Sierra likes to compete! That, with her love for improving and for the game, will help her be impactful right away."
 
Megan Ferrara (GK): A goalkeeper from Guilford, NY and Bainbridge Senior High School… Four-year varsity soccer starter… Twice named First Team All Conference…Two time MAGN All-Tournament Team and NY Pizzeria All-Tournament team… Odyssey Eclipse Soccer League National Championship Team in 2014… Two time team MVP… Recipient of William Sanford Memorial Award…  Also 4 year varsity basketball standout and All Conference selection… Honored with Unsung Hero Award… Two-year varsity softball team… 2 year varsity track member… High Honor Roll student… Member of Yes! Leads… Volunteer for Special Olympic Organization… Has played club soccer for Odyssey Eclipse and GBUFC Premier teams … Daughter of Pamela Brown and Anthony Ferrara.


Megan Ferrara
 
McClellan on Ferrara:  "Megan caught our eye when she attended one of our prospect clinics.  She has a very high ceiling; her athleticism is amazing for the goalkeeper position as well as her positive attitude and willingness to learn… we are going to see her improve and grow immensely just in her freshmen year.  I can't wait to see how good Megan can get."  
 
Julianne Johnston (F): A forward from Sayville, NY and Sayville High School… Varsity Soccer Standout… Three time All-County selection…  All-Long Island honors… MSG Varsity All Long Island Player of the Year candidate… Led team to 2013 County Championship and Sectional Finalist… County finalists in 2012 and 2014… Named to NY State All-State team an impressive three times (2012, 2013, 2014)… Plays club soccer for Brentwood Pride premier team… Varsity lacrosse standout… Academic All-American… Led team to Sectional Finals in 2014… Serves as secretary of school leadership club… Member of National Honor Society… Daughter of Eugen and Sharon Johnston. 


Julianne Johnston
 
McClellan on Johnston:  "Julianne possesses athleticism, speed, size and strength.  She is capable of being a dominant player both in her ground coverage and in and around the goal.  She has a competitive spirit and knows how to score goals; I look for her to have a fast learning curve in transitioning to the college game." 
 
Patty Loonie (F/M): A forward from Lynbrook and Lynbrook High School… Varsity soccer captain and standout player… Recipient of numerous accolades for her play… Two time Conference Player of the Year… Twice honored on the NY All-State team… An All-Region selection… Named All-Conference and All-County multiple times… All Long-Island team… Recipient of prestigious Nassau Zone of New York Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Award… Member of Athletes Creating Excellence club… Toy Lending student club… Active in START… Member of Spanish club… Plays club soccer for East Meadow Hurricanes ECNL… Competes against the best teams in the country in the Elite Club National League… Daughter of William and Maryellen Loonie. 


Patty Loonie
 
McClellan on Loonie:  "Patty is a versatile player anywhere in the midfield and up top.  I most like that she is a gritty player and a strong leader on the field.  Her athleticism and ability on the ball will make her a player to watch.  I think she can penetrate on the dribble at will in addition to having great ideas for combining with the players around her."
 
Katherine Pickard (D): A defender from Woodbridge, VA and Woodbridge Senior High School…  Varsity soccer team captain… Led Team to 2014 Conference Championship and Regional Finalist… 2013 HS Conference Champions… Varsity Indoor Track… AP Scholar… Photo Editor for school yearbook… Plays club soccer for very strong PWSI Courage team…. Daughter of Wayne and Helen Pickard. 


Katherine Pickard

McClellan on Pickard: "Kaycee is athletic and a versatile player in the back line; she brings good presence to the field and works hard.    Her drive and enthusiasm to develop as a top level player will help her to be successful at the college level.  We were lucky to have Kaycee at one of our prospect clinics and she so impressed our staff with her contagious personality, leadership skills, and athleticism. 
 
Melissa Righetti (D/M/F): A midfielder from Somers, NY and Somers High School… Four-year varsity soccer standout… As a senior, led team to class A Section 1 State Championship in 2014… Senior team captain… Named All-League in 2013 and 2014… Led team to two state championship appearances… Somers team was ranked 13th nationally… Three time sectional title winners… Received NYSPHSAA sportsmanship award in 2014… Plays club soccer for Nirvana Xtreme… Team captain… State cup semi-finalist in 2014… Honor Roll student… Member of Somers Leo Club… Member of Varsity Athlete Against Substance Abuse… Girl Scout member… Will receive NYS Advanced Regents Diploma… Daughter of Flomena and Emilio Righetti. 


Melissa Righetti
 
McClellan on Righetti:  "Melissa is a special player; her soccer IQ is well beyond her years.  Melissa is capable of playing just about anywhere on the field and will most likely play as a central forward.  Her communication and leadership on the field is impressive. I'm looking forward to seeing her compete at this level. 
 
McClellan was impressed with the collective leadership of the incoming group.

"The really interesting quality each of these players share is that they not only want to push themselves to be their best, they also have a real desire to make the players around them better as well," she said. "Each has had some great experiences in their soccer training and as leaders among peers and each will be wonderful representatives as student athletes here at Binghamton University."

Binghamton finished the 2014 season with momentum after losing just once in its last five games and playing eventual America East champion New Hampshire even for 110 minutes in the conference quarterfinals before falling in penalty kicks. 
 
The Bearcats have set their sights on the 2015 season with much excitement and enthusiasm.
 
"We have high expectations for our returning players; I think we could have several players have a breakout season this fall; our younger players were able to get quite a bit of experience last year and are feeling much more confident on the field.  The addition of our 2015 class brings great energy and competitive potential which will be super to see when everyone gets on the field together in August."