Following another stellar season for the Wesleyan women’s soccer program, it was back to the recruiting trail for head coach Glenn Francis. In an effort to reload, Francis set out in search of the pieces needed to take the Lady Bobcats to the next level.
On Thursday, Francis announced the signing of his 2010 recruiting class featuring Jenna Plummer, Minta Bibb, and Samantha DeRoose. While coming from different backgrounds and high schools, each player has one thing in common; they know how to win.
Plummer (pictured top right) comes to Wesleyan from Pittsburgh, PA and Penn Hills High School where she was a four-year starter and was named team captain as a senior. In addition to her high school career, Plummer played cup soccer for five years with the Allegheny Force Football Club.
The multi-talented athlete also has competed on the varsity softball team at Penn Hills for four years. She is currently finishing her senior season on the softball diamond and was named team captain.
Off the field, Plummer serves as the President of the Student Council and the Vice President of a teen leadership council. She is also a member of the School Board and is an active member of the student body.
Bibb (pictured middle left), a native of Beckley, WV has played soccer since she was four years old. Playing at Woodrow Wilson High School, Bibb began her career as an offensive player on the wing. However, following her freshman year she made the switch to defense where she remained, racking up numerous honors.
As a sophomore, Bibbs received All-State Honorable Mention recognition. Following her junior campaign, she was honored as a Second Team All-State selection by the Coaches Association and Sports Writers Poll while also earning First Team All-Conference. The accolades continued to roll in as a senior as Bibbs was named First Team All-State by the Sports Writers Poll, Second Team All-State by the Coaches Association, and First Team All-Conference.
At the completion of her career, Bibbs was also selected to participate in the West Virginia North/South All-Star game. Outside of her time at Woodrow Wilson, Bibbs was a member of the West Virginia Rapids travel team.
Another piece of the recruiting puzzle is DeRoose (pictured bottom right), a native of Baltimore, MD. As a four-year starter at Mercy High School, she was selected as a Conference All-Star following her senior season in addition to being named to the Baltimore Sun First Team All-Metro.
As a team captain during her senior season, she led her team to her school back to the conference championship game after a long absence.
During her first three seasons, DeRoose played at the center midfield position before moving to defense for her final year. She was coached by Baltimore Sun 2009 Coach of the Year Albert Oni.
DeRoose also won a Maryland State Championship with her club soccer team, the Baltimore Bays Under-17 Chelsea.
“I am very excited about our incoming freshman class,” head coach Glenn Francis commented. “This class will add depth, a winning attitude and skills at various positions on the field.”
The 2010 class is set to join the Wesleyan program in August as the Lady Bobcats begin their run at a fourth consecutive West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) championship and NCAA appearance.