Feb. 8, 2007

Greenville, S.C. -- Furman women's soccer inked four players to national letters-of-intent to join the program this coming fall, it was announced Wednesday morning by head coach Andrew Burr. Ashley Creavalle (Acworth, Ga.), Melissa Kappel (Alpharetta, Ga.), Graham Marchman (Sharpsburg, Ga.) and Meagan Zusi (Longwood, Fla.) will join the Lady Paladin program in the fall.

"We are excited about this class and looking for these four student-athletes to make an immediate impact on our program," said Burr. "They compliment our current team well and will be excellent representatives for Furman on and off of the field."

Ashley Creavalle plays her prep soccer for North Cobb High School and head coach Jesse Bowles. The defender has tallied 35 goals in her first three seasons. Last season as a junior, she guided her squad to a playoff appearance while earning team MVP honors. As a member of North Atlanta `07 Elite with fellow signee Melissa Kappel, Creavalle helped her team to a state runner-up finish. She has played for two years as a member of the Region III Olympic Development Program team and participated in the 2005 and 2006 ODP National Camps. Creavalle helped Region III to a third place finish nationally in 2005.

Kappel starred at Milton High School for head coach Christie Street. The midfielder has helped Milton to a pair of AAAAA state semifinal finishes, the 2005 region championship and a 38-16-2 overall record in her first three seasons. As a three-year starter she has tallied 28 goals and 26 assists. She joined Creavalle with the North Atlanta `07 Elite team participating in the Region III Premier League. Her club team has reached the semifinals of the Atlanta Cup three times and finished runner-up at the GYSA State Cup finals in 2005-06. Kappel is a five-year member of the Georgia State ODP squad and former member of the Region III ODP pool.

Graham Marchman plays defender for head coach Ron Rineer at The Heritage School. The three-time all-region and all-state pick has guided her school to three straight GISA AA state final four appearances, including claiming the 2004 state title. The two-time team most valuable player pick was recently named NSCAA High School Scholar All-America. As a three-year team captain of the AFC Lightning `89 White club team under the direction of coach Vince Dattilo, she has helped her squad to numerous tournament titles, including the Georgia Athena U-19, Atlanta Cup and North Atlanta Soccer Association Classic titles this past season. The senior has also lettered in cross country and basketball earning three consecutive MVP honors in both. Marchman garnered 2004 state individual championship honors in cross country while being selected all-state for three straight years. She is a two-time all-region pick in basketball.

Meagan Zusi preps at Lake Brantley High School under the direction of head coach James Brodey. She earned first team all-conference and All-Seminole County honors as both a sophomore and junior. Zusi helped lead her club, FC America Kumba, to the Disney Showcase title last season. The midfielder is a five-year member of the Florida state ODP squad. She also lettered in lacrosse guiding Lake Brantley to the 2004-05 state title and 2005-06 state finals while earning academic all-america and Central Florida High School All-Star honors. Zusi's brother Graham plays soccer at the University of Maryland and was a member of the Terrapins' 2005 national championship team. Another brother, Michael, lettered in soccer at Liberty University.

The 2007 Lady Paladins return 11 starters from a team that went 11-10-1 overall and 6-3-1 in Southern Conference play last season.

2007 Signing Class

Name Pos. Hometown High School Club Team

Ashley Creavalle D Acworth, Ga. North Cobb H.S. North Atlanta `07 Elite

Melissa Kappel MF Alpharetta, Ga. Milton H.S. North Atlanta `07 Elite

Graham Marchman D Sharpsburg, Ga. The Heritage School AFC Lightning `89 White

Megan Zusi MF Longwood, Fla. Lake Brantley H.S. FC America Kumba