Furman Women's Soccer Inks Six To National Letters Of Intent

Feb. 23, 2006

Greenville, S.C. -- The Furman women's soccer program has inked six high school standouts to National Letters of Intent to join the Lady Paladins in 2006, head coach Andrew Burr announced this week.

Margaret Antonik (Lakeland, Fla.), Tannah Castro (Fayetteville, Ga.), Briana da Mota (Lilburn, Ga.), Sara El-Shami (Roswell, Ga.), Chelsea McKie (Hoover, Ala.) and Claire Richards (Hoover, Ala.) will take the field for the Lady Paladins when preseason training begins in August. Da Mota highlights a strong signing class for the Lady Paladins, having been ranked as one of the top 100 recruits in the country by Soccer Buzz.

"We are very excited about this year's class," said Burr. "All six young ladies are true student-athletes and good fits for both Furman University and our women's soccer program."

Margaret Antonik prepped for coach Lazlo Toser at All Saints' Academy in Florida. The 5-9 forward/midfielder was named to the Florida Sports Writers Association AA All-State third team last year. Antonik, a four-time team most valuable player selection, has been named to the all-county squad twice. She holds All Saints' Academy's records for goals in a season (52) and career. Her 179 career goals rank 11th all-time in Florida high school soccer history. Antonik, who also lettered in basketball, plays her club soccer for the Countryside Lightning U-17.

Tannah Castro lettered four years playing midfield and defense for head coach Greg Shifflett at Starrs Mill High School. An Atlanta Journal-Constitution two-time all-area and all-region pick, Castro led her team to the AAAAA state finals as a sophomore and to the semifinals her freshman and junior seasons. Castro was also named to the 2005 NSCAA/adidas Scholar All-America Team and Scholar All-Region squad. A member of the Georgia State Olympic Developmental Program, she has also participated as a member of the Region III ODP team for two years. Castro, who plays her club soccer for the Peachtree City Lazers `88 Elite, has led her club to to four Georgia State titles and the 2004 Region III Premier League East Championship.

Briana da Mota, rated as one of the top 100 recruits in the country by Soccer Buzz, has guided Westminster School to two AAA state titles after helping Brookwood High to a AAAAA State Championship. One of three goalkeepers in the United States U-17 National Team pool, da Mota is a member of the Georgia State and Region III ODP squads who has participated in the national camp for four straight years. She played her club soccer with Tophat `06 Gold along with fellow Furman signee Sara El-Shami.

Sara El-Shami prepped at Centennial High School and played as a midfielder and forward. A four-year letterwinner, El-Shami is a three-time all-area pick and has twice led her team in scoring. A 2005 North Fulton County Athlete-of-the-Week selection, she has garnered two team MVP honors and has been named team captain for 2006. El-Shami, who plays her club soccer with Furman signee Briana da Mota and the Tophat `06 Gold, is a member of the Georgia ODP team and has participated with the region team.

Chelsea McKie played high school soccer for coach Todd Schaeffer at Hoover High School. The 5-foot-7 center midfielder was named her squad's midfield player of the year and earned all-tournament accolades at the 2004 Lake Shore Tournament and 2004 All Metro Tournament. McKie helped her club team, the Vestavia Attack `88, claim four state titles and the 2003 Region III Championship. She is a five-year member of the Alabama ODP team and a member of the Region III pool. McKie also lettered in cross country earning AAAAAA All-State honors as a junior and senior.

Claire Richards played forward and midfield with fellow Furman signee Chelsea McKie and Hoover High. The team captain, Richards is a two-time AAAAAA All-State selection and two-time All-Metro pick. Hoover's 2005 most valuable player, Richards has tallied 70 goals in her high school career. A five-year member of the Alabama ODP squad, she plays her club soccer with the Vestavia Attack `88. Richards has helped her club team to six Alabama state championships and led the team in scoring each year.

Margaret Antonik MF Lakeland, Fla. All Saints' Academy Countryside Lightning U-17

Tannah Castro MF/D Fayetteville, Ga. Starrs Mill High School Peachtree City Lazers

Briana da Mota GK Lilburn, Ga. Westminster School Tophat `06 Gold

Sara El-Shami F/MF Roswell, Ga. Centennial High School Tophat `06 Gold

Chelsie McKie MF Hoover, Ala. Hoover High School Vestavia Attack `88

Claire Richards F/MF Hoover, Ala. Hoover High School Vestavia Attack `88