LMC WOMEN'S SOCCER SIGNING VIDEO 

BANNER ELK, N.C. --- Six student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Lees-McRae College and play women's soccer in the fall of 2015, announced Lees-McRae women's soccer coach Nick Whiting Wednesday.

Joining the Bobcats in the fall will be Lindsey Bish (Charlotte, N.C.), Alexis Feely (Raleigh, N.C.), Brenna Malatestinic (Indianapolis, Ind.), Samantha Patterson (Pinehurst, N.C.), Katherine Reeves (Lakeland, Fla.) and Nikki Torres (Monroe, N.C.).

“We are so excited to welcome this 2015 class to Lees-McRae College. These exemplary young women are so talented on and off the field, possessing the type of class and character that is required to be a part of our program,” said head coach Nick Whiting.

Lindsey Bish – Defender – 5-6 - Charlotte, N.C.

Statistics/Accomplishments: Played club soccer for the Charlotte Soccer Academy Elite Club National League (ECNL) team under Coach Phil Hufstader. Qualified for the ECNL Champions league in 2013 and 2014.  Played for Ardrey Kell High School under Kim Yankowski Montgomery where she was a four-year varsity letter winner. She was all-Conference and all-Region in 2014 as well as defender of the year. In 2012 Ardrey Kell was Southwestern Conference Champion.  She was a State Cup finalist in 2011 and final four in 2010 with the CSA 96 Predator team. Bish was a member of the NC Olympic Development Program state pool in 2011 and 2012.

Family:  Rob and Cathy Bish

Academic Achievements/Clubs: High School Honors and AP Courses  

Coach Whiting Quote: “Lindsey has always played at a very high level and it shows. She is calm under pressure and while she can be a no nonsense defender, she also has the ability to be the type of ball-playing center back that helps start the attack. She is very tough to beat in the middle.”

Why I chose Lees-McRae:  “I chose Lees-McRae because of the mountain location and campus scenery, how welcoming the members of the team were when I visited, the small class sizes and LMC has several programs in which I may study.” 

Alexis Feely – Goalkeeper – 5-8 – Raleigh, N.C.

Statistics/Accomplishments: Captain of the Triangle Futbol Club Academy Select team that was North Carolina Youth Soccer Association State Cup Semifinalist in 2014. They were a finalist at the Disney Showcase in 2015. Played in Sweden for the Eskils Cupon Cup. In 2013 was a NCYSA State Cup Champion as well as winning the Virginia Summer Shootout tournament and Greensboro Labor Day Shootout tournament. Named to the Atlantic Soccer League All-Star Team at SAC tournament.  All-Conference goalkeeper all four years for Wakefield High School.  

Family:  Jim and Peg Feely. Brothers: Shane and Jimmy Feely 

Academic Achievements/Clubs: A/B honor all four years. Drama club. Anti-bullying club.

Coach Whiting Quote: “Alexis is absolutely fearless in the net. She commands her box and comes off her line strong. It puts fear in the mind of attackers. She’s the type of kid who wants to be successful and gives everything she has to improve in any way she can.”

Why I chose Lees-McRae:  "I chose Lees-McRae because of the environment, the coaching staff, and mainly because of the team. We sat in the bleachers during the ID camp and talked with the team and when I saw how close they were I knew I had to go here."

“Our newest batch of Bobcats will not only provide quality depth to our young team, but will look to push the returners to reach new levels,” praised Whiting. “We graduate a group of seniors who, as a coach, have been everything you could ever ask for and will be tough to replace, but I know this 2015 class has the ability to do just that.” 

Brenna Malatestinic – Goalkeeper – 5-9 – Indianapolis, Ind.

Statistics/Accomplishments: Plays club soccer on the Westside United FC 97 Green team. She was the captain her junior and senior year at Cardinal Ritter High School, which were ICC Conference Champions 2011-2012, earning her ICC All-Conference honors in 2013-2014. Was named Indianapolis All-City in 2014. She has been a four-year varsity starter and letter earner. Malatestinic holds school records for shut-outs in a season (11) and goal against average in a season (1.01). She has been named Academic All-Conference and Academic All-State 2014 and has a four-year career record of 45-12-4.

Family: Mom, Noelle Malatestinic, Women's Golf at St. Ambrose University. Dad, David Malatestinic, Men's Basketball and Baseball at St. Ambrose University. Brothers, Blake (16) and Jarek (13) Malatestinic.

Academic Achievements/Clubs: Eight semesters of high honor roll (above 3.75 GPA). National Honors Society, Service Learning Student Leaders, Campus Ministry Student Leadership Team, Student Ambassadors.

Coach Whiting Quote: “Brenna has the ability to be a complete goalkeeper. She is good in the kicking game, is a quality shot stopper and really commands her box on crosses. A very well rounded player and person, she brings a ton to the table in how she can impact our program.”

Why I chose Lees-McRae: “I chose Lees-McRae because out of every college campus I have ever visited, this one was the only college where everyone made me feel completely comfortable, like I was already home and I love that!”

Samantha Patterson – Defender – 5-8 – Pinehurst, N.C.

Statistics/Accomplishments: Patterson plays her club soccer for the Athletic Club of Sandhills where she was an integral part to their backline for the past three seasons. She is also plays for Union pines high school where she has been a starting defender for all four years. She has led her team to three consecutive conference championships where they have only lost one game in conference play.

Family:  Parents: Gregg and Jennifer Patterson. Sister: Dana. Father, Gregg, played baseball at Florida Southern University.

Academic Achievements/Clubs: Leo Club, Entrepreneurship Club

Coach Whiting Quote: “We’ve liked Sam ever since she started coming to our camps as a freshmen. She has really developed into a quality center back with leadership type qualities. She knows how to use her size to keep attackers away from goal and is not afraid of anything.”

Why I chose Lees-McRae: "I chose Lees-McRae College because I love the campus and the atmosphere of the school. Ever since I came for soccer camp my freshman year I enjoyed how the team was a lot like a family."

Katherine Reeves – Goalkeeper/Forward – 5-3 – Lakeland, Fla.

Statistics/Accomplishments: Four-year varsity player who finished her senior year at Lakeland High School where she led the team with 21 goals, including four game winners.  In junior year, her team finished in second in the 1A Florida HS State Cup Championship. Played for Tampa Chargers U18 team, who had the opportunity to play a friendly against the Chinese U20 Womens National team and won their bracket in the 2013 Orange Classic U19 women’s division allowing only four goals with 32 saves in three games. 

Family: Parents: Ron and Ada Reeves. Mother Ada, played soccer for Pine Manor College in Boston, Mass.

Coach Whiting Quote: “Katherine is very unique in her ability to both be successful in goal and on the field as a forward. As a goalkeeper, she is so tough and a great shot stopper. She is also an amazing outlet with her feet, really being able to start the attack out of the back and up top her goal scoring record speaks for itself.”

Why I chose Lees-McRae: “I fell in love with Lees-McRae!  I love the outdoors, the small closeness that the campus provides and feels like home.  I felt welcome by everyone I met.”  

Nikki Torres – Midfielder – 5’5 – Monroe, N.C.

Statistics/Accomplishments: Torres has been a key component to her Charlotte Soccer Academy Predator team this year, after previously being a member of the Charlotte United Futbol Club that played in the Region III Premier League from 2011-2014 and were the 2012 North Carolina Youth Soccer Association State Cup Champions. Named to the Atlantic Soccer League All Star team in 2011 and 2012 and participated in the Disney Showcase for three years. A four year varsity started and three time team captain for Union Academy, she was named Conference and Region Player of the Year as a junior and has earned all-conference honors three times. She was voted all-region, her team’s Most Valuable Player and was named captain of the South Team at the 2014 North Carolina PowerAde State Games. She currently has 52 goals and 44 assists in her high school career.

Family: Parents: Michael and Theresa Torres. Sisters: Elexa and Samantha Torres

Academic Achievements/Clubs: Lettered in academics, Mu Alpha Theta Club (11th-Vice President, 12th), Senior Beta, Jr. Beta, Nation Junior Honors Society, Nation Honors Society, Honor Roll. 

Coach Whiting Quote: “The biggest compliment I can give Nikki is that she has a soccer brain. She is always playing simple, always keeping possession and always looking to switch the field and get her teammates involved. She is the type of player that teams need to win championships.”

Why I chose Lees-McRae: “I chose Lees McRae because it is a very close-knit community with an amazing women’s soccer team that I can't wait to become a part of!”

“We have added depth in goal and to our back line, while also adding a quality midfielder who can spray the ball around and continue the type of ball movement and high quality soccer that we like to play here at Lees-McRae,” said Whiting.

Lees-McRae College, a four-year, co-educational liberal arts college affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, USA, is located in the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains of northwestern North Carolina. Being a year-round tourist destination, the area provides the best of a vibrant college community coupled with natural beauty and a rich history. Please see www.lmc.edu for more information.

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