Feb. 7, 2003
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Santa Clara University women's soccer head coach Jerry Smith announced the signing of six players to National Letters of Intent this afternoon. Joining the Bronco Class of 2007 will include NSCAA/adidas High School All-Americans Marian Dalmy of Lakewood, Colo., and Lauren Zealear of Nevada City, Nev. Also signing with the Broncos is Tina Estrada of Fremont, Tiffany Roberts of Phoenix, Ariz., Julie Ryder of DeKalb, Ill, and Elyse Shelger of Sugarland, Texas.
"This class is clearly one of the top two classes we have ever signed," Smith said. "All six players, although uniquely different, will have a tremendous impact on our team as soon as next season.
"All of them have national experiences with their club team and Olympic development teams, as well as youth National Team experience," he continued. "All six will be vying for starting positions-and impactful positions-on our team."
Santa Clara, the 2001 National Champions, advanced to the 2002 College Cup final for the second consecutive year, and played a dramatic double-overtime contest against West Coast Conference rival Portland. The Broncos, who have advanced to nine College Cups overall, just had two players selected in the first round of the WUSA draft for the second straight year. The Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy winner Aly Wagner was the league's top draft pick, while fellow All-America midfielder Devvyn Hawkins was taken third.
See below for biographical information on each of the signees.
Bronco Class of 2007
| Name | Position | Height | Hometown | Last School | Club Team |
| Marian Dalmy | F | 5-9 | Lakewood, Colo. | Green Mountain HS | Colorado Soccer Academy |
| Tina Estrada | F/MF | -- | Fremont, Calif. | Washington HS | Pleasanton Rage |
| Tiffany Roberts | MF/F | 5-8 | Phoenix, Ariz. | Arcadia HS | Sereno Eagles |
| Julie Ryder | GK | 5-7 | DeKalb, Ill. | DeKalb HS | Eclipse Select Cobras |
| Elyse Shelger | D | -- | Sugarland, Texas | IMG Soccer Academy | IMG Soccer Academy |
| Lauren Zealear | D/MF | -- | Nevada City, Nev. | Nevada Union HS | San Juan Spirits |
Marian Dalmy
NATIONAL TEAM EXPERIENCE: A member of the 2001 U19 Olympic Development Program pool... participated in the ODP Interregional Tournament on two occasions... was a member of the 2001 USYSA All-America Team that traveled to Germany, Holland, Belgium and England... a member of the U16 ODP pool in 2000.
CLUB TEAM: Led team to the U18 National Championship in July 2002... team was regional finalist for three seasons... State Cup Champions from 1996-99, and again in 2001 and '02... won league titles in 1999, 2000 and '01... won the MVP award for State Cup on four occasions.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played under coach John Brovsky at Green Mountain High School in Lakewood, Colo... a two-time adidas/NSCAA All-American... led team to league championships in 2000 and '02... the three-year team captain earned MVP honors for prep team in 2001 and '02 while also earning all-state and all-conference honors in her senior season... named MVP of Jeffco in 2002... also volunteers with the Meals on Wheels program and is studying to obtain the Coaches E license.
PERSONAL: Full name is Marian Dalmy... born November 25, 1984 in Denver, Colo... parents are Adam and Diane Dalmy... has two siblings... great uncle, Imre Antal, was a member of the 1938 Hungarian National Team.
Tina Estrada
NATIONAL TEAM EXPERIENCE: Recently called into U19 National Team camp... a member of the Cal North Olympic Development Program team for the past four years.
CLUB TEAM: Led Pleasanton Rage to U17 2002 Club National Championship... team also was the Western Regional Champs.
HIGH SCHOOL: A two-time first team All-American... named player of the month as a junior... named player of the week as a sophomore... has already earned player of the week honors as a senior, even though the season has just started.
Tiffany Roberts
NATIONAL TEAM EXPERIENCE: A member of the Arizona State Olympic Development Program team from 1998-2000... a Region IV member in 2001 and '02.
CLUB TEAM: Led the Eagles to three state championships... was the Region IV semifinalist in 1999, quarterfinalist in 2000 and runner-up in 2002.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played under coach Rob Reniewicki at Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Ariz... is a three-time Arizona 4A Player of the Year... named 2002 First Team All-Arizona... a two time All-State team member and earned all region honors in three seasons... led team to the 2001 4A State Championship and the 2000 Regional Championship... entering senior season, has scored 67 goals and registered 56 assists.
PERSONAL: Full name is Tiffany Roberts... born March 10, 1985 in Greeley, Colo... parents are Gene and Theresa Roberts... father played baseball in college... has two younger siblings.
Julie Ryder
NATIONAL TEAM EXPERIENCE: A member of the U19 National Olympic Development Program pool... a U16 National Team member from 2000 to '02... a member of the USYSA Region II team... won the adidas Gold Glove award at the 2001 ODP Nationals, leading team to second-place showing.
CLUB TEAM: Led Cobras to the U20 USASA National Championship in 2002... preceded that title with the U16 USYSA Region II Championships and the U16 IYSA State Cup title in 2001... competed with the Chicago Cobras in the USL W-League during the 2002 summer.
HIGH SCHOOL: Coached by Jackie Urech at DeKalb (Ill.) High School... an adidas/NSCAA Youth All-American in 2001 and '02... a nominee for the 2003 Gatorade Player of the year... broke career shutout record for DeKalb as a junior... earned IHSSCA all-state and all-conference honors that season... recorded 15 shutouts as a sophomore while earning IHSSCCA all-sectional and all-conference honors... recorded a school record 28 shutouts in one match as a freshman... also competing in basketball... a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish club... a three time academic all-conference honoree.
PERSONAL: Full name is Julie Ryder... born Feb. 8, 1985 in Winfield, Ill... parents are Bill and Sue Ryder... has two older brothers, one of which played soccer at Northern Illinois University... hopes to become a motion picture editor.
Elyse Shelger
NATIONAL TEAM EXPERIENCE: A member of the South Texas Olympic Development team... a Region III pool layer for the past two years.
CLUB TEAM/HIGH SCHOOL: Plays under coach Derek Leder for the IMG Soccer Academy... led team to the 2001 State Cup Championship... team also won the 2001 Raleigh Shootout... maintains a 4.0 GPA and is Dean's List... is a representative in the student government.
PERSONAL: Full name is Elyse Shelger... born July 25, 1985 in San Diego, Calif... parents are Jim and Marti Shelger... has one brother... is interested in sports law... currently lives with a host family in Bradenton, Florida while attending the Academy.
Lauren Zealear
NATIONAL TEAM EXPERIENCE: Recently called into U21 National Camp with current Bronco Leslie Osborne... a member of the Olympic Development Program Region IV team.
CLUB TEAM: A member of the San Juan Spirits.
HIGH SCHOOL: An adidas/NSCAA High School All-American... earned All-America honors from U.S. Youth Soccer... a member of the Cal North State team... named team's Offensive Player of the Year in 2000 and '01... a two-time All-League honoree... also earned All-City and All-Metro honors... a starter on varsity as a freshman and sophomore.
5-9 Forward
Lakewood, Colo.
Green Mountain High School/Colorado Soccer Academy
Forward/Midfield
Fremont, Calif.
Washington High School/Pleasanton Rage
5-8 Midfield/Forward
Phoenix, Ariz.
Arcadia HS/Sereno Eagles
5-7 Goal
DeKalb, Ill.
DeKalb HS/Eclipse Select Cobras
Defense
Sugarland, Texas
IMG Soccer Academy/IMG Soccer Academy
Defense/Midfield
Nevada City, Nev.
Nevada Union HS/San Juan Spirits