DETROIT (4/7/17) – The University of Detroit Mercy women's soccer program and head coach
Mike Lupenec has announced the signing of 11 incoming student-athletes into the Titan family. The signing class features 10 local Michigan products and one international signee from Canada, all of which are set to join the Titans for the 2017-18 school year.
The 11 joining the Titans:
- Kelli Doyle – Grand Rapids, Mich. / Grand Rapids Christian
- Olivia Elby – Farmington Hills, Mich. / North Farmington
- Megan Louwers – Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. / Grosse Pointe North
- Sophie Mapes – Monroe, Mich. / Monroe
- Riley McCleese – Roseville, Mich. / Fraser
- Olivia Parra - Shelby Township, Mich. / Henry Ford II
- Kayla Polisano – New Baltimore, Mich. / Anchor Bay
- Rachel Russo – Chesterfield Twp., Mich. / Anchor Bay
- Laura Silverman – Rochester Hills, Mich. / Avondale
- Neteya Taverneir – Brampton, Ontario / Cardinal Ambrozic Cardinal
- Rima Youssef – Sterling Heights, Mich. / Adlai Stevenson
"This is a really good class," said Lupenec. "As a whole, the class is really important for us because we have to replace several key seniors who have been huge for our program, but I think this quality group of girls is going to be up to the task. I expect them to come in and contribute right away."
It's the second straight large signing class for the women's soccer program after the Titans welcomed eight newcomers prior to the 2016 season. Detroit Mercy enters its 25th season of women's soccer in 2017-18, all under Coach Lupenec.
Kelli Doyle
Midfield / Forward I Grand Rapids, Mich. I Grand Rapids Christian
High School: Multi-sport athlete in soccer and basketball while attending Grand Rapids Catholic Central (freshman year) and Grand Rapids Christian (sophomore through senior year)… Three-time All-District and All-Region selection… Was named Second Team All-State in 2016 and All-Conference in 2015-16… The Eagles reached the Regional Championship in 2016… Has tallied 32 goals and 20 assists through three seasons… Two-time captain in basketball… Played four years of club ball with the Michigan Fire Juniors and two with the Midwest United… Selected to Chicago Fire National team two years, playing in the U15-U16 Las Vegas Mayor's Cup… Reached the Midwest United State Cup Semifinal in 2015 and won the Midwest United Super Y National Championship in 2016…
Coach Lupenec on Doyle: "Kelli is going to contribute as a forward or a defensive midfielder. She is very good in the air and can hold the ball. We think she's going to challenge in the midfield right away."
Olivia Elby
Forward / Midfield I Farmington Hills, Mich. I North Farmington
High School: Four-year letter winner in soccer for the Raiders… Was the top goal scorer for North Farmington in 2016… Named a captain of the soccer team… Played four years of club ball with AC Milan… Member of National Honor Society, Link Crew and Senior Board…
Coach Lupenec on Elby: "Olivia is a fast left-footed player that we'll be looking at on the wing or as a left back. She has the ability to come in and start right away at several of the positions we need to address."
Megan Louwers
Midfield I Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich. I Grosse Pointe North
High School: Multi-sport athlete with four letters in soccer and one in cross country for the Norsemen… Three-time Grosse Pointe North Scholar Athlete (2014-16)… In 2016, named to All-Regional Team, All-District Team, All-Macomb Area Conference and All-State Honorable Mention… Played three years of club ball with Michigan Burn, the 2nd ranked team in the MRL Premier II Division in 2017… Member of the National Honor Society and Norsemen Knots Club…
Coach Lupenec on Louwers: "Megan is another left-footed player that is strong technically. She can come in and be a playmaker for us as an offensive mid or from the midfield."
Sophie Mapes
Midfield I Monroe, Mich. I Monroe
High School: Four-time letter winner in soccer for the Trojans… Earned All-Region and All-Southeastern Conference honors in 2014, 2015 and 2016… Named Rookie of the Year in 2014 and MVP in 2015 and 2016… Member of the District Finalist team in 2014… Played seven years of club ball with the Michigan Rush Northville, with Detroit Mercy men's soccer coach Nick Deren at the helm for a time… Was a MRL Premier 1 Champion U14, State Cup Finalist and U.S. Youth Soccer Region 2 Championships Pool Play U14, State Cup Semifinalist U15, U16 and U18, CASL Showcase Champion U15 and U16, and Disney Showcase Champions U15… Member of the Student Council, Interact Club, National Honor Society and was the Class of 2017's Public Relations Manager…
Coach Lupenec on Mapes: "Sophie is a hard-working defensive midfielder. She's very fit and will be coming in to fill a role as a defensive midfielder. We're counting on big things from Sophie."
Riley McCleese
Midfield I Roseville, Mich. I Fraser
High School: Four-year letter winner in soccer for the Ramblers… Was named the MVP Midfielder in 2015-16… Named to the All-District Team in 2013-14 and 2015-16… Earned All-Academic Team in 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16… Named team captain as a senior… Played 10 years with Michigan Gators and one year with the Nationals in club ball… Club teams won the Stat Cup in 2016 and the ESPN Disney Showcase in 2015 and 2016…
Coach Lupenec on McCleese: "Riley is coming in as a possible center forward or wide player. She's another girl that possesses great ability in the air and a great shot. We're looking for her to come in right away and boost our forward line."
Olivia Parra
Defender I Shelby Township, Mich. I Henry Ford II
High School: Played women's soccer under Theresa Steinwascher at Henry Ford II… The Falcons won Division 1 district titles in 2014 and 2015 and reached the state semifinals for the first time ever in 2014… The Falcons also reached the D-1 regional semifinals in 2015...
Coach Lupenec on Parra: "Olivia is the ultimate center back and I expect her to challenge for a starting position right away. She's very good in the air and very aggressive. She will be an intimidating force that will strengthen our back line."
Kayla Polisano
Forward I New Baltimore, Mich. I Anchor Bay
High school: Multi-sport athlete that lettered in soccer and track and field... As a senior, named captain of the soccer team... Was a top three goal scorer for the Tars as a junior... Played nine years with the Michigan Burn MRL team, becoming MRL Champions and reaching the State Cup Semifinals... Enrolled in early college of Macomb program...
Coach Lupenec on Polisano: "Kayla is coming in with the potential to be a skilled and technical wide player for us. She's a hard worker and will push the rest of the team for playing time."
Rachel Russo
Forward/Midfield I Chesterfield Twp, Mich. I Anchor Bay
High School: Four-year letter winner in soccer for the Tars… Multi-sport athlete also earned letters in volleyball and basketball… Named Most Hardworking Player at Anchor Bay… Earned All-District honors as a junior in 2016… Active in Teacher Cadet and hospitality programs…
Coach Lupenec on Russo: "Rachel is going to have an immediate impact as an offensive midfielder or a forward for us. She is very strong on the ball and she's very aggressive, so she's suited well for the Division I game."
Laura Silverman
Midfield/Defender I Rochester Hills, Mich. I Avondale
High School: Four-time letter winner in soccer and once in volleyball for the Yellow Jackets… Named All-District as a junior in 2016 and a team captain in 2017… Three-time OAA Scholar Athlete (2014-16)… Played two years of club ball with Waza/Nationals during State Cup finalist run… Member of the Go Club, National Honor Society and Class Board…
Coach Lupenec on Silverman: "Laura is very good on the ball and is a hard nosed defender. Her aggressiveness will allow her to play outside back possibly, but we could also see her in the midfield because she's very energetic."
Neteya Taverneir
Defender I Brampton, Ontario I Cardinal Ambrozic Catholic
High School: Multi-sport athlete with letters in soccer, flag football, volleyball and basketball for the Riverhawks… In soccer, team won the Hershey Centre Tournament Championship in 2015 and the Tournament of Champions in 2016… Also won championships in basketball and flag football… Played 12 years with the Brams United Girls Soccer Club… Club team was SRSL League Champions and Cup Champions in 2014, Indoor Ontario Cup Champions in 2013, Robbie Tournament Finalists in 2012 and 2013 and Disney Memorial Day Tournament Champions in 2012… Taverneir was named Oshawa Kicks Tournament MVP in 2014 and was a captain for three years...
Coach Lupenec on Taverneir: "Neteya is an athletic center back. She should step in right away and really strengthen our back line. We're very excited about her potential."
Rima Youssef
Midfield I Sterling Heights, Mich. I Adlai Stevenson
High School: Four-year letter winner and starter in soccer for the Titans… In 2015, was voted Offensive MVP and was named to the All-District Team… Was voted Most Promising Player in 2014 and earned All-State Honorable Mention honors… Led the team in goals in 2016 and was named Team MVP in addition to earning All-MAC honors… Played two years with the Michigan Hawks… Was U17 Fall MRL Champion and U17 Wolves-Hawks Cup Champion in 2015, U17 MSYSA Stat Cup Champions in 2016 and repeated again in 2017… Member of the Hosa Club, Key Club, National Society of High School Scholars and the Peer to Peer Club…
Coach Lupenec on Youssef: "Rima is a very technical offensive mid who can contribute as a wide player or from the middle of the field. We are excited to get her on campus and working with the team."
