File Photo Courtesy of Scott Grzenda

NEWARK, Del. -- University of Delaware women’s soccer head coach Scott Grzenda (at right) has announced the signing of 10 high school standout recruits who will attend UD this coming fall and compete for the Blue Hens.

The group, which features seven All-State picks and two regional All-Americans, includes forwards Tania Domingos of Sandy Hook, Conn. (Newtown High School), Mimi Kocela of Waldwick, N.J. (Waldwick HS), Ali Miller of Sinking Spring, Pa. (Wilson HS), and Melissa Pennington of Royersford, Pa. (Spring-Ford HS); midfielders Anna Lenczyk of McLean, Va. (Langley HS) and Taya Richardson from Madison, Conn. (Daniel Hand HS); and defenders Taylor Thompson of Downingtown, Pa. (Downingtown East HS), Sarah McMillan of Vienna, Va. (Madison HS), Polly Reinicker of Hockessin, Del. (A.I. duPont HS), and Sarah Riggert from Groton, Mass. (Lawrence Academy).

Delaware, which will open its 2009 season Aug. 28 at home vs. Binghamton, will be looking to rebound from a 7-10-1 mark from a year ago. Grzenda, the only head coach in UD women’s soccer history, will begins his 20th season this fall.

Domingos was a member of the Under 19 Portuguese National Team and was a three-year Olympic Development Program (ODP) Region I player, earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-American honors, and was the Connecticut Player of the Year. Kocela was a four-year starter at Waldwick High School, a three-time All-State pick, and served as her squad’s team captain as a senior. Miller was a two-time Berks County Player of the Year and a four-year starter at Wilson High School and was named to the All-State team twice. Pennington earned first team all-conference honors at Spring-Ford High School when she also was named to the all-area team and was selected as her team’s Most Valuable Player.

Lenczyk was a five-time All-State pick at Langley High School where she also served as team captain as a senior while Richardson was the Connecticut Offensive Player of the Year this past season at Daniel Hand High School and is a six-time ODP All-State player and a member of ODP Region I team.

Thompson earned all-conference honors at Downingtown East High School where she also was a two-year team captain and two-year all-area selection. McMillan was a four-year starter at Madison High School and earned a spot on the All-State team in Virginia five times. Reinicker was a captain at A.I. duPont and earned All-Blue Hen Conference and All-State honors three times. She also was named a NSCA Regional All-American in 2009. Riggert earned Massachusetts All-State honors twice at Lawrence Academy and was a two-time team Most Valuable Player.

Below are quotes from Grzenda on each player:

Domingos: “Tania is an extremely accomplished youth player whose international experience will allow her to make an immediate impact.”

Kocela: “Mimi is a speedy attacking player whose ball sense and intensity will help us score goals this year.”

Miller: “Ali is an athletic and creative forward who can make scoring opportunities from nothing. She has that knack of putting the ball in the net.”

Pennington: “Melissa is quick and athletic and will give opposing teams fits in front of their goal.”

Lenczyk: “Anna is a composed and creative midfielder who can play on both sides of the ball. She definitely has the potential to contribute immediately.”

Richardson: “Taya is a strong, athletic central midfielder who can control the pace of the game. I’m excited that Taya and Tania (Domingos) teamed together (ODP) and can bring familiarity to the team.”

Thompson: “Taylor is a fantastic soccer player who reads the game at a very high level and will be a physical asset at center back or up top.”

McMillan: “Sarah is an athletic, hard-working defender who has played at a very high level and will compete immediately for a starting roll.”

Reinicker: Polly is a hard-working and tenacious defender who will give opposing forwards fits. She is a hard tackler and quick to get into the attack.”

Riggert: “Sarah will be an exciting player here at Delaware. She’s talented enough to play up top or in the back and we are excited to fit her into our team.”