Rookie talent on the way

Concordia women’ soccer coach Jorge Sanchez has announced that three highly sought-after recruits have committed to joining the Concordia Stingers program.

Catherine Allen, of Pointe Claire, Rachel Steben, of Orleans, Ont., and Stéphanie Côté, of Quebec City, will be among the 35 elite players with the program when the Stingers open training camp Aug. 22 at Concordia Stadium.

“These three players will add great depth to an already solid group of returning players,” says Sanchez. “I look forward to seeing them compete alongside some of our veterans.”

Allen, a strong defender, has been a fixture in the Lac St. Louis Lakers youth system over the last few years. She is currently a rookie with the first-place Lakers senior team. She will study economics at Concordia.

Steben is a versatile player who can play both defence and mid-field. She has been a member of the Ottawa Fury youth system for the last three years, including playing U19 in 2004 as a 17-year-old. The Orleans, Ont., native will study communications.

Côté played with CEGEP FX Garneau the last two years, winning national championships both seasons. She is a product of the Quebec Dynamo system. She is a technically strong striker who can finish a play. The Quebec City native will study actuarial math.

The Stingers had a very strong season in 2004, finishing with a 8-3-3 record. Sanchez hopes to bring the team another step forward this fall.