Women's Soccer | 8/25/2020 3:03:00 PM

MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—The Barry University women's soccer completed its 2020 recruiting class with seven more players, assistant coach Michael Donald announced.

Current Barry student Serena Sauerwald joins six freshmen to close out the 2020 class. Sauerwald joins fellow forwards Drew Dempsey and Anabel Toledo, midfielders Bella Tusa and Vanessa Rodriguez, defender Karimar Pretto and keeper Nichole Gonzalez-Perez.

Sauerwald (5-8) has been a student at Barry since transferring from SUNY-Brockport, where she was a member of the Golden Eagles in 2016. She played in 12 games, starting five under head coach Mike Idland as they went 8-6-2. She scored her first collegiate goal, the game-winner at SUNY-Cortland on Oct. 15, in a 2-1 win for the Eagles. She added the game-winner on Oct. 21 against Potsdam, in overtime.

"Not only is Barry in an ideal location, but their soccer program is on the rise. Having already won the national title 3 times, their season history in the past four years is something I would love to be a part. I also know the value of family instilled in this team. What better way to play the game I love than to play it right by 20-25 new sisters," Sauerwald said.

"Serena is a great addition to the squad," Donald said. "She already knows the team and gets along with them very well. She has a great determination to be the best teammate possible and we are looking forward to having Serena for fall 2020."

Dempsey (5-3) is from Weymouth High in Boston, Mass., where she played under coach John McIntyre.  The Bay State Herget MVP also earned All-State, All-New England and All-American. Over the past two seasons, Dempsey amassed 51 goals and 27 assists in leading the Wildcats to a pair of Herget titles.

"I chose the Barry University women's soccer program because, on my official visit, I felt a connection with the team I have never felt before and I knew it was my place," Dempsey said. "Being from Massachusetts, where the weather is not the best, I loved the warm weather in Florida. My coaches made me feel welcomed as soon as I walked on campus."

"Drew is a goal scorer," Donald said. "We were so fortunate to get her at the last minute and her knack for scoring goals, her intensity, and her drive to simply be the best will give our team the huge offensive boost we need.  An All-American coming out of Weymouth high school, we just see her as the kind of player whose potential is limitless. We know that she will produce goals for us so we can't wait to get started with Drew on our squad to see what she can do for our team."

Toledo (5-7) is a local product from Immaculata LaSalle High, where she played for coach Anthony Vuono. In 72 career games with the Royal Lions, she scored 36 goals and added 45 assists. She was named Third-Team All-Dade as a senior by the Miami Herald.

"I chose Barry because i wanted to stay close to home and it has the particular major i want to study," Toledo said. "The women's soccer program felt like home. Everyone was so welcoming to a new player coming in. It is such an amazing program to be a part and I can't wait for the season to start."

"Anabel is player who will give us much needed depth in the forward position," Donald said. "She also has tremendous speed, being a track athlete as well coming out of high school, so we feel that Anabel will give us that extra offense burst we need to try to wear down other teams.  Being from Miami, we love that Anabel is a local talent who will be a great addition to our team."

Tusa (5-8) played for coach Laura Szwja at South Elgin High where she led the Storm to a 14-4-3 mark as a senior. She scored seven goals and added 12 assists from her spot on the right wing. The Storm won the Upstate 8 Conference title and the regional title in overtime.

"Since I'm originally from Hollywood, Fla., I chose Barry University to get closer to home," Tusa said. "It has an outstanding TV and digital media program, and I have always wanted to major in that. I chose the women's soccer program because I have always heard amazing things about the coaching and players, and the Sunshine State Conference is very competitive, which is everything I am looking for. I knew that I would not regret it."

"Bella came to several of our ID clinics and adds depth to our midfield, especially at the wing position," Donald said. "She has good size and pace, to push her teammates to be better. She is a great student and person, so we know we are getting an all-around great addition to our team."

Rodriguez (5-4) is another wing player, from nearby Mater Lakes Academy, where she play for coaches Alexandra Morazan and Michelle Smith for five years. She helped lead the Bears to four appearances in the District playoffs with a 51-32-7 mark. She was a First-Team All-Dade pick by the Herald as a senior and Third-Team as a junior. In 70 career games, she scored 70 goals and added 20 assists, including 18 goals and four assists in just eight games as a senior.

"Barry University is a scholarly community committed to the highest academic standards," Rodriguez said. "The opportunity to study and play soccer in my hometown in front of my family and friends was a key factor in my decision. Once I spoke the coaches, my decision was easy. I'm looking forward to helping Barry win their fourth National Championship."

"Vanessa was the last addition to the squad for this year and we are excited to have her," Donald said. "She is an extremely hard-working midfielder with the ability to retain safe possession of the ball. She will help drive the team and her teammates to compete at the highest level."

Pretto (5-5) comes to Barry from the newly-formed Tohopekaliga High near Orlando, Fla. She played there her last two years under coaches Sarah Hagen and Bradford Wood, leading the Tigers to a 12-15-1 mark in their first two years, including the District semifinals last year. She played her sophomore year at Osceola High under Tonee Laguerre. In 32 career games, she scored four goals and added three assists, playing all over the field.

"Since I was little, I always knew I wanted to play soccer at the next level," Pretto said. "I have moved around to many different teams in central Florida and I always told my dad I would love to go to a university in Miami.  Fast forwarding to 2020, here I am deciding on what university I want to pursue my career and also play at the next level. I was indecisive with my answer but a door open in Miami, known as Barry University. I gave it my all during the ID Camp and since that day the energy, style, and mentality of the team is one of a kind. I only see the team improving from this point on and that is the team that fits for me."

"We were fortunate that we found Karimar at one of our ID clinics and saw right away that she has the potential to play at this level," Donald said. "She gives us much needed depth in the back line and has a positive, hard-working attitude. We know we will get someone who will compete and be a great teammate as well as do well in the classroom."

Gonzalez-Perez (5-7) is another local product from Barbara Goleman High in Miami Gardens, Fla. A three-time MVP for coach Melanie Gonzalez, she started every game for the Gators last season, leading them to the regional quarterfinal. Splitting time between the field and keeper, she scored five goals and added three assists, and added a 1.02 goals against average and eight shutouts.

"I chose to continue my academic and athletic career at Barry University because I have never seen a team that feels so much like a family," Gonzalez-Perez said. "The second I met the girls and coaching staff I felt at home and I knew Barry was the right choice for me. From the academic standpoint, I did a lot of research on their medical programs and I found great reviews. I learned that all the courses are rigorous and will prepare me for my future career better than anywhere else."

"Nichole is another local player who will add cover in the goalkeeper position," Donald said. "Nichole has a great attitude and work ethic. She is very athletic due to her background in other sports which will help her development into being a top goalkeeper for the program."