June 25, 2007
ORLANDO, Fla. (www.UCFAthletics.com) - UCF head women's soccer coach Amanda Cromwell announced on Monday that Amaka Ofuani (Tallahassee, Fla./Lincoln HS), Kimberly Gustafsson (Upplands Väsby, Sweden), Danielle Dos Santos (Campinas, Brazil) and Aline Reis (Campinas, Brazil) signed with the Knights as part of the 2007-08 recruiting class.
A 5-6 forward, Ofuani transfers to UCF after playing one year at Armstrong Atlantic State University, a Division II school located in Savannah, Ga. Averaging a point in the Pirates' 23 matches last season, she recorded 10 goals and three assists and earned All-Peach Belt At-Large honors for her performance. Prior to attending AASU, Ofuani was a four-time letterwinner for Lincoln High School, where she holds the school record for most career goals with 70. She was selected as All-Big Bend by the Tallahassee Daily Democrat all four years.
"Amaka might be the fastest player that we have ever had at UCF," said Cromwell. "She is an extremely dangerous player who will stretch the field and add a nice change of pace to our attack. Her year at Armstrong Atlantic helped her improve her game."
Dos Santos, a 5-7 forward, comes to the Knights after two seasons with Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn. She scored 12 goals and added six assists for 30 points in 13 matches before being sidelined with an injury. Despite the shortened season, Dos Santos was named to the 2006 Daktronics All-Southeast Region Second Team. In 2005, she received recognition as the 2005 Gulf South Conference Eastern Division Freshman of the Year as well as First-Team All-South Region and Second -Team All-American honors from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
"We are extremely excited about Danielle," said Cromwell. "She is a fast, quick, technical, and a sophisticated player who adds that South American flair. Her work ethic is fantastic and she should make a significant impact this season."
Fellow Brazilian, goalkeeper Reis joins Dos Santos on the UCF roster. Both played for the Guarani Football Club that produced former Knights' standout and two-time All-Conference USA First-Team selection Roberta Pelarigo.
"Aline reminds me of Jorge Campos," commented Cromwell. "She is extremely athletic and could probably start for us on the field with her ability on the ball. Her experience, distribution, understanding of the game and technical ability with her feet will definitely add a whole different perspective from the goal."
A 5-7 forward and outside midfielder, Gustafsson played for Division I club Bollstanäs SK and also trained with Djurgården, one of Sweden's top two teams.
"Kimberly is an exciting attacking player from Sweden who has played at some of the highest levels in Europe at a very young age," said Cromwell. "She has pace, a nose for the goal and sophistication not uncommon with the international player. We expect big things from Kimberly in her four years at UCF."
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