Today’s Signing Day analysis takes us from the South to the Midwest. Let’s take a look.

Marquette

Signees: Gabby Kailas (FC Milwaukee), Mary Luba (FC Milwaukee), Mady Vicker (FC Milwaukee), Allie Hieb (San Diego Surf), Shalese Miller (Boise Capitals), Haley Fritzlen (KCFC Alliance), Jacie Jermier (FC Milwaukee), Maggie Edlebeck (FC Milwaukee), Elizabeth Bollinger (Cleveland FC)
Skinny: This Big East powerhouse welcomes in nine new additions for the 2011 season. Vicker is an ECNL standout and the No. 10 ranked player in the Midwest Region. Defender Fritzlen is the No. 10 ranked player in the Heartland, and is a smart player whose technical skill allows her to get involved with the buildup to attack. Jermier comes in at No. 13 in the Midwest. She’s a left-footed midfielder who is dangerous in 1v1 situations and should bring a dynamic flair to the program.

Noteworthy in this group is the presence of five FC Milwaukee teammates: Kailas, Luba, Vicker, Jermier and Edlebeck. West Coast additions include defender Hieb and striker Miller.  

Minnesota

Signees: Brianne Price (Minnesota Thunder Academy), Sheridan Reiners (BYSC Bloomington Thunder), Becca Roberts (Minnesota Thunder Academy), Kathleen Thyken (EPSC United), Taylor Uhl (EPSC United), Taylor Wodnick (EPSC United), Karalyn Leetz (Minnesota Thunder Academy)
Skinny: The Golden Gophers, who enjoyed a spirited run in the NCAA Tournament last year, have acquired a few Midwest Region stars. Uhl is No. 11 and comes in with national team experience. Roberts, a defender, is No. 19. She excels for her ECNL squad and has been named to All-Event teams. Thyken comes in at No. 20 and will bring stability in the midfield.

The remainder of the Golden Gophers signings are also instate products including goalkeeper Leetz, a teammate of Roberts and Price. 

James Madison

Signees: Maddy Brown (Chantilly Burn), Stephanie Hamilton (San Diego Surf), Katie Hyland (Smithtown Attack), Shannon Rano (Wall Wombats)  
Skinny: Rano is our No. 17 ranked player in the New Jersey region and a very capable defender. Coach Dave Lombardo has said he believes she will help bring the team needed depth. Hamilton will bring valuable experience coming from a quality club like the San Diego Surf while Hyland and Brown are both potential strikers who are quality athletes.

The Dukes are coming off a strong year in which they won the Colonial Athletic Association championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

UCF

Signees: Madison Barney (Seattle United), Noel Crane (Ponte Vedra Storm), Megan Fish (South Carolina United FC), Allie Gerry (Ponte Vedra Storm), Zoe Hayes (Concorde Fire), Carlin Huegli (Seattle United), Jennifer Martin (Sunrise SC), Connie Organ (Concorde Fire), Dara Spital (Sunrise Fire), Carleigh Williams (Florida Rush)     
Skinny: Defending Conference USA champions, the Knights have reloaded with a pretty sizeable group. Barney is our No. 15 ranked player in the Pacific Northwest Region and a player whom club coach Richard Reece calls “gifted.” Gerry, an attacker, has great height and has helped lead her team to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. Martin is No. 16 in our Florida Region and an ODP player. Organ is an ECNL goalkeeper with good potential while Hayes should help to bolster the defense.