The 2008 Missouri Valley Conference Coaching Staff of the Year hasn't been resting on last year's accomplishments.  University of Evansville head coach Krista McKendree and assistant coach Matt Kagan announced today that they have signed eight high school seniors to national letters of intent.  The eight will help replace eight graduating seniors who led the 2008 Purple Aces to a 13-5-2 record, MVC regular season and post-season championships, and an NCAA Tournament berth last November.

"Matt and I are very excited about our '09 class," McKendree said. "I feel all of our hard work has paid off on the recruiting trail. We have signed eight quality players who will be instrumental to the success of our program over the next four years.  All are great assets for both the school and our soccer program. They bring a wide variety of personalities, soccer abilities, academic interests, and community involvement. We truly couldn't be happier with the class that will come in August. These girls have some big shoes to fill but we know they are more than capable of adding to the tradition of Aces Women's Soccer."

Kristen Davis, Forward, Miami, Fla. / Miami Premier / Gulliver Preparatory

Kristen Davis was Miami Premier's Most Valuable Player and led the squad to the Region Cup championship.  She was also first team all-state, and the Miami Dade Player of the Year for 2007-08 at Gulliver Prep, where she totaled 76 goals and 43 assists. Davis led the Raiders to the 2008 state finals for the first time in seven years.

"Kristen will bring speed and competitiveness to our front line," according to McKendree. "She is a good finisher who has the ability to get behind backs."

Sarah Dozier, Midfielder, Columbus, Ind. / FC Pride and Fort Wayne Fever / Columbus North High School

Sarah Dozier led her club team to the 2008 SYL Nationals, and followed with first-team all-state honors last fall as a midfielder at Columbus North High School.  She was also the 2008 All-Area Player of the Year.  Dozier totaled seven goals and 14 assists in her final two years at Columbus North, and led the Bulldogs to an 18-2-2 record.

"Sarah brings variety to the field," McKendree says. "She has the ability to play in the midfield or at the back. She is comfortable on the ball and has a very competitive spirit."

Chaviel Harrison, Goalkeeper, Murrieta, Cal. / Laguna Hills Eclipse / Murrieta Valley High School

A member of Laguna Hills Elipse at the club level, Chaviel Harrison helped lead LHE to fourth in the national rankings last year.  She was a two-time all-league goalkeeper for the Nighthawks of Murrieta Valley High School.

"Chavy has tremendous size and athleticism, which will help her at this level," McKendree said.  "She has the ability to add extreme competition to our goalkeepers. She comes from a very competitive club team and has become a very vocal leader for them."

Jennifer Johnson, Midfielder, Chandler, Ariz. / AZFC Hammers / Chandler High School

Jennifer Johnson was team captain for both her club and high school teams in 2007 and 2008.  She led AZFC '91 to a second place finish at the 2008-09 Hammer Cup.  At the high school level, she was an all-conference selection at Chandler and led the Wolves to the second round of the AIA playoffs last season.
 
"Jennifer will be a great addition to our midfield," according to McKendree. "She is very versatile and athletic, likes to go forward and get into the attack, and is very calm on the ball."

Korie Klosterman, Midfielder, Wildwood, Mo. / St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club / Lafayette High School

Korie Klosterman was a key member of the 2008 Missouri state champions at the club level, a team that was ranked among the nation's top 30.  At Lafayette High School, she was a member of the all-metro team in 2008.  She totaled 34 goals and 12 assists in her three years on the team, leading the Lancers to a 58-6-2 record and Top 10 rankings in national polls each year.

"Korie will be competing for time in the the midfield," said McKendree, "and her athleticism will be a major factor in helping our attack. She has excellent vision and will become a great playmaker for us."

Dani Langness, Forward/Midfielder, St. Charles, Mo. / Iron Kids Soccer Club /  Francis Howell North

Dani Langness played for the 2006 U-16 Missouri State Cup championship team as a member of IKSC.  An all-conference player at Francis Howell North High School, she goes into her fourth year as a starting midfielder in 2009.  She helped lead her high school team to the state tournament quarterfinals last spring.

"Dani will add quickness and trickiness to our attack," McKendree says. "She is extremely feisty and has a desire to want the ball at her feet. She has the ability to cause problems for defenders."

Olivia Robinson, Midfielder/Forward, Evansville, Ind. / Evansville Soccer Club / Memorial High School

Olivia Robinson helped lead ESC to the U17 and U18 Final Four State Cups.  She was a first team all-state selection last  fall at state champion Evansville Memorial High School, and also earned all-Final Four honors in both 2006 and 2008.  The two-time all-district and three-time all-conference selection totaled nine goals and 15 assists in her career.

"Olivia will add fight and determination to our attack," McKendree said.  "She is extremely athletic and has the ability to develop into an excellent playmaker and goal scorer. Her work ethic on and off the ball will be a big factor."

Heather Stillwell, Defender, Louisville, Ky. / Mockingburg Soccer Club / North Bullitt High School

At the club level, Heather Stillwell has been an MRL Premier Division player for the past six years, and led MSC to state championships from 2006 through 2008.  At North Bullitt High School, she set the school record for assists and is second in career goals.  She was a four-time Player of the Year at North Bullitt, and three-time selection for the All-9th District Team.  She finished second in the state in assists last fall.

"Heather is going to be a great addition to our defense," according to McKendree. "She is a hard tackler and good with the  ball, which is what we want out of our defenders. She has the ability to generate our offense from the back."