HOUSTON -- Rice University head soccer coach Nicky Adams announced the signing of seven new Owls to join the program on Wednesday (Feb. 3), the first national day to sign with the sport.

Adams' sixth recruiting class boasts some of the top student-athletes from across North America who join Rice from some of the country's elite club programs. The class includes goalkeepers Samantha Colley (Columbia, Tenn.) and Maya Hoyer (Los Gatos, Calif.); midfielders Lianne Mananquil (Jacksonville, Fla.), Erin Mikeska (Elgin, Texas), and Louise Stephens (Houston); defender Allie Gonzalez (Houston) and forward Haley Kostyshyn (Ontario, Canada).

Five of the seven signees were recognized by TopDrawerSoccer.com as being among the nation's most high-impact players for their club teams. The talented new players are certain to play a major role in the upcoming 2016 season. Coach Adams stated the group is also in-line with Rice's challenging academic curriculum.

"We are very excited to be adding these seven incredible student-athletes to our program," coach Adams said. "All of these young ladies have made a significant difference for both their club teams and high school programs in such a positive way. We are anxious for them to get here and get started. They are all gifted players, and also very strong in the classroom."

Under the direction of coach Adams, the Rice soccer program has won two conference championships, been to the NCAA Tournament and tied the school record for wins in a single season. The 2016 signing class is Adams' fifth at the helm of the program.