Jun. 13– Concordia women's soccer coach Bob Usselman has announced that he has added seven more players for the 2006-07 season bringing the total number of newcomers for the fall at 16. Hillary Hunting, Roxy Kashani, Lauren Donaghy, Kyla Rentch, Ashley Edge, Nicole Hertel, and Kendra Benson are the newest Golden Bears.

"These seven players and the nine that we have already signed will make this recruiting class one of the best group of incoming players CU has ever had," says Usselman.  "Just like the first nine players we signed in February, these are high-character, well-rounded people above all and they are also top-notch soccer players."

"About two-thirds of our team in 2006 will be made up of newcomers, so this is an extremely exciting time for all of us. Our returning players had a very productive spring season and we're looking forward to welcoming our newcomers. The potential and energy on our team is very high, so it will be a great challenge for our coaching staff and each of our players next year."

Joining the team in 2006:
Hillary Hunting, midfielder (Brooklyn Park, Minn.); Champlin Park HS (Coach Bridget Decko) and Twin Cities Fire (Coach Aaron Tilson).

"Hillary is a multi-dimensional soccer player who will challenge for a big role for us in 2006. She's got experience playing every position in the midfield as well as at striker. She's got a strong technical skill set and is very athletic. We're excited to continue to develop Hillary as a soccer player beginning in August."

Roxy Kashani, defender (Prior Lake, Minn.); Lakeville North HS (Coach Patrick Crandall) and Lakeville Synergy (Coach Brian Knapp).  Team MVP Defense, started in 2005 state championship game.
"Roxy is another high-quality person and a player who will compete for a major role right away. She's got a great burst, plays tenacious defense and is very good at immediately starting the counter-attack. She does a great job of supporting the attack from behind and is an excellent, verbal leader for both her high school and club teams."
 
Lauren Donaghy, forward (Suttons Bay, Mich.); Traverse City West HS (Coach Jim Sullivan) and Northstar 88 Premier (Coach Jim Furstenberg).  All-conference, all-region and two-time first-team all-district performer prior to senior season. Major: Kinesiology. High School teammate of South Dakota-transfer and current CU goalkeeper Keyton Wheelock.

"Lauren is a classic striker who knows how to get in behind defenses and knows how to finish. Northstar is one of the most under-rated clubs in The Upper Midwest and she's had great coaching at every level. She has great speed, an elite work rate and will be a major factor for us immediately."

Kyla Rentch, defender (Atlanta, Ga.); Henry W. Grady HS (Coach Rodney Thomas) and Tophat Soccer Club (Coach Chris Durst).  4-year varsity starter and 3-year captain at Grady; Teams Most Valuable Newcomer (2003), Most Valuable Defender (2004, 2005). Atlanta Journal-Constitution All-Area Soccer Team 2003, 2005.
 
"I am extremely pleased that Kyla is coming to Concordia. I coached her in Atlanta when she was a high-school freshman and I've always been able to trust her in the back. She's a very strong technical player, loves to attack out of the back and will compete for an immediate role with us in 2006."

Ashley Edge, goalkeeper (Dixon, Iowa); North Scott Senior HS (Coach Dion Ayers) and The Quad City Strikers (Ayers). First-team Mississippi Athletic Conference, Honorable-Mention All-State. Academic All-Conference. 4-year varsity letterwinner. Member of Iowa Olympic Development Program. Major: Psychology.
 
"Ashley is going to bring a lot to us at goalkeeper. She's very explosive, is driven to be the best she can and loves to compete. She's going to compete immediately for minutes at goalkeeper. She's had great coaching at played against very good competition in the MAC and with the Quad Cities Strikers."

Nicole Hertel, forward/defender (West Fargo, ND); West Fargo HS (Coach Jim Flores) and Nodak Elite (Coach Bob Christensen).  4-year varsity letter winner. All-state and All-conference (2005). Team's Most Valuable Offensive Player. Team Captain. Major: Pre-Law.

"Nicole is going to be a fantastic addition to our team. She's an athletic, team-first type of player who will compete for a big role immediately for us whether at her natural striker position or someplace else on the field. She's going to bring a lot of energy and natural leadership ability to CU right away next year."

Kendra Benson, midfielder (Anoka, Minn.); Anoka HS (Coach Paul Anderla) and Anoka Area United (Coach Don Cameron). Midfield.  HS Captain. Major Undecided.

"Kendra will give us a great sense of toughness in the midfield. She's a tough, ball-winner who can be a true enforcer in the midfield. She's great in the air and will compete for a role right away for us next year."