March 12, 2008

DAYTON, OH - The Wright State women's soccer program and head coach Pat Ferguson have announced the addition of seven incoming freshman for the 2008 season. The recruiting class includes five players from southwest Ohio, one player from out of state and an international player from Canada.

"We are excited about the potential that this class has shown us during the recruiting process," head coach Pat Ferguson said. "After losing three starters from last season's squad, we feel that these seven players address all of the missing pieces. These players come from club and high school programs that compete at a high level and that will help them make the transition to the college style of play."

The 2008 freshman class will include Bekah Bonny (Lebanon High School), Katie Broerman (Mason High School), Stephanie Honeycutt (Howell (Mich.) High School), Danielle Lybrook (Centerville High School), Kristi Moore (Walnut Hills High School), Sara Palermo (London Central Secondary School) and Dori Steele (Mason High School).

Bonny will join WSU after collecting eleven total varsity letters at Lebanon High School. The forward will enter Wright State after earning four varsity letters with the Warriors and garnering All-District honors three times. As a sophomore she was named to the All-Mid Miami League squad and then garnered the Player of the Year honor in Greater Western Ohio Conference during her senior season. As a senior she was named Third Team All-Ohio after scoring 20 goals and handing out 12 assists. She owns the LHS career goals mark with 66 and led the Warriors to the GWOC South Division title as a senior. Bonny played her club soccer for the Southstar Rockers.

"Bekah was a player that flew under the radar for many teams," Ferguson said. "She possesses sound fundamental soccer skills and can be a player that has an impact during her first year on campus for us."

The Raiders will add Broerman from Mason High School where she helped the Comets to an 11-5-3 record as a senior. A three year letter winner while at MHS, Broerman was a Second Team All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference performer as a junior and garnered First Team All-Greater Miami League as a senior. She owns the single-game goals record for the Comets and helped guide them to a victory over national power Sycamore last season. Broerman was the teams leading scorer in each of the past two seasons and played her club soccer for PRF United.

"Katie has good on-the-ball skills and her quick feet will help her at the next level," coach Ferguson said. "She is the type of player that will add great depth to our roster during the season in 2008."

Honeycutt is coming to WSU from Howell High School in Brighton, Mich. as a four year letterwinner for the Highlanders. During her time at HHS she was selected to the All-Kensington Valley Conference once and was a member of the Michigan Olympic Developmental Program from 2001-2007. She was named the 2004 State Cup MVP as a member of her club team, the Michigan Hawks, and led them to a top-four national ranking in 2007.

"Stephanie plays with a great club team in Michigan and has the ability to make an impact right away," said coach Ferguson. "She has played at a high level of competition with her high school and club program and that experience will help her adapt to the college level."

A two-year letterwinner for Centerville High School, Lybrook will join WSU's defensive backfield. She helped the Elks to a first place finish in the GWOC Central Division this season and a 14-2-5 overall record. She played her club soccer for the Ohio Galaxies Elite squad.

"Danielle is a very strong player with good tackling skills," head coach Pat Ferguson said. "She is fearless when going for the ball and will add solid depth to our defense this season."

Moore will enroll at WSU after lettering four times for Walnut Hills High School in Cincinnati. She was an All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference selection as a senior and garnered All-Southwest Ohio District honors that season. She helped lead the Eagles to an 11-3-4 overall mark and a second place finish in the FAVC. She was a member of the Ohio Olympic Developmental Program Camp in Southwest Ohio and helped WHHS set a school record for wins during her freshman season. She was named the MVP for her club team, Cardinal Premier.

"Kristi is a very good athlete that will add talent to our outside midfield," said Ferguson. "She is talented enough to contribute in the midfield and as a defender and has the potential to develop into a solid player."

The lone international player in the 2008 class, Palermo will join the Raiders after playing for London Central Secondary School in London, Ontario. She helped her club team to the Canadian National Championship last year as she roamed the midfield for the London City Supernova.

"Sara is a very talented player with very good on-the-ball skills," coach Ferguson said. "She is the type of player that never takes a minute off during the game and can be a contributor right away for us."

Steele will join WSU's midfield after lettering twice for Mason High School. The left-footed player joins high school teammate Broerman in the incoming class. She was selected to the All-Greater Miami Conference during her senior season and tallied two goals and ten assists. She was named the Comets MVP during her senior season that included a win over nationally ranked Sycamore. A member of the Cincinnati United Premier club team she was named the captain in 2007.

"Dori will add solid depth to our midfield this season," Ferguson said. "She has good ball skills and can contribute solid minutes for us this season."

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