April 30, 2008

CINCINNATI --- -

Xavier University women's soccer head coach Alvin Alexander welcomes a talented eight-member recruiting class for the 2008 Fall season. The Musketeers will open the Fall season on August 17 with an exhibition match against Illinois at the Xavier University Soccer Complex.

 

"This is a class filled with very talented players and outstanding athletes who will help us compete for an A-10 championship," says Alexander. "This group of players addresses many of our immediate needs for next fall, as well as providing us with some much needed depth in a number of key positions. I have big expectations for all eight of these student-athletes. They come from all over the country, including Colorado, Vermont, Texas and Indiana as well as Ohio."

 

"We have a very strong group of returnees," Alexander notes. "Each of the newcomers has the talent to compete for a starting spot or significant playing time. That should make for some great competition when we start our preseason practice sessions."

Leslie Boersma is a 5-4 midfielder from Lakewood, Colo., and Heritage High School, will have to wait a year to impact the program on the field. Boersma recently suffered a knee injury and will be sidelined for the 2008 season. "Leslie will be able to help us in '09 with her speed and outstanding ball skills."

Boersma earned All-Continental Conference honors in each of her final three seasons at Heritage High School.

Emily Bohn, a 5-9 midfielder/defender from Rutland (Vt.) High School, is described by Alexander as having "great skills and is outstanding in the air." Emily's sister Erika is a Musketeer assistant coach and former standout at Notre Dame.

Bohn, a four-year prep standout in soccer and track, earned All-State, All-New England and All-Marble Valley Conference honors in soccer. She also won five Vermont State Championships with her club soccer team, the Nordic Spirit.

Emily Bowden  is a 5-3 forward from Indianapolis, Ind., and Brebeuf Jesuit High School who is expected to help the Musketeer offense. "I would describe her as fast, skilled and crafty with great game vision, "says Alexander. "More importantly, she can really score goals."

Bowden earned First Team All-State, First Team All-District, NSCAA/adidas All-Region Team, and Marion County Player of the Year after a 12-goal, 16-assist senior season. She earned a spot for four straight years on the Academic All-State Team.

Jessica Brooks is a 5-4 forward from Indianapolis, Ind., and North Central High School. Alexander expects Brooks to give the offense an immediate boost. "Jessica has explosive speed, says Alexander. "She is fast and very skilled. She is a pure goal scorer who can quite simply put the ball in the goal."

Brooks earned a long list of honors as a senior that included First Team All-State, Indianapolis Star Super Team, First Team All-Marion County for a second straight year and Indiana Soccer Coaches Association All-District. Brooks led her team in scoring in three of her four seasons on the varsity, including her senior year. She scored 49 goals combined over her final two seasons. Her club team , the Dynamo, won the 2006 state championship and she has been that team's leading scorer in each of her six years on the team.

Chelsea Burns is a 5-5 midfielder from Indianapolis, Ind. and Bishop Chatard High School. This 2007 NSCAA Scholar-Athlete All-American is "a ball winner," says Alexander. "She is fast, fit and strong and could be an immediate impact player for us in the midfield."

Burns was a four-year starter at Chatard who earned All-City and honorable mention All-State honors in each of her final three seasons. She earned First Team All-District honors as a junior and senior, while being named as the Bishop Chatard High School Most Outstanding Senior Female Athlete.

Melanie McLaughlin is a 5-6 talented defender from Cincinnati's Sycamore High School, who Alexander describes as "big-time fast. She is outstanding in the back."

McLaughlin played three years on the varsity at Sycamore for a team that won three GMC Championships and was ranked first in the nation at one point her senior year.

Andrea Meyer is a 5-7 defender from Fort Worth, Texas, and Grapevine (Texas) High School. Alexander notes that "she possesses great ball skills and is great in the air. She has the chance to be an impact player for us."

Andi Meyer led her team to a District Championship her senior year while earning First Team All-District honors in each of her final three seasons at Grapevine High School.

Bethany Miller is a 5-5 defender from West Chester, Ohio, and Lakota East High School. Alexander comments that "she has outstanding ball skills. She is fast, clever and is a skilled defender."

Miller earned Second Team All-GMC honors and honorable mention All-City honors (Cincinnati Enquirer) as a senior. She also earned a GMC All-Academic Award.