Club Team: Omaha FC

Club Coach: Andy Benkis

From Benkis: I'm so happy Avery has decided to play her collegiate soccer at SIUE. Avery will be an immediate impact player in the Ohio Valley Conference and will be one of the top athletes in the league. Her combination of size and speed will create a difficult matchup for any opponent. Avery is technically sound and has the ability to play multiple positions with high success. I look forward to following her college career and to watch her continued success. 

From Coach Burton: Avery brings athletic ability to our program. She is a powerful player with imposing strength and speed. But she's a soccer player as well. She's been a versatile player in her youth career, playing along the back line as well as in attacking roles upfront, which is extremely valuable. Coming from an athletic family, Avery is a competitor who I feel will be up for working to take her game to the next level and will jump on board in our pursuit of a championship in 2015.

Why She Chose SIUE: I chose SIUE because I loved the University the moment I stepped on campus. Everyone is so supportive, and I could see my future there as a student-athlete. I can't wait to contribute to SIUE women's soccer and be a part of the Cougar family!

Club Team: Lou Fusz Soccer Club

Club Coach: Joe Becher

From Becher: Courtney has developed into a very competitive, hard-working player on our team.  Her strengths and ability to pressure defenders has made a tremendous impact in our matches. Courtney also brings a great work ethic and attitude to her Lou Fusz practices and games, and has been a pleasure to coach over the years. I'm excited to watch Courtney continue to grow as she joins the SIUE program.

From Coach Burton: Courtney is a hard-working player who I think provides us with versatility from day one. She can play on the flanks as a midfielder or in a three forward look. She's an attacking player with speed and strength who isn't afraid to put in the work defensively, which fits nicely with our philosophy. Her desire and effort level make her a tough matchup on the field. And Courtney knows what it means to be invested in the process of developing. She comes from an outstanding team that has really worked to develop their players in a way that is very similar to most college programs. She has experience in terms of out-of-season training and cultivating team culture, emphasizing academics, both aspects of developing well-rounded student-athletes. We've watched her develop into an impactful player and couldn't be more excited to have her joining us.

Why She Chose SIUE: I chose SIUE because I want to be challenged further in my soccer career and academically and excel at the next level. I have watched the team grow stronger, winning their first OVC tournament championship title this year, and want to be a part of their success. I have much respect and admiration for the coaches here, and my future teammates who have made me feel welcomed since day one of the recruitment process. I chose SIUE because it is close to home; therefore, my family and friends can come visit and support the team. I am proud to be a Cougar and am grateful to everyone that has made this opportunity achievable for me. 

Club Team: Saint Louis Scott Gallagher IL ECNL

Club Coach: Mitch Bohnak

From Bohnak: Natalie has been a huge addition to our ECNL squad.  She has been a big part of the turnaround in this age group and she was instrumental in the club's first birth to the ECNL North American League playoffs.  Natalie is a difference maker in goal with her good feet, great distribution and cat-like reflexes.  She is just as big off the field and she has a fantastic, fun personality that adds to the overall personality of our team.  She has been a joy to coach and will do well as a Cougar!

From Coach Burton: Natalie is a goalkeeper with the size and athletic ability that every coach looks for. She has been a dedicated athlete, with supportive parents, that committed to playing at the highest level possible. Even if that meant she had to commute multiple times a week for the last couple years. On the field she will train hard and is ready to compete, which we love. Natalie has good range and natural quick reflexes which make her a good shot stopper. She will thrive with Assistant Coach Holly Cox and our other goalkeepers, no doubt. The potential impact is huge with Natalie. She is a student athlete who will excel at SIUE and we are excited to have her coming to Edwardsville.

Why She Chose SIUE: I chose SIUE because I felt at home with the coaches and players each time I visited. It's a beautiful campus with great academics and an excellent soccer program that is going to compete for the OVC title every year. I looked at a lot of other schools, and once I visited SIUE, I knew that it was the one.

Club Team: Futura FC Academy Premier

Club Coach: Todd Logan

From Logan: Sarah is a great asset to our team in that she is the anchor on defense and a true leader of our team through great communication and being a great example. Sarah is always positive and one of the hardest working girls on the team. She is always willing to personally sacrifice whatever it takes to put our team in a position to be successful!  SIUE has a true gem in Sarah and I'm personally very proud to have coached her.

From Coach Burton: As a defender, Sarah is a natural organizer in the back. Her height is a big asset on the field and her game awareness allows her to read the game at a high level. Sarah is a bright young lady whose potential impact is tremendous on and off the field. Full of energy, Sarah wants to succeed in everything she does. Her academic achievement is outstanding and her high standards in the classroom carry over into everything she does. We are delighted to have Sarah now officially a part of the SIUE Family.

Why She Chose SIUE: I chose SIUE for many reasons. First of all, SIUE is giving me the opportunity to play Division I soccer on a high-level team as well as pursue my academic goals in the science department. Additionally, on my visit last January, I instantly clicked with all the girls already on the team and knew that this was exactly the type of team I'd want to be on. The team chemistry was evident, and the beautiful campus felt like another home to me. I could not be any more excited to start my future and be a Cougar!

Club Team: KC Dynamos

Club Coach: Derek Shoare

From Shoare: Taylor Reynolds is the starting left back for us (a semifinalist at the USYS National Championships in 2014). Taylor has a tremendous left foot. Technically she has the ability to pick out short and long passes from her left back position and also has excelled and enjoys the attacking component of the role. Taylor has worked diligently at the physical side of the game and has built strength through our speed, fitness and agility program over the past six years. Taylor loves the team camaraderie of the game and will be a strong advocate to build this component at SIUE. I am very excited for her chances of becoming an immediate contributing player to the SIUE program.

From Coach Burton: Taylor is coming from an outstanding club environment with Derek Shoare. She has been a big part of multiple championship teams with her club and high school programs. She's a winner and a competitor that we are looking forward to having in our program. Taylor has a good eye for the game, a soccer IQ, that allows her to be very effective on the field. I like her technical ability in possession and her decision making in the back. She's a natural on the left side of the defense but also has experience in midfield, so she's a great fit for our program and we couldn't be any more excited that she's now a Cougar. 

Why She Chose SIUE: I chose SIUE because I immediately felt at home with Coach Burton and the players that I got to meet. Also, I really felt the soccer program was on the rise, ready to win. The season they had shows that. When I visited I fell in love with everything about SIUE!