It took awhile, but the Miami women finally released their freshman signing class. Not that we don’t have our way of finding out such things – or that we wouldn’t have noticed the new players when the regular season rolls out in about a week – but it was nice of them to make it official. Let’s take a look, shall we?

Miami
Signed: Ashley Finn (WAZA F.C.), Shannon Caspar (Palm Beach Soccer Academy), Shannon Roche (PDA), Abigail Smith (Ohio Premier Eagles), Erin McGovern (Montclair Tunderbolts), Madeline Simms (Bethesda), Hannah Moehling (Alpine Pumas FC), Courtney Hueston (South Dade United)
Skinny: Roche is No. 34 on our Top 100 list and for good reason. She’s a seasoned defensive presence with winning experience and great instincts. We expect that she’ll be an instant factor for the program. Simms, No. 8 in our Mid Atlantic Region, is capable of filling a number of spots for the Hurricanes as she’s that versatile an athlete. Her speed and quickness is a strength and she’s capable of scoring goals if needed. Smith arrives with great height and a good track record at goalkeeper. Moehling is a defensive player who has a physical presence while the rest of the group is made up of athletic attackers who have come to help Miami contend with the stiff challengers throughout the ACC.

Utah
Signed: Cassity Cutrer (Utah Avalanche), Sarah Duncan (Utah Avalanche), Avery Ford (La Roca Premier), Abby Groth (Norcross Soccer Association), Ashton Hall (Real Colorado), Lauren Johnson (De Anza Force), Monique Morrison (Utah Avalanche), Molly Poletto (Colorado Rush), Jillian Robison (La Roca Premier), Katie Taylor (La Roca Premier), McKel Wall (La Roca Premier)
Skinny: Welcome to the Pac-12, Utah – it won’t be easy. The Utes finished near the middle of the Mountain West Conference a year ago and now they’ll be thrown to the lion’s den in the brutal Pac conference. The incoming freshmen include Poletto, a skilled goalkeeper who ranks No. 96 in our Top 100. This deep class features plenty of defense which is probably a good starting point in a new conference known for its offensive star power. Morrison, Johnson, Groth, Hall, Ford and Duncan could all see time on the backline at some point in their careers. Cutrer is a second keeper who has good height and is a solid presence.   

Dartmouth
Signed: Kate Castillo (Mustang SC), Amanda Flugstad-Clarke (PDA), Kendall Kraus (San Diego Surf), Tatiana Saunders (NY Athletic Club), Laura Thurber (FC Stars of Massachusetts), Tasha Wilkins (Portland Rain)
Skinny: Quality class here. Kraus, a midfielder, was a regular for the San Diego Surf, a strong club that has proven to produce a few college-ready talents. Goalkeeper Saunders ranks No. 5 in our New York region. She’s played on the big stage, competing for England’s national team, and is a bankable prospect. Meanwhile, Flugstad-Clarke comes from a great environment at PDA and could be an important contributor in the midfield. She is ranked No. 10 in our New Jersey Region. Thurber is slotted at No. 18 in the Northeast Region and is a tough defender.

Louisiana Tech
Signed: Brianna Caldwell (Rowlett, Texas), Rachel Coronel (Deridder, La), Kayla Keating (Andromeda Soccer Club), Natalie Kelly (Waxahachie, Texas), Ashleigh McKellum (Rowlett, Texas), Kat Milke (Dallas Sting), Abby Sentz (Challenge Soccer Club), Sarah Spence (Challenge Soccer Club), Lauren Stewart (Dallas 93), Ashton Burch (Nelsa Extreme)
Skinny: Though they only lost one key senior from a year ago, the Lady Techsters still swung for the fences with a class of 11. Coach Kevin Sherry was indeed feeling ambitious after a 15-win season a year ago. Aside from a few local products and a transfer from London, Louisiana Tech drew most of its talent from the state of Texas. Among them are Keating, a respected striker who comes from Andromeda SC; along with defenders Kelly and Spence.

There will be inevitable battles for playing time, and that bodes well for the battles against outside competition.