How does Stanford plan to rebound from consecutive defeats in the national championship game? With another monster recruiting class, that’s how. The Pac-10 powerhouse has finally released its 2011 freshmen class and here’s how it looks:

Stanford
Signings: Alex Doll (Bethesda SC), Hannah Farr (Marin FC), Lo’eau LaBonta (Arsenal FC), Haley Rosen (So Cal Blues), Lauren Schmidt (Los Altos Avalanche), Chioma Ubogagu (D’Feeters)
Skinny: Great players depart and new ones step into their shoes. That’s how it works with the truly elite programs, and Stanford is certainly near the top of them. The new era of Cardinal soccer will include incomparable attacker Doll. She’s the No. 2 player on our Top 100 List for a reason – she’s technically sound as a midfielder or forward and is extremely confident with the ball. We’ve been raving about the speed of Ubogagu for a few years now as she’s made her way through U.S. National Team camps and tournament wins with her Texas club D’Feeters. No. 3 in the Top 100, Ubogagu will be an exciting player to watch at the college level.

Midfielder LaBonta has been a standout club player for years now, with Slammers FC and then Arsenal FC, and can affect the game with her speed and 1v1 ability. Rosen is another potential game-changer who has good tactical awareness and physical presence in the middle of the field.

Oh yeah, and Stanford has a few solid returners on the roster as well. Looks like another run at the national title for the Cardinal.

West Virginia
Signings: Erin Brown (Fredericksburg Area Soccer Association), Kendall Bush (EPIC United), Ali Connelly (Jr. Irish), Jessica Crowder (CASL), Sam Molina (West Virginia United), Kristene Mumby (Freestate United), Katie Osterman (Virginia Rush), Ashley Ramsey (West Virginia United), Megan Robinson (FC Wheeling United), Kate Schwindel (Montclair United Thunderbolts), Annalika Steyn (Birmingham United)
Skinny: The Mountaineers enjoyed another fine run into the NCAAs last season, which is promising considering the program didn’t lose much from last year’s team. Arriving to try to push the group forward is Steyn, our No. 91 ranked Top 100 player. Steyn is an instant goal-scorer who will bring strength up front and should make an impact. Crowder, No. 8 in the South Atlantic Region, is a very hard worker who can help win possessions in the middle of the field. Schwindel, No. 9 in the New Jersey Region, is a creative striker and can create with both feet.

This hefty class of 11 also includes goalkeepers Mumby and Osterman as well as defender Robinson.    

UC Irvine
Signings: Laura McGrail (Eagles SC), Jasmine Nickelberry (Mustang SC), Jenna Pellegrino (FC San Diego), Monique Pendleberry (Eagles SC), Cami Privett (Real So Cal), Jennifer Randazzo (MVLA Avalanche), Victoria Russo (Slammers FC), Alana Sooy (Santa Clara Sporting)
Skinny: The Anteaters have acquired a nice group of local talent from quality clubs. It’s a mix that will give the program depth at every position. Attackers like McGrail and Russo will boost the offense while Randazzo arrives as a goalkeeper with a history of shutting down offenses. Mustang SC striker Nickelberry is a potent goal-scorer while Privett is a poised midfielder with good competitive experience.

American
Signings: Dani Beard (Crofton Wolves), Charlene Belanger (McLean Azul), Michaela Cowgill (Seacoast United), Kirsten Eriksen (Connecticut Football Club), Erin Mulhern (CASL Elite Soccer Club), Lindsay Muri (FSA United), Nicole Paviglionite (Connecticut United Football Club),
Skinny: Belanger is a goalkeeper who caught the eye of coaches from an early age.  She is ranked No. 7 in our Mid Atlantic Region and has plenty of experience to draw from. Cowgill, No. 14 in the Northeast Region, is a strong defender who marks well in the air and has competed at the highest level. Beard and Eriksen will also bring defensive stability – with Beard exhibiting great marking speed. Strikers Muri and Mulhern will be counted on down the line to jolt the offense.