The Akron women's soccer team, under the leadership of first-year head coach Noreen Herlihy, has announced the signing of seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent to join the Zips' squad for the 2015 campaign.

Donning the Akron uniform this fall will be Rachel Baughman (Alliance, Ohio/Louisville), Lexi Cooke (Twinsburg, Ohio/Twinsburg), Becca Gordon (Johnstown, Ohio/Johnstown-Monroe), Shea O'Brien (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary), Rachel Schirripa (Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville), Erica Schrader (Blacklick, Ohio/Gahanna-Lincoln) and Kiana Zuk (Windsor, Ontario/Holy Names).

"I am very excited to have these student-athletes join our program," Herlihy commented. "They are coming into a new era at Akron Women's Soccer, and I am confident they will contribute in a positive way to the success of this program. I know, as young players, they are excited to meet the challenge head on as we look to see our program progress."

Baughman, a forward from Louisville High School, played four seasons for the Leopards en route to becoming the school's all-time leader in goals (118) and assists (36). A four-time all-conference performer, including garnering first-team accolades in each of her final three campaigns, Baughman was tabbed as the Northeastern Buckeye Conference Player of the Year for the third time as a senior after registering 32 goals, while adding 12 assists. As a junior she netted 31 goals and nine assists following 35- and 20-goal efforts as a sophomore and freshman, respectively. Baughman is a member of the Internationals Soccer Club.

Cooke, a three-year starter at goalkeeper for Twinsburg High School, garnered all-conference recognition three times, including first-team accolades as a junior and senior. Registered 36 shutouts during her career as a Tiger, including 10 as a junior en route to leading her team to a 16-1-1 overall mark and top ranking in Ohio in Division I. Twinsburg soared as high as 10th nationally in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) national poll that season. She posted 0.66, 0.47 and 0.73 goals against averages in her final three seasons, respectively, to help guide the Tigers to a trio of conference titles. She is a member of the Ambassadors F.C. Soccer Club.

Gordon, a forward from Johnstown-Monroe High School, played four seasons for the Johnnies en route to recording school records for goals (82) and assists (45). A two-time first-team all-conference and all-district honoree, she paced her squad in goals (23) and assists (13) as a senior, after setting a single-season school record for goals in a season (29) as a junior. She also contributed 16 and 14 goals, respectively, during her sophomore and freshman campaigns. She is a member of the Freedom FC Soccer Club.

O'Brien, a midfielder from Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, didn't compete for the Fighting Irish, but boasts eight years of club soccer experience with the Internationals Soccer Club. She has been a select participant of the Elite Clubs National League Player Development Program (ECNL PDP) for each of the past two years after garnering invitations to the Olympic Developmental Program (ODP) Super Y National Camp as both a freshman and sophomore. Additionally, was tabbed a select participant to the United States National Soccer Training Center in 2011. Has led her team to five state championships as well as the 2012 U.S. Club National title and 2013 and 2014 Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) National championships.

Schirripa, a forward from Strongsville High School, played four seasons for the Mustangs and was a member of a undefeated state championship squad as a freshman in 2011. A two-time all-conference selection, including earning first-team recognition as a senior, Schirripa finished her prep career registering 34 goals. Led the Mustangs with 10 goals and 10 assists en route to leading the Mustangs to a berth in the regional semifinals as a senior. As a junior, recorded nine goals and 10 assists as Strongsville reached the state semifinals. She is a member of the Cleveland United Soccer Club.

Schrader, a midfielder from Gahanna-Lincoln High School, played her senior and freshman campaigns for the Lions after playing for her club squad as a sophomore and junior, respectively. A second-team all-state selection as a senior, she capped her prep career earning first-team all-conference and all-district recognition. Garnered honorable mention all-league honors as a freshman en route to helping her team to a conference title. She is a member of the Ohio Premier ECNL.

Zuk, a defender from Holy Names High School, has played three seasons for the Knights ahead of her senior campaign this spring. A two-time all-star team selection, she helped guide her squad to a berth in Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) Championship. She is a member of the Eastside Kickers Soccer Club.

Baughman, Cooke, Gordon, O'Brien, Schirripa, Schrader, and Zuk are the first student-athletes to sign National Letters of Intent with Herlihy and the Zips for the 2015 campaign.

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