Wisconsin women’s soccer head coach Paula Wilkins announced 11 high school seniors on Monday that have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University of Wisconsin and play soccer for the Badgers beginning in the fall of 2015.

Joining the Badgers are Emily Borgmann (Erin Mills, Ontario), Jamie Donohue (Evanston, Illinois), Steph Fabry (Brookfield, Wisconsin), Natalie Jacobson (Indianapolis, Indiana), Megan Kalkofen (Naperville, Illinois), Chloe Knudtson (Oshkosh, Wisconsin), Madelyn Mittelsteadt (Wausau, Wisconsin), Malley O’Brien (Superior, Wisconsin), Grace Quirk (Gurnee, Illinois), Riley Sykes (Mundelein, Illinois), and Katherine Torchio (Lafayette, California).

"This is a class with a really good balance, from forwards to midfielders to defenders to goalkeepers,” Wilkins said. "We think the forward group all have different dimensions. They'll each bring something great to the position. It's the same way with the defenders. We've got those who will bring a physical component, but also those who will bring a technical component. It's really a great balance in this incoming class.

"It's exciting, because we have some players from this region, Canada and California, so we've gotten to recruit from some different places. That's going to give us really great experience moving forward having this group compete for spots right off the bat."

• Emily Borgmann | Erin Mills, Ontario

Borgmann represented Canada at the 2014 FIFA Women’s U-17 World Cup in Costa Rica, starting two games and playing in all four games … she also played for Canada at the 2013 CONCACAF Women’s U-17 Championship in Montego Bay, winning a silver medal after starting in all five games and scoring five goals … Borgmann was 14 years old when she made her debut in the Canadian youth program in 2012.

Wilkins on Borgmann: “Emily was with the U-17 Canadian national team in the World Cup and she's played a lot of minutes. She's a back-to-goal forward who we are going to look for to keep balls and keep possession for us. Her experience internationally is going to be the same as that of (current UW student-athlete) Kinley McNicoll's and (former UW student-athlete) Genevieve Richard's. We are really excited that she has that background and can bring that professionalism to our group. We're looking forward to her having an impact right away as a freshman.”

• Jamie Donohue | Evanston, Ill. | Sockers FC | Evanston Township

Donohue plays for club team Sockers FC … a native of Evanston, Illinois, she emerged as a top defender in her sophomore season at Evanston, earning all-conference and all-sectional honors after scoring two goals and helping anchor a defensive unit that lifted Evanston to a 9-7-3 finish in 2013 … her junior season, Evanston posted a school record conceding no goals at home all season and went on to win regionals … was coached by Maurizio Grillo at Evanston and also competed in volleyball … rated as a four-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer.com … an honor roll student, Donohue was musical director for her school play … she intends to major in business … her parents are Beth Miller and Terry Donohue, and she has one sister, Jackie.

Wilkins on Donohue: “Jamie plays for club team Sockers FC, a Chicago team. She is athletically gifted, and her change of pace, speed and ability to track people down defensively is very good. She's going to bring a physical presence, one that we will need to replace with Alexandra Heller graduating. She will bring a physical presence to our backs and will help to shore up our backline.”

• Steph Fabry | Brookfield, Wis. | FC Wisconsin Eclipse | DSHA

Fabry plays for club team FC Wisconsin Eclipse … she was invited to play for the FC Wisconsin Eclipse U-23 team, which finished second at the 2013 U.S. Club Soccer National Championship … Fabry’s U-17 club team was a semifinalist in the 2014 North American Cup National Championship held in Richmond, Virginia … Fabry was invited to participate in the ECNL Player Development Program (Midwest) in 2013 and 2014 … at Divine Savior Holy Angels in Milwaukee, Fabry also competed in junior varsity basketball her freshman year … rated as a four-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer.com … listed in TopDrawerSoccer.com’s 2015 Girls IMG Academy 150 Player Pool … a member of National Honor Society, Fabry is very involved in community service and leadership … she volunteers at Congregational Home, St. Hyacinth’s, St. John Vianney for Children’s Liturgy of the Word, and Cathedral Center … she was elected to be on Mass Team, part of campus ministry at her school, and a member of Student Welfare, a branch of the school’s student council … Fabry intends to study mass media marketing and journalism … her parents are Scott and Debra Fabry, and she has one brother, Nick, and one sister, Katelin.

Wilkins on Fabry: “Steph has a work rate that is incredible. She's really gotten better over the last three years. We've watched her develop. She's one of the best kids in Wisconsin and she will cause problems because of her work rate, her ability to get at people and her pace."

• Natalie Jacobson | Indianapolis | Indiana Fire Juniors | Cathedral

Jacobson plays for club team Indiana Fire Juniors … at Cathedral High School, Jacobson was all-state, all-district and academic all-state her senior season after serving as team captain and leading the Fighting Irish to a sectional championship … she was named Cathedral High School Most Outstanding Offensive Player, and was invited to participate in the Indiana Soccer Coaches Association Junior-Senior College Showcase all-star game … her junior season, Jacobson and Cathedral were sectional champions and city champions … Jacobson was all-state and all-district as a sophomore, earning the Cathedral High School Coaches Award after her team was sectional champions and city champions … as a freshman, she played varsity soccer on the state’s third-ranked team, which went on to a sectional championship and city championship … rated as a four-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer.com … listed in TopDrawerSoccer.com’s 2015 Girls IMG Academy 150 Player Pool … a member of National Honor Society and on high honor roll each semester, Jacobson intends to major in biology (pre-med) … having participated in the Cathedral High School Math League, she was named the school’s Math Student of the Year in 2013 and Science Student of the Year in 2012 … Jacobson also volunteers at Riley Children’s Hospital, the Indianapolis Food Drive, Special Olympics and soccer camp … her parents are Jon Jacobson and Julia Carpenter, and she has three brothers, Jacob, Alex and Nathan, and one sister, Clare.

Wilkins on Jacobson: “Natalie is a forward from Indiana and we're looking for her to give us more experience up top. She's a tough player and is getting stronger all the time. She'll be good at 1-v-1 attacking for us up front.”

• Megan Kalkofen | Naperville, Ill. | Eclipse Select | Neuqua Valley

Kalkofen plays for club team Eclipse Select … she was a member of Eclipse Select 96-97 Club Team and served as team captain from 2009-13 … Kalkofen helped her team to two national championship finals, including 2011 U.S. Youth Soccer national finalist and 2014 ECNL national finalist … part of two ECNL Midwest Conference championships in 2012 and 2014 … won U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest Regional championship in 2011 … was on the backline with four Illinois State Cup championship teams in 2009, 2011, 2013/14 (U-19) and 2014 … Kalkofen also played two years of high school basketball at Neuqua Valley … rated as a four-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer.com … Kalkofen intends to study business marketing … a native of Naperville, Illinois, her parents are Scott and Linda Kalkofen, and she has one brother, Kyle, and one sister, Kelly.

Wilkins on Kalkofen: “Megan comes from one of the best clubs, the Eclipse in Chicago, who got second place at nationals. She has great experience playing centrally in the back or out wide. She's going to give us some versatility to play in the back. She plays on a team that knows how to win. She is great on set pieces, both serving and in the air. She'll be competing for an opportunity in the back."

• Chloe Knudtson | Oshkosh, Wis. | FC Wisconsin Eclipse | Oshkosh West

Knudtson plays for club team FC Wisconsin Eclipse … she has international touring experience at the Donosti Cup in San Sebastian, Spain, both in 2009 and 2010 ... rated as a three-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer.com … listed in TopDrawerSoccer.com’s 2015 Girls IMG Academy 150 Player Pool … earning academic honors all four years and upholding a 4.0 grade-point average at Oshkosh West, Knudtson intends to major in biology (pre-med) … she is also active in community service and leadership with the Rotary Club, BIONIC, DARE, Project West and Diego River … her parents are Randy and Karri Knudtson, and she has two brothers, Wesley and Simon.

Wilkins on Knudtson: “Chloe is another kid from FC Wisconsin Eclipse that we've known forever. I've watched her develop and she's a good center back. But, the biggest thing is that she will have great leadership for us also. She's played at some of the highest levels with FC Wisconsin Eclipse and is a good defender who can play especially well out of the back. That's something that we want to be able to do here at Wisconsin.”

• Madelyn Mittelsteadt | Wausau, Wis. | DC Everest

Mittelsteadt was the 2014 Wisconsin Valley Conference Player of the Year and the first player in D.C. Everest history to be named Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association first-team all-state … she was also chosen as the Gannett Central Wisconsin Media’s girl’s player of the year … her junior campaign was one to remember, as Mittelsteadt set individual program records with 33 goals and 73 points and led Everest to the 2014 WIAA Division 1 state championship game … she became Everest’s career leader in both points and goals through three seasons … Mittelsteadt recorded 48 points on 20 goals and eight assists during her sophomore season and had 33 points on 15 goals and three assists as a freshman … Mittelsteadt is active in community service and leadership as DECA VP of community service, through mission trips, and as a soccer camp counselor … she intends to major in psychology … her parents are Michelle Millikin and Kevin Mittelsteadt, and she has three brothers, Ty, Jack, and Max, and one sister, Emily.

Wilkins on Mittelsteadt: “Maddie is a kid who is from upstate Wisconsin. She's one who came to our camp and really impressed us. She has great speed, great finishing ability and she's really good at breaking down defenses with her pace. We're excited for what she will be able to do.”

• Malley O'Brien | Superior, Wis. | Minnesota Thunder Academy | Superior

O’Brien plays for club team Minnesota Thunder Academy … in 2012, O’Brien was selected to the United States Youth Soccer Region II Girls Olympic Development Program Pool in her age group … at Superior High School, O’Brien was named 2014 Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association first team all-state … she finished the 2014 season with 92 points and 40 goals for the Spartans, who finished with an overall record of 15-2 and won the Middle Border Conference for a second straight season … O’Brien is the first female soccer player from Superior High School to commit to an NCAA Division I college … rated as a four-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer.com … listed in TopDrawerSoccer.com’s 2015 Girls IMG Academy 150 Player Pool.

Wilkins on O'Brien: “Malley is from Superior. She's always had a challenge, because she's played for Minnesota Thunder, and she had to drive almost two or three hours one way just to practice. She's done a great job playing with boys and it's good she has that experience. She did a great job when she came to our camp. She's a consistent midfielder with good vision and can connect passes. She will compete in the midfield."

• Grace Quirk | Highland Park, Ill. | FC United | Highland Park

Quirk plays for club team FC United … Quirk was a member of the U-15 Eclipse ECNL team, a semifinalist at the Midwest Region II championships with FC United U-17 in 2014 and also a member of the USYSA National League FC United U-18 team in 2014 … as a sophomore at Highland Park, she recorded 11 shutouts in 18 matches with a 0.55 goals-against average to help the Giants to an 11-4-3 record … her junior season, Quirk and Highland Park were CSL North Conference champions … she was also a key basketball player for Highland Park … a member of National Honor Society and on academic honor roll all four years, Quirk is interested in psychology and biology … she’s also active in leadership as a member of the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Program … her parents are Tom and Mary Quirk, and she has two brothers, Charlie and Tommy.

Wilkins on Quirk: “Grace is a goalkeeper who plays for club team FC united. She's athletic, and she's got great hands and great vision. I think she'll be a great addition to our goalkeeping core that we have returning next season.”

• Riley Sykes | Gurnee, Ill. | Eclipse Select | Carmel Catholic

Sykes plays for club team Eclipse Select … she scored the game-winning penalty kick to help Eclipse Elite White 2015 (U-18) claim the Illinois State Cup … prestigious teams, all-star squads and camps include: ODP State Team (2009-12); ODP Regional Pool (2012); ODP National Camp (2013); State Cup Champion (2011, ’12, ’14); regional champion (2011); national finalist (2011, ’14); Top XI ECNL Sanford (2012); and PDP Regional Camp (2014) … rated as a three-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer.com … listed in TopDrawerSoccer.com’s 2015 Girls IMG Academy 150 Player Pool … having earned honor roll distinction at Carmel Catholic High School, Sykes intends to study sports psychology … she is active in community service, assisting Feed My Starving Children, Winchester House, Disability League and PADS … she has also served on Ambassadors Club, Boosters Club, Junior Leadership Team and Carmel Homeroom Representative … her parents are Rodger and Erin Sykes, and she has one brother, Ethan, and one sister, Lily.

Wilkins on Sykes: “Riley comes from the same team as Megan Kalkofen (Eclipse Select), and that's a team that was No. 2 in the country last year. She's a center back who played different positions, but now she's most recently been a center back. Technically, she's one of the best players we have in this incoming group. She's great on set pieces, she takes all of the set pieces for her club team and she sees the field very well.”

• Katherine Torchio | Lafayette, Calif. | Mustang SC | Acalanes

Torchio plays for club team Mustang SC … played in Olympic Development Program in 2010, 2011 and 2012, earning a regional selection in 2012 … Torchio was elected as a team captain for her senior season at Acalanes High School, after she led the Dons in goals both her sophomore and freshman season … she earned second-team all-league honors as a sophomore and was honorable mention as a freshman … coached by Evan Sassano at Acalanes, Torchio also competed in track her freshman year … rated as a three-star recruit by TopDrawerSoccer.com … a member of the National Charity League (NCL), Torchio intends to major in business … she has one brother, John, and one sister, Sara.

Wilkins on Torchio: “Katherine comes from a great club in California (Mustang SC). She plays for the same club that (current UW student-athlete) Alexis Tye played for. She's a really athletic outside back who can forward up and down the flank. I think we can expect her to attack out of the back. She's strong, and her experience playing against California teams and some great players is really going to help her to make an impact in the back.”