Head coach Geoff Bennett announced on Thursday that six student-athletes have elected to continue their academic and athletic careers at Colorado College, committing to join the women’s soccer program beginning in the fall of 2012.

This year’s recruiting class consists of defender Sam Curran (Austin, Texas), midfielder/defender Kendall Kultgen (Colorado Springs, Colo.), midfielder Alexis Long (Oak Hills, Calif.), goalkeeper Kate Scheele (Seattle, Wash.), goalkeeper Heather Seeley (San Ramon, Calif.), and defender/midfielder Sam Zarling (Alamo, Calif.).

“We are very happy to be bringing in these six wonderful student-athletes to Colorado College,” Bennett said. “Not only will each of these players make our program better, but they will bring a great work ethic and desire to win, which is the type of mentality that will thrive in our program. We are very excited for next fall and know that these players will play a big role in the success we will experience.”

The Tigers played the entire 2011 campaign with one healthy goalkeeper, making depth between the posts a point of emphasis. Bennett achieved that goal by adding a pair of keepers with the potential to contribute early in their collegiate careers.

Scheele participated in the Washington State Olympic Development Program and attended the Region IV camp for four consecutive years (2007-2010). Her team advanced to the regional finals in 2009 and the semifinals in 2010. Scheele plays for Crossfire Premier ‘93 of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), and she was named to the ECNL all-event team in San Antonio, in March 2011.

“Kate is a very vocal and determined goalkeeper who possesses good leadership skills,” Bennett said. “Kate has great distribution, is quick, fearless and has good hands. We believe Kate has the qualities to come into the program and compete right away.”

Seeley was a four-year starter at Dougherty Valley High School in San Ramon, Calif. She was a second-team all-Diablo Foothill Athletic League selection as a junior, after earning honorable-mention accolades during her first two seasons. Seeley helped the Wildcats win the 2011 North Coast Section championship in a game decided on penalty kicks.

“Heather is a goalkeeper that we believe has just scratched the surface of her potential,” Bennett said. “She has tremendous training habits and we know that she will come into our program and give us her best every day.”

Finding a replacement for defensive anchor Beth Wright also was a priority, and CC welcomes a pair of back-line specialists to the program.

At 6-0, Long will be the team’s tallest field player and add a physical presence to the defensive corps. She served as captain of the Serrano High School team that won back-to-back league titles in 2010 and 2011, which helped her earn all-Mojave River League, all-area and all-CIF honors in soccer as a junior. She plays club soccer for Arsenal FC of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL).

“Lexi is a very mature player,” Bennett said. “She has very good feet and knows how to play a very smart, tactical game. Lexi also will help our team in the air and bring great leadership qualities. We expect her to challenge those around her and make our team better.”

Curran adds a blend of confidence and intensity thanks to her ODP and club experience. She participated in the South Texas Olympic Development Program from 2004-2010 and was captain of the Lonestar 94 club team that competes in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). Curran also won a state club championship playing for the AU Capitals in 2010.

“Sam is a naturally left-footed defender who can either play wide or centrally in the back line,” Bennett said. “She has good composure on the ball and is technically sound. Because Sam can play two different positions, she gives us great flexibility in the back line.”

Colorado College's incoming class also includes a pair of players who can contribute in the midfield as well as on defense.

Kultgen started every game at Air Academy High School during each of her first three seasons, helping the Kadets advance to the state championship match in 2009 and the quarterfinals in both 2010 and 2011. She served as captain of the Pride Predator’s ’93 club team from 2007 through 2012, leading it to the state championship last year. Kultgen also participated in the Colorado ODP in 2007 and 2008.

“Kendall is a very composed attacking outside back,” Bennett said. “She can create, link up and be a dynamic player coming out of the back. We also believe Kendall will adapt to this level quickly and help us be a more technical program.”

Zarling played center-back and midfield for Lamorinda United ’94, serving as captain of the team that was ranked as high as No. 4 in the nation. She led the squad in minutes played during each of the last two seasons and helped Lamorinda win the USA Cup and the Pleasanton Rage in 2011.

“Sam is the type of central defender we really like at CC - smart and tactically sound,” Bennett said. “She brings good technical ability and composure on the ball that we look for in central defenders. Sam also brings us size, air presence and vocal leadership.”

The Tigers return 22 players from the 2011 team that won nine of its final 13 games (9-3-1) and finished second in Conference USA with an 8-2-1 record in league play.

CC kicks off the 2012 campaign on Aug. 17 against the University of Denver in the opening game of the Colorado Cup in Greeley, Colo.

In 27 years of competition since attaining Division I status in 1985, Colorado College has posted a 302-173-43 (.625) won-lost-tied record. The Tigers have enjoyed winning seasons in 33 of 37 years overall as a varsity program, compiling a 437-223-56 (.649) mark in 716 all-time matches since the mid-1970s. An affiliate member of Conference USA since the 2006 campaign, CC has earned a post-season playoff bid in five of the last six seasons.