MOREHEAD, Ky. – Eight incoming freshmen and one transfer highlight the 2013 signing class for Morehead State soccer.

"I am very pleased with our 2013 class,” Head Coach Lipka said. “These ladies will bring attacking, defense, speed and toughness to our group. With the addition of these players to the foundation we have built with our current players I expect us to improve our standing."

Angela Black (St. Louis, Mo.), Lauren Duffy (Lexington, Ky.), Rebekah Hulsing (Nicholasville, Ky.), Tayler Stivers (Brownsburg, Ind.), Shiann Washington (Elizabethtown, Ky.) and Hannah Collins (Germantown, Ohio) have all signed National Letters of Intent and will join junior Jade Flory (Chambersburg, Pa.)  and other newcomers Erin Isaacs (Fisher, Ind.) and Ashley Huffine (Russell, Ky.) on the Eagles’ 2013 squad.

Flory, who transferred from Youngstown State, was named to the Horizon League All-Newcomer team in 2011 and earned all-league first-team honors in 2012. As a freshman, Flory played in all 17 matches, including 16 as a starter. She led the team with seven goals and three assists and ranked second in the conference in goals and goals per game (0.41) and was fourth in points (17). During the 2012 season, she started all 17 matches and was second on the team in goals (4) and tied for first in assists (4).

Flory finished her prep days ranked second in career assists and third in scoring at Chambersburg High School.

“Jade is a proven player from a tough conference,” Lipka added. “She will add a different dimension to our attack.”   

Black, a forward and defender from Lindbergh High School, helped lead the Flyers to a district and sectional championship in 2011. She played her club ball for WC St. Louis and spent three years in the Missouri Olympic Development Program (ODP).

“Angela will give us the pace up front we’ve needed in the past,” Lipka added. “She has explosive speed, good 1v1 attacking skills, and I see her having an immediate impact in the attacking area.”

Duffy, who attends Henry Clay High School, is also slated to play back and forward. As part of the Blue Devils’ squad, she was named all-district and all-region three times. She was a second-team all-region selection and picked up team Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2010 and 2011. Duffy played her club ball with Commonwealth Gold.

“Lauren comes from a very competitive club environment and a very successful high school program,” Lipka said. “She understands what it takes to be successful and is a tough, physical defender who has the ability to step in and compete right away.”

Region II and two-time Indiana State Cup champion Stivers comes to the Eagles after a successful high school and club career. In addition to leading her Carmel United squad to multiple championships, she led Brownsburg High School as a first-team all-district selection. She also spent six years as a member of the Indiana ODP team, and was a member of the Region II player pool.

“Taylor comes from a club that has high standards and training environment. She competed in the toughest league and was successful,” Lipka said. “Taylor will give us another strong and technical defender that is very comfortable with the ball at her feet.”

Hulsing, a goalkeeper from West Jessamine High School, was a first-team all-state, all-district and all-region selection as a junior and helped lead her team to a state semifinal appearance. She also helped her club team to State Cup champion and runners-up finishes.

“Rebekah is a good technical goalkeeper that will only get better with time,” Lipka said.

Washington, who comes to MSU from John Hardin High School, is a defensive addition for the program. She was a three-time all-district selection for the Bulldogs. She also helped lead her club team to three state cup semifinals.

“I feel Shiann is someone who slipped through the recruiting process,” Lipka explained. “She can play anywhere on the field. I have seen her in the back, middle and up front. She has great athletic ability, and I feel confident that she will have an impact wherever she plays.”

Collins, a four-year goalkeeper at Valley View High School, was named her team’s Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year. She was also first-team all-area and all-league on two occasions, and was a member of the Ohio Elite Soccer Academy. 

“Hannah was a late pick-up for us,” Lipka said. “We’ve had a few injuries in the goalkeeping area and felt it was important to bolster that position. Her courage and shot stopping is what drew me to her, and she’s also a great athlete. She was the all-time leading rebounder at her high school too so I’ll have to keep the women’s basketball staff away from her.”

Fisher High School forward Isaacs led the Tigers as a two-time all-state selection in 2011 and 2012. She was also a three-time all-district selection and was the conference Offensive Player of the Year on two occasions. As a member of the Carmel United Soccer Club, she helped her teams to a pair of state cup finalist finishes.

“I would call Erin a pure goal scorer,” Lipka said. “She’s someone that if given the chance in front of the goal will put it in. She’s just a great finisher.”

Huffine was named first-team all-state and all-region during her senior season at Russell High School. She was also second-team all-state for the Red Devils as a junior, and was all-district and all-area twice.  

“Ashley comes from a very good high school program,” Lipka said. “She has the strength and speed needed to play at this level, and with the training she will receive, I see her having a great career.”

 The Eagles add this group to 23 returnees. Rising sophomore Kimberly Golden led the Eagles in points (3g, 1a), and fellow class member Elizabeth Floyd returns after starting 15 matches in goal and posting a 1.38 goals against average.