DURANGO, Colo. — Fort Lewis College women’s soccer coach Damian Clarke announced the addition of Dani Sheppard to his 2012 recruiting class.

Sheppard, a 5-foot-7 goalkeeper from Highlands Ranch High School, earned first team All-Continental League honors for the Falcons in 2011. She joins her current Highlands Ranch and club teammate, Laura Tita, in signing with the Skyhawks in 2012.

“Dani is a great goalkeeper who brings size, skill, and experience to the table. She can communicate and read the game very well,” said Clarke, who begins his sixth season as head coach for the Skyhawks next fall. “Her club and high school teams have allowed her to play at the highest level, which has translated to her ability to make good decisions in tight spots. She has earned many awards including first team accolades for the Continental League and we look forward to her contributions in the fall. We are very happy to add her to the 2012 roster.”

The daughter of Shawn and Debi Sheppard of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Sheppard is an Honor Roll student who expects to study Business Administration-Marketing at Fort Lewis.

Sheppard joins five players who signed with the Skyhawks thus far in 2012: Jordan Hix, a 5-foot-9 midfielder/defender from Eldorado High School in Albuquerque, N.M.; Brooke Milliet, a 5-foot-5 attacking player from Durango High School; Savannah Seiter, a 5-foot-4 midfielder from Durango High School; Grace Sheridan, a 5-foot-9 defender from Lakewood High School; and Tita, a 5-foot-9 central defender from Highlands Ranch.

Clarke expects to add to his recruiting class in the coming days.

Fort Lewis (15-3-4 overall, 10-2-2 in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) finished the season ranked No. 11 in NCAA Division II. The Skyhawks lose just four seniors to graduation: midfielder Sara Egbom, forward Hayley Hollenga, midfielder Jane Barden, and defender Michelle Felten.

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