High Point University women's soccer coach Marty Beall announced the addition of eight players for the 2015 season on Wednesday. The 2015 recruiting class is comprised of two goalkeepers, one defender, two midfielders and three forwards.

Tyler Gordon (Bradenton, Fla.), Charlotte Kennedy (Webster Grove, Mo.), Callyn Loughrey (Lino Lakes, Fla.), Emily Lyon (Wexford, Pa.), Becca Palmer (St. Johns, Fla.), Kendra Perley (Kernersville, N.C.), Emily Pius (Setauket, N.Y.) and Savannah Stoughton (Rohnert Park, Calif.) will enroll at HPU this fall and join the Panthers for the upcoming season.

"Each member of this recruiting class will be an outstanding addition to High Point University, our women's soccer family and our community," Beall said. "As a group they not only complement our returners, but they also strengthen us all over the field. Almost every single player in this class was a team captain for either their high school or club team. They are not only excellent soccer players, but even more importantly they are great people who have a very strong desire to help this program continue to grow."

Tyler Gordon is a forward who has played her prep soccer at Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton, Fla. She is a dynamic player in one-on-one situations who possesses excellent speed and provides great service into the box. Gordon was named team MVP in her freshman season and led the team in scoring as a sophomore. She is a two-time All-Area selection, Gordon helped guide her team to two District and Regional championships. Gordon plays her club soccer with IMG Academy and is a member of the Florida State ODP team."I chose High Point not only for its magnificent campus and facilities, but because from the moment I met the staff I knew they believed in me," Gordon said.  "They will do anything in their power to make me the best player I can possibly be."

Charlotte Kennedy is a goalkeeper from Webster Groves High School in Webster Groves, Mo. She is a strong goalkeeper with good technique, good distribution and good athleticism. In her last two seasons, Kennedy has posted 27 shutouts. She is a two-time first-team All-Conference selection and was named to the 2014 All-State St. Louis Region as a junior. Kennedy plays club soccer with Lou Fusz Soccer Club and is a member of the ODP Region II and State teams.

"I chose High Point because from the minute I walked onto the beautiful campus I knew I wanted to attend the university," Kennedy said. "Meeting with the coaching staff I realized that they not only care about helping us improve as soccer players, but also improve and grow as people. I already feel a part of this amazing family and cannot wait to be with everyone in August."

Callyn Loughrey is an outside back from Hill-Murray Catholic Benedictine Prep School in Lino Lakes, Minn. She is a speedy player who can provide quality service from the flanks. Loughrey was named the Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 as a senior and the Defender of the Year in 2011. She is a three-time All-Conference member and was named to the State Tournament All-Tournament team in 2014. Loughrey plays her club soccer with Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL.

"After visiting High Point, I fell in love with the extraordinary campus and the amazing facilities," Loughrey said. "But what really assured me this was the right choice for me was Marty and Brandi. They make me feel like I am at home and care about me as more than just a soccer player. I am so thankful to be able to play for them and be a part of their excelling soccer program."

Emily Lyon is a goalkeeper from North Allegheny Senior High School in Wexford, Pa. She is a very good technical goalkeeper and can distribute well out of the back. Lyon finished her senior season with five shutouts and 125 saves. She is a two-time All-Section selection and a 2013 All-WPIAL selection. Lyon plays club soccer with North United Chaos.

"I chose to play for HPU because it is the total package," Lyon said. "I know that I will receive a great education on a beautiful campus and continue to get better at the sport I love. The players and coaching staff are already a second family to me and I cannot picture myself going anywhere else."

Becca Palmer is a midfielder from Bertram Trail High School in St. Johns, Fla. She possesses a great first touch and is a skilled passer out of the midfield. Palmer has 25 career goals and 41 career assists in four seasons. She is a two-time first-team All-Conference selection, a two-time All-County selection and was named to the All-State team and 3A All-State MVP in 2014. Palmer helped to lead her prep team to two conference championships and a District Championship in 2013. She plays her club soccer with JFC/Storm.

"High Point's reputation and campus are amazing, but what convinced me was a conversation I had with Marty," Palmer said. "He told me that the program wanted good athletes and most importantly, good people. That made we realize this was about more than just soccer and I knew HPU is where I wanted to spend my next four years."

Kendra Perley is a midfielder from East Forsyth High School in Kernersville, N.C. She is a hard-working central midfielder who is a great ball winner. Perley has seven goals and eight assists through her first three prep seasons, including five goals and three assists as a junior in 2014. She plays her club soccer with '97 PTFC Black Team.

"Attending High Point University has always been a dream of mine and being able to play the sport I love at the school I love makes it even more surreal," Perley said. "I have come to know the coaching staff at HPU over the last few years and I am positive I will have the opportunity to become the best player that I can be, while getting a quality education to help establish skills for life after soccer."

Emily Pius is a forward from Stony Brook College Prepatory School in Setauket, N.Y. She is a quick and crafty player who can operate well on the flanks of the attack. Pius is a four-time All-Conference and All-County selection and a two-time All-State selection. She helped to lead her prep team to both a Suffolk County Championship and a State Championship. Pius plays her club soccer with New York Rush.

"High Point University is an excellent mix of sports and academics," Pius said. "I have enjoyed meeting all of the teammates and coaches. I know I will be able to be successful on and off the field here."

Savannah Stoughton is a forward from Sonoma Academy in Rohnert Park, Calif. She is an instinctual player who is a good passer and a natural goal scorer. Stoughton has 130 career goals and 91 career assists in four seasons. She is a four-time first-team All-League selection and was named League MVP in 2012. Stoughton plays her club soccer with Santa Rosa United ECNL.

"There is no place like High Point University," Stoughton said. "HPU gives its students the world and then challenges them to do something with it. It's a place where I'll receive an extraordinary education, while also playing for a high-achieving, family-like women's soccer program. HPU feels like home and it's a perfect fit for me. It was easy to make my decision."

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