HIGH POINT, N.C. - Head coach Marty Beall of the High Point University women’s soccer team announced the addition of 10 players for the class of 2011 on Thursday. The incoming freshman class features several top competitors from throughout the eastern United States.

HPU will welcome Julia Evans, a forward from Sunbury, Ohio; Meghann Jackson, a forward from Arnold, Md.; Claire Kelly, a midfielder from Frederick, Md.; Jacky Kessler, a forward from Middletown, Md.; Alise LeCompte, a midfielder/defender from Crofton, Md.; Taber Lewis, a midfielder from Cary, N.C.; Sarah Sermonet, a forward from Brentwood, Tenn.; Alexis Shay, a forward from Potomac, Md.; Madison Spagnoletti, a forward from State Road, N.C.; and Melissa Swerdowski, a midfielder/defender from Huntingtown, Md.

“This group of incoming players will help us take another step forward in building a top level program,” Beall said. “With many of these players coming from State ODP teams, Region ODP teams, state champion club teams and/or high school teams, we are bringing a winning mentality to this team. This class will also give us quality depth at every position on the field and they are all very eager to help us win another Big South Championship. I’m extremely excited about what they can do on the field, but I’m even more excited about how these young ladies will represent High Point University and our soccer program at the highest level off the field.”

Evans, a forward from Big Walnut High School, was a three-time All-Conference honoree. She scored 35 career goals and was named the Best Offensive Player of the Year by her high school team in her sophomore, junior and senior years. In 2008, Evans helped to lead her prep team to a conference championship. Evans played her club soccer with Ohio Premiere in 2010.

“Julia has untapped raw potential,” Beall said. “She possesses outstanding speed and a tenacious work ethic which will add more quality depth to our back line.”

Jackson, a forward from Broadneck High School, was a four-time All-State honoree and a three-time All-Conference member. She was her prep team’s offensive MVP for four-straight years after leading her team in points in each season. Jackson was part of the Maryland ODP program and was named to the Region 1 ODP team. She played her club soccer with Freestate Fury and helped guide the team o the UC Club Nationals in 2009.

“Meghenn brings a wealth of experience to our team as she has played in numerous events with the Region I ODP team,” Jackson said. “Her speed and ability to take players on 1v1 will be a problem for all of our opponents.”

Kelly, a midfielder from Tuscarora High School, was named second-team All-State as a senior and honorable mention All-State as a sophomore. She was a four-time All-Area selection, a four-time All-Conference honoree and was named the Tuscarora High School MVP as a junior and senior. Kelly finished her prep career with 37 points on 12 goals and 13 assists. She helped guide her prep team to a 3A State Championship as a junior in 2009. Kelly was a member of the Maryland ODP program from 2006-09 and was a member of the Region I ODP team in 2007 and 2008. She played her club soccer for FC Frederick and helped guide her team to a Maryland State Cup Championship in 2008 and a runner-up finish in 2010. The club also reached the finals at the 2009 Discovery Cup.

“We are extremely excited about Claire choosing High Point,” Beall said. “Her competitiveness, ball-winning ability, fearlessness and leadership qualities will be a huge addition to our central midfield.”

Kessler, a forward from Middletown High School, was a first team All-State selection in 2009 and 2010. She was the leading scorer in Frederick County during her senior season with 23 goals and 12 assists to help lead her prep team to the 2010 Maryland state Championship and an undefeated 18-0 record. Kessler was a three-time all-League selection and was also named a 2010 NSCAA Scholar All-American. Kessler played alongside Kelly on the FC Frederick club team, helping to guide the squad to a 2008 Maryland State Championship. She was named one of the top players in the state of Maryland by ESPN Rise.

“Jacky is one of the most dangerous forwards from Maryland,” Beall said. “Her pace and ability to score goals will bolster our attack.”

Alise LeCompte, a midfielder/defender from Arundel High School, was a four-year varsity player with her prep team. She was named first-team All-County as a senior and second-team All-County as a sophomore. LeCompte played her club soccer with both Laurel Premier and Crofton Wolves.

“Alise brings outstanding size and athleticism to our program,” Beall said. “She has so much potential to be a big time player here at HPU.”

Lewis, a midfielder from Apex High School, played club soccer with CASL, who she helped guide to six North Carolina State Club Championships. Lewis was also a member of the North Carolina ODP team from 2005-10 and was a Region 3 ODP pool player in 2008 and 2009.

“Taber is a very crafty central midfielder with tremendous vision and passion for the game,” Beall said. “She will really help our team keep possession of the ball against top level teams and generate dangerous attacks.”

Sermonet, a forward from Brentwood Academy, was named All-Mid State and All-State as a senior. She finished her career as Brentwood Academy’s all-time leading scorer with 49 goals and 42 assists and set the Brentwood Academy single-season records in both goals and assists. Sermonet was also a four-time All-region selection. The Brentwood, Tenn., native played club soccer for Brentwood 93 Premier.

“Sarah is another player with outstanding size and athleticism with tremendous potential,” Beall said. “As a central forward, she will be a dangerous threat in the air and possesses an extremely powerful shot.”

Shay, a forward from Winston Churchill High School, was named NSCAA first-team All-Region and first-team All-State after going for 12 goals and 16 assists in her senior season. She was also named All-Gazette first team and Washington Post All-Met second team in 2010. Shay helped guide her prep team to an undefeated regular season in 2009 and back-to-back Regional Finals appearances in 2009 and 2010. Shay played club soccer with FC Frederick in 2010-11 and with the Bethesda Dragons from 2004-10. She also played with the Maryland State ODP team from 2005-09. ESPN Rise listed Shay as one of the top players in the state of Maryland.

“Alexis has an unbelievable first touch and great vision,” Beall said. “Her ability to read the game at an extremely high level will make us unpredictable in our attack.”

Spagnoletti, a forward from Elkin High School, has started three-straight seasons for her prep team and enters her senior season with 79 career goals and 33 career assists. She has led her team in scoring in each of her three seasons and holds the school’s single-season scoring record. Spagnoletti was named to the All-State and All-Region teams as a junior and is a three-year All-Conference selection. She helped lead her prep team to the No. 1 ranking in the state and a 17-3 record in 2009 and back-to-back conference championships in 2009-10. Spagnoletti played club soccer with ’92 NC Fusion Elite. She was a key contributor in both goals and assists and helped guide the team to the North Carolina State Cup Semifinals in 2009 and 2010.

“Madison is a very athletic forward that possesses outstanding speed,” Beall said. “Her competitiveness and tenacity will bring quality depth to our attack.”

Sweredoski, a midfielder/defender from Huntingtown High School, was a four-time All-County selection and an All-Conference selection in 2008. She was a team captain in 2010 and helped guide her prep team to an appearance in the Maryland State Championship finals. The team also won back-to-back regional championships in 2009-10. Swerdoski played club soccer with Freestyle United ECNL and was a member of the Maryland State ODP team. She captained her club team in her junior and senior seasons and helped guide the squad to a regional championship and an appearance in the Maryland state Cup semifinals.

“Melissa is an extremely competitive midfielder,” Beall said. “Her technical abilities, vision, and versatility will allow us to play her anywhere on the field.”

The Panthers return eight starters from the team which won its second-straight Big South Tournament and earned a bid to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship for the fourth time in eight years. Some of HPU’s top returners include first-team All-Big South selections Janay Whittaker and Kelli Joline as well as second-team selection Sammy Vercellino.