PORTLAND, Ore. - The Portland State soccer program announced the signing of five players, four from the Portland-Metro area, on the first day of the NCAA's signing period. The class, two forwards, two goalkeepers and a defender, will bolster a team that returns nine starters and has finished no lower than second the last three seasons. The class also features one player with FIFA World Cup experience.

“I am very proud of this recruiting class,” said Head Coach Laura Schott on her third signing day as head coach, “Each individual adds something different and important to our 2011 team.”

Sherwood High School's Daniela Solis, a member of Mexico's U17 World Cup squad this past September, is one of the two forwards signed to this year's class. Solis made three appearances for Mexico and scored a goal, the game-winner, against the Republic of South Africa.
Daniela Solis Team Mexico

Solis was a four-time all-state honoree and finished her career as the No. 2 scorer in the Axemen's rich soccer history. She will reunite with two-former high school teammates, Amanda Dutra and Michelle Hlasnik.

The Vikings will welcome another set of twins to this years team in Kayla and Kelsey Henningsen, of Beaverton's Westview High School. Kayla will join the Viks frontline, while Kelsey will fuse with the backline. Both bring significant championship experience to the Park Blocks with their club and high school teams.

The twins will reunite with former high school teammate Lainey Hulsizer in fall 2011 and join Carlie and Megan Martin as the second set of twins on the roster.

The final recruits for Portland State's class of 2011 are Angela Haluska and Caitlin Plese, both goalkeepers.

Plese, the only out-of-state signee (Enumclaw, Wash.), was her conference's defensive MVP in 2010 and named to the Tacoma News Tribune All-Area team. To boot, she is scheduled to receive her associates degree from Green River CC at the end of the school year.

Haluska, a Clackamas, Ore., native, was recently named to The Oregonian's 6A All-State and led her team to the state semifinals this past season. If the last name rings a bell to Vikings fan, look no further than her mom and dad, Mary and Mike Haluska, both former athletes and coaches at Portland State.

Schott closed by saying “This class, in combination with our returners, will help our program take another step forward in our quest for the Big Sky Conference Title.”

PSU finished 2010 with a 9-10-1 overall record and finished second in the Big Sky (5-2-0). The team scored 31 goals and only surrendered five goals in Big Sky play.

Coach Schott, heading into her fourth year as head coach and seventh overall at Portland State, has led the Vikings to a 13-4-4 record the last three seasons in the Big Sky. The Vikings won the Big Sky regular season in 2009 and have qualified for the last four conference championships.

Full signing class and bios on all of the athletes listed below.

Angela Haluska | Fr. | 5-5 | Goalkeeper | Clackamas, Ore. (Clackamas)
Kayla Henningsen | Fr. | 5-9 | Forward | Beaverton, Ore. (Westview)
Kelsey Henningsen | Fr. | 5-9 | Defender | Beaverton, Ore. (Westview)
Caitlin Plese | Fr. | 5-9 | Goalkeeper | Enumclaw, Wash. (Enumclaw)
Daniela Solis | Fr. | 5-7 | Forward | Sherwood, Ore. (Sherwood)

ANGELA HALUSKA
Fr. | 5-5 | Goalkeeper
Enumclaw, Wash. (Enumclaw)

COACH SCHOTT ON HALUSKA:
“Angela is an athletic goalkeeper who has improved steadily over the past few years. She's had a lot of success in pressure situations and owns a great goalkeeping mentality.”

ODP/CLUB:
Played five seasons with Eastside United Chelsea, winning state championships in 2005-07 ... Played five season's with Bridlemile Black 92's ... Also played five seasons in Oregon ODP program.

CLACKAMAS HIGH SCHOOL:
Earned four letters in soccer and three in track ... Selected to The Oregonian's 6A All-State soccer team senior year ... Twice named first team all-conference and honorable mention two times as well ... Cavaliers won the league championship in 2007 and 2010 ... Led team to the state semifinals in 2007 and 2010.

PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Born June 18, 1993 ... Daughter of Mike and Mary Haluska ... Father, Mike, was the head wrestling coach for three seasons (2007-09) and wrestled in1985 and 1988 ... Mother, Mary, was the assistant softball coach for 16 seasons (1989-2005) and played for the Vikings in 1979-1982 ... Intends to major in education.

KAYLA HENNINGSEN
Fr. | 5-9 | Forward
Beaverton, Ore. (Westview)

COACH SCHOTT ON KAYLA HENNINGSEN:
“Kayla is very athletic and can play any position on the field. Her versatility allows her to positively affect the game any place, any time.”

ODP/CLUB:
Played three years for FC Portland and spent five seasons with Eastside United FC ... Won a total of four state championships during club career (2005-08, 2010) ... Three-time regional quarterfinalist ... Won Celtic Cup with Eastside in 2008.

WESTVIEW HIGH SCHOOL:
Played four years with soccer team and two with basketball team ... First team All-Metro League senior year ... Named state championship player of the game in 2008, despite losing in the final ... Won the Metro League All-Star Academic Award ... Was second team All-Metro as a junior ... Led Westview to the state finals in 2008 and 2009 and to the semifinals in 2010 ... Wildcats won Metro Championship in 2010.

PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Born December 14, 1993 ... Daughter of Paul and T-Kae Henningsen ... Twin sister, Kelsey, is also a 2011 signee ... Has one other sister, Alicia Edgerely ... Honor roll student ... Former high school teammate of current Viking Lainey Hulsizer ... Plans to major in accounting.

KELSEY HENNINGSEN
Fr. | 5-9 | Forward
Beaverton, Ore. (Westview)

COACH SCHOTT ON KELSEY HENNINGSEN:
“Kelsey is a formidable force in the back line. She has the speed, height, strength, and mentality to make an impact immediately on our team.”

ODP/CLUB:
Played three years for FC Portland and spent five seasons with Eastside United FC ... Won a total of four state championships during club career (2005-08, 2010) ... Three-time regional quarterfinalist ... Won Celtic Cup with Eastside in 2008.

WESTVIEW HIGH SCHOOL:
Played four years with soccer team and two with basketball team ... First team All-Metro League senior year ... Selected to The Oregonian's 6A All-State soccer team senior year ... Led Westview to the state finals in 2008 and 2009 and to the semifinals in 2010 ... Wildcats won Metro Championship in 2010 ... Won the Metro League All-Star Academic Award.

PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Born December 14, 1993 ... Daughter of Paul and T-Kae Henningsen ... Twin sister, Kayla, is also a 2011 signee ... Has one other sister, Alicia Edgerely ... Honor roll student ... Former high school teammate of current Viking Lainey Hulsizer ... Plans to major in accounting.

CAITLIN PLESE
Fr. | 5-9 | Goalkeeper
Enumclaw, Wash. (Enumclaw)

COACH SCHOTT ON PLESE:
“Caitlin is a solid goalkeeper with great presence. Initially, her presence and demeanor in goal stood out. In addition to her leadership from the back, she is very strong and can hold a lot of shots other keepers cannot.”

ODP/CLUB:
Played eight years with Washington Premiere F.C. ... Three-year member of Washington ODP.

ENUMCLAW HIGH SCHOOL:
Four-time letter winner at goalkeeper ... Named first team all-conference three times ... Was conference's defensive MVP senior year ... Named to Tacoma New Tribune All-Area soccer team ... Twice named team's MVP ... Led soccer program to 2008 WIAA State Tournament for the first time in school history ... Team captain senior year.

PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Born December 28, 1992 ... Daughter of Mike and Kim Plese ... Has one sister, Kelly ... Was named a scholar-athlete at Enumclaw and a member of the National Honor Society ... Participated in the running start program at Green River Community College ... Will earn her associates degree at the end of the school year ... Lists reading, concerts and friends as interests ... Plans to major in criminal justice and anthropology.

DANIELA SOLIS
Fr. | 5-7 | FORWARD
Sherwood, Ore. (Sherwood)

(NOTE: Video of Daniela Solis at the U17 World Cup is linked at the top of the page)

COACH SCHOTT ON SOLIS :
“Daniella is a very creative player on and off the ball. She has experience at the world level competing for Mexico at the U17 World Cup last summer. Look for her to be an exciting addition to our attack.”

ODP/CLUB:
Played with Southside Albion's U10-U16 teams ... Finished club career with Eastside United's Chelsea U17-U18 clubs ... Played for ODP 93's in 2005, 2009 and 2010 ... Won Oregon State Championship last summer with Chelsea.

SHERWOOD HIGH SCHOOL:
Earned four letters in soccer and two in track ... Named 5A first team all-state all four years ... Four-time all-conference selection ... Was conference's player of the year sophomore and junior years ... Led team to state finals in 2010, runner-up, and won 5A state championship freshman year ... Despite loss, was still named the state championship's player of the game ... Team won three conference championships, 2007-09 ... Finished career No. 2 all-time in goals and assists at Sherwood ... High school teammate of current Vikings Amanda Dutra and Michelle Hlasnik.

MEXICAN NATIONAL TEAM:
Represented Mexico at 2010 U17 World Cup in Trinidad & Tobago ... Made three appearances and two starts during group stage at forward ... Made first international start against eventual World Cup champion South Korea (Sept. 8) ... Scored the game-winning goal in the 21st minute against the Republic of South Africa (Sept. 12) ... Came off the bench versus Germany (Sept. 5).

PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS:
Born April 19, 1993 ... Daughter of Hector and Sonia Solis ... Has two brothers, Hector and Jesus ... A four-time 5A state honor roll member ... Lists hanging out with friends, using the computer and learning new things as hobbies ... Wants to have an amazing experience in school and soccer ... Would like to major in business.