JONESBORO (2/6/08) - Eight student-athletes have signed national letters of intent to continue their soccer careers at Arkansas State, Head Coach Derek Pittman announced Wednesday. One walk-on and a transfer from Loyola-Chicago complete the 2008 class.

Stasha Siers, Michele Clark, Megan Stoltzfus, Sara Krimm, Kara Nitti, Kai Gear, Lizzy Niles, Meghan Mace, Lyndsey Patterson and Mandi Wiley will join the Arkansas State squad in the fall.

“First off, I want to personally take this opportunity to thank my assistant coach, Jason Burr, for all the countless hours that he has put into this recruiting class,” Pittman said. “He deserves a lot of credit for his tireless efforts and is an unsung hero in our program's recruiting process.”

“We are both very excited about the 2008 class of signees because they are such a tremendous group of young ladies and players. We have added some much needed athleticism, speed and soccer skill to our team with this new crop of individuals,” Pittman continued. “They all possess the competitive drive and creative personalities that will mesh well with our returners.”

“This is a very big class of 10 kids and we fully expect these players to add a lot of depth and versatility to our roster as we prepare for the 2008 fall season,” Pittman said. “Our returning players are working hard to improve this spring and know that we are striving to have a much-improved team going into next year's preseason.”

2008 Recruiting Class

STASHA SIERS
Position: Forward
High School: Northwest
Hometown: High Ridge, Mo.
Club Team: Missouri Premiere
Club Coach: Sterling Wescott
High School Coach: Gottmann/Baugh
Height: 5'8”
Bio
Prounounced: STAY-sha Sears ... Four-year varsity starter and three-year team captain at Northwest High School ... Three-time Offensive Player of the Year (2005, 2006, 2007) ... Suburban West scoring leader in 2006 and 2007 ... Named to the Bi-State Shootout All-Tournament Team in 2006 ... Named to the Suburban West All-Conference Team in 2005, 2006 and 2007 ... Jefferson County scoring leader in 2006 and runner-up in 2007 ... Nominated for the Jefferson County Female Athlete of the Year in 2006 and 2007 ... Part of the Missouri Premiere Club team that was the 2007 Best of the Midwest Champion, Dallas Cup semifinalist and Denver Cup semifinalist ... Was the 2006 Dallas Cup Runner-Up and Orange Classic Runner-Up ... Was part of the state champ Coke Wake team that was also a Region 2 semifinalist, Germantown Invitational semifinalist, Best of the Midwest Co-Champs and SLYSA Division “A” champions ...Member of the Missouri State ODP team in 2006 and 2007 ... Club teammate of Michele Clark and Lyndsey Patterson ... Also recruited by Illinois State, Indiana State, Florida Southern, Missouri, Newberry, Drury, Missouri State and Lincoln Memorial

Pittman on Siers:
“Stasha is a strong, athletic individual that will be a very dynamic forward at the college level. We expect her to come in and immediately challenge for playing time in one of our attacking roles. She is a proven goal scorer and comes from a very competitive club environment which has helped develop her ability to be a physical presence around the goal. Stasha will be a great asset to our team.”

Michele Clark
Position: Midfield
High School: Fort Zumwalt South
Hometown: St. Peters, Mo.
Club Team: Missouri Premiere
Club Coach: Sterling Wescott
High School Coach: Vernon Gano
Height: 5'6”
Bio
Four-year varsity letterwinner at Fort Zumwalt South High ... 2007 Bi-State Shootout Champions ... 2007 Alton Tournament Champions ... Named to the GAC All-Conference First Team as a midfielder in 2006 and 2007 ... Was named to the 2007 Bi-State Shootout All-Tournament Team ... Received the 2005 GAC Sportsmanship Award and was named Honorable Mention ... Part of the Missouri Premiere club team that was the 2007 Best of the Midwest Champion and 2007 Texas Cup Quarterfinalist ... 2006 Texas Cup Finalist, Missouri Cup Finalist and Orange Classic finalist ... Member of the Missouri State ODP team from 2005 to 2007 ... Member of the Gateway Athletic Conference Academic Team from 2005 to 2007 ... Club teammate of Stasha Siers and Lyndsey Patterson ... Also recruited by Indiana State, Purdue, Central Missouri and Newberry

Pittman on Clark:
“Michele is an exciting, skillful player that has a great left foot. Her creativeness and ability to beat defenders will help us on the flanks. She comes from the same club team out of St. Louis as Stasha and Lyndsey where she has truly developed into a special player. She can play out wide or in the middle of the midfield with her dribbling and passing ability. She will add some much needed help to our roster.”
 

Megan Stoltzfus
Position: Goalkeeper
High School: Sandia
Hometown: Tijeras, N.M.
Club Team: Albuquerque United
Club Coach: Jorge Vela
High School Coach: Vladi Stanojevic
Height: 5'10”
Bio
Three-year letterwinner at Sandia High School ... Team was District runner-up and third in state in 2005 and 2006 ... 2006 APS Tournament Champions ... Was named Second Team All-District Goalkeeper in 2005 ... 2006 First Team All-District Honorable Mention ... Was named High School Player of the Week in 2006 ... Member of Albuquerque United club team that was state champion in 2000 and 2001 ... Placed third in Far West Regionals in 2001 ... ODP ?89 girls small pool in 2002-2003 ... Also recruited by Kansas, Texas Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette and Florida International

Pittman on Stoltzfus:
“One of our biggest needs for 2008 was to bring in two quality goalkeepers after graduating Kelly and Bri last fall. Megan is one of those individuals that will fill this void. She brings a tremendous presence and aggressiveness to that position, which will help her compete for playing time right away. She has been trained by a top quality GK coach and we have high expectations for her to help us next fall.”

Sara Krimm
Position: Goalkeeper
High School: Brentwood
Hometown: Brentwood, Tenn.
Club Team: Real Madrid
Club Coach: Brandy Gagliano & Renee Schultz
High School Coach: Mike Purcell
Height: 5'9”
Bio
Four-year varsity letterwinner and three-year starter at Brentwood High School ... Holds the school record for shutouts in a season with 15 ... Named All-District, All-Region and All-State as a junior and senior ... Named BHS Defensive MVP as a sophomore and senior ... Member of six-time state champion Real Madrid club team ... Team finished third in the region and was ranked seventh nationally in 2007 ... State ODP in 2005 and 2006 ... Club teammate of Meghan Mace

Pittman on Krimm:
“Sara is the other individual that will come in and help fill the goalkeeper void for 2008. She is a six-time State Club Champion out of Tennessee and has competed at some of the highest levels across this country with her Real Madrid teammates. Sara is a very athletic and physical goalkeeper that will do well for us next fall. Her technical and game-related decisions will be a great addition to our roster.”

Kara Nitti
Position: Forward
High School: St. Charles East
Hometown: St. Charles, Ill.
Club Team: Fox Valley Strikers
Club Coach: Amy Winslow
High School Coach: Pat Feulner
Height: 5'6”
Bio
Pronounced: CARE-uh Knitt-y ... Four-year varsity letterwinner at St. Charles East ... Team was regional champion in 2006 and sectional champ in 2007 ... Was a Kane County Chronicle All-Area selection in 2005, 2006 and 2007 ... Daily Herald All-Area selection in 2006 and 2007 ... Named All-Conference and All-Sectional in 2007 ... Chicage Tribune All-State selection in 2007 ... Was just the second freshman in school history to lead team in scoring ... Lead team in scoring as a freshman, sophomore and junior ... Ranked No. 11 in school history in scoring, goals and assists as a junior ... Member of Fox Valley Strikers club team that was ranked eighth nationally ... Led team in goals, assists and points for five seasons ... Illinois State ODP team starter for six years ... Two-time regional pool selection - Region II ...  Named Academic All-Conference ... Club teammate of Kai Gear ...  Also recruited by San Diego State, Missouri, ISU and Florida Gulf Coast

Pittman on Nitti:
“We are very excited about Kara being a part of this recruiting class for 2008. She will be able to add some much needed speed to our forward line and a wealth of experience, having played on Illinois' State ODP team for the past six years. Kara has the ability to stretch defenses with her pace and is a tremendous finisher in and around the 18-yard box. She will definitely have the opportunity to score some goals next year for us.”

Kailey “Kai” Gear
Position: Defender
High School: Batavia
Hometown: Batavia, Ill.
Club Team: Fox Valley Strikers
Club Coach: Amy Winslow
High School Coach: Jim McCalpin
Height: 5'7”
Bio
Pronounced: Ky-lee ... Four-year varsity starter at Batavia High School ... Recorded 11 goals and 13 assists as a junior; 14 goals and 13 assists and a sophomore; and six goals and eight assists as a freshman ... Named All-Conference Honorable Mention as a sophomore and junior ... Also named All-Area Special Mention as a junior ... Batavia team won Moline High School tournament three consecutive years ... Member of Metro-Cup Champion Fox Valley Strikers club team ... Team was runner-up at the Surf Cup and Score at the Shore ... Illinois State ODP pool player for two years ... Club teammate of Kara Nitti ... Also recruited by Northern Illinois, Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Illinois State

Pittman on Gear:
“Kai could easily be one of the fastest players we have ever recruited here at ASU. In high school she plays as a forward or midfielder, but we feel she will be a great addition to our group of defenders, adding some needed speed either centrally or out wide. Her attacking mentality will also help us build our attacks from the back going forward and we look for her to be a dangerous threat defensively and offensively.”

Elizabeth “Lizzy” Niles
Position: Midfield/Forward
High School: Elgin
Hometown: Elgin, Ill.
Club Team: KUFC Cosmos
Club Coach: Dwayne Cruz
High School Coach: Dave Borg
Height: 5'3”
Bio
Four-year varsity starter at Elgin High School ... Was an All-Conference Honorable Mention as a freshman and sophomore ... Named All-Sectional Honorable Mention as a freshman ... Named All-Conference and All-Sectional as a junior ... Named to the All-Area Daily Herald First Team as a sophomore and junior ... Tied school record for career goals with 45 as a junior ... Plays with KUFC Cosmos club team ... Member of the 2005 US Club National Championship team ... Club team was a finalist at the 2007 US Club Nationals U17 ... Team was 2006 Score at the Shore Champion ...  Also recruited by Coastal Carolina, Winthrop, California Baptist, UT-Martin, Wisonsin-Parkside and Westpoint

Pittman on Niles:
“The word ?Fiesty' comes to mind when Jason and I think of Lizzy Niles. She is an absolute ball of energy that brings a tenacious mentality to the soccer field. She has the stamina and work ethic to be a nightmare for opposing teams. We are looking for Lizzy to help our team in the center of midfield because she has the quickness and skill to help us possess the ball as well as attack with pace off of our defensive pressure. She will be a fun kid to watch.”

Meghan Mace
Position: Forward/Midfield
High School: Franklin
Hometown: Franklin, Tenn.
Club Team: Real Madrid
Club Coach: Brandy Gagliano & Renee Schultz
High School Coach: Jimmy Burchett
Height: 5'6”
Bio
Four-year varsity letterwinner at Franklin High School ... Named Rookie of the Year in 2004 ... 17th all-time leading scorer at Franklin ... Named to the All-District Team in 2006 ... Team was District Champion, Region Champion, Sectional Champion and State Quarterfinalist in 2007 ... Franklin team was Sectional Champ and State Quarterfinalist in 2006 ... Member of six-time state champion Real Madrid club team ... Team was 2007 Regional Semi-Finalist and 2006 Regional Quarterfinalist ... Real Madrid was ranked seventh in the nation ... Club teammate of Sara Krimm ... Also recruited by Alabama and Virginia Tech

Pittman on Mace:
“As a six-time Tennessee State Cup winner, Mace is a kid that will bring a lot of versatility to our roster. She can play anywhere in the midfield or as a forward. She has a very powerful shot which allows her to be dangerous around the goal, but she is also very good on the ball so she will be very helpful in the midfield. We are very excited about Meghan because she is a quality athlete and will help improve our overall team speed and athleticism.”

Lyndsey Patterson
Position: Midfield/Defender
High School: Parkway South
Hometown: Des Peres, Mo.
Club Team: Missouri Premiere
Club Coach: Sterling Wescott
High School Coach: Al Trost
Height: 5'7”
Bio
Four-year varsity starter at Parkway South ... Was named All-Conference for the past two years ... Won the Most Valuable Offensive Player Award in 2005, 2006 and 2007 ... Member of the Missouri Premiere club team that won the 2007 Best of the Midwest Tournament ... Has won two state championships during club career ... Club teammate of Stasha Siers and Michele Clark ... Also recruited by Northwest Missouri, University of Dayton and SIU-Edwardsville

Pittman on Patterson:
“Lyndsey comes from the same team, Missouri Premiere, as Stasha and Michele and has been taught the game by a quality coach. We expect her to come in and challenge for playing time in our defensive midfield role because she is very physical and an imposing presence. Our conference is a physical one and we need players like Lyndsey to help us battle for hard tackles or balls in the air. She is also a very good passer of the ball and will help in our desire to possess the ball.”

Miranda “Mandi” Wiley
Position: Defender
Previous School: Loyola-Chicago
High School: Collinsville
Hometown: Collinsville, Tenn.
Club Team: Metro United
Club Coach: Dale Schilly
High School Coach: Ron Rowden
Height: 5'7”
Bio
Played one year at Loyola-Chicago ... Participated in 50 percent of games including the NCAA Division I tournament against Notre Dame ... Team was Horizon League Champion in 2007 ... Went 7-1-0 in conference play and 14-9-1 overall ... Was a four-year varsity letterwinner at Collinsville High ... Two-year team captain, team MVP and defensive player of the year ... 2007 IHSSCA All-State ... Three-time All-Conference selection and three-time Belleville News Democrat All-Area pick ... Named St. Louis Post-Dispatch All-Metro Honorable Mention ... Named to the Bi-State and Fralish Cup All-Tournament teams ... Collinsville team was a regional finalist three times ... Member of the Metro United club team that was a 2006 Germantown Gold Finalist and a state cup quarterfinalist ... Team went undefeated in the College Search Kickoff and GSC College Challenge ... Was a 2004 SYL Midwest Division ODP team member ... Also recruited by Memphis and Southeast Missouri State

Pittman on Wiley:
“We are very excited to be adding a transfer player of Mandi's ability to our roster for next fall. She has a year of college soccer under her belt and will help add some much needed experience to our defending group. She played for a team that won the Horizon League Conference tournament championship and participated in the NCAA tournament last year. She is a great kid with quality speed and knowledge of the game. We fully expect her to step in and contribute immediately next fall.”