With a recruiting class of nine incoming players, all from the Pacific Northwest, has earned recognition for the top recruiting class among Division I independents by Soccer Buzz Magazine, announced on www.soccerbuzz.com, a website dedicated to women’s collegiate soccer.
In its rankings, Soccer Buzz posts about , “Division II power moves to Division I and has tons of potential with first Division I class loaded with serious state talent.”
Soccer Buzz also calls the program “on the rise” among the independents. ’s recruiting class was ranked ahead of the classes from Francis Marion, Cal State , Houston Baptist, and .
Several of ’s recruits are making an impact on the local soccer scene. Goalkeeper Madison Goverde (, ) and midfielder Kassandra Riozzi (, ) are playing for the Seattle Sounders club team, while defender Jordan Salisbury () is a member of the Olympic Development Program (ODP) regional pool.
Other members of the highly-rated recruiting class include forward Pfeiffer Bloecker (, ), midfielders Taylor Fannin (, ) and Alicia Malstrom (, ), and defenders Chelsea Jones (, ), Lauren Munechika (), and Kallie Pleis (Carnation, Wash.).
When announcing the recruiting class in February, head coach Julie Woodward said, “I am really excited about the potential of this incoming class. I could not think of any other athletes I would like to have leading us on and off the field during this exciting time of our transition to Division I. They have all played at a very high level and will bring great passion, knowledge, and competitiveness to our program.”
These nine players will join a program coming off a 17-3-1 season which included its third NCAA Tournament appearance in four years and a final national ranking of #18. The women’s soccer team will have the distinction of playing the first Division I contest for Seattle University since 1980, traveling to Ogden, Utah, to face Weber State Friday, Aug. 22. The Redhawks will be hosting Division I schools , , and Cal State Bakersfield during the 2008 season.