February 4, 2009 -- Emporia State head coach Jim Schneiderhahn
has announced the signing of three players to attend ESU and play Soccer for the Hornets in the 2009 season.

Lindsey Allen is a back from Eureka, Mo and Eureka High School. She is coming off an injury during her senior season for the Wildcats. She played club soccer for Vadar SC in Missouri.

"Lindsey has a great passion for the game," Schneiderhahn said. "She is coming off of a knee injury, but has been after me even before she committed asking me for ideas for fitness and our fitness program. I love that kind of passion. She battles every step of the way, but is very soft spoken off the field. She is another great kid that we add to our program and I am excited for her to show up on campus."

Ashley Hill is a forward from Olathe, Kan. and Olathe Northwest High School. She was named honorable mention All-Johnson County during her senior season with the Ravens. She was also named to the All-Sunflower Conference team from her sophomore season on. She was also a member of the 2004-05 Kansas State Olympic Development team. She played club soccer the KCFC Pumas in Kansas.

"I think Ashley's best days may well be ahead of her. Once she gets used to this level of play she can be a big factor in games. She is a very good finisher and the ball just always seems to find the back of the net. Another one with the enthusiasm to play the game, she will get the opportunity to impress right away. We are happy to have her as a Hornet!"

Hollis St. John is a mid-fielder and back from Friendswood, Texas and Friendswood High School. She was a member of three mustangs teams that made it too the state playoffs. And during the 2007 season helped the team to a 22-3-1 record. She played club soccer for Challenge Blitz '91 in Texas.

"We recruited her as a midfielder, but we are hearing some very good things about her as a back, so we will see what happens when she hits campus. Very composed on the ball and another battler, it should be fun to see where things shake out. Once again a good kid that wants to be here at ESU."

Nikki Schmitz is a goalkeeper from San Antonio, Texas and Douglas MacArthur High School. She was the starting goalkeeper for the Brahma's during all four of her high school seasons. She was a starting goalkeeper on the 2007-08 5A State Championship team that only allowed eight goals all season on the way to a 22-1-1 record. She did not allow a goal in four of five playoff games that season. She played club soccer for Classics Elite '91 in Texas.

"Nikki will come in to compete right away for the now very competitive goalkeeping position. She has very good size and is quick for her size. She is another tremendously hard worker and very competitive. As a former goalkeeper, I know the importance of goalkeeping and it should be fun to work with Jen, Kat, and Nikki and watch the competitive fury!"

"While we are not finished with this class, I think we have done a good job of filling needs with this class. We still anticipate several more commitment in the coming weeks, so this class will continue to grow. I like the personalities that we are putting together, as all the people we have are those that are interested in continuing to build the foundation of a quality soccer program!"