Former Jackson soccer standout among seven recruits for Southeast Missouri State

A Jackson High School graduate who played the past two seasons in junior college highlights Southeast Missouri State's seven-member women's soccer recruiting class.

All seven players, including six current high school seniors, will join the Redhawks for the 2013 season.

"The 2013 class ranks high as one of the most talented and versatile classes to sign in the history of our program," Southeast coach Heather Nelson said in a release. "Every player takes great pride in playing dynamic and intelligent possession style soccer and we are excited about their futures with the team.

"In addition to their athletic and soccer specific abilities, they are strong in character and excel in the classroom. We couldn't be more excited about these athletes committing to become a part of the Redhawk soccer family."

Jackson graduate Kylie Seyer already is enrolled at Southeast as a mid-year transfer and is on the Redhawks' spring roster.

Seyer, a defender, was a two-year starter at Kaskaskia (Ill.) College, where she earned second-team all-region honors last season. She helped Kaskaskia go 30-6-2 the past two years.

Seyer lettered all four years at Jackson, where she was a teammate of current Southeast player Kasey Crowden. The three-sport athlete, who also played basketball and volleyball, was a two-time all-district and all-conference selection in soccer.

"We are always excited to have local players rise to the NCAA Division I level of play. Kylie's mental toughness and tenacious play will add depth to our defensive unit," Nelson said. "She is known for being strong in tackles and fearless. Kylie's continued  development in the college game will focus on her defending priorities, possession style play and becoming a dominant force in the air.

"Her potential for growth and development is great and we are excited that Kylie made a total commitment to join our program this spring."

Seyer said she is thrilled to be a part of the Southeast program and hopes to make an impact.

"I'm really excited," she said. "I just hope to come in and help them be solid in the back."

Seyer said she also is excited about teaming again with Crowden. The two are close and are rooming together this semester.

"We've been friends since high school," Seyer said.

High school seniors headed to Southeast are midfielder Jennifer Antonacci from Cor Jesu Academy in St. Louis; defender Amber Cholevik from Granite City, Ill.; midfielder Kaitlin Kuznacic from Cedarburg, Wis.; goalkeeper Lauren Meyer from Germantown, Wis.; midfielder/forward Natasha Minor from De Pere, Wis.; and midfielder/defender Christina Rohde from Notre Dame in St. Louis.

The Redhawks also will finally have the services of forward Breana Beine this fall. Beine transferred to Southeast from Evansville last spring and sat out the season under NCAA transfer rules. She was allowed to practice with the squad.

Beine was the Missouri Valley Conference's freshman of the year in 2010, when she led the Aces with seven goals and 16 points. She has two years of eligibility remaining at Southeast.

"She is a dynamic attacking threat who is very talented with the ball at her feet, and we are confident that she will both create and finish goal scoring opportunities for our team," Nelson said.