Southeast Missouri State soccer team adds six in signing class

~ The class includes three players from the state of Missouri

Southeast Missouri State soccer coach Heather Nelson announced the addition of six recruits to her 2014 team on Friday. Nelson added three players from Missouri, two from Wisconsin and an international talent from Australia.

"I take a lot of pride in Missouri and Midwestern players," Nelson said. "They come from good families with good values and that's important for a team, especially when they have never played together before."

Nelson also believes she has found a group that will fill the team's needs. Southeast lost four players to graduation after the 2013 season, most importantly goalkeeper Ashton Aubuchon.

Aubuchon was a dominant force between the pipes and saved 234 shots in her career, a Southeast record. She was named the Ohio Valley Conference defensive player of the year last season.

In order to fill her team's biggest hole, Nelson recruited Springfield, Mo., native Kindra Lierz. Lierz was named to the all-state team three times and was the Ozark Conference player of the year in 2012. The 5-foot-10 recruit has Nelson feeling better about losing Aubuchon and she expects Lierz to be in goal by the first game of the season.

"Kindra brings size, athleticism and leadership to this team," Nelson said. "I am confident that she will make an immediate and long-term impact and hopefully mirror an outstanding career like Aubuchon."

Southeast finished 8-7-3 overall last season and 6-2-2 in the OVC. The Redhawks season came to an end after a 1-0 loss to Austin Peay in the first round of the conference tournament.

The Redhawks other weak spots last season included the center back position. Sophomore Natasha Minor was the only center back on the team last year. Minor, who had never played the position prior to the 2013 season, did a good job of filling in but had no one to relieve her when she needed a breather.

Nelson has found two new center backs to help out Minor during the upcoming season. Paige Blankenheim, a two time all-conference player from Germantown, Wis., and Jenna Scheer of Ballwin, Mo.

"Jenna and Paige are two of the tallest center backs in our conference," Nelson said. "I think that plus their ability to organize a team on the field gives us an early advantage. It also adds some depth to our lineup at the back position and fills another hole."

Southeast signed two other defensive players. Defenders Jessica Brady of Chesterfield, Mo., and Shay Darga, from Mequon, Wis., will look to earn starting spots when the Redhawks open play next fall.

Nelson's recruiting strategy is not limited to the Midwest. She believes in recruiting players internationally as well. This year, she found international talent in Maddy Cornell.

Cornell, a forward from New South Wales, Austalia, brings international experience and plenty of enthusiasm and drive for the game, something Nelson says her team needs.

"I look at it like this, diversity breeds success." Nelson said. "When you bring in international players, it's a huge statement to Americans about how passionate they are about the game. We hope they feed off of each other's passion and play as a team. For me as a coach, it's all about striking a balance and that's what I think we have done with this recruiting class."