The Valparaiso University women’s soccer team has added another standout class to its program, as head coach John Marovich announced on Friday that nine future Crusaders have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Valpo program as freshmen for the 2016 season.

“We’re excited about adding these nine outstanding young women and talented players to our Valpo Soccer family,” said Marovich. “This is the first step of their Valparaiso experience and we are looking forward to assisting them in all aspects of their athletic development and individual growth. The 2016 class is a great fit for our program because they bring great club experience, an eagerness to increase their performance and a competitive attitude. Each player brings something special and different to our team which will add to our overall performance and depth as a program.”

Maria Broecker – Rochester [Mich.] H.S.

Broecker comes to Valpo after a prep career in which she gained Honorable Mention All-District honors and helped Rochester H.S. to district and regional titles in 2013. Broecker played her club soccer for WAZA 98 Juniors, which was two-time MRL champions (2012, 2015), 2014 State Cup champions and Disney Showcase finalists in both 2014 and 2015.

Marovich on Broecker: “Maria is a technical, middle of the park player, with outstanding vision. Her experiences playing in championship atmospheres on a regular basis have given her composure in tough situations, while learning how to raise the level of her performance in pressure situations. We are excited to see her quickness and attacking mentality added to our midfield group.”

Shannon Carr – Clarence [N.Y.] H.S.

Carr, a member of two state championship teams with the Red Devils, earned a spot on the Top Drawer Soccer All-American Watch List entering her senior year and was an NSCAA All-East Region honoree as a junior. Twice an All-State selection, Carr also owns extensive club experience – including playing most recently for the Internationals Soccer Club ECNL team - and was a member of the ODP Region 1 Team in 2014, including playing at the ODP Boca Interregional.

Marovich on Carr: “Shannon has proven at every level that she is a top-level defensive player. She can play both central and outside in the back line. Shannon is a good passer of the ball, and her ability to read the game quickly makes her not only a good defender, but someone who starts the counter-attack effectively.”

Lilly Jackson – Medina [Ohio] H.S.

Jackson was a member of three district championship teams and two conference title teams at Medina, including a state quarterfinal appearance her freshman year and a state semifinal berth her senior year. Individually, Jackson picked up First Team All-Conference accolades as a senior with the Bees. Also playing for the Internationals Soccer Club ECNL team, she helped the club to the Super Y national championship and the State Cup title in 2013.

Marovich on Jackson: “Lilly is a solid individual defender who will fit in well with our defensive foundation. She can play both centrally or out wide providing an attacking component from the back line. I like her pace and decision making as a defender, which comes from her experiences at the club level.”

Olivia Janke – Plymouth [Mich.] H.S.

Janke was a Second Team All-State honoree as a senior for the Wildcats, earning All-Area and All-Conference accolades as well. Janke played club soccer for the Michigan Hawks, helping them to a State Cup runner-up finish in 2015.

Marovich on Janke: “Olivia is a quality athlete and a versatile player. She excels as a wide player in both attacking and defending situations.  Her pace and movement off the ball creates opportunities for herself and her teammates.  The dedication to continuing to improve her performance is evident by the competitive environment of her club team in all competitions and practices.”

Adi Johnson – Rockford Christian [Ill.] H.S.

Johnson was a two-time All-Sectional and All-Conference selection, helping the Royal Lions to regional, sectional and super-sectional championships in 2013 before a fourth-place finish in the state tournament. A member of the Illinois state ODP team and the regional ODP pool, Johnson played club soccer for 2013 USYSA national champions Eclipse Select before playing the last two seasons for the FC Wisconsin Eclipse ECNL team.

Marovich on Johnson: “Ali is a technical player with an ability to find effective combinations with teammates. She brings tremendous energy and enthusiasm to training and games, while taking pride in connecting passes for possession and that “killer” pass to set up her teammate to score a goal.”

Julia Lehnen – Menomonee Falls [Wis.] H.S.

In two seasons with the Indians, Lehnen helped lead Menomonee Falls to its conference title as a sophomore in the spring of 2014. Lehnen played club for FC Milwaukee for four seasons, including a season of ECNL play, and has played for North Shore United the last three years, helping the club to back-to-back state titles and a third-place finish at the Disney Showcase.

Marovich on Lehnen: “Julia is a very quick, smart wide player and forward that will help us in the attacking third. She does well to get herself goal scoring chances and finishes well. She is highly competitive and will bring a lot of energy and fight to our team.”

Tahelah Noel – Christian Central [N.Y.] Academy

Noel comes to Valpo after a standout career as a forward for the CCA Crusaders. The top goal-scorer in program history, Noel led all of Western New York last season, scoring 56 goals as a senior. Noel was a three-time conference MVP and a member of the All-Western New York team in 2015. A six-year ODP member, Noel led her Western New York team to the Region I ODP Championship in 2015 by scoring more goals than any other players participating in the Championships. Noel is currently playing club soccer for Rochester Futbol Club after spending several years with Empire.

Marovich on Noel: “Tahelah is a very fast forward with a great goal scoring ability. She will definitely add dangerous scoring opportunities with her pace and crossing abilities, while hopefully putting quite a few away herself. She has shown the ability to score often at every level and creates stress for defenses with her relentless pressure.”

Ali Quillen – Beavercreek [Ohio] H.S.

Quillen earned GWOC All-Conference accolades and All-Miami Valley honors each of her final two seasons, leading the Beavers to spots in the district final both years. A member of the Ohio and regional ODP teams, Quillen most recently played club soccer for Ohio Galaxies Elite and helped the Greater Toledo Futbol Club to the State Cup finals in 2014.

Marovich on Quillen: “Ali is a strong central player that is great in the air and hard to beat as a defender. She has good vision and good passing ability, which fits in well with the style of play we value here at Valpo. She is strong on both sides of the ball and can help our team on both defense and offense.”

Savannah Smith – Mahtomedi [Minn.] H.S.

Smith helped the Zephyrs to three conference championships and a pair of state tournament appearances in her three years with the squad, serving as team captain and earning honorable mention All-Conference notice as a senior. A standout alpine skier as well, Smith played five years for the St. Croix Academy club team before spending this season at Centennial Soccer Club.

Marovich on Smith: “Savannah is a multifunctional player who can be used in many places on the field. She is a very good passer and sees the game in front of her well. She has a great attitude that will fit perfectly with our team.”