July 2, 2008

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Lewis University women's soccer head coach Chris Koenig has announced 10 new Flyers as part of his 2008 recruiting class.

Allison Schieffer (Channahon, Ill./Minooka H.S.), Martyna Kulawiuk (Round Lake, Ill./Grant Community H.S.), Kelsie Brown (Warren, Mich./Cousino H.S.), Kylen Mills (Elmhurst, Ill./York H.S.), Monica Danek (Elk Grove Village, Ill./James B. Conant H.S.), Samantha Sharp (South Beloit, Ill./Boylan H.S.), Jordyn McMahon (Rockford, Ill./Boylan H.S.), Chelsie Peters (Muskego, Wis./Elkhorn H.S.), Heather Wickenhauser (Bloomington, Ill./University H.S.) and Amanda Slove (Arlington Heights, Ill./Hersey H.S.) make up Koenig's class.

"I am very excited to announce the addition of 10 quality student-athletes to the Lewis University women's soccer family. The talent this class brings should have an immediate impact on our program," Koenig said. "Each of these players brings not only a strong work ethic, skill level and competitive mentality, but also a strong record of academic success."

Schieffer, a 5-foot-9 midfielder, was named The Morris Daily Herald Player of the Year, Southwest Prairie All-Conference and team MVP after scoring 13 goals her senior year. For her entire career, Schieffer tallied 44 goals. Her junior year she was named Southwest Prairie All-Conference, All-Sectional Honorable Mention and team offensive player of the year. A four-year honor roll student, she also played for the Windy City Pride Soccer Club.

"Allison is a strong offensive minded midfielder. Her strength and vision will be a great addition to our team. I expect big things from Allison. She is a complete player who has played at a high level with the Windy City Pride. Allison has the ability to be a playmaker and a finisher," Koenig said. "She attacks the ball in the air and can create her own chances. She brings a tireless work ethic to the squad and I think she will be a valuable asset for many years to come."

Kulawiuk, a 5-foot-7 forward, was named All-Sectional, All-Conference, All-Academic and Team MVP after her senior season. Her sophomore season she was Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association Honorable Mention and All-Conference. Academically, Kulawiuk was an honor roll student.

"I am thrilled with the addition of Martyna to our team. Martyna is an offensive threat; a technical player who gives versatility and flair to our attack being able to play out wide or up top. She has the natural ability to take people on and finish," Koenig said. "As a target player she also has the ability to hold the ball and distribute. I think she has a chance to have a very productive collegiate career."

Brown, a 5-foot-9.5 midfielder, earned four varsity letters in soccer. As a senior captain, she led her team in assists. Academically she was all-academic every year, a cum laude honors graduate, a senior council officer and a three-time student leadership representative. Brown played club soccer with Vardar-Michigan and the Michigan Gators.

"Kelsie is a true athlete. She has speed, strength and fitness. Kelsie is a multisport athlete who immediately improves our attack. As an outside midfielder, she has the ability to take on players and serve quality balls into the box. I am thrilled to add an athlete of Kelsie's quality to our program," Koenig said. "I am certain she will have an impact on our level of play. Kelsie has played club ball for Vardar in Michigan and brings experience of playing at a very high level."

Mills, a 5-foot-9 defender, earned three varsity letters. Her junior season she scored a goal and two assists while leading the defense to eight shutouts and a 0.9 goals against average. Senior year her squad was ranked in the top 10 in the Chicago area. Individually Mills earned the team's Ms. Soccer award and was named all-academic. She was on the honor roll for eight semesters, an Illinois State Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. At the club level, Mills played for Windy City Pride, Glen Ellen Raiders and Team Elmhurst. She is also a former member of the Illinois Olympic Development Program state team.

"Kylen brings toughness to our backfield. She is a strong, physical defender that gives us options. Her ball winning ability and composure on the ball is valuable for us," Koenig said. "She is a leader on the field and can add stability for us. Kylen is a true student athlete who I expect will do well both on the field and in the classroom. We couldn't be more proud to add Kylen to our team."

Danek, a 5-foot-5 goalkeeper, was named to the Daily Herald All-Area team her senior season. She led her team to a regional championship and a 16-5-1 record. Her junior season she helped her team to the school's first regional championship in 10 years. Academically she was an honor roll student, a member of the National Honor Society and named Illinois High School Association All-Academic.

"Monica is a gifted goalkeeper who has had a strong prep career. A former ODP state and regional player, she will add a level of confidence to our goalkeeping staff. She is an athletic goalkeeper who is capable of making big saves," Koenig said. "I am looking forward to her development as a college goalkeeper and welcome the competitiveness she will bring to our team."

Sharp, a 5-foot-8 midfielder, was named an NIC All-Conference performer for Boylan Catholic High School. She was a teammate of Jordyn McMahon at Boylan. A starting defensive midfielder/back, Sharp helped lead her team to another NIC title, a regional and sectional championship her junior year and an IHSA Quarterfinal birth her sophomore year. Sharp also played for the Sirens Soccer Club in Rockford, Illinois.

"Sam is a quality addition to our midfield. She is a strong physical midfielder with nice field vision. A true defensive midfielder, she will improve our ability to win balls in the air," Koenig said. "She is a quality player that will help us possess the ball and add some toughness to our defense. She can play centrally in the midfield or back and will be a nice fit to our style of play."

McMahon, a 5-foot-6 outside midfielder, was a starter since her freshman season. She won the NIC conference all four years and helped her team to the IHSA State Quarterfinals her sophomore season. Junior year Boylan was regional and sectional champions. At the club level, she also played for the Sirens.

"Jordyn is a versatile player who can fill a role for us as an outside midfielder or an attacking outside back. She is a fit athlete who brings some speed to our game. She has the ability to be a very offensive minded defender which is something that will help us build our attack," Koenig said. "She has played at a high level both in high school and her club, and this is the next progression in her career. I look forward to seeing what she is able to accomplish at this level."

Peters, a 5-foot-2 forward, started all four years in high school. Peters was her team's offensive MVP and was named Second Team All-Conference as a senior. She was named team MVP and Second Team All-Conference junior year. Sophomore and freshman year she was named All-Conference Honorable Mention. She played for Milwaukee Sport Club Premier Team for five years.

"Chelsie is a versatile and intelligent player. She adds speed and a relentless work rate to our lineup. In addition, I have already seen her affect our team chemistry. She has an infectious personality that will help her make the transition to our program. Chelsie has tremendous potential," Koenig said. "She is a versatile player who has the ability to play several positions. She is a strong one on one defender and her work ethic gives her the platform for a solid collegiate career. I look forward to having Chelsie as a member of this team for the next four years and see her reach her full potential."

Wickenhauser, a 5-foot-6 defender, started all four years in high school. Senior year she was a co-captain and helped her team to a regional championship. Her freshman season she was a member of a squad that finished fourth in the state. Outside of high school she played club soccer for Five Star.

"Heather gives us strength and consistency in the backfield. She is a solid one-on-one defender and is dangerous in the attack with a very long throw in. I am really looking forward to finding the right fit for Heather. I can see her playing marking back or center back at the college level," Koenig said. "Heather is a student athlete that I know Lewis will be proud of."

Slove, a 5-foot-3 defender, was named All-Conference her senior season. She helped her team to conference, regional and sectional championships.

"Amanda has played at a very high level both in high school and with her club Chicago Sockers. She is a defender who is comfortable on the ball and can get forward into the attack. I think Amanda will add a level of experience to our incoming class. I am very excited about the addition of Amanda to our squad. Anytime you add a player with her experience and success, good things will happen."

The large class provides a jolt of new blood to the Lewis program, already coming off its most wins in seven years.

"This many newcomers obviously changes the dynamic of our squad. I am looking forward to our preseason to get these girls integrated as soon as possible. Our depth has increased and it will definitely create a more competitive environment during training," Koenig said. "I am certain that this group will be a valuable addition to Lewis University on the field, in the classroom and in our community."

The Flyers open the 2008 season at Northwood on August 30.