Kelsey Haist, Nixa Eagles (2011)/Missouri Southern Lions

Joplin, Mo. — Missouri Southern soccer coach Alese Woolard has announced the signing of two high school athletes and a Division I transfer to her 2011 signing class.

Joining the Lions from the high school level are Katelyn Roberson (Lee’s Summit N. HS) and Kelsey Haist (Nixa HS), while Abby Risner transfers to the Lions after a year at Mississippi State University.

Roberson is a 5-7 forward that played for coach Dave Wicbenga at LSNHS where she earned three letters and started for two seasons for the Tigers. A second-team All-Conference selection this past season, she helped her team to a district championship in 2009. Roberson also lettered twice on both the tennis and basketball courts. The daughter of Jeff and Carolyn Roberson, Latelyn plans to major in biology at Southern.

“Katelyn is a very physical and competitive forward,” Woolard said. “She is very driven and motivated, and I am happy to have her join our program.”

Haist is a 5-3 midfielder that played for coach Evan Palmer at Nixa High School. A four-year starter for the Eagles, Haist was a four-time All-Conference, All-Districatt and All-Region pick. She helped the Eagles to a district championship in 2010 and finished her career in the top five overall in scoring at the school. The daughter of Mark and Tracy Haist, Kelsey is undecided on her future major at Southern.

“Kelsey is a good addition to the depth of our midfield,” Woolard said. “Her speed and determination will help her come in and compete right away. I look forward to watching her progress in our program.”

Risner transfers to Southern after a year at SEC school Mississippi State. As a freshman at MSU, Risner played in four games, starting three. She accumulated nearly 300 minutes in the net, while recording a 1-1 record with one shutout and stopping 23 shots. Risner prepped at Bentonville High School where she was a four-year starter earning multiple All-State and All-Conference honors and leading her team to two state championships and a pair of runner-up finishes.

She surrendered just 22 goals over her four-year career (just seven her final two years) at BHS where she was named the conference goalkeeper of the year, as well as the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette “best goalie in the state.” The daughter of Chad and Tammy Risner, Abby plans to major in foreign languages at Southern.

“I’m very pleased with the addition of Abby to our program,” Woolard said. “She will bring in more competition to our goalkeeper position, and with her work ethic, she will push not only the other goalkeepers, but the rest of her teammates to be better players.”