Bolivar, Mo. – SBU Head Women’s Soccer Coach has announced the signing of nine players to National Letters of Intent. “We are very excited about the addition of these young ladies and what they bring to our program. We felt we were close to being one of the top teams in our conference, but we were just missing in a few areas. I think this class has helped us close the gap and get us ready for a tough conference run in 2011,” said Coach Podeyn.

SBU announced the signing of 5’8” defender Jayme Braun from Ozark, Missouri. “Jayme is a strong and physical left-footed defender with good size and speed. We need more strength and depth as last year showed us, and Jayme gives us an excellent defender to help strengthen our defense moving forward.” Jayme has earned All-District, All-Conference and All-Region Honors each of the last two years representing Ozark High School in Ozark, Missouri. “I chose SBU because it was close to home, has a small Christian Environment, has one of the best Physical Therapy Programs in the country, and a very good soccer program,” said Jayme. Jayme will enter SBU in August as a freshman in the Physical Therapy Program.

SBU announced the signing of 5’2” central midfielder Alex Cantrell from Marshfield, Missouri. “Alex is a tremendous midfielder with great vision. She understands our system and how we play and is the perfect fit for the triangle midfield. She has great awareness on the field and is very creative in attacking play.” Alex earned All-District and All-Conference Honors each of the last two years representing Marshfield High School in Marshfield, Missouri. “I chose SBU because of its small campus and it being close to home. The SBU soccer program was a perfect fit for me and was exactly what I was looking for,” said Alex. Alex will enter SBU in August as a freshman.

SBU announced the signing of 5’6” forward Amanda White from St. James, Missouri. “Amanda is one of those players because of where she plays did not receive a lot of attention. She is a very quick attacking player who has scored almost 80 goals for her high school in three years. She has the capability and desire to score with a tremendous work rate that gives defenders fits. She will fit in well with our attacking scheme.” Amanda has been voted Offensive Player of the Year for her team since her freshman year, she is a 3-Time All-District and All-Conference Player and last year was selected as an All-Region and 2nd Team All-State Performer for St. James High School in St. James, Missouri. “I chose SBU because it has one of the best Physical Therapy Programs and I was impressed with the soccer program there. It was exactly what I was looking for,” said Amanda. Amanda will enter SBU in August and plans on majoring in Physical Therapy.

SBU announced the signing of 5’5” attacking central midfielder Marin Gelsheimer from Springfield, Missouri. “Marin is a special player that sees things before they happen. She is very intuitive on the field and reads the game at a different level. She is technically strong with both feet and dangerous anywhere from 30 yards out. She has tremendous speed and is strong and aggressive on the ball.” Marin is the centerpiece of the Kickapoo High School midfield and has been for the last three years. She has earned All-District, All-Conference, All-Ozark, and All-Region Honors and was last year selected as her team’s Most Valuable Player. “I chose SBU for various reasons. Most importantly I want to attend a college with a Christ-centered education filled with people who love Christ just as I do. Another reason is because of the smaller class sizes. I work better one-on-one with that personal attention in a classroom environment. I also admire the fact that I will be able to have a more personal relationship with my professors. I believe that all of these aspects is what is going to be the key to success for my college experience and SBU provides all of these things,” said Marin. Marin will enter SBU in August as a freshman.

SBU announced the signing of 5’8” forward/defender Brittany Copeland from Neosho, Missouri. “Brittany was one of those players we identified at our Prospects Camp last August. She was strong, physical and tough to shake off of the ball. She has a tremendous shot and does not give up on the play. She was a solid player we envisioned could play up front or even in the back. She is a smart and talented player who can adjust and adapt well to any situation.” Brittany plays for Neosho High School and as earned All-District and All-Conference Honors each of the last two years. “After attending soccer camp and visiting the campus I realized SBU would be a perfect fit for me. I like the smaller campus and Christian values of SBU. I believe playing soccer under Coach Podeyn will improve my skills and help me become a better athlete. I am interested in physical therapy as a major and I believe SBU has the best program in the area,” said Brittany. Brittany will enter SBU in August as a freshman.

SBU announced the signing of 5’0” wing midfielder and attacker Heather Seger from Jacob, Illinois. “Heather is a very creative and dynamic player who possesses speed like I’ve never seen before. I remember the first time I saw her in a game she was just a blur. I had to wait for her to stop to see her number and who she was. She is an amazing attacking player who is absolutely relentless in her pursuit of the ball. She doesn’t understand how to stop and never gives up on any play. She is strong enough as a player to play in midfield, but dynamic and fast that she makes a perfect wing attacker as well. She is an exciting addition for us.” Heather plays for a Triad High School team that won Regionals and Sectionals last year and has been Missouri Valley Conference Champions the last three years. Last year, Heather received Offensive Player of the Year Honors from the Missouri Valley Conference. “I chose SBU because of its Computer Science and Education Programs, its small size, and its soccer program, said Heather. Heather will enter SBU in August as a freshman and plans on majoring in Education and Computer Science.

SBU announced the signing of 5’3” forward Caitlin Suerig from Pacific, Missouri. “Caitlin is a very crafty and creative attacking player who is quick and confident when breaking down defenders 1v.1. I felt like we needed to get more dangerous up front and Caitlin is a player that gives us a dangerous 1v.1 threat with a definite goal scoring touch.” Caitlin has been selected as an All-Conference Performer each of the last two years and was selected as the Conference Offensive MVP last year. “I chose SBU because I want to attend school where others share my beliefs and I can play for a competitive soccer program.” Caitlin will enter in August as a freshman.

SBU announced the signing of 5’4” midfielder Shalyn Wheeler from Harrisonville, Missouri. “Shalyn is fun to watch. She has a tremendous work rate and never gives up on the ball. She is quick and aggressive and is deceptively physical in her play. She is the kind of player you like having on your team because you’d hate to play against her. She never stops. She is also a great TEAM player as she is always positive and upbeat and loves to play” Shalyn plays club soccer in Kansas City and also plays at Harrisonville High School. Last year she earned 2nd Team All-Conference and 2nd Team All-District Honors. “Southwest Baptist University was the first college visit I ever went on and from that day on no other school compared to SBU. I visited multiple schools trying to find the “perfect school,” yet I always came back to SBU. SBU offered everything I wanted: a small school, a soccer team, a private religious school, close to home and many others.” Shalyn will enter as a freshman in August.

SBU announced the signing of Lucinda Menne, a 5’8” central defender from St. Charles Community College in St. Louis, Missouri. “I knew when I met Lucinda that she was the player I wanted. She has very good speed, but is very strong at controlling and captaining everything from the back. She is physical and aggressive, but plays very smart and does not take risks. She dominates in the air defensively and is very positive and supportive with her defensive partners.” A four-year starter in high school, Lucinda began her college education and playing career helping to start the St. Charles Community College Women’s Soccer Program. Last season, Lucinda helped them to a 14-5-1 record and a District Championship. They just missed a chance at qualifying for the NJCAA National Tournament losing to eventual qualifier Lewis and Clark 1-0 in overtime. “I chose SBU because I really wanted to go to a school with a Christian atmosphere. I am a hard worker and very passionate about playing and am looking forward to playing at SBU.” Lucinda will enter SBU in August after earning her Associates Degree from St. Charles Community College. She will begin as a junior.