By Mike Anderson, NKU Sports Information

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University women’s soccer team has signed 12 players to national letters of intent to join the Norse for the 2008 season. The are:

•Stephanie Glass, a 2008 graduate of Lincoln High School in Tallahassee, Fla. Glass boasted a 1.14 goals against average in 23 games as a senior, allowing just 22 goals over the span and notching 10 shutouts. All told, Glass notched 25 shutouts in three seasons as a goalkeeper for the Trojans. Glass was also a member of the Trojan flag football team.

Head coach Bob Sheehan said: "Stephanie is a physically and mentally tough goalkeeper who has sought and been exposed to a high level of training. She has demonstrated a willingness to continue to improve herself, and the strong work ethic she brings will benefit the team."

•Kelly Snead, a 2008 graduate of Anderson High School in Cincinnati. Snead tallied 21 goals in her three-year prep career, including 11 during her senior campaign, to help lead the Redskins to two Fort Ancient Valley Conference championships. Snead was named second-team All-FAVC in 2007 and first team in 2006.

Sheehan: "Kelly has been a big part of the resurgence of the girls soccer program at Anderson High School, as that program has re-emerged as one of the best in the city. Kelly has excelled against excellent competition and has great size and technical ability as a target up front."

•Hannah Wissell, a 2008 graduate of Mercy High School in Cincinnati. Wissell was a Girls' Greater Catholic League Scarlet Division honorable mention and an All-City second team selection in 2007.

Sheehan: "Hannah's skill set includes quickness and control with the ball at her feet. She can play a variety of different positions and we look for her to contribute in several areas on the field."

•Samantha Sutkamp, a 2008 graduate of Newport Central Catholic High School in Newport, Ky. Sutkamp helped lead the Thoroughbreds to three All “A” Classic championships, and KHSAA regional appearances in three of her four seasons. She was named first team all-state in her senior season, and earned the “Best Offensive Player” award on the Northern Kentucky All-Star Team. Additionally, Sutkamp was a 2007 state champion in the pole vault and 4 x 400 meter relay.

Sheehan: "Sam is a multiple-sport athlete with tremendous upside in soccer. She has achieved at the highest level in track, winning multiple state championships, and she has demonstrated a similar level of success on the soccer field."

•Kelly Sullivan, a 2008 graduate of Taylor High School in Cleves, Ohio. Sullivan scored 60 goals in her prep career, earning all-city and second team all-state honors in 2007 and leading the Yellow Jackets to a Cincinnati Hills League championship in 2004. Sullivan was also a part of Taylor’s 2004 OHSAA Division II state championship cross country team.

Sheehan: "Kelly is a quick, high-pressure, and high-energy player who has demonstrated an ability to score goals. She led the CHL in goals scored with 27, and tied for first in goal scoring in the city of Cincinnati."

•Lindsay Rack, a 2008 graduate of McAuley High School in Cincinnati. Rack earned second team All-Girls' Greater Catholic League Scarlet Division honors and was a GGCL Academic Award recipient.

Sheehan: "Lindsay is a strong, physical defender who plays with a presence in the defense. She is a ball winner and has fully recovered from an injury which shortened her senior year."

•Amanda Mason, a 2008 graduate of Northwest High School in Cincinnati. Mason was a two-time Fort Ancient Valley Conference Player of the Year, leading the Knights to three FAVC divisional titles, as well as the FAVC championship in 2007. She also earned all-city recognition in 2007 and was named the MVP of the Southwest Ohio Soccer Coaches Association’s all-star game. Mason registered 33 career goals, including 10 during her senior campaign, and 16 assists.

Sheehan: "Amanda is a playmaker in the central midfield area with a gift for finding the open player. She also has a knack for scoring goals, and a high skill set with excellent composure on the ball."

•Emily Martin, a 2008 graduate of Bishop Brossart High School in Alexandria, Ky. Martin was an All-Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference performer in her final three seasons of prep competition and earned All-Region honors in all four years. Martin scored 14 career goals for the Lady Mustangs and helped lead the team to a 19th District tournament appearance in 2005.

Sheehan: "Emily shows well as a wide player who can provide quality play from the flank. She provides excellent service and has demonstrated the ability to penetrate on the dribble."

•Elise Schmuelling, a 2008 graduate of Mercy High School in Cincinnati. Schmuelling was an All-GGCL honoree in her sophomore, junior and senior seasons, as well as an all-city selection during her senior year, and captained the team in 2007.

Sheehan: "Elise is a disciplined defender with exceptional athleticism. She will bring a maturity and a strong work ethic to the defense."

•Kristi Hofmeyer, a 2008 graduate of Seton High School in Cincinnati. Hofmeyer was named to the All-GGCL team twice, including first-team honors in her senior season for both soccer and basketball, and captured all-city recognition in 2007.

Sheehan: "Kristi is the type of player who doesn't mind getting her uniform dirty, as she works at a high level in practice and in games. We look forward to the intensity that Kristi will bring to the program."

•Jessica Page, a 2008 graduate of Harrison High School in Harrison, Ohio. Page was named the FAVC Buckeye Division Player of the Year in 2007 and earned all-city and third team all-state honors. Page broke Wildcat records with 27 goals in her senior season and 44 career markers.

Sheehan: "Jessica led the FAVC in scoring with 27 goals and tied for first in Cincinnati in scoring. Jessica has demonstrated that she can score in a variety of ways: in the air, on a breakaway, on a restart, or from 25 yards out."

•Corinne Carducci, a 2008 graduate of Olentangy Liberty High School in Powell, Ohio. Carducci helped captain the Patriots to Ohio Capital Conference Capital Division titles in 2006 and 2007, earning first and second team All-OCC selections, respectively. Carducci also led the Patriots in goal scoring during the 2005 campaign.

Sheehan: "Corinne exemplifies the term student-athlete as she is exceptionally bright and she is the student council president. She plays soccer, basketball, and runs track, and she is involved in many other activities outside of athletics. She will bring a sense of leadership and maturity to the program."

Northern Kentucky will open its season on Aug. 28 at Concord. The Norse will play their home opener on Sept. 7 when they host Findlay.

(Updated June 2 to add Carducci.)