Women's Soccer announces talented 2009 recruiting class

By Steven Wright

ADA — Beginning his sixth year at the helm, women's soccer head coach Mark Batman has announced the 2009 recruiting class for the Ohio Northern women's soccer program.

The Polar Bears welcome 11 incoming freshman to the team, including four defenders, three forwards, two midfielders and two goalkeepers.

These freshman will join the 17 returners from last year's squad which ended the season with a record of 14-6-1 overall and 7-2-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.

Northern will also look to improve upon last year's OAC Tournament runner-up finish and claim its first tournament title and berth in the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament.

In addition to having success in the OAC, the 2008 Polar Bears finished ranked No. 4 in the highly competitive NCAA Great Lakes Region.

"I’m very excited about this incoming class of players. I feel very comfortable with this group, and I believe they will be very helpful in our team accomplishing our goals for the upcoming season," said Batman. "I’m really looking forward to watching these players mesh with our upperclassmen, and I’m eager to get on the field and work with them in August."

Ohio Northern will open up its season on Sept. 1 at Defiance before hosting Kalamazoo (Mich.) and Calvin (Mich.) on Sept. 4-5 at the ONU Classic.

2009 Women's Soccer Incoming Freshman

	Name	Pos.	Hometown/High School	Club	Major
	Paige Garber - Ursuline Leadership Award - Ursuline Coach's Award - Club and HS Team Captain	D	Cincinnati/Ursuline	Classics Hammer	Pharmacy/Law
	Lindsay Gilchrist - 1st Team All-NCL - Academic All-Ohio - 2nd Team All-Greater Cleveland	D	Cleveland/Padua Franciscan	Cleveland Cobras	Pre-Medicine
	Nicole Grant - Regional Semifinalist - GWOC Champion - District Champion	D	Centerville	Dayton Galaxies	Pre-Physical Therapy
	Molly Kulp - 1st Team All-Lorain County - 1st Team All-PAC - Team MVP	F	Wellington	Cleveland Cobras	Pharmacy
	Emily Nebgen	GK	Swansea, Ill./Belleville Township	Southern Illinois Sting	Biology
	Halle Orlinski - NSCAA/adidas HS Academic All-American - State Cup Finalist - District Champion	M	Avon Lake	Cleveland Whitecaps	Pharmacy
	Alicia Palivoda - Greater Cleveland All-Star - District Runner-up - Coach's Award	F	Cleveland/Padua Franciscan	Cleveland Cobras	Nursing
	Tara Tokar - High School All-American - GWOC Player of the Year - First Team All-State - Dayton Player of the Year	M	Centerville	Dayton Galaxies	Pharmacy
	Erin Waehner - Defensive Player of the Year - Regional Champion - All-Academic team	GK	Libertyville, Ill.	Eclipse Soccer Club	Pharmacy
	Madeline White - Most goals scored So. and Sr. years - Team Captain - Comeback Player of the Year	F	Cincinnati/Ursuline	Cincinnati United Premiere	Civil Engineering
	Rachel Wright - 2nd Team All-WBL - District Runner-up - WBL Champion	D	Celina	Grand Lake United	Athletic Training