Baylor
Rice Track/Soccer Stadium
7:00 PM

Marquette
Milwaukee, Wisc.
7:30 PM

UW-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisc.
12:00 PM

Stephen F Austin
Nacogdoches
7:00 PM

TCU
Rice Track/Soccer Stadium
6:00 PM

Feb. 6, 2008

Meet The Rice Soccer Program's New Signees!

• Amy Beger • Marie Hunnell • Annie Kadota • Chealsey Russell • Nikki Storness • Hope Ward

• Signee Info in PDF Format

Rice head soccer coach Chris Huston announced the signing of six players from the high school and club levels on Wednesday (Feb. 6), the first national day to sign with the sport.

The 2008 Rice signees are Amy Beger (MF, Saint Charles, Mo.), Marie Hunnell (D, Fairfax Station, Va.), Annie Kadota (F, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.), Chealsey Russell (MF, Springfield, Mo.), Nikki Storness (F, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif.) and Hope Ward (F, Kingwood, Texas).

The program's eighth recruiting class addressed some needs after seven Rice seniors finished their eligibility last semester. Three of the six signees are forwards, two are defenders and there is one midfielder. Coach Huston had high praise for the program's newest members, and hinted the signees could have an immediate impact when the season gets under way with the start of the fall semester.

"We knew we were losing some key seniors, up front in the midfield and in the back, and one of the strengths to this incoming class is that we're strong again all over the place," Huston said. "We've got signees who are very versatile. We've got players who could come in and compete right away at the Division I level - up front, in the midfield, and in the back. We're real excited about that.

"The potential is there that some players from this class could start for us," Huston added. "That has happened the last few years and every year there are good surprises. I feel that with this class, our entire 2008 team will be the hardest-working group we've ever had. From the effort we've already put forth this spring, our returning players will make it a real challenge for any newcomer to step-in and win a starting spot, but I also know this incoming class has high expectations and will do the work. Because (the program's recruiting success) keeps building and building, our teams have been better and better every year."

Huston acknowledged the work of the Rice coaches, who combed the country in evaluating the nation's top players. The Owls' recruiting process went nation-wide, from the east coast through some of the top clubs in the midwest and out to California, all to find the top student-athletes who can excel in Division I soccer and in Rice's challenging academic curriculum.

"I want to be sure to thank the Rice coaches who made this possible, certainly (associate head coach) Nicky Adams as our recruiting coordinator and (assistant coach) Justin Zoslow," Huston said. "Nicky knows the players backwards and forwards and both she and `Zoz' have done an outstanding job of recognizing talent. We then work together as a staff to have the recruits commit to Rice University. It's another exciting day for Rice soccer and I am anxious to get the 2008 season under way."