Women's Soccer 2/9/2016 11:00:00 AM Corey Miggins, Sports Information Director

CSU Women’s Soccer Unveils 2016 Signing Class

The Cougars announce 11 players who will join the team for the upcoming 2016 season

CHICAGO – Chicago State University women's soccer head coach Tony Tommasi announced today his team's recruiting class of 11 student-athletes that will arrive on campus in August for the upcoming 2016 season.

"We are very excited for this signing class. We feel this class addresses all our needs as we continue to grow as a program. Each player brings a level of commitment, talent and love of the game that will be a great addition to our current group," Tommasi said.

Mariela Alba – Midfield – Hanover Park, Ill./Bartlett HS

Named all-area by the Daily Herald after her junior season in 2015… also captured all-conference and all-section accolades… helped Bartlett advance to the championship game of the 2015 IHSA Class 3A Bartlett Regional… played club soccer for the Sockers FC club.

Tommasi on Alba: "Mariela is a clever technical player. She loves to attack and get involved with the strikers. She will also add a fantastic work ethic that I anticipate being contagious!"

Mariah Allen – Midfield – Kirklin, Ind./Lebanon Senior HS

Twice named team Most Valuable Player at Lebanon… received the Top Team Player award for Indiana's District Four in 2013-14… competed for the USAI '98 Girls Premiere club team.

Tommasi on Allen: "Mariah projects to be a wide player, but has shown an ability to play in the middle. She's a hard working player that can surprise you with her quickness, speed and physicality."

Madison Berg – Forward – Coatesville, Ind./Cascade HS

Claimed all-conference honors as a junior after tallying a school single-season record 26 assists and 17 goals at Cascade… team won its third consecutive conference championship in 2014 while also capturing sectional and regional titles en route to advancing to the semi-state round of the IHSAA state tournament… posted 10 goals and six assists in 2013 to earn all-conference accolades… played club soccer for the South Central Soccer Academy Lady Blaze '98 squad.

Tommasi on Berg: "Madison takes an incredible amount of pride in her technical and tactical play. She has worked hard to become a dangerous striker. She's a striker that can beat you physically or with a clever touch."

Miranda Coen – Midfield – Howell, Mich./Howell HS

Helped Howell finish with a 9-6-1 record during her junior season… team advanced to the 2015 MHSAA district semifinals… played club soccer for the Michigan Jaguars.

Tommasi on Coen: "Miranda is a hard-working, relentless attacking player that can play as an attacking midfielder or as a target striker. A soccer junky, Miranda's passion for the game will help this young program continue to grow."

Ashley Hamrick – Forward – Decatur, Ind./Bellmont HS

Earned First Team All-NHC honors as a junior at Bellmont… helped team capture back-to-back sectional titles in her sophomore and junior seasons… headed in the game-winning goal to win the 2014 sectional title… competed on the U-17 Fury club soccer team.

Tommasi on Hamrick: "Ashley will provide us more speed up front as well as out wide. She's a tenacious, clever and relentless attacking player."

Bailey Holifield – Defense/Midfield/Forward – Seattle, Wash./Roosevelt HS

Four-year letterwinner at Roosevelt… earned First Team All-Metro honors… competed in Olympic Development Programs in the states of Hawaii and Washington… competed in club soccer for the FC Alliance and Seattle United teams… helped the Surf Hawaii SC '98 club capture five Hawaii state and HYSA Oahu championships... also participated in track and field at Roosevelt as a sprinter.

Tommasi on Holifield: "Bailey is a versatile player that can provide some punch up front as well as quality defending on the backline. She's played on multiple championship teams at the ECNL club and high school level. Bailey was invited and participated in the National Team Camp for the Philippines."

Makenzi Marier – Forward/Midfield/Defense – Hastings, Minn./Hastings HS

Two-year letterwinner at Hastings… earned all-conference honorable mention accolades in back-to-back seasons (2014-15)… played club soccer for the Twin City Fire SC U-17 team… 'B' honor roll student at BHS.

Tommasi on Marier: "Makenzi plays center back and has proven she can direct either a 3 or 4 player backline. She commands respect immediately and will challenge her teammates to out work her. She doesn't just defend though Makenzi can get forward and will be used in virtually every set piece opportunity."

Samantha McKenzie – Forward/Midfield – Noblesville, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern HS

Plays forward and midfield for Hamilton Southeastern… played club soccer for Indianapolis Premier.

Tommasi on McKenzie: "Samantha is a fiery striker that possesses very good speed and a nose for the goal."

Kailah Ransom – Defense – Fairlawn, Ohio/Copley HS

Helped Copley win a district title and advance to the regional finals in 2014… captured Second-Team All-Suburban League honors as a junior… three-time Scholar Athlete Award winner at CHS… competed with future teammate Kyra Starek on the Cleveland Futbol Club, whom she helped advance to the quarterfinals of the Ohio State Cup in 2014… member of the Ohio State Developmental Program in 2012.

Tommasi on Ransom: "Kailah is a ferocious defender that is not afraid to mix it up. She's played a high club level, and was selected to the State ODP Team for Ohio."

Kyra Starek – Midfield – Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville HS

Plays in the midfield and up front at forward for Strongsville… played on the club circuit with Cleveland Futbol Club alongside future teammate Kailah Ransom… helped CFC advance to the quarterfinals of the Ohio State Cup in 2014.

Tommasi on Starek: "Kyra is a teammate of Kailah Ransom from Cleveland FC. She is a physical central attacking player that can finish in the box, and has range from 20-plus yards out."

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