April 25, 2006

CHARLOTTESVILLE - The Virginia women's soccer program has announced that four players have signed letters of intent to join the Cavalier program this fall. Megan Ashforth (New Canaan, Conn.), Kristin Bowers (Burke, Va.), Chantel Jones (Midlothian, Va.), and Caitlin Miskel (Boca Raton, Fla) will form the first year class for the 2006 Virginia women's soccer team.

All four of the players in the class are NSCAA All-Americans and are ranked among the top 75 recruits in the country by Soccer Buzz Magazine. In it's initial class rankings, Virginia's incoming class was ranked ninth, marking the fourth time in the past six seasons the publication has ranked the Cavaliers' class in the top ten.

"This recruiting class, while not large, fulfills some specific needs for our team especially in the midfield where we lose several graduating seniors," said head coach Steve Swanson. "We feel each of these players will make a significant impact in our program during the next four years and are extremely excited about what they can bring to the team on the field, in the classroom and within the Charlottesville community."

These four players will join 20 returning players, including eight starters, from last season's squad that finished with an 18-6-1 overall record, reached the NCAA Quarterfinals and finished the year ranked No. 6 in the nation.

Virginia Women's Soccer 2006 Recruits

Megan Ashforth - Midfielder - New Canaan, Conn. (New Canaan H.S.)
2005 NSCAA Youth All-American ... 2004 and 2005 NSCAA All-Region I ... First Team All-State ... Hartford Courant All-State ... helped lead New Canaan High School to 2002 State Championship ... SoccerBuzz Top 75 Recruit.

Kristin Bowers - Midfielder - Burke, Va. (Lake Braddock H.S.)
NSCAA Youth All-American ... 2005 Washington Post First Team All-Met ... Region I ODP Team ... SoccerBuzz Top 75 Recruit.

Chantel Jones - Goalkeeper - Midlothian, Va. (Clover Hill H.S.)
2005 NSCAA Youth All-American ... Member of U.S. U-17 National Team ... former member of U.S. U-16 National Team ... First Team All-State ... SoccerBuzz Top 25 Recruit and No. 2 ranked goalkeeper.

Caitlin Miskel - Midfielder - Boca Raton, Fla. (St. Thomas Aquinas H.S.)
2005 NSCAA High School and Youth All-American ... Two Time Gatorade Florida Player of the Year ... First Team All-State ... Miami Herald Player of the Year ... 2005 NSCAA All-Region III ... led St. Thomas Aquinas to 2004 No. 1 National Ranking ... has 72 goals and 57 assists in high school career as she enters her senior year ... SoccerBuzz Top 50 Recruit.