HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Six student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Northern Kentucky women's soccer program for the 2016 season, head coach Bob Sheehan announced Thursday.

"Our program took another step forward today with the signing of these six exceptional young ladies," Sheehan said. "All of our signees are quality student-athletes who are committed to both academic and athletic success."
 
The signing class includes Jennifer Farwell, Hannah Fischer, Ally Perkins, Emily Soltes, Julia Tout and Shawna Zaken.
 
"As a group, they have seen both individual success and team success. Collectively, they have led their teams to respective high school state championship games, and club state, regional, and national championship tournaments. We look forward to them joining us in the fall season," Sheehan added.
 
The signees will join the program for the 2016 campaign as the Norse are coming off their most successful Division I season in program history with an 11-5-2 overall record in the final year of the Division I transition.
 
Jennifer Farwell
Goalkeeper
Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School | Broadview Heights, Ohio
Farwell, a 5'9" goalkeeper out of Broadview Heights, Ohio, posted 213 saves across 45 games for the Bees. Farwell, a four-year letterwinner, eclipsed 60 saves in both her junior and senior season en route to breaking into the Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School top-10 in career saves. The goalkeeper boasted a goals against average of 0.65 and earned her school's Scholar Athlete Award. Farwell also competed at Pennine United Soccer Club in Cleveland, Ohio.

"At 5'9", Jennifer has good size and range in goal. She has committed herself to training year-round and has dedicated herself to continuing to master the techniques of goalkeeping," said Sheehan. "Subsequently, she has a high skill set in the nuances of goalkeeping and continues to grow."


 
Hannah Fischer
Defender/Midfield
Loveland High School | Loveland, Ohio
Fischer, a 2014 First Team All-State nominee, will graduate from Loveland High School this spring after helping the Tigers to a 58-18-3 record across her four seasons. As a senior, Fischer helped anchor a Loveland defense that held opponents to a school-record 12 goals in 23 games. The Loveland, Ohio native is a three-time First Team All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference selection and earned All-District honors her junior and senior year. Additionally, Fischer was named Academic All-Southwest for the last three seasons. Fischer led her team to the OHSAA State Championship Finals for the first time in school history in 2015. She is the sister of Ariel Fischer, who played soccer for the Norse from 2012 to 2015.

"Hannah is a strong, physical centerback who is adept at one-on-one defending. She has a natural toughness in her defending style, reads the game well and does a fantastic job of keeping the defense organized," said Sheehan.


 
Ally Perkins
Forward
Marion L. Steele High School | Amherst, Ohio
Perkins will be a 2016 graduate of Marion L. Steele High School and posted 51 goals and 24 assists across 73 games throughout her high school career. The Amherst, Ohio native is a three-time First Team Lorain County Soccer Coaches Association and First Team All-Southwest Conference honoree. As a senior, she was named Lorain County Division I Player of the Year and Southwest Conference Player of the Year. Perkins also received All-Ohio First Team recognition and was an Academic All-Ohio selection. As a member of the Internationals Soccer Club team out of Medina, Ohio, Perkins helped lead her team to the U17 Champions League Finals.

"Ally possesses outstanding ball-striking ability from her attacking position. She provides quality service into the box and does very well in setting up teammates. She is a proven goal scorer who will take on and beat opponents on the dribble," Sheehan said.


 
Emily Soltes
Forward/Defender
Ricky River High School | Rocky River, Ohio
Soltes, who will graduate from Rocky River High School this spring, led the Pirates to a 60-13-7 record throughout her career. The forward and defender scored 21 goals and dished out 13 assists across 19 games as a senior. She totaled 43 goals and 20 assists during her four-year career. Soltes was also named team defensive MVP in 2013 when the Pirates won the Division II State Championship. Soltes received countless awards throughout her high school career including Regional All-American, First Team All-Ohio, Greater Cleveland County Soccer Association Division II Player of the Year, First Team All-Greater Cleveland and First Team All-Great Lakes Conference all at the conclusion of the 2015 season. Soltes competed with fellow signee Perkins in the U17 Champions League Finals with the Internationals Soccer Club team.

"Emily can play at a high level virtually anywhere on the field. She scores goals, she is adept at setting others up, and she can defend. Emily has an explosive first step and she combines a high level of athleticism with a very good skillset and tactical intelligence," said Sheehan.


 
Julia Tout
Defender
Worthington Kilbourne High School | Columbus, Ohio
Tout will be a 2106 graduate of Worthington Kilbourne High School where she played 67 games for the Wolves throughout her career. Tout was named First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-District and is coming off her senior season where she scored three goals. As a team captain at Worthington Kilbourne, Tout helped her team post 36 victories while also playing club soccer for the Classics Eagles out of Columbus.

"Julia possesses excellent size and speed as both a defensive midfielder and centerback. She refuses to be beat one-on-one when defending and will join the attack. Julia is a multi-sport athlete who has chosen to focus on soccer at the intercollegiate level," Sheehan said.


 
Shawna Zaken
Midfielder/Forward
Yough High School | West Newton, Pa.
Zaken is a 2015 All-Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League selection and holds the Yough High School all-time record for goals scored with 97 career goals across 76 games played for the Cougars. As a senior, Zaken scored 19 goals and registered five assists after netting 31 goals and dishing out 31 assists as a junior. The 2016 graduate of Yough High School was also recognized as one of the top eight players by Top Drawer Soccer after playing for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Academy club team. She scored 36 goals and posted 43 assists across 55 games in the last two seasons for the Riverhounds.

"Shawna has very quick feet and excellent ball handling skills. She is a proven goal scorer who can score in a variety of ways, and is also proficient in making the final pass. Shawna is not only quick with the ball but she is fast in her decision-making and overall speed of play, making her difficult to defend," said Sheehan.