June 3, 2008

DAYTON, Ohio - The University of Dayton women's soccer team 2008 recruiting class was ranked 72nd nationally as announced by Soccer Buzz Magazine. The Flyers incoming class is second among Atlantic 10 schools and is among the nation's Top 100 for the fifth straight year.

Dayton is second to 2007 A-10 Women's Soccer Champ Charlotte, who snatched its second finest recruiting class after last year's best-ever class, under head coach Jon Lipsitz.

Kelsey Miller, Kelsey Owen and Brittany Persuad headline the group of incoming freshmen. Owen tallied 11 goals and five assists during 2007 and was named First Team Tri-Valley as a student at Nordhoff High School.

Miller helped her high school (Barrington) to the regional championship this past fall, while Persuad's high school team (Westerville) won the district championship.

Josie Grant will also join UD's team and is the first European player in program history.

Hilliard, Ohio native Kathleen Beljan will also be on the roster. A student from Hilliard Davidson, Beljan was a four-year starter at her school and was named Ohio Capital Conference Second Team during the '07 campaign.

Dayton finished the 2007 campaign 13-4-4 and reached the Conference Tournament semifinals. The 2008 Flyers will return 20 players from last season's squad, including 2007 Atlantic 10 Offensive Player of the Year Mandi Bäck.

The Flyers are set to kick off the 2008 season in an exhibition match versus the West Rouge Storm `91s club team on August 16 on Baujan Field.