PORTLAND, Ore? Head Coach Laura Schott announced on Friday that Portland State soccer has signed eight recruits to national letters of intent.

Of the eight new signees, six played high school soccer in Oregon while the other two played in Washington. All of this year's recruits have several years of club experience, and five have participated in the Olympic Developmental Program.

“I'm looking forward to this fall. Some players will challenge for starting positions immediately,” Schott said. “This class will bring some aggression and some intangibles that will motivate the rest of the group.”

Among the 2009 Viking class are four forwards, three players that play multiple positions and one goalkeeper. Although it's yet to be seen how the incoming class will fit into the PSU game plan, Schott points to the aggressiveness of this year's signees as a definite plus.

“I think it's great that they identify with an attacking mentality. Forwards have an attacking mentality? that's the direction that we're going.”

In addition to being motivated and talented soccer players, Schott also made note of the group's good academic standing.


2009 VIKING SOCCER SIGNEES

BRITTANY ALLEN ? F ? LAKE STEVENS, WA (ARCHBISHOP MURPHY HS)

Schott says: "Brittany has a tough mentality and work ethic to match. She can play in the midfield or up front creating opportunities for herself and her teammates."

PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE: Played varsity soccer and varsity softball for four years at Archbishop Murphy... played three years with the Evergreen 90 and one year with the Northwest Nationals Allegra club teams... reached the Premier Division 1 state playoffs in 2007 and 2008 with Evergreen 90, and in 2009 with Northwest Nationals... high school team won 2006 Washington state championship, and placed third in 2005, 2007 and 2008... all-league first team in 2007 and second team in 2008... leading goal-scorer at Archbishop Murphy in 2008 (17)... softball team won league and district championships in 2006 and 2007... named 2008 all-league offensive player of the year.

PERSONAL INFORMATION: Born May 21, 1991... daughter of Scott and Joyce Allen... has one brother, Samuel... plans to major in engineering.

EMILY DENT ? F ? OREGON CITY, OR (OREGON CITY HS)

Schott says: "Emily is a strong player with good speed. She has the potential to become a force over the next few years. She will be a scoring threat in the Big Sky."

PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE: Four-time letterwinner in soccer and track at Oregon City... spent two years in Oregon ODP... played with Oregon City SC U11, Southside SC U12-14 and Lake Oswego SC U15-U18... state club champion U18 in 2008... 6A state finalist with Oregon City HS in 2006 and state quarterfinalist in 2008... all-league honorable mention in 2006, second team in 2007 and first team in 2008... all-state second team in 2008... in track, finished second in conference in the 800m as a freshman... finished first in the conference 300m hurdles and third in the long jump as a junior... twice qualified for the 6A state championships.

PERSONAL INFORMATION: Born February 15, 1991... daughter of Curtis and Stacey Dent... has one sister, Hayley, and a brother, Tyler... plans to major in medicine.

AMBER FENTON ? F ? BONNEY LAKE, WA (SUMNER HS)

Schott says: "Amber is a forward. She has a nose for the goal and puts herself in dangerous positions in and around the box. I'm looking forward to her transition to the college game."

PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE: Four-year letterwinner in varsity soccer and two-time letterwinner in track at Sumner... played with the Mount Rainier FC for five years and the Washington Premiere FC for two... leading scorer for Mount Rainier FC 90 from 2004-2007... Washington Premiere FC 91 leading scorer in 2008... Seattle Times/Post-Intelligencer first team all-league in 2007 and 2008... first team all-state and all-area in 2008... second-team all-area in 2007... Seattle Times SPSL 3A MVP of the Year in 2008... set the scoring record at Sumner in 2008 with 27 goals and 10 assists... completed high school career with 56 goals and 19 assists.

PERSONAL INFORMATION: Born August 13, 1991... daughter of Dean and Figen Fenton... has one sister, Megan, and one brother, Mitchell... plans to major in pharmaceuticals.

MICHELLE HLASNIK ? F/M/D ? SHERWOOD, OR (SHERWOOD HS)

Schott says: "Michelle has a great work rate and good knowledge of the game. She will likely challenge for time in the back line or in the midfield."

PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE: Played four years of soccer and spent one year on the track team at Sherwood... played on the Southside Strikerz U11-U16 and Lake Oswego Soul Crew U17-U18 club teams... played with the Oregon U15-U17 ODP... state champion with the Southside Strikerz... participated in the 2007 ODP regional camp... second team all-league in 2005... first team all-league 2006-2008... second team all-state and state champion with Sherwood in 2007... academic all-star 2006-2008.

PERSONAL INFORMATION: Born January 11, 1991... daughter of Wayne and Elizabeth Hlasnik... has one sister, Renee... intends to become a health major.

JENNA HORTON ? F/M ? LAKE OSWEGO, OR (LAKERIDGE HS)

Schott says: "Jenna is a reliable player with a strong work rate. Consistent in the back or midfield, but is also versatile enough to play up front."

PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE: Four-year letterwinner in soccer and track at Lakeridge... spent two years in Oregon ODP... played on the Lake Oswego Soccer Club from fourth grade through high school... second team all-league in 2005 with Lakeridge... first team all-league 2006-2008... reached state playoffs 2005-2008... 2007 Multnomah Athletic Club Scholar Athlete... participant in the 2005 and 2006 Oregon state track meets.

PERSONAL INFORMATION: Born May 30, 1991... daughter of Brad and Nancy Horton... has one sister, Taylor... intends to major in marketing.

LAINEY HULSIZER ? GK ? KIHEI, HI (WESTVIEW HS)

Schott says: "Lainey is a natural goalkeeper. She communicates well, has good footwork and is a good team leader. We are excited to help her transition to the college game and challenge for time as early as this year."

PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE: Played soccer all fours years at Westview High School... spent four years with the Westside Metro Blaze U-15 and four year with the FC Portland Sapphire U-15-18... state champion with the Sapphire in 2007 and 2008... far west regional finalist in 2007 and quarterfinalist in 2008... 6A state finalist with Westview in 2008... 2008 metro league second team and all-state honorable mention... credited with 14 shutouts and 86 saves in 2008.

PERSONAL INFORMATION: Born May 18, 1991... daughter of Shayne and Dawn Hulsizer... plans to become a history major.

CARLIE MARTIN ? F/D ? OREGON CITY, OR (OREGON CITY HS)

Schott says: "Both Megan and Carlie are aggressive and hard working players who come from great soccer backgrounds. Megan plays up top, Carlie in the back. Both are fearless players who will add an edge to our team personalty and challenge for starting positions in their first year."

PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE: Four-year letterwinner on soccer and track teams at Oregon City... spent three years in the Oregon ODP... played for FC Portland Crimson, FC Portland Sapphire and FC Portland Royals club teams... state finalist on high school and club teams in 2006... won state championship and was a regional finalist with club team in 2007... first team all-league in 2007 and 2008... second team all-state in 2008... voted 2008 team MVP and best defensive player... placed second in 2008 district track 4x400-meter relay.

PERSONAL INFORMATION: Born December 29, 1990... daughter of Michael and Shelley Martin... twin sister, Megan, is also a 2009 Viking signee... undecided on major.

MEGAN MARTIN ? F ? OREGON CITY, OR (OREGON CITY HS)

Schott says: "Both Megan and Carlie are aggressive and hard working players who come from great soccer backgrounds. Megan plays up top, Carlie in the back. Both are fearless players who will add an edge to our team personalty and challenge for starting positions in their first year."

PREVIOUS TO PORTLAND STATE: Four-year letterwinner on soccer team and three-time letterwinner on track team at Oregon City... played in Oregon ODP for three years... played with FC Portland Crimson for two years and FC Portland Sapphire for three years... state finalist on high school and club teams in 2006... won state championship with club team in 2007 and 2008... was a club regional finalist in 2007... second team all-league in 2007 and 2008... voted 2008 team best offensive player... placed second in 2008 district track 4x400-meter relay.

PERSONAL INFORMATION: Born December 29, 1990... daughter of Michael and Shelley Martin... twin sister, Carlie, is also a 2009 Viking signee... intends to major in criminal justice and political science.