JMU Women's Head Coach David Lombardo Announces 2013 Recruiting Class

HARRISONBURG, Va., April 22, 2013 -- James Madison women's soccer Head Coach David Lombardo has announced the Dukes' eight-player recruiting class of 2013.

The class of 2013 includes:

Allison Bortell, 5'8", Midfielder, Midlothian, Va., James River H.S., Club: Richmond Kickers

Lombardo on Bortell:  "Allison brings a good athletic dimension to the defensive center midfield. She is a steady and reliable player who will be competing for playing time."

Sydney Braun-McLeod (pronounced Brawn-Mick-LOWD), 5'10", Forward, Ottawa, Ontario, Glebe Collegiate Institute, Club:  Ottawa Fury
Lombardo on Braun-McLeod:  "Sydney has track speed and will really help us break down other team's defenses. Her combination of size, speed and skill will make her a very dynamic presence in the attacking half of the field."

Allie Bunner, 5'7", Midfielder, Bristow, Va., Patriots H.S., Club:  McLean
Lombardo on Bunner:  "Allie is a very talented and very versatile player. She has played everywhere on the field, but will likely see time in the midfield."

Maggie Buxton, 5'7", Goalkeeper, Round Hill, Va., Woodgrove H.S., Club:  FC Virginia
Lombardo on Buxton:  Maggie is a strong and aggressive goalkeeper. She will add a strong, physical dimension and a competitive mentality to our goalkeeping corps."

Ciara Conley (See-AIR-ah), 5'4", Defender, Sewell, N.J., Pennington School, Club:  Match Fit United
Lombardo on Conley:  Ciara is a quick and athletic outside back. Her playing style is to get into the attack… that will match how we want our wingbacks to play."

Meghan Cox, 5'8", Defender/Midfielder, Springfield, Va., Robert E. Lee H.S, Club: VSA Heat
Lombardo on Cox:  "Meghan is a soccer junkie. She loves the game and plays multiple positions. Last summer, she won the "Golden Ball" award (MVP of the tournament) in the Under-17 national club championships, where her team, VSA Heat won the title. Most likely she will either be in the back or as a defensive center midfielder for us. I'm confident that she will strengthen any role that she plays in."

Ashley Herndon, 5'7",. Forward, Ashburn, Va., Stone Bridge H.S., Club: FC Virginia
Lombardo on Herndon:  "Ashley has been a proven goal scorer on every team that she has played on. I expect that will continue once she gets to college. She is fast, fit and skillful and has a tremendous nose for the goal. I'm confident that she will help add some fire power to our offense. Last summer, she and Meghan Cox played on the same club team (VSA Heat) that won the Under-17 national club championship. Ashley won the "Golden Boot" (highest scorer in the tournament) to help VSA Heat win the tournament."

Jennie Sroba (Suh-ROH-bah), 5'6", Defender, Manakin-Sabot, Va., Collegiate School, Club: Richmond Strikers
Lombardo on Sroba:  "Jennie is a fast, athletic outside back. She brings track-speed and a left foot to add some depth and versatility to our flank game. She will either play wing back or wing midfielder for us.

JMU has qualified for the NCAA Tournament 10 times over the last 17 seasons and has won three Colonial Athletic Association championships in that time span.