UVA Women's Soccer add six players to 2013 Class

CHARLOTTESVILLE – The Virginia women’s soccer program has announced that six players will join the Cavalier program for the 2013 season. Tori Hanway (Washington, D.C.), Nicole Johnson (McLean, Va.), Morgan Reuther (Chantilly, Va.), Alexis Shaffer (Cary, N.C.) and Morgan Stearns (San Antonio, Texas) will make up the Cavaliers’ first-year class this fall. They are joined by Annie Steinlage (Grand Haven, Mich.), who transferred to Virginia after three seasons at Michigan State.

The class includes two NSCAA All-Americans and two players with youth national team experience. In addition, Steinlage comes to Virginia after earning first-team All-Big Ten honors the last two seasons at Michigan State, earning All-America honors last year.

“We are very excited about the players and people who make up our 2013 class, especially when we add them to our current team,” said head coach Steve Swanson. “From a positional standpoint, we fill many of our needs due to graduation. The most exciting aspect of this year’s class as a whole is how much they will add to our style of play, how well they fit into our team culture, and how motivated they are to continue to develop as players and help our team achieve our goals. It is always hard to predict how quickly each player will impact the team, but we feel strongly that over the next four years, each of them, particularly given their work ethic, will leave their mark on our program.”

These six players will join 19 returning players, including eight starters, from last year’s squad. The 2012 ACC Champions went 18-5-1, finishing the season ranked No. 10 nationally, and reaching the round of 16 of the NCAA Tournament. It was Virginia’s 19th consecutive NCAA appearance (third longest streak nationally) and its 25th overall NCAA appearance.

“I also would like to express my appreciation for all the hard work both (assistant coaches) Ron (Raab) and Kerry (Dziczkaniec) did to help bring together such a talented class,” added Swanson. “Due to my commitments with the U-20 team this past year, both of them took on more responsibilities, especially with regard to recruiting and the 2013 class is a testament to all their efforts. I know they share in everyone's enthusiasm about the potential of this year’s team and class.”

VIRGINIA WOMEN’S SOCCER 2013 RECRUITING CLASS

Tori Hanway – Midfielder – Washington, D.C. (National Cathedral School)

• Honorable Mention Washington Post All-Met
• Member of McLean Youth Soccer Club

Nicole Johnson – Midfielder – McLean, Va. (National Cathedral School)

• Second-Team Washington Post All-Met
• Member of McLean Youth Soccer Club

Morgan Reuther – Forward – Chantilly, Va. (Bishop O’Connell)

• NSCAA All-Region
• First-Team Washington Post All-Met
• Had 33 goals and 14 assists during her senior season
• Member of McLean Youth Soccer Club

Alexis Shaffer – Midfielder – Cary, N.C. (Green Hope)

• Represented the United States at the U-18 level
• NSCAA High School and Youth All-American
• 2012 ESPN North Carolina Player of the Year
• No. 15 recruit in class of 2013 by TopDrawerSoccer.com
• Member of Capital Area Soccer League club

Morgan Stearns – Goalkeeper – San Antonio, Texas (Johnson)

• Member of the United States U-20 National Team
• NSCAA Youth All-American
• No. 28 recruit in class of 2013 by TopDrawerSoccer.com (No. 3 goalkeeper)
• Member of McLean Youth Soccer Club

Annie Steinlage – Defender – Grand Haven, Mich. (Spring Lake/Michigan State)

• Transfer from Michigan State
• 2011 and 2012 First-Team All-Big Ten
• 2012 fourth-team All-American by College Sports Madness
• Started all 59 games of her three seasons at MSU, recording three goals and nine assists