Northern Kentucky University Athletics

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky University women's soccer coach Bob Sheehan has signed seven student-athletes to national letters of intent for the 2012 season.

These players will help build the foundation for NKU's drive into NCAA Division I play.  The Norse will compete as members of the Atlantic Sun Conference beginning this fall.

-- Ariel Fischer, a 2012 graduate of Loveland (Ohio) High School, played defense and midfield for Todd Kelly's Tigers over the last four years.  During her senior season, Fischer joined the attack, scoring eight goals and adding three assists on the year. Fischer was named to the All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference second team in each of the last two seasons.

-- Ashley Long, a 2012 graduate of Turpin High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, was a stellar defender and midfielder for the Spartans, totaling 10 goals and 14 assists over three seasons.  Long was a three-time All-FAVC honoree in soccer under Larry Chialastri and also earned first-team All-FAVC honors in basketball.

-- Hanna Pateryn, a 2012 graduate of Marian High School in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., helped the Mustangs to a 22-1-2 record and a state championship in 2010.  Entering her senior season this spring, Pateryn has scored four goals and added four assists as a defender and midfielder and earned all-league recognition last spring.

-- Brook Schocker, a 2012 graduate ofSchaumburg (Ill.) High School, has been a starter in each of her previous three seasons for the Saxons.  Entering her senior season of play this spring, Schocker boasts a 1.00 career goals allowed average and 15 shutouts in 38 games.  Under coach Greg Charvat, Schocker backstopped her team to its first-ever regional championship in 2011.

-- Maria Silbersack, a 2012 graduate of Bishop Brossart High School in Alexandria, Ky., played midfield for Brad Gough's Mustangs over the past six years, earning all-state honors in each of the last two seasons.  Silbersack recorded six goals and four assists during her senior season while helping the Mustangs to the 10th Region tournament.

-- Martha Staab, a 2012 graduate of Clear Fork High School in Bellville, Ohio, helped lead the Colts to a 16-3-1 record and an appearance in the regional championship in 2011.  Staab earned first-team all-Ohio Cardinal Conference and first-team all-state honors last year as a striker, netting 14 goals and adding 16 assists.

-- Hannah Walker, a 2012 graduate of Anderson (Ohio) High School, maintained a save percentage of over .900 over her final two seasons, stopping 101 of 111 shots faced while compiling 11 shutouts in the process.  Walker helped backstop the Redskins to a 19-4 record in 2010 and a regional championship, earning Walker recognition as the team's most improved player that season.

The 2012 NKU women's soccer season will kick off in August.