July 12, 2010

FARMVILLE, Va. -- Longwood University 17th-year women's soccer head coach Todd Dyer '93 has announced his 2010 recruiting class. Joining the Lancers will be five incoming freshmen: Kristi Dixon/Yorktown (Grafton), Stephanie Green/Monkton, Md. (North Harford), Kelsey Pardue/Richmond (Hermitage), Rachel Powers/Glen Allen (Deep Run), and Dana Wallace/Charlottesville (Home Schooled). Longwood will open its upcoming campaign on the road at VCU in Richmond on Friday, August 20, at 7 p.m. following a preseason home exhibition match against William and Mary on Saturday, August 14, at 2 p.m..

“This is a smaller class for us, but we've addressed all of our recruiting needs with this group,” said Dyer. “We have tons of leadership and experience on this year's team and I think that will be key to helping our new players transition into the college game.  How quickly they're able to do that will dictate their contribution on the field this season.”

Dixon, a midfielder, was a four-year standout at Grafton and earned All-District and All-Region honors as a senior. She played in last week's Virginia High School Coaches Association (VHSCA) All-Star Game in Newport News, and played club soccer for the Virginia Rush.

“We got a real good look at Kristi when she attended our summer camp right after her junior year,” said Dyer.  “She was already on our recruiting radar at that time, but during camp she really showed some unique attacking skills and toughness.  She has sharp technical skills and is effective in creating her own goal-scoring opportunities.  Most-likely she'll help us out in an attacking midfield role or even a little bit up top.”

Green, a forward, was a four-year standout at North Harford (Md.) and earned All-County honors as a senior while a team captain. She is a cousin to current Lancers junior midfielder Mackenzie King, and played club soccer for the Laurel (Md.) Lightning.

“Steph is another player that we were able to work closely with during our summer camp and that really shed some light on her ability to help our program,” said Dyer.  “She's a very mobile player with pace that can really get up and down the field from wide positions.  Depending on what system we play this year, she'll most-likely play a flank position in the front or back third of the field.”

Pardue, a midfielder, was a three-year standout at Hermitage before missing her senior year due to an injury and earned All-District and All-Region honors for three years. She has two older siblings who played collegiate soccer (Sherri-Radford, Tyler-VCU), and she played club soccer for the Richmond Kickers.

“In Kelsey, we're getting a player with a rock solid soccer pedigree,” said Dyer.  “She was a real standout with her club team, as well as her experience with the Virginia Olympic Development Program.  She can play an attacking midfield or holding midfield position for us and she has the vision, composure, and technical ability to really help us out in that area of the field.”

Powers, a forward, was a four-year standout at Deep Run and earned All-District and All-Academic honors as a senior. She also played club soccer for the Richmond Kickers.

“Rachel is an absolute force at the forward position with her combination of pace and power,” said Dyer.  “She's as fearless as they come and is willing to engage in all of the physical battles in front of goal.  She'll be a strong target player for us as well as a consistent threat to get on the end of crosses and loose balls in the box.”

Wallace, a goalkeeper, was a two-year team captain of her home school team, and played club soccer for the Soccer Organization of Charlottesville-Albemarle (SOCA).

“Dana is the third player in this class that we were able to work closely with during our summer camp and it paid off in the end,” said Dyer.  “She's got medium size for a goalkeeper, but her quickness, strong hands, and athleticism make up for any lack in height.  She's one of four keepers on our roster, so how quickly she's able to transition and get comfortable in goal at this level will determine what type of role she plays for us.”

Longwood finished 2009 with a record of 9-8-1 overall, including 6-1 at home where the program is 27-8-1 since 2006 when competition began at the Athletics Complex. Coach Dyer is the only coach the sport has ever had as he enters this fall with an overall coaching record of 175-104-16 (.620). He has been assisted over the past six years by associate head coach Steve Brdarski. The Lancers return eight starters among 20 letterwinners from a year ago.