SEATTLE (Feb. 1) ¬ A prep All-American and a former U.S. National Youth Team member are among seven high school seniors who have signed national letters of intent to play women's soccer at Seattle Pacific University beginning next fall, Coach Chuck Sekyra announced today.

The Falcons, coming off their runner-up finish in the NCAA Division II tournament, received commitments from goalkeeper Jesslyn Rahm (Eugene, Or.), defender Julia Kern (Portland, Or.), forward Kayla Stiegemeier (Rathdrum, Id.) midfielder Janae Godoy (Yakima, Wa.), midfielder Kim Grant (Redmond, Wa.) and forward Alex Kirk (Edmonds, Wa.) and outside back Jessica Pixler (Sammamish, Wa.). Stiegemeier is the first high school All-American to sign at SPU while Godoy was a member of the under-16 youth national team. "

While our freshman class had a significant impact upon our program in 2005, this recruiting class may be even more athletic," said Sekyra. "It's a great class that is by far the fastest group we've ever had, and I believe these young women will help us immediately. We are ensured of having a very deep and talented team for years to come."

Seattle Pacific, which finished 20-1-4 and ranked No. 2 in the nation, lost six seniors to graduation, including five starters. The Falcons take a 57-game regular season unbeaten string into 2006. They have won four consecutive Great Northwest Athletic Conference championships.

Below are notes and quotes from Sekyra for each member of the recruiting class. Kim Grant was a first team all-Kingco defender for Inglemoor and plays for the Northwest Nationals Shamrocks club.

Sekyra: "Kim is a tremendously strong defender who is amazing in the air, good with the ball and reads the game well. She has such presence, game awareness and soccer intelligence that she gets it all done." Janae Godoy played two years with the U.S. team, going overseas to tournaments in Ireland and Northern Ireland, before suffering a knee injury . She was a four-time all-Mid-Valley League selection at West Valley High School, finishing her career with 73 goals, including 21 as a senior. She also played for Marauders FC.

Sekyra: "Janae is simply a great soccer player who is a proven winner and will have wonderful impact on our team right away. She can take over a game in the midfield by herself. Her vision, speed of play and ball winning abilities are very impressive." Kayla Stiegemeier is a prolific goal scorer, evidenced by her 38 goals and 24 assists in leading Lakeland High School to second in the Idaho 4A championships. She was voted MVP of the Inland Empire League in addition to NSCAA All-America. Stiegemeier also plays for the Coeur d'Alene Sting club.

Sekyra: "Kayla may be our fastest player in 2006. She's left-footed and fly by people on the dribble and finish. I think opponents are going to have a hard time staying with her. She is a determined and proven goal scorer who can change a game in a heartbeat." Julia Kern has been Jesuit High School's starting centerback for two years, and earned both all-Metro League and second team all-state as a senior. The Crusaders finished fifth in the state 4A tournament last fall and were runners-up in 2004. She also played five years with FC Portland, the defending state club champions.

Sekyra: "Julia is a great defender and a wonderful athlete with great instincts. She is fast, smart and makes great decisions. Her speed will allow her to play both centerback and outside back in college." Alex Kirk was a first team all-area selection during her sophomore and juniors seasons at Edmonds Woodway, scoring 19 goals when the Warriors won the Wesco crown in 2003. Her club, Northwest Nationals Shamrocks, won three state titles plus a regional crown.

Sekyra: "Alex is a big, fast, strong forward who is remarkable in the air and exhibits an amazing touch. She can do it all and play anywhere, and she will make a difference in our team." Jessica Pixler had already signed a letter of intent to compete in track and cross country at SPU. She was all-Kingco during her junior season in soccer and plays for Marauders FC, which won the state club title in '04.

Sekyra: "Jess has shown that she can shut down the top forwards in the nation in her ODP experience, and being a left-footed defender she's somewhat unique. She's a great server of the ball, can get forward and run forever." Jesslyn Rahm started her final three seasons at South Eugene, posting a total of 39 shutouts and goals-against average of 0.45. She was twice voted all-state, including first team as a senior when the Axemen finished second in the state 4A tournament. Her club, FC Willamette Passion, won the 2004 Nomads Cup Gold Division.