LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis women's soccer head coach Brenda van Stralen announced Wednesday the addition of nine incoming freshmen for the Class of 2016. The Red Flash is coming off its sixth consecutive NEC Tournament berth in 2015. 
 

	Emilee Fierro   Bedford, Pa. – Midfield                                                                          Fierro was a member of the U-19 Girls Locomotive FC championship team and also played in the Olympic Development Program with PA West from 2012-15.   With Everett High School, she was a team captain and was selected to the SHL and ICC All-Star Teams while also being named a Bedford Gazette All-Star. In 2015, she netted 23 goals for the Warriors.   Fierro is also a letter winner in cross country and track and field. In 2012, she was a state qualifier and was named a cross country all-star by the Altoona Mirror and the Bedford Gazette.  van Stralen on Fierro: "Emilee will bring tons of energy to our team and her athletic ability will allow her to compete for playing time on the flank."
	Frances Hermoso    Virginia Beach, Va. – Midfield    Hermoso played for Beach FC and had a couple very successful seasons with the club. In 2014, Hermoso helped the team to the Virginia State Cup Elite 8. In 2015, Beach FC took the next step by making the Final Four.   A native of Virginia Beach, Hermoso was twice named a district honorable mention in 2013 and 2014 before being named Second Team All-Conference as a senior in 2015 at Tallwood High School. She also was a two-time all-conference honorable mention as a field hockey player. van Stralen on Hermoso: "Frances is another skillful player looking to compete in the middle of the park. She will have the advantage of working with some creative middies to really elevate her play throughout her freshman year."
	Mariana Jaleca   Setubal, Portugal – Midfield   Jaleca brings more than a decade of club experience to the Red Flash, including spending the past two years with C.A. Cultural da Pontinha. A team captain, Jaleca helped her team to a second place finish in the U-18 National Championships in 2014-15. She also has an appearance in the 2014 Gothia Cup.   A native of Setubal, Jaleca was a member of the U-16 and U-17 Portuguese National Teams.   van Stralen on Jaleca: "We are looking for Mariana to make an immediate impact on our team. She is a very technical, hard-working midfielder who has a great passion for the game."
	Hannah Marchant   Erie, Pa. – Midfield    A three-time all-region selection at Mercyhurst Prep in Erie, Pa., Marchant comes to Loretto after also playing for Millcreek Soccer Academy where she was a team captain. Her other clubs prior to playing for Millcreek include Century United 97 girls, Northern Steel 97 girls and Elite Girls from 2012-15.   In the Olympic Development Program, Marchant played for PA West 97 from 2011-15, including serving as a team captain in 2014-15 and helping that team advance to the Region I semifinals in 2015.   At Mercyhurst Prep, she won a district championship as a freshman and helped the Lakers to state semifinals appearances as a freshman and as a senior. Marchant is a member of the National Honor Society and was a student government officer throughout her high school career.   van Stralen on Marchant: "Hannah will be looking to compete in the midfield. With her determination and work rate she will elevate her game throughout her four years here at Saint Francis."
	Alyssa McGhee   Altoona, Pa. – Forward   The most prolific scorer in Pennsylvania high school history, McGhee comes to Saint Francis from just down the road in Altoona, Pa., and Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School. In four high school seasons, McGhee scored 273 goals, a state record. Her career high came as a sophomore in 2013-14 when she scored 78 goals (also a state record) and added 36 assists for 192 points. Max Preps had McGhee as the national leader in goals, assists and points for the season.   She didn't stop there. As a junior, her 71 goals and 169 points were second in the country as she led Bishop Guilfoyle to a district title. As a senior, McGhee scored 65 goals and 27 assists as she ranked third in the nation in goals scored and total points with 157. She helped the team to its first undefeated regular season at 18-0 and a second consecutive district championship.   McGhee was selected three times as Pennsylvania's representative for National Player of the Week and was an all-state selection for three straight seasons. Her 107 career assists rank third in PIAA history.   van Stralen on McGhee: "Alyssa is a local talent with good pace and a nose for the goal. With her pace she will create a threat on top."
	Jessica Moore   West Newton, Pa. – Defense   Moore led her Pittsburgh Riverhounds Developmental Academy in becoming US Club National Champions in 2013 and National Finalists in 2015. She has won several all-tournament selections as a defender in helping her team to three US Club Regional Championships and a No. 1 ranking in Pennsylvania West. Moore was selected for the West Ham United International Academy in London.   At Yough High School, Moore was a team captain as the Cougars had two undefeated regular seasons and three playoff appearances. She was named both All-WPIAL and All-Section as a center midfielder, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette named her a Player to Watch.   Moore is ranked fifth in her class with a perfect 4.0 GPA, and she is a member of the National Honor Society and was recently chosen as a Westmoreland County Scholar-Athlete.   van Stralen on Moore: "Jess is another smart, versatile player who will look to make an impact on our team defensively."
	Natalie Spangler   Moon Twp., Pa. – Midfield     Spangler is currently a member of the Allegheny Force Football Club.  She competed with the Penns Forest Football Club previous to joining AFFC.  She was a member of the Olympic Development Program in 2013 and 2014. In 2014, Spangler and her teammates made history leading the 1998 girls PA West team into the Regional semifinals which had only been done once before.   Spangler played soccer for Moon Area High School and was part of the Tigers' 2012 PIAA State Championship team and was named Rookie of the Year.  She helped Moon clinch three more playoff positions and advanced to one more run at the state title.  She was named team captain her senior season, earned selection as an All-Section player and was named Most Valuable Player of the All-Section All Star Game. Spangler also competed on Moon Area's lacrosse team.   Academically, she is a High Honor Roll student and was inducted into the National Honor Society as a sophomore.  She is in the top-10 percent of her class and was named a Scholar Athlete all four years of high school.  Spangler contributed to the Key Club and was president of S.A.D.D. her senior year.   van Stralen on Spangler: "Natalie is a versatile player with a competitive edge. She will be looking to play in the middle of the park for us."
	Abbey Tarosky   North Huntington, Pa. – Forward     Tarosky has been a mainstay on the Allegheny Force Football Club since her U-12 season serving as captain while splitting time between striker and attacking midfielder while leading the team to several tournament championships. She was also a three-year member of the PA West Soccer Olympic Development Program helping that team advance to the Region 1 semifinals in 2015.   She was a four year letter winner at Norwin High School and an all-section selection her senior year. During her playing career, the team compiled a record of 67-11-5 and won two section championships. As a captain her senior year, she helped lead the team to a record of 24-1-0 including tallying a goal in the WPIAL AAA Championship game to Norwin its first WPIAL championship in 18 years.   Tarosky is also a member of the Barbarian FC futsal club. She was named the Club Newcomer of the year following her first season then went on to help the team claim the USFF U17G National Championship in 2014.   van Stralen on Tarosky: "Abbey is a very intelligent player who will help our offense create more scoring opportunities."
	Sarah Ward   Connellsville, Pa. – Defense     Ward has been a member of the Beadling Soccer Club for several years, and she has helped lead the team to 3 PA State Cup Championships, the 2014 Region 1 Championship, the 2014/2015 US Youth Soccer National League and a berth into the National Tournament representing Region 1.   She was also a full-time starter on the Greensburg Central Catholic High School girl's soccer team and a captain as a senior in 2015. She helped the team get to the WPIAL A Championship game all four years, winning the Championship three times. Ward also helped the Centurions to the PIAA State Championship game three times, winning twice.   Ward was named all-section as a junior and senior while also being named All-WPIAL and a WPIAL All-Star both seasons. She's also an accomplished sprinter, setting the school record in the 200-meter and 400-meter races while leading the team as a captain to a section title as a junior. Ward is also a member of the National Honor Society.   van Stralen on Ward: "I am looking forward to working with Sarah to develop her playing style into our system of play. She will add much-needed depth to our defense."