The Ave Maria University women's soccer program has announced the first half of its 2018 recruiting class. The Gyrenes will welcome eight players that will slot into the lineup as forwards or midfielders. The remainder of the program's newest recruiting class will be announced tomorrow.

Center midfielder Sarah Dalton comes to Ave from Venice High School and North Port Fusion Soccer Club in Venice, Florida. She will be attending Ave Maria with her sister Hannah Dalton and joining her elder sister Emily Dalton who is a member of the team already. She chose to attend Ave Maria to participate in the many mission opportunities the university offers and she is most excited about being part of a strong team culture. 

Center midfielder Samantha Freitas comes to AMU from North Port High School and North Port Fusion Soccer Club in North Port, Florida. One of her accomplishments includes being a starter on the first district-winning high school team in North Port High School history. Samantha chose Ave Maria because of the reputation of the Communications program here and to be involved in the community and she is most excited about being a part of the women's soccer program. 

Forward Hannah Gormly comes to Ave Maria from Fort Myers High School and Lee Country Strikers Soccer Club in Fort Myers, Florida. Some of her accomplishments include being a starter on the 2015/2016 County Cup Soccer Team, being a starter on her 2017 district champion high school team, being a starter on her high school team for four years, being the leading scorer of her high school team in 2017, being named Lee County All-Metro Honorable Mention for soccer, being a District Tract Champion and United States Softball Association World Series MVP, being a part of the A/B Honor roll, and a member of the IB/Honors program at her high school. She chose Ave Maria because she felt it was a beautiful campus and she wants to stay true to her Catholic faith and she is most excited about playing sports while getting a quality education. 

Center midfielder Veronica Hathaway comes to Ave from Woodlan High School and Fort Wayne Select Soccer Club in Indiana. Some of her accomplishments include being a four-year varsity starter on her high school team, a three-year MVP on her high school team, a three-year First Team All-Conference selection, being named Academic All-State her senior year, being named Indiana Soccer Coach Association Top Team All Player her senior year, and she holds the career and season goal records for her high school. She chose Ave Maria because she wanted a genuine, Catholic college experience and she is most excited about the privilege of getting to work alongside her future teammates. 

Midfielder Celena Liguori comes to AMU from Saint John Paul II High School and Team Boca in Boca Raton, Florida, and will be attending Ave Maria with her sister, Maria Liguori. Some of her accomplishments include being a starter on her district champion-winning high school team all four years of high school, being a captain of her high school program her senior year, being a starter on the regional runner-up team her senior year, winning the outstanding community service award for her high school each of her four years, and being a national honor society member. She chose to attend Ave Maria after feeling at home on her campus visit and is most excited to play soccer at Ave Maria. 

Forward Kristina Santiago comes to Ave Maria Somerset Academy Charter School and West Pines Soccer Club in Pembroke Pines, Florida. Some of her accomplishments include being a starter on her varsity high school team since her eighth grade year, being a starter on her team that made it to the district quarterfinals, and being a starter on her club team. She chose Ave Maria because she wanted to attend a small and nice university and she is most excited about creating new friendships and learning new things. 

Center midfielder Laura Spence comes to Ave from Holy Spirit Catholic School and Hoover Phantoms Soccer Club in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Laura received the Bishop's Trophy her senior year awarded based on academic, extracurricular activities, service, and involvement in school events. Only the top five students in each class are eligible and the teachers vote for the award. Some of her other accomplishments include being MVP of her high school soccer team her senior year, the leadership award for her basketball team her senior year, being MVP and winning the coach's award for her club team, and being a starter on the 2016 state championship-winning soccer team. She chose to attend Ave Maria because of the atmosphere and small community and she is most excited about getting to know her classmates at the university and being part of a great, close-knit community that cares for one another well. 

Forward Amanda Stacy comes to AMU from Lakenheath High School and Newmarket Ladies FC in the United Kingdom. Some of her accomplishments include being awarded the 2017 MVP award for her high school, being named captain of her 2018 high school team, being a member of the honor roll all 4 years of High School, and being a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. Amanda chose Ave Maria because of her desire to further her education in a Catholic setting and play for God in her athletic pursuits.