Feb. 2, 2004

BEMIDJI, Minn. - Bemidji State head soccer coach Jim Stone has announced the signing of four players to National Letters of Intent and the addition two transfers to his 2005 recruiting class. Jennifer Clifford, Kelly Hyvare, Jessica Meath and Lauren Olivares will each begin their collegiate eligibility at BSU next fall while Kathryn Eden and Jessica Weir, both of whom are transfers, will have three years of eligibility remaining.

After a season in which the his team posted records for goals, points and wins in addition to qualifying for the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Tournament for the first time in the program’s history, Stone was in a position this recruiting season he had never been in during his time at BSU. Instead of filling holes in the line-up, Stone looked to improve the depth his team possess.

“What we wanted to do this season was create depth--talented depth which we think will lead toward better training session and pushing our players to perform at a higher level on the field and in practice,” Stone commented. “I think we accomplished that. We didn’t just gain depth, we gained talent as well. That is why I am so happy about this recruiting class.”

The 2005 class includes three mid-fielders, a pair of forwards and a goalkeeper.

The Beavers closed the book on their most successful season in their nine-year history with an overall record of 11-12-0 and 3-4-0 mark in NSIC play. The team completed the 2004 season with more wins than any other season and made the NSIC Tournament for the first time ever.

• Jen Clifford (F, Fr-HS); Ham Lake, Minn. (Blaine HS)

Named First Team All-State and All-Northwest Suburban Conference as a senior at Blaine High School...helped the Bengals to a 9-5-4 overall record and 4-1-4 mark in Northwest Suburban Conference play...Led the lead in goals scored during two seasons...recorded 43 career-goals at the prep level...Selected as BHS’s “Best Offensive Player” in 2004 and “Most Dedicated” in 2001...Three-time letter winner...Also gained varsity letters in both track and field and Strength and conditioning at Blaine High...Named All-Northwest Suburban Honorable mention in 2002.

Stone on Clifford: “Jen has the potential to give us a good, strong physical presence up top. She is good in the air so she will also be a big help in dead-ball situations. She is also a good finisher with her feet.”

• Kelly Hyvare (M, Fr-HS); Coon Rapids, Minn. (Coon Rapids HS)

Four-year letter winner at Coon Rapids High School...named as the team’s best mid-fielder three times (2001-2003)...was a 2003 Olympic Development League Player...Played club soccer for the NW Selects...Will have five years to play four.

Stone on Hyvare: “Kelly is a very cerebral player. In addition to being very skilled, she has a good understanding of the game and is able to carry out tactical instruction. She gives us a player that is capable of keeping possession for us and playing both ways for us.”

• Jessica Meath (GK, Fr-HS); Bethel, Minn. (Forest Lake HS)

Olympic Development Player...named all-conference honorable mention...four-year letter winner at Forest Lake Senior High School...named captain her senior season...selected as the team’s Most Valuable Player...was a member of the U-17 C1 State Championship and District Championship White Bear Lake Thunder club team...also gained Dakota Gold Championship...placed third in the Celtic Cup California...took first place in the Hudson Border Battle...Will have five years to play four.

Stone on Meath: “Jessica gives us someone that is capable of keeping up our great tradition of goalkeepers that we have had here. She is very good technically and has great positioning in her 18-yard box. She will be a big time player for us.”

• Lauren Olivares (F/M, Fr-HS); El Paso, Texas (Franklin HS)

Four-year letter winner...Bemidji State University 2004 Soccer Camp MVP...Named to the All-District Academic team in 2004...ranked third in the in scoring during the 2002 season...scored six goals in the 2005 Corpus Christi Gulf Classic helping her team to finish second in the 20-team tournament...Will have five years to play four.

Stone on Olivares: “Lauren is very good with the ball at her feet. She is capable of putting a ball 40 yards across the field for someone to run onto. She is also the type of player that is going to finish her goal-scoring opportunities at a high percentage. She has potential to help us on the attack.”

• Kathryn Eden (M, So-TR); Rochester, Minn. (Laurdes HS/Loyola University Chicago)

Kathryn Eden, a mid-fielder from Rochester, Minn....played for NCAA Division I Loyola University Chicago in 2003, before sitting out the 2004 campaign... A graduate of Laurdes High School, Eden was a first team all-state selection in 2002 and she guided her team to three consecutive state tournament appearances where they finished third in 2002 and runners-up in 2000...Eden netted 17 goals and tallied eight assists in 2002 and was named an all-Hiawatha Valley League performer...She also played club soccer for the Rochester Elite...Will have four years to play three.

Stone on Eden “Kathryn has the chance to be a great player for us. We are very fortunate to have a first team all-state player who played at a Division I school that made the national tournament and lost to Notre Dame her freshman year just show up at BSU. I think she has the potential to be a big point producer for us. She has good size, speed and a nose for the net.”

• Jessica Weir (F, So-TR); Truro, Nova Scotia (Nova Scotia Agricultural College)

Jessica Weir, a forward from Truro, Nova Scotia, was named Rookie of the Year for 2003-04 at Nova Scotia Agricultural College...Named Female Athlete of the Year by the Heritage Society in Truro and the surrounding area during her senior season in 2002-03, Weir did not play soccer in 2004...A standout track athlete, she trained on the 2005 Canada Games team with an emphasis on the 100 meter run and long jump...Will have four years to play three.

Stone on Weir: “One of the qualities we looked to improve on our team through this recruiting class was team speed and Jessica gives us exactly that. She runs a 5.0 40-yard dash and she has the potential to completely unbalance defenses, score goals and create opportunities for others to score. I’m excited to get her into a uniform.”