Head coach Marty Beall of the High Point University women's soccer team announced on Thursday the commitment of 10 recruits for the 2010 season. The class is Beall's first as HPU head coach and features players from eight different states.

The Panthers will welcome Becca Hemby, a forward from Frederick, Md.; Kelli Joline, a forward from Lancaster, Pa.; Brooke Lisson, a midfielder from Mount Pleasant, S.C.; Jesse May, a goalkeeper from Danville, Calif.; Amanda McGowan, a goalkeeper from Lancaster, Pa.; Cary Ann Parrish, a midfielder from Norwalk, Calif.; Alexi Parpan, a forward from Cary, N.C.; Shannon Quackenbush, a defender from Warwick, N.Y.; Sarah Sweeney, a midfielder from Southborough, Mass.; and Sammy Vercellino, a forward from Crown Point, Ind., to HPU in the fall.

“I feel we have a great mix of speed, talent, competitiveness, and high level playing experience with this 2010 class,” Beall said. “We put a lot of emphasis on finding attack-minded players with this recruiting class to help boost our scoring this coming fall and the years to follow. But what we are most excited about with this recruiting class is that we will have quality depth and competition at every single position on the field.”

Hemby, a forward from Gov. Thomas Johnson High School, helped to lead her team to the State semi-finals in 2008. She was named honorable mention All-State in 2007 and second team All-State in 2008. Hemby played club soccer with FC Frederick and helped guide the team to the state finals in 2008 and the state semi-finals in 2009. She was rated a three-star prospect by TopDrawerSoccer.com. An athletic goal scorer, Hemby will compete for time as a center forward in her freshman season.

“I really loved the school in general and all it had to offer,” Hemby said. “Soccer-wise, I chose HPU because it is an up-and-coming program and Coach Beall seemed really excited about where it was headed. He convinced me that the team can do a lot of great things in the future and I am excited to get a chance to be a part of that.”

Joline, a forward from Hempfield High School, was named a 2009 NSCAA High School All-American and honorable mention 2009 ESPN Rise All-American. She is a two-time All-State honoree and has twice been recognized on the NSCAA All-Region team. As she enters her senior season this spring, Joline has 38 goals and 18 assists in prep career. Joline was a member of the Hersey Attack club team, helping to lead them to a 2009 state championship and a national finals appearance in 2006. She was rated a three-star prospect and the No. 20 player in the state of Pennsylvania by TopDrawerSoccer.com. The Lancaster, Pa., native is an excellent one-on-one player who will compete for playing time as a forward.

“I chose to play soccer at HPU because the program had everything I was looking for in terms of the coaches, the competition, my future teammates, and the level of commitment,” Joline said. “I felt that everything fit together for me and it became clear to me that High Point was the place I wanted to spend four years at playing soccer.”

Lisson, a midfielder from Wando High School, was a member of the SCHSSCA Class 4A All-State Team in 2009 as a junior. Lisson played her club soccer with the Carolina Elite Soccer Association and helped to guide them to four-straight state finals from 2006-09 and two state championships (2006 and 2009). The Mount Pleasant, S.C., native has also participated in the South Carolina ODP program. Lisson was a three-star prospect on TopDrawerSoccer.com. A top-level technical player, Lisson will play a central midfield role for the Panthers.

“I chose to play for High Point University because of their strong soccer program, excellent facilities, and great coaching staff,” Lisson said. “After looking at many schools throughout the Southeast region, I was blown away by the campus at High Point as well as their excellent business program.”

May, a goalkeeper from Monte Vista High School, was All-Bay Area and second-team All-Conference after recording 108 saves and compiling a 0.57 goals-against average. May played soccer with the San Ramon Shock club program. May is an athletic goalie who will compete for a chance to replace senior Marisa Abbott in between the pipes.

“I wanted to play at High Point University because I really liked the coaches and the direction that they are leading the team,” May said. “I also liked the team chemistry and the family atmosphere they have created. While recently attending the winter camp, I got to tour the campus and could see myself studying and playing soccer here for the next four years.”

McGowan, a goalkeeper from Conestoga Valley High School, was a member of the East Pennsylvania State ODP team and has twice been named All-Conference. She is a three-year starter heading into her final prep season this spring. McGowan played her club soccer with FC Delco, helping to lead the team to the 2009 US Club Soccer National Championship. The Lancaster, Pa., native was rated a three-star prospect and the No. 16 player in the Pennsylvania by TopDrawerSoccer.com. She is very athletics and has shown the ability to make big saves and will compete to for a chance to replace Abbott in goal.

“The reason I chose High Point University is because it stood out among all the other colleges I had visited,” McGowan said. “When I visited at HPU, I found a beautiful campus with excellent academics and a growing Division 1 soccer program. No other campus that I had looked at could even compare to the way HPU presented itself. When I visited HPU, Coach Beall, Coach Fontaine, the players, students, administration and staff all made me feel I like I was already considered a part of the HPU family. I knew HPU was where I wanted to be.”

Parrish, a midfielder from Valley Christian High School, is a two-time All-Conference performer who as a team-captain helped lead her team to back-to-back league championships. She will begin play in the CIF Championships on Feb. 19. Parrish played her club soccer with Tustin United Red. She is an intelligent and technical player who will compete for time in the central midfield.

"I love the team and the coaches they are people I feel I can grow with and become a better soccer player,” Parrish said. “I am impressed with High Point University, not just because it's beautiful, but it is a small and safe community where I can feel like home."

Parpan, a forward from Cary Christian High School, was named 2009 NCISAA 2A Soccer All-State team after her junior season. She will play her final prep season this spring. Parpan played club soccer for the FVAA Flames. The Cary, N.C., native possesses excellent speed and athleticism and can play as an outside midfielder or a forward for HPU.

"I wanted to take my soccer career to the next level and be part of a highly competitive D1 program that has shown they know how to win championships,” Parpan said. “I was looking for a coaching staff that would push me to continually improve my game and teammates that would support each other on and off the field. That's exactly what I found at HPU."

Quackenbush, a defender from Warwick Valley High School, helped lead her high school team to a perfect 16-0 record in the regular season and a No. 4 ranking in the state on N.Y., in 2009. Quakenbush started on a backline which started the season with nine-straight shutouts. She was named all-conference three times in her prep career. The Warwick, N.Y., native played club soccer with Quickstrike FC, a 2009 ENY State finalist. Quackenbush is fierce competitor and a big-time ball winner who will compete for time along the HPU backline.

"My choice to be a Panther was easy,” Quackenbush said. “Along with the amazing coaching staff, HPU women's soccer has the perfect amount of dedication and commitment that I'm looking for. I know that I will continue to grow as a player and will reach my full potential here."

Sweeney, a midfielder from The Rivers School, played on the Massachusetts ODP team and was a three-time All-Conference member. This past season Sweeney helped guide her squad to the New England Class B Semifinals. Sweeney played club soccer with MPS Renegades and in 2009 competed in the USL Super Y League North American Finals along with 11 other squads from around the country. Sweeney was tied for the lead on her club with 10 goals and was tops on the team with nine assists. Sweeney was rated a three-star prospect by TopDrawerSoccer.com. The Southborough, Mass., native possess great speed and technical ability and will play as an outside midfielder and forward for High Point.

“As soon as I walked onto the High Point University campus I fell in love with the school,” Sweeney said. “Meeting Coach Beall and his staff, as well as witnessing the team's chemistry first hand confirmed that High Point University was a perfect fit for me. I could not be happier with my decision and am looking forward to being a part of both a team and a school on the rise.”

Vercellino, a forward from Crown Point High School, was a two-time All-State honoree and played on the Indiana ODP team. A four-year starter at Crown Point, Vercellino was named the 2009 Chicago Post-Tribune Girls Soccer Player of the Year after scoring 20 goals and notching 11 assists to lead her team to its first sectional title since 2003. She played her club soccer with the Chicago Magic. Vercellino was rated a three-star prospect by TopdrawerSoccer.com and one of the top prep players in Indiana by ESPN Rise. The Crown Point, Ind. Native posses lightning speed and great one-on-one ability and will compete for playing time as an outside midfielder and forward.

"After attending camp in the summer, I came back home and realized that High Point was the place I wanted to spend the next four years,” Vercellino said. “The coaching staff immediately made me feel at home and I know they will push me to become the best soccer player I can be. I am excited to play for High Point and be a part of an already amazing team."

“Each of these freshmen are great people with high moral character and will be unbelievable ambassadors for this amazing university,” Beall Said. “Needless to say, with this incoming class joining a great group of returners, we are extremely excited for the future of our High Point University women's soccer program.”

The Panthers return six starters from the team which won the Big South Tournament and earned a bid to the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship for the third time in seven years. HPU lost to eventual NCAA Champion North Carolina 1-0 in the first round of the NCAA tournament, its closest loss in three tries against the Tar Heels. Some of HPU's top returners include Big South All-Tournament defenders Brielle Spencer and Danniel Rosado and second team All-Conference and All-Freshman team member Janay Whittaker.