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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Joplin, Mo. -- Missouri Southern women's soccer head coach Trevor Wachsman has announced that the Lions have signed 10 newcomers for the upcoming 2008 season, including a trio of local signings. The local flavor includes Joplin natives Randi Russell and Stephanie Taylor, along with Webb City product Brianna McKenzie. Laura Creason, Kimberly DeRaedt, Michelle Dimza, Shannon Kuhn, Audrey Copenhaver, Kara Hammann and Brianna Ragains also have signed with the Lions for 2008. Brianna McKenzie (Webb City, Mo., 5-7, Utility) - McKenzie did not play high school soccer due to the fact that Webb City H.S. did not have a women's soccer program, but was part of the Arkansas Olympic Development Program and a Region Pool Player. Randi Russell (Joplin, Mo., 5-6, Goalkeeper) - Russell will also compete in softball at Missouri Southern. Stephanie Taylor (Joplin, Mo., 5-2, Defender) - Taylor competed in three sports at Joplin H.S., including soccer, basketball and softball. She was a first-team all-district selection in soccer and was an Ozark Conference honorable-mention honoree. Taylor also excelled in softball, where she was a second-team all-district pick and was named to the Joplin Globe honorable-mention squad. Taylor is the daughter of current Missouri Southern Athletics Facilities Manager Steve Taylor. Laura Creason (Blue Springs, Mo., 5-10, Defender) - Creason will serve as team captain this season for the Blue Springs Wildcats. Creason was a four-year starter and was named to the Examiner All-Area squad in 2006 & 2007. She helped the Wildcats advance to the state quarterfinals in 2005. Kimberly DeRaedt (Elgin, Ill., 5-9, Goalkeeper) - DeRaedt is a two-time Daily Herald All-Area and All-Conference selection. She helped lead the Burlington Rockets to conference championships in 2006 & 2007. From 06-07, DeRaedt posted 25 shutouts and recorded 335 saves, along with only 29 goals allowed. Michelle Dimza (St. Louis, Mo., 5-8, Defender/Forward) - As a freshman, Dimza was a part of a district quarterfinal qualifier and then a district championship squad as a sophomore. She also helped the Rebels to a third-place state finish during her junior year. Shannon Kuhn (Wentzville, Mo., 5-7, Midfielder/Forward) - Kuhn was a second-team all-conference selection at Wentzville H.S. She was the team's leading scorer for three seasons, along with leading the squad in assists for three years. Kuhn also received an Academic Award for three consecutive years. Audrey Copenhaver (Kansas City, Mo., 5-3, Utility) - Copenhaver helped St. Teresa's Academy to state titles during her freshman and sophomore campaigns. She also helped her club team to the Italy Cup Finals in 2005 and was named team MVP and captain in 2006. Kara Hammann (St. Charles, Mo., 5-6, Defender) - Hammann was a 2005 GAC Conference honorable-mention selection and was an all-academic pick for three years. Hammann also competed in volleyball, where she was a four-time all-academic selection. Brianna Ragains (Springfield, Mo., 5-4, Utility) - Ragains has enjoyed quite a career for the Lebanon Yellowjackets. Ragains is a three-time first-team all-district II, all Ozark Conference and all-SW MO Region selection. She served as team captain during her sophomore and junior seasons and was named team MVP as a sophomore. Ragains has set numerous school records, including goals per season (29), assists per season (22, hat tricks (10), goals per game (5), assists per game (5) and points per game (12). She also has the school's career goals (66) and assists (40) records through her junior year. The 10 newcomers will join a Missouri Southern squad that tied the school record for wins by notching 11 victories for the third straight season. MSSU finished 11-5-3 overall and 7-5-2 in the MIAA in 2007.
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