ANDERSON, S.C. - Looking to build off a 2014 season where this team advanced to the postseason for the third time in four seasons, Anderson University women's soccer head coach Ciaran Traquair announced his 2015 signing class on Monday, as eight future Trojans will look to make an immediate impact for the 2015 fall season.

The Black and Gold welcome: Megan Foster (Dayton, Ohio / Archbishop Alter), Abby Helm (Centerville, Ohio / Archbishop Alter), Lauren Jensen (Vero Beach, Fla. / Vero Beach H.S.), Abby Johnson (Columbia, S.C. / Irmo H.S.), Lexxi Longmore (Hartland, Wis. / Arrowhead H.S.), Bianca Porras (Greenville, S.C. / Eastside H.S.), Sophie Riggs (Sharpsburg, Ga. / Landmark Christian) and Kenzie Van Heusen (Homestead, Fla. / South Dade Senior H.S.) to the team for the upcoming campaign.

"We have been working constantly since I arrived here to put together a class capable of helping the current group move the program forward," Traquair said. "I am delighted to have added every one of these student-athletes and expect them to be a massive part of our future success. The group provides depth for us, which will be a relief for our current small squad. I look for very specific types of student-athletes and these kids can match our high standards and exceed expectations very early in their college careers. We had great success out of last year's freshman class and I want this group to emulate that and have a hunger to really push this program to levels it has never reached."

Name: Megan Foster
Position: MF
Hometown: Dayton, Ohio
High School: Archbishop Alter H.S.

A four-year letterwinner at Alter High School, Foster scored 12 goals and handed out nine assists for her prep career, as she led her team to the state semifinals twice and claimed two regional championships. Following her senior season, Foster was named to the all-conference first team and the Dayton All-Area Division II Second Team. Foster also claimed the team MVP Award after being named the team captain prior to the start of the season.

At the club level, Foster was a member of the Ohio Galaxies where she was a part of a state championship last year.

Traquair on Foster: "Megan is a tall, mobile midfielder who enjoys getting forward and joining the attack. She is also versatile and could potentially help us in a several areas. She will compete from the start and make her mark and I am excited that she will add to our presence at set pieces and maybe even chip in with some goals as a freshman. Megan possesses great desire and enthusiasm for the game and I expect her to make us better."

Name: Abby Helm
Position: GK
Hometown: Centerville, Ohio
High School: Archbishop Alter H.S.

A teammate of Foster at Alter High School, Helm was in goal for the two regional championships and two state semifinal appearances. Helm joined Foster on the all-conference list, earning a spot on the second team, while also garnering the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Academic Excellence Award and the school's Leadership Award.

Also a member of the Ohio Galaxies, Helm made a stop on a penalty kick in the state final to secure the state championship.

Traquair on Helm: "Abby has the potential to be a class act at this level. She will grow and develop over time, but she is already such a big presence in the goal. I think she will be ready for the challenge of competing for the starting spot. Being just shy of six-foot, Abby is a strong girl with solid distribution. We lacked depth in her position last year so I'm delighted to have Abby on board and look forward to watching her grow."

Name: Lauren Jensen
Position: MF
Hometown: Vero Beach, Fla.
High School: Vero Beach H.S.

Playing for Vero Beach High School, Jensen was a member of a team that finished as the state's runner-up this past season. A two-year letterwinner, Jensen scored one goal and dished out 11 assists for her prep career.

Traquair on Jensen: "Lauren has been on board for a while now and we were delighted to add her early to this class. Lauren will comfortably fit into our system and already expresses the qualities we look for in a central player. I think we can make her better very quickly and take her game to next level. I am excited to see how she develops in amongst our strong senior group. Technically, she understands her responsibilities and covers well defensively which will help us collectively out of possession."

Name: Abby Johnson
Position: MF/D
Hometown: Columbia, S.C.
High School: Irmo H.S.

A well-rounded athlete during her high school career, Johnson earned six varsity letters between soccer and volleyball at Irmo High School. Johnson was a main contributor to an Irmo squad that advanced to the final-eight round of the 4A State Tournament, as she was named the Lady Eagles Classic All-Tournament Player during the season. Johnson also earned the school's Leadership Award and was a member of the National Honors Society.

At the club level, Johnson played for South Carolina United Futbol Club where she earned the Leadership Award in 2012.

Traquair on Johnson: "Abby has a tremendous work ethic that will instantly increase our training environment. She is an attacking-minded fullback that can easily play on either side and will develop into a very well-rounded player at the Division II level. We are proud to have her join our program and expect to her to really excel on and off the field."

Name: Lexxi Longmore
Position: MF
Hometown: Hartland, Wis.
High School: Arrowhead H.S.

With her final season still left to play, Longmore ranks 12th on the all-time goals scored list in Arrowhead High School history with 14. Longmore was a main part of a team that finished as a regional runner-up in the Division I WIAA State Soccer Tournament.

The midfielder played for Lake County United and Strike FC during the club season, where she won four state championships.

Traquair on Longmore: "Lexxi adds a bit of steel to our lineup and her presence alone makes her an exciting talent. She comes from a fantastic club in Wisconsin and had a big influence on that squad. She is good on the ball, makes great choices and is tactically switched on. We can only get better as a team with players like Lexxi around and she will be another player who will add to our threat as a team at set pieces."

Name: Bianca Porras
Position: GK
Hometown: Greenville, S.C.
High School: Eastside H.S.

Porras is a member of an Eastside team that advanced to the Upper State championship and the Final Four of the state tournament a season ago. With her senior season coming this spring, Porras looks to add to her accomplishments as she comes to Anderson this fall.

Traquair on Porras: "Bianca is a very exciting goalkeeper. She lacks height, but makes up for it with her organization and her ability manage the backline. I love her ability to distribute consistently out of the back and she will be a real bonus when we are able to counter quickly. She is quick, vocal and great off of her line and she will compete for the starting role."

Name: Sophie Riggs
Position: MF
Hometown: Sharpsburg, Ga.
High School: Landmark Christian School

With her senior season still left to play, Riggs has been voted to the Southwest Georgia All-Star Game as a freshman and was named to the all-area team following her sophomore and junior seasons. Riggs has earned three varsity letters at Landmark Christian, as she boasts a 3.71 GPA off the field.

At the club level, Riggs is a member of AFC Lightning 97 where she led her team to back-to-back undefeated seasons and appearances in the Georgia State Cup Final Four.

Traquair on Riggs: "Sophie was on board last summer and it really gave us confidence that we were pursuing the right type of student-athlete and she will compete to play from day one. She is technically sound, has played at a good level and tactically, she is already smart enough to fit in with the way we play. Sophie is a great student, a quality player and even better person."

Name: Kenzie Van Heusen
Position: MF
Hometown: Homestead, Fla.
High School: South Dade Senior H.S.

A four-year letterwinner at South Dade, Van Heusen has scored an astounding 85 goals and recorded 56 assists for her prep career. The midfielder led the Buccaneers in goals following her junior and senior season and was named to the All-Dade First Team following her sophomore and junior seasons. In her senior season, Van Heusen posted 24 goals and led her team to an 18-1 record for the season.

Traquair on Van Heusen: "Kenzie is a very exciting player and we are expecting her to really grow into an all-conference selection in the future. Physically, she is ready for the college level and will make an immediate impact. She can play anywhere in the front three or as midfielder and brings goals, assists and a will be a constant threat to the opposition. She is very consistent and was a standout in high school this winter in a very competitive region in South Florida."