ROMEOVILLE, Ill. – Lewis University women's soccer coach Chris Koenig announced Friday (June 30) the addition of 11 players for the Fall 2023 season.

"I am really excited with how this recruiting class developed," Koenig said. "We set out to bring in a balanced and dynamic class and I feel we accomplished that.  This class has a good positional mix and technical ability.  Most importantly, they are all great people.  They fit well with our returning players and will be wonderful representatives of Lewis University on the field and in the classroom."

Carlie Burns, MF, Cary, Illinois
Burns comes to Lewis from Cary, Illinois.  Burns is a holding midfielder that concluded her prep career at Cary-Grove High School.  Burns led Cary-Grove to the Fox Valley Conference Championship.  Burns is also a member of the Crystal Lake Force.

"Carlie is a holding midfielder that does a great job of connecting lines," Koenig said.  "She has excellent field vision and understands the role both offensively and defensively.  She is a good mix of technical and physical which fits our conference well."

Breanna Culver, F, Roscoe, Illinois
Culver comes to Lewis after a year at Division I University of Wisconsin Milwaukee where she was part of the squad that won the Horizon League title.  Prior to her time at Milwaukee, Culver was a standout performer at Hononegah Community High School where she was an All-Conference performer and named to the IHSA All-State First Team and United Soccer Coaches  All Region Team.  Culver played her club soccer with Rockford Raptors FC.

"Bree is a quick and crafty forward that can cause problems for defenders," Koenig said.  "Her movement off the ball is decisive and she does an excellent job of putting defenders on their heels when she has the ball at her feet."

Nicole Eyre, MF, Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
Eyre comes to Lewis from Richmond Hill, Ontario where she played her prep soccer at Cardinal Catholic High School.  Nicole brings international experience to the Flyers, not only playing with her home club of Aurora FC but also gaining experience playing with Rome City in Italy.  The midfielder was selected as a First Touch Football - Canadian top 50 women's soccer player. 

"Nicole is an athletic, quick and technical midfielder who has great experience," Koenig said.  "She has excellent field vision and will be a strong fit for the style and level of play in the GLVC."         

Eveleen Guemez, F, Glendale Heights, Illinois
Guemez joins Lewis after spending the past two season at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.  Eveleen played her prep career at Glenbard East High School.  During her time at COD, Guemez scored 14 goals and dished out 3 assists in 25 contests. 

"Eveleen is a quick attacking player who will give our attack needed depth," Koenig said.  "She has flexibility in playing multiple positions which will help her transition to D2."

Ashley Klaus, MF, Saint Peters, Missouri
Klaus is a native of St. Louis and joins the Flyers after spending her high school career at Fort Zumwalt East.  She is an all-conference midfielder, all-academic performer and team captain.  Klaus plays her club soccer for Lou Fusz Nabours Blue.  Klaus also has experience as a member of the Missouri ODP State Team and is a former Presidents Cup Champion.   

"Ashley is a dynamic attacking player that has an ability to get to goal from the midfield," Koenig said.  "She can create for her teammates but also has an ability to create for herself."

Francesca Pastorelli, F, Gilberts, lllinois
Pastorelli comes to Lewis from Gilberts, Illinois and played her prep soccer at Hampshire High School.  The forward is a member of the Chicago Rush Soccer Club.  She is an All-Fox Valley Conference Performer. Pastorelli has also been a member of the Illinois ODP State Team. 

"Fran is a physical forward," Koenig stated.  "The thing that stood out to me about Francesca is how she gets to goal.  Whether on the dribble or getting on the end of a service, Fran always seems to get into dangerous areas."

Timea Rojnik, MF, Bratislava, Slovakia
Rojnik joins Lewis after attending the British International School in Slovakia.  Rojnik is a midfielder who has high level international experience playing for her club, SK Slovan Bratislava as well as the U19 Slovenian National Team.  Rojnik has won two women's national championships and most recently competed in the UEFA Women's Under-19 Championships.

"Timea is a quality midfielder who brings high level experience with her to Lewis," Koenig said.  "We had a chance to have Timea visit us this spring and I was so impressed with how she meshed with our team.  She is such a good fit with our group and I look forward to her joining the team this fall."

Anna Sainato, D, Chesterfield, Missouri
Sainato comes to Lewis this fall from Chesterfield, Missouri.  She recently concluded her prep career at Marquette High School.  Anna is a defender and is another Flyer recruit that played her club soccer with Lou Fusz Nabours Blue.   

"Anna is a strong defender that can play centrally as well as on the flank," Koenig said.  "She is solid in 1 v 1 situations and is comfortable in possession.  I think she will be a good distributor of the ball for us." 

Kali Sweet, D, Hudson, Ohio
Sweet joins Lewis after spending two season at NCAA DI program Louisiana-Monroe.  Prior to her time with the War Hawks, Sweet spent her prep career at Hudson High school where she was a three time letter winner and team captain.  Sweet was also part of three sectional championships at Hudson.  Sweet played her club soccer with Ambassadors Football Club helping them win a state title in 2018.

"Kali is an excellent addition to our defensive group," Koenig said.  "She is a physical player that sets the tone defensively but is also good with the ball at her feet and does a great job of breaking lines with her passes ."

Isabella Vargas, MF, Aurora, Illinois
Vargas comes to Lewis from Aurora, Illinois.  She played her prep soccer at West Aurora where she was the team's captain and was names All-Southwest Prairie Conference.

"Isabella is a crafty midfielder that has a knack for connecting everyone around her," Koenig said.  "She has wonderful vision and is a really good passer of the soccer ball."

Kailyn Ziroli, D, Downers Grove, Illinois
Zioroli will suit up for the Flyers this fall after spending her prep career at Downers Grove North High School.  She was a team captain for the Trojans.  Ziroli played her club soccer with Downers Grove Roadrunners and recently with Chicago FC United 04/05 Academy.

"Kailyn is a back that likes to attack and has a high soccer IQ," Koenig said.  "She can serve a quality ball and does a really nice job of connecting the lines.  She is also extremely competitive which fits our culture really well."

Lewis begins its 2023 season on the road Thursday, August 31 as the Flyers travel to Northwood to take on the Timberwolves starting at 2 p.m. CT.