(Dover, Del.) – Fresh off winning the Independent Conference Tournament, in addition to falling just one win shy of matching a team record for most wins in a season, the Delaware State women's soccer program under second-year head coach Kerri Scroope announced the addition of nine newcomers Thursday afternoon for the upcoming 2015 season.

“This is a very exciting day for us to introduce these nine talented young ladies for the upcoming 2015 season,” said Scroope. “They will have a tremendous impact on our program by bringing a lot of versatility that will help us in overall skill and athleticism.”

Scroope also feels this crop of student-athletes will not have a problem fitting in and will mesh well the 16 players set to return from last season.

“I am confident that these nine young women will succeed at DSU not only on the field, but in the classroom.”

The following is information on each recruit and a quote from Scroope:

Samantha Bahr – Defender

Toms River, N.J. * Toms River South High School * Club: PDA United

Achievements:

• Member of three Class A South Championship teams (2011, 2013, 2014).
• Team also won the South Jersey Group 3 Championship in 2013.
• With PDA United, earned back-to-back New Jersey State Championships… Regional State Finalist.

Coach Scroope on Bahr: “Sam will help strengthen our central defense. We look for her to jump in and help solidify our backline.”

Dasia Busch – Midfielder

Monroeville, N.J. * Delsea Regional High School * Club: Jersey Premier Soccer

Achievements:

• Led team to a West Jersey Group 3 Championship as a senior.
• With Jersey Premier Soccer, team was a Disney Soccer Showcase Quarterfinalist… PA Classic Mid-Atlantic Cup Finalist… WAGS Co-Champions.

Coach Scroope on Busch: “Dasia will be a contributor in the midfield, in addition to adding depth to the position.”

Natalie Crum – Forward

Lancaster, Pa. * Solanco High School * Club: PUSA X-Treme Panthers United

Achievements:

• Member of a District 3AAA Championship Team.
• Two-time Lancaster-Lebanon League All-Star as a cross country runner.

Coach Scroope on Crum: “Natalie will contribute on our front line.  We are looking for her to step in and score goals.”

Leslie Fazio - Goalkeeper

Lewes, Del. * Sussex Technical High School * Club: Delaware Union

Achievements:

• Two-time First Team All-Henlopen North Conference honoree (2013, 2014).
• Earned Second Team All-State (2013) and First Team All-State (2014) recognition.
• Helped team win back-to-back conference titles (2013, 2014), in addition to two-straight State Final Four appearances (2013, 2014).

Coach Scroope on Fazio: “Leslie will help strengthen our goalkeeping position as we are replacing our starter (Katelyn Koslosky) from this year.” 

Alexandria Krauss - Forward

Center Moriches, N.Y. * Center Moriches High School * Club: ISA New York

Achievements:

• Earned All-County and All-State honors as a senior.
• Led team two Suffolk County Class B Championships (2011, 2013) and two Long Island Class B Championships.
• Team finished as a Suffolk County Class B Finalist for three-straight seasons (2012-14).
• Was a part of a NYSPHSAA Girls Soccer Championship Team (2013).
• With ISA New York, led squad to MSSL, East Meadow and NEWSS Championships… Disney Semifinalist.

Coach Scroope on Krauss: “Alex will help grow our strength in the midfield area. With her strength and skill, we look for her to own the air in the middle of the field and to be a strong playmaker.”

Kayleigh Leschinski – Midfielder/Defender

Toms River, N.J. * Toms River North High School * Club: PDA United

Achievements:

• Was part of a two-time “A” South Championship (2012, 2014) and Shore Conference Championship (2012, 2014) teams.
• With PDA United, was a teammate of Samantha Bahr… Team earned back-to-back NJYS State Championships (2013, 2014)… Team also won the 2013 Region I Championship.

Coach Scroope on Leschinski: “Kayleigh will look to jump in and help run our midfield. We look for her to be a target player and play maker.” 

Taylor Love – Forward

Waldorf, Md. * North Point High School * Club: Freestate/Maryland United

Achievements:

• County Player of the Year (2012) and All-Metro Honorable Mention (2014).
• First Team All-County (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014) and First Team All-SMAC (2012, 2013).   
• Led team to a SMAC Conference Championship twice (2012, 2014).

Coach Scroope on Love: “We look for Taylor to add depth on the flank with her speed and skill. We expect her to become a play maker in the offensive third.”

Brianna Musco – Forward (Transfer: Monmouth)

Montvale, N.J. * Pascack Hills High School * Club: Ramapo Valley Tornados Elite

Achievements:

• Did not appear in a game for Monmouth.
• Earned All-League honors three times (2010, 2011, 2012) and All-County recognition in 2013.
• Led team to a league championship in 2013.

Coach Scroope on Musco: “Brianna will add great strength to the striker position. We look for her to fit right in and help grow our scoring ability.”

Ayanna Smith – Forward (Transfer: Southern Connecticut State)

Baldwin, N.Y. * Baldwin Senior High School * Club: Albertson Fury and ODP

Achievements:

• Appeared in 13 games as a freshman with SCSU, scoring one goal and taking four shots.
• In high school, was a three-time All-Classification honoree (2011-13).
• Was a member of the 2013 NYS Cup Championship team with Albertson Fury.

Coach Scroope on Smith: “Ayanna we look to add as a target player at the top. She will help our depth on the forward line.”