BOLIVAR, Mo. -- The recruiting class for 2008-09 for the Bearcat soccer team is now final, with head coach Benjamin Wade adding two more recruits to an already deep roster. Both Natascha Lord and Chelsea Schweigert have committed to play for the Bearcats this fall.

"My recruiting philosophy has always been to leave no stone unturned," says Wade. "We will never stop recruiting, pushing, motivating, fighting, and doing everything in our power as a coaching staff to get this team to the top of the MIAA."

Natascha Lord comes to SBU from Waynesville, Mo. where she played four-years as varsity starter for Waynesville high school. Natascha began playing soccer at the age of four, playing for her local club team since 4th grade as well as being part of Carrera Peak Performance in Columbia, Mo. for the past 2 years. In her freshmen, sophomore and junior year she earned 1st Team All-District and All-Conference honors. Lord is the all-time assists leader, most assists in a game and assists in a season record-holder for Waynesville High School and is third all time in the state of Missouri for assists. Along with soccer, she lettered in basketball and tennis.

Coach Wade commented: “Natascha comes from a small town, but has the speed and power to make her an excellent soccer player.  I think that she will flourish in our system."

Chelsea Schweigert comes to us from St Peters, Mo. where she attended Francis Howell Central high school. Schweigert started playing recreational soccer at the age of five and has been playing competitively on select teams since the age of 13. During her high school career, she was voted team captain and MVP her freshman year. Chelsea played two years varsity soccer and competed one year in varsity swimming. She received the All-Conference Academic Award for two consecutive seasons and was involved in Student Council, National Honor Society, Pep Club, DECA, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes throughout high school.

Coach Wade commented: "Chelsea was one of those players that slipped through the cracks in the recruiting process due to an injury her senior season. We are confident, however, that she is exactly the type of player we needed to bring in."