RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University soccer team has signed nine student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, first-year head coach Nick Flohre announced on Wednesday.
 
The nine signees set to join the Colonel program in the fall of 2016 are Kayla Childs, Sam Eastes, Larissa Heslop, Kirsten LaPlante, Bryana Mandarino, Izzy Poma, Lorah Pund, Erin Torrence and Marian Wolski.
 
Kayla Childs
Childs is a high-scoring forward from Cincinnati, where she set the career goals (105), single-season goals (29) and single-game goals (six) records at William Henry Harrison High School. She was named second team all-state, first team all-city by the Cincinnati Enquirer and the Southwest Ohio Conference (SWOC) Player of the Year as a senior in 2015. Childs plays club soccer for Ohio Elite.
 
"I chose Eastern because when I went there to visit I felt like I belonged there," Childs said. "I am excited to be part of the soccer program because I think I can make a difference and help the team to become better."
 
Sam Eastes
Eastes is a forward/defender from Carmel, Indiana. She was Carmel High School's top scorer as a junior in 2014, and she helped the Greyhounds to a state runner-up finish that year. She plays club soccer for Ohio Elite and the Zionsville Youth Soccer Association, with whom she won the Indiana State Cup Championship in 2013 and 2014. Eastes has five years experience playing on the Indiana Olympic Development Program (ODP) state team (2010-14).
 
"I am excited to be a part of this soccer program because I am looking forward to using my speed, athleticism, and attacking mentality to continue to build a successful program," Eastes said. "I love the atmosphere at the soccer complex. I enjoyed the players I met on my visit and am excited to play alongside them."
 
Larissa Heslop
Heslop is a defender from Overland Park, Kansas. The daughter of an Army officer, Heslop attended three high schools, most recently being named all-region at Riverside High School in Overland Park in 2014. She also won a state championship as a sophomore at Heathwood Hall School in Columbia, South Carolina in 2013. Heslop plays club soccer for Carolina Elite, and she brings multiple years of South Carolina ODP regional camp experience with her to Richmond.
 
"I chose Eastern Kentucky University because it felt like home away from home," Heslop said. "I look forward to being a part of a soccer program that wants to improve each player as a student, athlete, and person. Also, I want to be a Colonel to earn the ranking before my dad, Major Larry Heslop."
 
Kirsten LaPlante
LaPlante is a midfielder/defender from Lincoln County High School in Fayetteville, Tennessee. As a senior in 2015, she set Lincoln County High records for single-season goals (28) and assists (32), while captaining the team to its first-ever state tournament appearance. LaPlante was named first team all-state and the District 8-AAA Midfielder of the Year following the season. LaPlante plays club soccer for Tennessee Soccer Club and the Gwinnett Soccer Association. She won three Division-I state championships with TSC and played in the ECNL National Playoffs Champions League with the Gwinnett Soccer Association.
 
"I chose EKU because of what they have to offer both academically and athletically," LaPlante said. "Having an established Forensic Science program was extremely important to me and when I visited they were actually expanding the science department and that was very exciting for me. Also, it's been said that the college you choose should feel like home and that is exactly how I feel at Eastern Kentucky; the people are friendly, the town is great, and the campus was amazing. I look forward to playing with new teammates, having new relationships and tackling the challenges of college soccer.  I am excited for the opportunity to play for Coach Nick, and to be a part of the program that brings EKU soccer to the top of the OVC."
 
Bryana Mandarino
Mandarino is a goalkeeper from Aurora, Illinois. She was a three-time all conference keeper at Aurora Central Catholic High School, and as a junior in 2015, she led the Chargers to their first-ever appearance in the Illinois State Super Sectionals. Mandarino plays club soccer for the Naperville Soccer Association, with whom she won first place in the Midwest Regional League, going 2-0-1 in State Cup and undefeated in the IWSL.
 
"As I was being given a tour of EKU I couldn't help but think that this is where I wanted to spend my academic and athletic career," Mandarino said. "I also really liked the programs that EKU offers their student-athletes; they truly want their athletes to succeed.  I am more than excited to be given the opportunity to be a part of the soccer program because of the potential the team has.  Ultimately, I feel like this school and soccer program will make me grow to be the best player and also person I can be."
 
Izzy Poma
Poma is a midfielder from Maitland, Florida, where she was a four-year varsity starter on a Bishop Moore Catholic High School team ranked No. 1 in central Florida and No. 7 in the state this season. She was named all-district as a senior and she led the Hornets in assists in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Poma has been a captain for her club team, Florida Krush 98 Black, since 2010, and she has experienced great success at the club level: NPL finalists (2014, 2015), Disney champions (2013, 2014, 2015) and Florida State Cup Final Four (2015).
 
"I chose EKU because when I got to the campus I knew it was a special place," Poma said. "I wanted to be a pretty good distance from home, and attend a place that would help me become a better person and player. I am excited to become a part of the program to help contribute to goals set and reach new heights as a team. I am also excited to play for Coach Flohre. I am confident that, through him, we will have a very successful season and grow in every aspect needed."
 
Lorah Pund
Pund is a goalkeeper from Carroll High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she recorded 16 shutouts as a senior and 47 shutouts during her stellar career. She was a two-time third team all-state selection, a two-time first team all-district selection and a three-time first team all-conference selection at Carroll High. Pund plays club soccer for Fort Wayne United, with whom she went undefeated during the 2015 travel season and won the 2015 Indiana State Cup.
 
"I chose to attend Eastern Kentucky University because it felt like a home away from home," Pund said. "After my visit I couldn't imagine spending the next four years anywhere else. I am so excited to become a part of the Colonel soccer program and to do so with such great teammates alongside of me. I know the future of the Colonel soccer program is strong and I cannot wait to play my part in it!"
 
Erin Torrence
Torrence is a forward from Hudson, Ohio. She ranks fourth all-time at Hudson High School with 58 career goals. Torrence was named first team all-state and first team all-district as a senior in 2015. As a junior in 2014, she was named second team all-state, first team all-region and first team all-conference. She plays club soccer for Pennine United Soccer Club.
 
"EKU has a great opportunity to play the beautiful game, along with a strong occupational therapy program!" Torrence said.
 
Marian Wolski
Wolski is a midfielder/forward from Greenville, South Carolina. She was named all-region as a senior in 2015 at J.L. Mann High School, and she helped lead the Patriots to a 4A State Championship that year. She plays club soccer with Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (CESA).
 
"I chose EKU because when I visited I loved the campus and had a great connection with the players and coaches," Wolski said. "EKU also has a great occupational therapy program that I am hoping to be a part of."
 

2016 Signing Class Capsules
 
Kayla Childs
Forward
Cincinnati, Ohio
William Henry Harrison High School
Club Team: Ohio Elite
 
Sam Eastes
Forward/Defender
Carmel, Indiana
Carmel High School
Club Team: Ohio Elite / Zionsville Youth Soccer Association
 
Larissa Heslop
Defender
Overland Park, Kansas
Riverside High School
Club Team: 98 ECNL Carolina Elite
 
Kirsten LaPlante
Midfielder / Defender
Fayetteville, Tennessee
Lincoln County High School
Club Team: Tennessee Soccer Club / Gwinnett Soccer Association
 
Bryana Mandarino
Goalkeeper
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora Central Catholic High School
Club Team: Naperville Soccer Association
 
Izzy Poma
Midfielder
Maitland, Florida
Bishop Moore Catholic High School
Club Team: Florida Krush 98 Black
 
Lorah Pund
Goalkeeper
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Carroll High School
Club Team: Fort Wayne United
 
Erin Torrence
Forward
Hudson, Ohio
Hudson High School
Club Team: Pennine United
 
Marian Wolski
Midfielder / Forward
Greenville, South Carolina
J.L. Mann High School
Club Team: Carolina Elite Soccer Academy