MOREHEAD, Ky. – After losing two starters on its 2017 back line to graduation and eight players overall, Morehead State soccer reloaded with seven new commitments in its freshman class of 2018.

"Overall, we have a class that will give us more strength all over the field," said head coach Warren Lipka. "I feel this class will mesh perfectly with our returners to bring us back in contention for an (Ohio Valley Conference) title."

The Eagles welcome Jenna Ahlbrand, Evan Kays, Haley Nelson, Nicole Palmer, Taylor Stroud, Colleen Swift, and Abby Van Hoeve to a team that looks to bounce back from last season's 3-13-1 record.

Ahlbrand, one of four rising freshmen who hails from the Commonwealth of Kentucky, comes to Morehead from approximately 100 miles north in the city of Cold Spring. The former Newport Central Catholic High School standout earned all-region second-team honors and All "A" Statewide All-Tournament honors with the Thoroughbreds, while suiting up for Cincinnati Development Academy during club season.

"Jenna caught our eye at our team high school camp," Lipka said. "She is a versatile player in the middle of the park. She could play as our attacking or defensive midfield, and having someone who can run out of the midfield is important."

Kays joins Morehead State from Lawrenceburg, Ky., where she represented the Anderson County High School Bearcats. Kays garnered second-team all-state distinction and three straight all-region first-team credits on the pitch, while being named to the Academic All-State first team in each of her four years in the classroom. After beginning her club career with Lexington FC, Kays ultimately landed on Louisville's United 1996 FC squad.

"Evan is a tireless worker," said Lipka. "She has exceptional speed, and will help us out wide in our attacking and defending schemes."

Nelson, who also competed for United 1996 FC, accompanies Kays to MSU after four years at Bethlehem High School in Bardstown, Ky. Nelson was named all-district in three consecutive seasons, while making a semifinal appearance in the Kentucky State Open Cup at the club level.

"Haley is a very technical player in the middle of the park," Lipka said. "She sees the field well and rarely gives the ball away. She is someone we can play through."

Palmer makes the longest geographical trek of any player in the 2018 class, arriving from approximately 600 miles away in Langhorne, Pa. The former Neshaminy High School defender led her school to a district championship as a junior and an appearance in the PIAA Class 4A Final this past season. Palmer dedicated her club career to FC Bucks of the Elite Clubs National League.

"Nicole is a strong, hard-tackling center back from (the Philadelphia area)," Lipka said. "She is very good in the air and has exceptional technical ability. We were looking to strengthen our back line and Nicole will help us do that."

Stroud is one of two players arriving from the state of Ohio, joining four Ohioans already on the team. The Hamilton native was a team captain at Fairfield High School, where she led the Indians to a district championship last fall. Stroud played her club career with the Buckeye State's Warren County Soccer Academy.

"Taylor comes from a very good club in Ohio that develops players to play at the next level," said Lipka. "She is a pacey defender who can start an attack out of the back. We look for her to do this at Morehead State."

Swift also reports from the state of Ohio, northeast of Cincinnati in the city of Loveland. Swift captained the Loveland High School Tigers to a top-10 national ranking in 2017, en route to being named an NSCAA All-American, a first-team all-state performer, and the Southwest Ohio Player of the Year. Swift's club career was spent with the Ohio Elite Soccer Academy.

"Colleen brings a great attacking mind with an unbelievable work rate," said Lipka. "She is a creative striker who will give us a different look up front. She had a star-studded senior season, and I look forward to seeing her in an MSU jersey in the fall."

Van Hoeve resides fewer than 70 miles west of Morehead in the city of Richmond, home of in-state conference rival Eastern Kentucky, but donned a blue and white jersey for four years at Lexington Catholic High School. Van Hoeve was a senior captain who anchored the Lady Knights to a third consecutive region title, finishing as a state finalist the two years prior. She ended her Lexington FC club career as a state runner-up in 2017.

"Abby is a powerful striker with a huge upside," said Lipka. "She has separation speed that will give opposing defenses problems. She will give us much needed depth up front."

After missing the OVC Tournament for just the second time since being crowned champion in 2013, Morehead State looks to synergize its crop of talented youth with the experience of eight seniors-to-be as it heads into next season.