DETROIT (7/3/2018) -- The University of Detroit Mercy women's soccer team announced its' 2018 recruiting class which features nine incoming freshmen and one transfer spanning the Metro Detroit area and Canada.
 
"I believe we added a number of quality student-athletes to our program," said head coach Mike Lupenec, who will begin his 26th season.
 
The nine rookies will be Hannah Alexis, Carlie Castiglione, Nasreen Kobeissi, Morgan LaForest, Emily Lorkowski, Cece Muskovac, Madison Tzimas, Julie Ann Piechocki and Reece Scott, while the lone transfer is Ana Ginez.
 
Hannah Alexis * 5-3 * Midfield * Mississauga, Ont./Sainte-Famille

• Earned letters in badminton, soccer and volleyball
• Named MVP in volleyball in 2014
• Played club with the Toronto Blizzard and helped the team to a few titles including the U-21 Ontario Cup championship and CGSL League Cup last summer

 
Coach Lupenec: "Hannah is very smart and technically sound soccer player who plays the game the right way. She could play right at midfield or at wide and she will help replace some of our key senior graduates and provide offense."
 
Carlie Castiglione * 5-8 * Goalie * Northville, Mich./Northville

• Earned three varsity letters on the pitch
• Has made over 225 saves in her career
• Played club with the Michigan Hawks, Jags and Rush and helped her team advance to the state semifinals

 
Coach Lupenec: "Carlie is technically sound and will add to our great goaltending group. She is hardworking and very vocal and demands a lot out of her backline. She is also very good with her feet and plays out of the back well."
 
Ana Ginez * 5-8 * Defense * Lake Orion, Mich./Shattuck St. Mary's

• A transfer who spent her freshman year at Horizon League-rival Oakland, but did not appear in a game
• Earned two letters in high school and was a captain as a senior
• Helped her club team to a state cup finalist appearance in 2017
• Her brother, Jesus, played for the Titans from 2011-2014

 
Coach Lupenec: "Ana is a hardworking midfielder who is technically sound in all areas. She can also play in the back and has a year of the collegiate game under her belt."
 
Nasreen Kobeissi * 5-6 * Forward * Dearborn Heights, Mich./Dearborn

• Earned four letters in soccer and in basketball
• Named Dearborn High School's Female Athlete of the Year as a senior
• Soccer Offensive Player of the Year – 2018
• Tabbed All-Conference and All-City as a freshman, sophomore and senior as well as All-League as a sophomore and senior
• Helped her team to a district championship in 2015 and 2016
• Played club with the Michigan Hawks, Dearborn Jaguars and Dearborn Drive

 
Coach Lupenec: "Nasreen is very good technically and tactfully. I see her having the ability to make an instant impact as a center-forward, and she has all the tools to be a good player in this league."
 
Morgan LaForest * 5-1 * Midfield * Saint Clair Shores, Mich./Lake Shore

• A four-year varsity letter winner in soccer
• Tabbed the Rookie of the Year as a freshman
• Selected All-Conference and All-District as a junior
• Earned her school's Shorian Award in 2017
• Played club with Saint Clair Shores Select and Reign Fe and helped her teams to several tournament and division championships

 
Coach Lupenec: "Morgan is a hardworking player who gets the most out of her talent. She has played against some good competitive club teams and that experience should help her transition to the collegiate game."
 
Emily Lorkowski * 5-5 * Midfield * Utica, Mich./Utica

• A four-year varsity letter-winner in basketball, golf and soccer and was a team captain on all three teams
• Has notched six goals and seven assists as a senior
• Played club with the Carpathia Kickers and helped the team to a junior state cup finals effort and a senior state quarterfinals appearance

 
Coach Lupenec: "Emily is a good technical midfielder who can create scoring opportunities and keep possession for us in the midfield."
 
Cece Muskovac * 5-5 * Goalie * Macomb, Mich./Regina

• A three-year varsity letter winner as the team's netminder
• Named First Team All-State, All-League and All-Catholic as a junior
• Has tallied 12 shutouts in her career
• Played club with the Nationals Academy

 
Coach Lupenec: "Cecilia comes from a very good program and will add another quality goalkeeper to our team. She is very vocal and a good shot stopper and will only continue to improve and get better with more experience."
 
Julie Ann Piechocki * 5-4 * Midfield * Macomb, Mich./Henry Ford II

• A four-year letter winner in soccer who has started every game in her prep career and was named team captain as a junior and senior
• Earned All-District as a freshman, sophomore and junior
• Tabbed All-Conference as a sophomore and junior
• Selected All-Region First Team and All-State Second Team in 2017
• Played club with Nationals 13 and helped the team win a state championship as well as a National League title

 
Coach Lupenec: "Julie is very fit and a very good offensive player who can help us right away. Not only is she a good scorer, but she can help us keep the ball and that will make everyone else a better player."
 
Reece Scott * 5-7 * Midfield * Kitchener, Ont./Meadowvale

• A two-sport star in high school suiting up in basketball and soccer
• Played club with the Toronto Blizzard and helped the team to several championships including the U-21 Ontario Cup championship, CGSL League Cup, Adidas Blue Chip, Umbro Tournament and Showcase of Champions

 
Coach Lupenec: "Reece is a very athletic and very smart player from the fullback position. She can attack out of the back or play out wide and still give is an offensive presence."
 
Madison Tzimas * 5-8 * Defense * LaSalle, Ont./Saint Thomas Of Villanova

• Earned varsity letters in soccer, track and field and volleyball
• A three-time team captain
• Tabbed MVP in 2015 and 2016 and was the Rookie of the Year in 2014
• Played club with Eastside Kickers, Michigan Gators and the Michigan Nationals and helped the Gators to the state finals in 2014 and 2015 and the Nationals to a runner-up effort in 2016

 
Coach Lupenec: "Madison is a strong and physical defender who can play up front or on the backline and has the ability to score goals. I can see her contributing immediately to the team."
 
The Titans are set to return seven starters and 21 letter winners from last year's squad. Detroit Mercy will begin its 26th season in August at Western Michigan on Aug. 17, while the home opener has Central Michigan in town on Aug. 26.