ST. PAUL, Minn. - Concordia University head soccer coach Joe Alianiello is pleased to announce that six student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent with the Golden Bear program.  All six, Kellie Barnaby, Brittany Kapala, Kayla Kuczaboski, Chloe Moore, Christine Nalepka and Rachel Skog, are Minnesota natives due to graduate high school this spring.

"I am very excited about the 2010 recruiting class.  All six are from Minnesota, so it's nice to get great student-athletes right out of our backyard," said Alianiello.  "I believe this is probably the deepest class we have ever had at Concordia.  The common thread with this class is that they are all versatile players and can play multiple positions, which is a huge bonus."

Kellie Barnaby is a 5-3 midfielder from Baxter, Minn.  A future graduate of Brainerd High School, Barnaby is a four-year soccer letterwinner and two-year track letterwinner.  Her Warriors made two State Tournament appearances on the pitch in 2006 and 2007.  Barnaby was named All-Conference in 2008 and 2009, serving as team captain her senior season.  She was named a conference Player of the Week as a senior.  With Barnaby's efforts, the Brainerd soccer team won the conference championship every year of her career, won the section championship in 2006 and 2007, and was the section runner-up in 2008 and 2009.  Barnaby won the district writing award and was an Academic All-Conference athlete. 

"What can't I say about Kellie?" said Alianiello.  "She works extremely hard, possesses great technical ability and is a tremendous team player.  She is very soccer savvy and has a great mind for the game."

Brittany Kapala, a 5-8 forward, comes to Concordia from Fridley High School where she accumulated numerous letters.  She took four letters in soccer, three in track, three in academics, two as a member of the National Honor Society and two as a wrestling manager.  Kapala was named All-Conference for her soccer achievements her junior and senior seasons and was an honorable mention honoree as a freshman and sophomore.  Her senior season, she was named All-State, All-Metro and Academic All-Conference.  She was also a two-time All-Conference athlete in track, becoming her conference's high jump champion and member of the championship 4x100 relay team.  Kapala is also a member of the Key Club. 

"Brittany has a knack for scoring goals at both the high school and club level.  She is an All-State forward and will certainly add more punch to our attack next year."  Alianiello continues, saying, "Brittany has the potential to garner a big role right away."

Goalkeeper Kayla Kuczaboski, standing at 5-8, is from Vadnais Heights, Minn. and will graduate from White Bear Lake Area High School.  Kuczaboski has earned four letters in soccer and two in basketball, being named All-Conference Honorable Mention in soccer her senior season.  She received the MN Soccer Coaches' Association Academic Excellence Award from 2006-09.  Kuczaboski's club team won the USA Cup in 2007 and 2009 and was a section finalist from 2006-09.  The soccer standout served on the Student Athlete Leadership council in 2009-10 and was a basketball manager in 2009.

"Kayla is a solid goalkeeper," said Alianiello.  "She has a great presence in the net and a good command of the box.  She will have the opportunity to compete for the starting role immediately and I look forward to working with her on a daily basis."

A 5-7 defender, Chloe Moore is due to graduate this spring from Lakeville North High School.  A three-time soccer letterwinner, Moore also gained three letters for cross country, two for basketball and two for track & field.  She received several honors for soccer, including being named Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Defensive Player and making the All-Conference Team.  She was also an All-State and All-Conference cross country runner.  With Moore's defensive help, the Panthers were the 2009 section champions on the soccer field.  In 2005, Moore was a cross country state champion.  She was also a member of the LNHS Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

"Chloe is a fast and tenacious defender who can play any position across the back line," commented Alianiello.  "She is certainly not afraid to get physical with opponents and I expect her to immediately add athleticism and toughness to our defense and compete for a starting spot right away."

Also from Fridley, Minn. and an upcoming Fridley High School graduate, Christine Nalepka will join the CU defense.  She is a four-time letterwinner in both soccer and track & field.  For soccer, Nalepka is a two-time All-Conference honoree, also named Honorable Mention in her career.  She was named the Most Valuable Defender her sophomore and senior seasons and served as a team captain for two years.  Nalepka has also been named All-Conference Honorable Mention twice for track.  She is also a member of the National Honor Society, currently serving as president.  She has two academic letters to go with her athletic achievements. 

"I think Christine has real potential to be a strong player at the Division II level.  She is a multi-sport athlete who has also excelled at track & field," Alianiello explained.  "She works exceptionally hard on the field, possesses a great team-first attitude and will help add more depth to our outside back and outside mid spots."

Rachel Skog is a 5-9 forward/midfielder from Bloomington, Minn.  She attends John F. Kennedy High School, where she has earned three letters in both soccer and track & field.  Skog was named her soccer team's MVP in 2007 and led the Eagles in goals scored her senior year.  She has earned two letters for academics and is also a member of the choir.

"Rachel is a quick, versatile player who can play up top or in the midfield.  She is good on the ball and is a great decision-maker on the field.  Her quickness will add an extra dimension in our attack and transition game.  I see her pushing a lot of the returners for a spot on the field right away."

Alianiello wrapped things up by saying, "I am very proud of the fact that these student-athletes have decided to further their education and play soccer at Concordia.  There is no doubt in my mind that they will make Concordia very proud, on and off the field, over the next four years.  Our team wants to get to the upper echelon in the NSIC and I think this class will help us do that."