Feb. 14– Concordia University head women's soccer coach Joe Alianiello has announced that Lauren Hoof (Maple Grove, Minn.), Savannah Nolen (Oronoco, Minn.), Emily Weimelt (Lakeville, Minn.) and Chloe Weinberg (St. Paul, Minn.) have signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Golden Bear women's soccer program for the 2008 fall season.

"My staff and I are very excited that these four young ladies will be continuing their education with Concordia University, St. Paul as well as playing soccer," said Alianiello.

He continued, "All four of them bring unique qualities to the program and I look for them to help our cause in getting the team back to where we want to be in the NSIC."

Lauren Hoof is a defender from Maple Grove, Minn. where she played for Maple Grove High School. "Lauren is a versatile defender who can play at any position in the back line. She is tenacious and reads the game well. Lauren has the ability to come in and immediately compete for a major role within the back line."

Savannah Nolen is a forward from Oronoco, Minn., playing for Rochester Century High School and "should immediately help our attack. She understands the game, moves well without the ball and is just a ball of energy. Savanahh is a very technical player and I look for her to score many goals during her four years at CU."

Emily Weimelt played midfield/forward at Lakeville South High School in Lakeville, Minn. and "is a state champion and I look for her to bring that winning mentality to our team. Emily is a versatile player who can play outside midfield or up top. She is not afraid to take people on and possess great pace. We are thrilled to have Emily on our team for the upcoming season."

Chloe Weinberg, a St. Paul, Minn. native, decided to stay in her hometown where she played for Highland Park High School as a midfielder/forward. "We are very excited that Chloe signed with us. She is also very versatile and can play anywhere in the midfield or up top. She has a great left foot and distributes the ball well. She is the consummate team player."

Hoof, Nolen, Weimelt and Weinberg join a Golden Bear soccer squad that went 5-14-2 overall in 2007, including a 3-6-0 finish in the Northern Sun. The program is under the leadership of Alianiello, in his second year. In his first year as head coach, he was named NSIC Coach of the Year, tied for second in the NSIC and took third at the NSIC Tournament.

CU is 16-25-3 overall under his leadership, posting a 9-9 mark in the NSIC. The NSIC expands from the current 10-team membership to 14 teams in 2008-09.