NATCHITOCHES – The Northwestern State soccer team tapped into its North Texas pipeline once again, bolstering a talented 2022 roster with the announcement of its newest signing class.

The newly added depth comes in the form of four newcomers for NSU – two offensive players and two defenders -- will shore up the Lady Demons' presence up front and along their back line.

The list includes three from Farmers Branch-based D'feeters Kicks Soccer Club – Taylor Spitzer, Jessica Spitzer and Riley Stern – along with Madison Murphy, out of Allen, Texas' Solar SC.

"We are very excited to welcome the 2022 class to our family," said NSU head coach Stuart Gore, reigning Southland Head Coach of the Year. "This class will add depth to an already deep team, and we expect each of them to have an immediate impact at their respective positions."

Forward Taylor Spitzer adds another potential threat along the outside to compliment a Lady Demon offense which includes All-Conference first-team forward Natalee Henry and Southland Conference Player of the Year Olivia Draguicevich:

"Taylor is very quick, deceptive off the dribble, gets out of tight spaces, has the ability to set up her teammates and can score goals," Gore said. "We will look to her to add flair and unpredictability out wide for us, and I know she will flourish in our style of play."

NSU completes its offensive additions with the signing of Stern, an offensive midfielder that brings more variety to the ways its attacking unit can threaten from distance.

"Stern's attacking ability on the ball is special," Gore said. "She can solve pressure off the dribble, has an ability to separate from defenders, combine and score goals from deep."

Rounding out yet another pair of twins for the Lady Demons, defender Jessica Spitzer arrives along with sister Taylor as one of the newest additions to NSU's coveted back line. Jessica Spitzer will be joining a unit which only allowed three goals throughout league play during the 2021 season, resulting in a program-best 10 shutouts and the 24^th-best goals-against average in the nation entering the NCAA Tournament (.657).

"(Jessica Spitzer) is a very smart central defender," Gore said. "She reads the game very well and demonstrates a calmness in and out of possession. " 

Murphy's addition will replace an aggressive play style often seen in graduating senior Kalee Williams, who was highly disruptive along the wings and had a knack for getting clean tackles.

"Madison will be a seamless fit right away in the back line," Gore said. "I don't think I have come across a player as competitive and combative, that has such impeccable timing in the tackle and is as good a distributor as her."