FAIRFAX, Va. - In her 10^th year at the helm of the women's soccer program, George Mason head coach Diane Drake announced the signing of eight National Letters of Intent for the 2013 season. Comprising the signing class are three midfielders, two forwards, two defenders and one goalkeeper.

"The 2013 incoming class adds speed, size, experience and depth to our young squad," remarked Drake. "With the loss of three seniors in 2012 to graduation and the maturation from a very large current freshmen and sophomore class, we have been fortunate to hand select players to complement the talented group of hard-working players we have already. This new group of athletes have the same mentality of selflessness and relentless work ethic both on and off the field which will be necessary to compete for the CAA championship during their careers."

The eight student-athletes joining the squad in the fall will be Hollie Byer (Howard County, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel), Gabrielle Cook (Strasburg, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg High School), Mackenzie Farley (Hampstead, Md./North Carroll High School), Allison Garris (Fairfax, Va./Fairfax High School), Sarah Hardison (Hamilton, Va./Woodgrove High School), Nicolette Herdegen (Oak Park, Calif./Oak Park High School), Anna Ludwick (Chester Springs, Pa./The Agnes Irwin School), and Kylie Shultz (Sterling, Va./Potomac Falls High School).

A midfielder from Howard County, Md., Byer was a four-year starter for the Falcons of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School. Byer, a two-time team captain, was named the Team Unsung Hero as a senior in addition to Honorable Mention as both a junior and senior. In 2012, Byer was nominated for the NSCAA High School Scholar All-American award. As a freshman, Byer was tabbed second team WCAC All-Conference and received the Coaches' Award. In club soccer with the Freestate Elite 94, Byer earned a U15 state championship and U16 state finalist.

Byer earned academic First Honors as a freshman and sophomore and was named to the President's List as a junior and senior. A National Society of High School Scholar, Byer also received the National Social Studies Award twice. 

"Hollie is a gritty competitor who cannot stand to lose," commented Drake. "She has focus and determination coupled with tactical awareness and skill that make her a force on the field."

Cook, a defender from Strasburg, Pa., earned four letters in soccer at Lampeter-Strasburg High School. A senior captain, Cook was a two-time Lancaster Lebanon League First Team All-Star selection and helped lead the Pioneers to a 2012 HS Section 2 Championship. In 2011, Cook was named the offensive player of the year. She played club soccer with LDC/Hershey, helping lead the team to State Cup Championships in 2011 and 2012. Academically, Cook received High Honor Roll accolades all four years and was a member of the Student Council, Diversity Club and Interact Club.

"Gabby is a fantastic central defender who is very dynamic in the air and has a solid strike on the ball allowing her to distribute the ball much further than many," reflected Drake. "She is clean technically and can be a strong organizer."

A goalkeeper from Hampstead, Md., Farley earned four letters in soccer at North Carroll High School in addition to competing in basketball and track and field for the Panthers. While playing for the Panthers, Farley was tabbed First Team All-County and First Team All-Chesapeake. A Carroll County Time Player of the Year, Farley was also named the Carroll County Times Player of the Week twice. Additionally, Farley was a second team All-State, second team All-Chesapeake, second team All-County and Baltimore Ravens Player of the Week.

"Mackenzie is a very hard worker who will dominate her six box which is a strong asset in the women's college game," noted Drake. "She is fearless and with daily training will continue to grow in honing her technical skills to impact the college game."

Garris, a local of Fairfax High School, earned four letters in soccer in addition to competing two years of basketball for the Lions. She earned the Coaches' Award in 2011. Garris also played three years of club soccer with the Chantilly Phoenix and two years with NOVA FC.

"Allison is a very strong, tall and athletic defensive player," commented Drake. "She will be used in our back line or midfield line for next fall."

Hardison, a forward from Hamilton, Va., competed in both basketball and soccer at Woodgrove High School. As a junior, Hardison was tabbed First Team All-District and All-Region in addition to Second Team Washington Post All-Met after leading the team in points behind 18 goals. The forward also helped lead the Virginia State AA Girls Soccer team to a state championship. Hardison was a 2011 Honorable Mention Washington Post All-Met and member of the Virginia State AA Girls Soccer Semifinalist team.

As a member of the FC Virginia Hotspur, Hardison helped lead the travel team to a 2012 ECNL Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship. In 2011, her team finished third in the ECNL National Championship and took part in the ECNL U16 Challenge.

"Sarah is a strong physical goal-scoring attacking player," noted Drake. "She has participated in National team camp as a forward and we are expecting solid production from her."

A forward from Oak Park, Calif., Herdegen earned four letters in soccer at Oak Park High School. The California native was a two-time Tri-County All-League first team honoree and senior MVP and captain. In 2011, Herdegen was tabbed Tri-Valley All County Girls Soccer and offense MVP. As a freshman, Herdegen was named Rookie of the Year and Tri County All League Second Team.

Herdegen played 10 years with Real So Cal soccer club and helped lead the team to a 2012 Surf Cup Quarterfinalist appearance and an ECNL National Championship.

"Nicolette is a very athletic, fast forward/midfield player," Drake said. "She is another quality California recruit we are welcoming into our family. She is a proven goal scorer at the high school and club level, so it will be an opportunistic challenge to help her become a college impacting goal scorer."

Ludwick, a native of Chester Springs, Pa., competed in lacrosse, running and soccer at The Agnes Irwin School. As a senior in 2012, Ludwick was team captain and earned the Excellence Award (MVP) in addition to All-Mainline First Team and Inter-Academic League First Team. In 2010, Ludwick was tabbed All-Mainline Honorable Mention and received the Coaches Award. In the classroom, Ludwick earned academic honors all four years of high school and earned the Studio Art II Award for excellent dedication to learning and improving as a junior.

A member of the Penn Fusion Soccer Club for three years, Ludwick also competed with Lower Merion Soccer Club.

"Anna is a very strong defender with good technical skills and game savvy knowledge that makes her very dynamic attacking from the back line," stated Drake. "We expect some immediate contribution from her on the field for this fall."

A four-year soccer letterwinner at Potomac Falls High School, Shultz was a strong performer both on the field and off the field for the Panthers. A recipient of the Math Excellence Award, Shultz also received the English Excellence Award and was a four-time member of the Honor Roll. Shultz competed for three years with FC Virginia and four years with Sterling Freedom earning ECNL Player of the Game numerous times. Additionally, Shultz was the FCV team captain and was nominated for the ECNL National ID camp.