Long Beach State women’s soccer head coach Mauricio Ingrassia has announced the 49ers’ 2009 incoming class. The Beach will welcome nine freshmen and one transfer for the upcoming season.

“Overall, this class brings depth, athleticism and good players in key positions,” said Ingrassia. “I’m looking forward to their growth within our culture, both on and off the field. I am confident that they will continue our tradition of success and that they will energize our program and help take us to the next level.”

Alexandra Balcer is currently a senior at Catalina Foothills High School where she helped lead the Falcons to back-to-back 4A State Championships (2006 and 2007), and an appearance in the quarterfinals as a senior. Balcer, the first 49er recruit to hail from Arizona, is a two-time first-team all-state selection. Balcer is a member of the Arizona Rush 91 club team and attended the 2006 U-15 National Soccer Camp. Last summer, she also played for the Rush Club women’s team that advanced to the championship game at the WPSL Final Four.

“Alex is a fantastic addition to our program,” Ingrassia said. “She can play anywhere on the back line. She is athletic, has great presence, is a tenacious tackler and can flat out play. I’m looking forward to seeing her in action.”

Kelsey Baldwin, a goalkeeper from Hidden Valley Lake, Calif., is a four-year letterwinner at Middletown High School. She led the Mustangs to three league championships, earning most valuable player honors as a sophomore and senior. A four-time first-team all-league selection, Baldwin posted 11 shutouts and 107 saves, while allowing just 16 goals in 21 games played last season.

“Kelsey has all the physical characteristics of a great goalkeeper,” said Ingrassia. “She is 5-foot-11, a great athlete and has good hands. With training, she has the potential to become a very good college goalkeeper.”

Shannon Bullock comes to The Beach from Mira Costa High School and will join her sister, Lindsay, who earned Big West Midfielder of the Year honors as a sophomore in 2008. Also a midfielder, Bullock guided the Mustangs to four consecutive Bay League championships, including back-to-back undefeated seasons as a junior and senior.

“Shannon is an athletic winger-type player that can also play forward,” Ingrassia said. “She has a competitive spirit that will push others around her to be better. Her attitude and work rate are traits that will transform her as a player and I am looking forward to seeing her development.”

Haylee Eguchi is a product of Los Osos High School, where she played alongside current 49ers Shawna Gordon and Bo Rael. Eguchi recently helped the Grizzlies to a Baseline League title with an 18-4-5 overall record and an undefeated 8-0-2 mark in league play. A forward/midfielder, Eguchi was a second-team all-league selection as a junior and plays club soccer for the So Cal Blues.

“Haylee is a versatile player with a quick first step,” said Ingrassia. “She can play in the midfield, either inside or out. Unfortunately, an ACL tear may force her to redshirt her first season.”

Markie Gleason is a defender/midfielder from El Toro High School where she led the Chargers to a Sea View League championship in 2006-07. The Lake Forest, Calif., native was a first-team all-league selection as a sophomore and earned second team honors as a junior. The two-time team MVP sat out her senior season with a broken foot. Gleason is also a member of the So Cal Blues club team.

“Markie can play anywhere in the midfield,” Ingrassia said. “She is tactically fast, technically sound and plays with a good sense of rhythm. She is a simple and intelligent player that will be a great addition to our team.”

Kirstin McCullough is currently a senior at Kennedy High School in La Palma, Calif. As a midfielder, McCullough helped lead her club team, the Wolfpack, to the 2008 CSL Premier League title.

“Kirstin is a great athlete,” said Ingrassia. “She is a tenacious defender that has a chance to get minutes right away based on her athletic ability. Her speed and endurance will set her apart.”

Katie Peterson is a defender from nearby Los Alamitos High School. A 2008-09 team captain, she helped the Griffins to four consecutive Sunset League titles and an appearance in the CIF finals. The two-time first-team all-league selection was tabbed the CIF Division I Defensive Player of the Year, while also earning first-team all-county accolades as a senior. Peterson is a member of the So Cal Blues club team.

“Katie can play in the midfield or in the back,” Ingrassia said. “She had a terrific senior season at Los Alamitos, leading her team to the CIF finals. She brings many intangibles that will be great for the group both on and off the field. I’m excited about the long term impact she will have on our program.”

Jennafer Soza comes to The Beach from Summit High School, where she was a two-time first-team all-league selection. The forward from Fontana, Calif., scored 17 goals as a senior to lead the Skyhawks to the Sunkist League title with a 15-5-3 overall record. Soza was also invited to the 2007 Nike Premier 50 Camp.

“Jenny is the type of athlete that can make a great college player,” said Ingrassia. “She can play outside midfield or forward, and has tremendous change of pace and overall speed. She has the potential to get behind defenses and really stretch teams out.”

Whitney Velez, a forward from South Anchorage High School in Alaska, recently led her team to an undefeated season, winning the CISC Conference and Region championships, as she compiled 38 goals and 27 assists. In club action, she has guided the Alaska Rush to six consecutive state titles and was part of the Olympic Development Program regional pool in 2008 (Region IV). Velez will be the first 49er to come to The Beach from Alaska.

“Whitney is a sophisticated target forward with good size,” Ingrassia said. “She has good feet and a nose for the goal. I look forward to Whitney scoring many times for The Beach.”

In addition to the nine freshmen, midfielder Karina Camacho has signed a non-binding financial aid agreement. Camacho completed her sophomore campaign at the University of Arizona in 2008. The Tucson, Ariz., native earned the starting nod in all but two games and finished with five goals and three assists in her two seasons with the Wildcats.

“Karina is a talented, playmaking midfielder,” said Ingrassia. “She will add creativity and personality to our attack. We will have only one senior next season, so we welcome a player with her level of experience.”

Last year, the 49ers went 14-5-4 and were undefeated in league play at 7-0-1 to claim its third consecutive Big West Conference regular season title. The 49ers also made their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2008.

Report By LBSU