July 10, 2006

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The six-member Missouri women's soccer incoming freshman class was named the 44th best recruiting class in the nation by Soccer Buzz. In addition to the national ranking, Mizzou's class ranked fifth in the Central Region out of 68 teams.

Missouri was one of five Big 12 schools with recruiting classes ranked in the top-50 by Soccer Buzz. Texas A&M ranked 22nd, Iowa State 26th, Oklahoma State 33rd and Kansas came in at 48th.

The incoming class includes Kristin Andrighetto (Pleasant Hill, Calif. / Cardonelet), Michelle Collins (Naperville, Ill. / Neuqua Valley), Katya Hessel (Edwardsville, Ill. / Edwardsville), Bianca Pritchett (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. / Alta Loma), Breanna Thornton (Lake View Terrace, Calif. / Los Angeles Baptist) and Crystal Wagner (Houston, Texas / Memorial). Soccer Buzz's rankings were released before Pritchett signed with the Tigers.

Previously, Soccer Buzz touted Hessel and Wagner as top-100 recruits and Andrighetto as a top-150 signee.

Mizzou will kick off the 2006 season on at home Friday, Aug. 25 against Iowa in the Tiger Invitational at Walton Stadium. The Invitational continues with a game between the Missouri and Illinois on Sunday, Aug. 27 with Illinois.