May 6, 2010

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The University of Missouri women's soccer team gained depth at the goalkeeping position on Thursday with the announcement of incoming transfer Paula Pritzen from Clemson University.

Pritzen played in 39 games for Clemson in three seasons, starting every game in her sophomore and junior campaigns. The Houston, Texas, native amassed 193 saves and six shutouts with a 2.31 career goals against average.

"Paula will be a welcome addition to our Mizzou Soccer Family," Head Coach Bryan Blitz said. "She is a tremendous student-athlete and we feel fortunate to have her join our program."

Pritzen moves to Missouri after a successful showing at Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). In 2008, Pritzen set the single season record at Clemson in both saves per game average (5.47) and most saves by a sophomore goalkeeper in school history (93). She also led the ACC in saves (75) and saves per game (7.50) in conference competition.

In 2009, Pritzen repeated as the conference's top goalkeeper in saves (58) and saves per game (5.80) in ACC play, facing the likes of eventual NCAA national champion North Carolina. She sits in fourth place on the all-time saves chart at Clemson.

Pritzen will join a strong incoming class of six signees and a successful senior class that consists of Kari Adam, Alysha Bonnick, Kelsey Stokes and Krista Kruse.

Pritzen completed an undergraduate degree in communication studies in three years at Clemson and will pursue a graduate degree at Missouri.