University of Detroit Mercy women's soccer head coach Mike Lupenec announced today (March 18) the signing of five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent for the upcoming 2004 season. Midfielder Stacy Armstrong (Waterford, Mich/Mott HS), forward/defender Megan Canty (Royal Oak, Mich./Kimball HS), midfielder/defender Rachel Collins(Troy, Mich./Royal Oak Shrine HS), goalkeeper Katie Fortenberry (Flushing, Mich./Flushing HS ) and midfielder Elizabeth Hardy (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston HS) have committed to join the Titans in the fall.

"Overall this is a tremendous group for us to be able to bring in early," said Lupenec. "All of these players will have an impact on our team next year and for the next four years. They all come from good high school and club teams and that experience will help them adjust to the college game much easier."

Armstrong, a midfielder, is entering her fourth year on the varsity squad at Mott and will graduate this spring. She is also a four year member of the Rochester Lightning Soccer Club. Armstrong garnered All-Oakland Activities Association First Team honors in 2001 and again in 2003.

"Stacy is a very fast and athletic soccer player," said Lupenec. "She has all the tools to be a great player in our conference. She has the drive and the will to be an impact player for the next four years in the Horizon League."

Canty is a captain on her Kimball squad this spring and has helped lead her team to three state district and regional championships. Last season she was part of the state finalist squad at Kimball and was selected All-League and All-District as well. She is part of the nationally rated and respected Vardar Soccer Club and is a member of the National Honors Society at Kimball where she will graduate this spring.

"Megan will provide us with help not only up front, but in the back line where we lost some players this season," said Lupenec. "She has great speed and will present problems for our opponents and give us options on where to play her on the field."

Collins is a defender and a midfielder who will graduate this spring from Royal Oak's Shrine High School, the same school that produced current Titan Megan Husek.

An All-District selection in 2003, Collins was also selected to the Detroit Catholic High School League's All-League team in 2002 and again in 2003. This spring the she will captain her Knights squad after playing for the USL Stingers Club program.

"Rachel is a sleeper in this class," said Lupenec. "Not too many people know about her and we feel she will have a great impact for us during her career. She is very talented and brings a lot to us both on and off the field. She will be an asset to us on the left side of the midfield or defense."

Fortenberry comes to the Titans after setting three school records at Flushing High School. She has the record for most saves in a game (31), most saves in a season (293) and most career saves (293). She has been on the varsity team since her freshman season and is once again captaining her squad this spring.

As a sophomore she brought home the Coach's Award and last season took home First Team All-Conference, All-District, All-Region and Honorable Mention All-State honors. In addition to those, she was also selected as Team Co-MVP last year.

"Katie is a very sound goalie and will bring a lot to our program," said Lupenec. "She will challenge for playing time right away and it is always nice to bring in a quality keeper. With Alisson Dube being a senior next fall we needed to bring in a goalie who can learn from her and be ready to step in after she leaves."

Rounding out the recruiting class for the Titans is Hardy. The midfielder will graduate this spring from Clarkston High School where she is entering her fourth year on the varsity squad.

Hardy has already garnered three All-District selections, an All-League selection in '02, an All-Region and an Honorable Mention All-State selection in '03, she looks to add to her honors this spring. She has also played for the Vardar Soccer Club for one season.

"Elizabeth is a very good athlete. She is a very tactically and fundamentally sound soccer player," said Lupenec. "I am counting on her to step in and be an impact player for us in the midfield next season."

The Titans finished the 2003 campaign with a 9-10-1 record and were the runner-up in the Horizon League Tournament.