EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – Fresh off a third consecutive Ohio Valley Conference Championships title, SIUE women's soccer announced eight newcomers for next season.

"Our 2023 class is dynamic," said SIUE Head Coach Derek Burton. "We're excited about the variety of on-field qualities this class brings with it, across all positions: soccer savvy, athleticism, speed and on top of being a group of high character and great teammates. This is a diverse group, and they all have experience and comfort playing in different positions and roles. We will benefit from the vast amount of quality coaching they've received through their formative years."

Burton announced the addition of Taylor Babb (St. Louis, Missouri), Calli Chiarelli (Wilmette, Illinois), Mia ­Loza (Calumet City, Illinois), Miranda Malcom (O'Fallon, Missouri), Maddie Clark (Kirkwood, Missouri), Samaya Hogg (Lincoln, Nebraska), Ella Robinson (Arnold, Missouri) and Marin Vines (Kirkwood, Missouri).

"As always, we will be working to continue honoring SIUE and the players and teams that have paved the way for us, with our performance and represent Cougar Nation to the highest degree possible in everything we do," said Burton. That includes bringing home that next championship. Our staff and team welcome the newest members of our program with open arms."

Taylor Babb
Hometown:  Saint Louis, Missouri
High School: Ladue High School
Position: Defense
Club Team: Lou Fusz SC
Coaches: Jeff Tottleben, John Vasiloff, Dave Aronberg.

From Coach Burton: Taylor is bringing a winning pedigree to the program, along with a tremendous amount of athletic ability. With her pace and strength, she is a nightmare to be matched up with, whether she has the ball or the opponent. A versatile player that can play along the back line and that also has experience as a forward, which is a huge bonus as she comes into our team. We are excited to welcome Taylor to SIUE!

Why I chose SIUE: I chose SIUE because I felt like I had a good connection with the coaches. I also loved the competitiveness of the program in the Ohio Valley Conference. I also chose SIUE because it is close to home, and I want my family to be able to come to as many games as they can. Finally, I chose SIUE because they offered me the opportunity to pursue my athletic aspirations and career aspirations, at the highest levels.

Calli Chiarelli
Hometown: Wilmette, Illinois
High School: New Trier Township High School
Position: Defense
Club Team: Eclipse Select ECNL
Coaches: John Soltani, Mike Nesci, Quavas Kirk

From Coach Burton: I don't think Calli will be outworked. Her approach to the game and her physical tools has her ready to be a college player. Whether it's size, speed, athleticism, she can impact us in a couple of areas along the back line and potentially as a wide attacking presence. We look forward to her arrival to campus this summer.

Why I chose SIUE:  I chose SIUE because I felt instantly at home with the players and the coaching staff. The campus gives me that hometown feel and is smaller but still feels like a big school. I liked everything about my visit and everyone I met has the same drive, focus and determination to succeed on and off the field; everything I wanted in a team and school.

Mia Loza
Hometown: Calumet City, Illinois
High School: De La Salle Institute
Position: Midfield/Defense
Club Team: Evolution FC
Coaches: Bunnyray Larmond. Carlos Nunez, Francisco Martinez

From Coach Burton: Mia brings a high soccer intelligence with her and can impact us in the middle of the field. Whether she's at center back or in the midfield, she has a high level read of the game and is a player that makes good decisions with the ball. She can be an effective pivot player, and we're looking forward to her ability to help us get possession of the ball and get the ball moving as well.

Why I chose SIUE: I chose SIUE because of both the coaching staff and the program as a whole. When I first visited campus, I felt the at-home, family, winning environment. I'm excited to step on the field with new coaches and teammates who want to help me grow along my journey.

Miranda Malcom
Hometown: O'Fallon, Missouri
High School: Duchesne High School
Position: Defense/Midfield
Club Team: JB Marine SC
Club Coaches: Tony Kuster, Eric Kuster, Sean Kuster, Paige Smith, Mark Kaiser

From Coach Burton: Adding another player with clean technical ability and a high-level soccer brain to the team is exciting for us. As with many in the group, I can see her excelling with us in a number of areas on the field and that is super exciting for us. Miranda has the attitude every coach wants, is as competitive as they come and will be a great addition to the team.

Why I chose SIUE: I chose SIUE because of both its academic and athletic opportunities. It was an all-around great fit for my academic goals, and I love the winning culture of the team. I look forward to further development as a player in the program.

Maddie Clark
Hometown: Kirkwood, Missouri
High School: Kirkwood High School
Position: Forward
Club Team: Saint Louis Scott Gallagher ECNL
Coaches: Shawn Hewitt, Kelsey Dinges, Ralph Richards, Scott McDoniel

From Coach Burton: Maddie doesn't stop working. She is a real competitor, and you can't have enough of those types of players. Good pace and 1v1 ability, her tenacious defending and fitness level will bring a spark to the field. We couldn't be happier to welcome Maddie to SIUE this coming semester.

Why I chose SIUE: I chose SIUE because everything about it felt perfect for me. I love the coaching staff and the girls on the team a lot. When I was on campus for my visit I was just super excited and knew it's where I wanted my new home to be. I'm also really excited about the strong academic programs that SIUE has to offer as I prepare to pursue my future goals.

Samaya Hogg
Hometown: Lincoln, Nebraska
High School: Lincoln Southeast High School
Position: Goalkeeper
Club Team: Gretna Elite Academy ECNL
Coaches: Mitch Kavanaugh, Liz Kremer

From Coach Burton: Samaya is going to be a great addition to our goalkeeper group. She is a game winner who has shown the ability to rise to the occasion in big moments. Great size, tremendous work ethic and technical skills will have her hitting the ground running as she arrives this coming semester. We are excited to have her joining our program very soon.

Why I chose SIUE: I chose SIUE because I felt extremely welcome the minute I stepped on campus. The campus is super pretty and a place I feel at home. The school is the perfect size and offers the programs that I want to take to pursue my career goals later in life.

Ella Robinson
Hometown: Arnold, Missouri
High School: Fox High School
Position: Forward
Club Team: Lou Fusz Academy
Coaches: Chad Otec

From Coach Burton: Ella is a very dangerous attacking player. Strong, with great pace, she has the ability to beat defenders on the dribble and get on the end of services in behind the back line. She scores goals and provides service from wide areas as well and those are welcome attributes that we are thrilled to be adding to the team this coming season.

Why I chose SIUE: I chose SIUE because of the beautiful campus and the great coaching staff. I also like that the campus is close enough to home so that my parents and family can still come and watch me play. SIUE will be the perfect school to achieve my academic goals and play the sport I love at a high level.

Marin Vines
Hometown: Kirkwood, Missouri
High School: Kirkwood High School
Position: Midfield/Forward
Club Team: Lou Fusz Academy
Coaches: Chad Otec

From Coach Burton: Marin is a bright, cerebral player who is technically clean and makes great decisions with the ball. A winning, competitive mindset and experience in multiple positions will really allow her the opportunity to impact our team, and we are excited for her to join us this season.

Why I chose SIUE: I chose SIUE because it was the best fit for me athletically and academically. I was really drawn to the winning, family culture and the coaching staff. It also offers my academic major and an environment for me to be successful on and off the field. Everyone in the program was very welcoming, and I immediately knew that it was something I wanted to be a part of.