ROHNERT PARK, Calif- Five high school stars, including Santa Rosa's Julianne McFarlin, have signed National Letters of Intent to highlight the Sonoma State women's soccer program's 2010 recruiting class, as announced by head coach Luke Oberkirch on Wednesday.

“I am very excited about this recruiting class,” Oberkirch said. “All of these girls are motivated and competitive and they all want to see this program succeed.”

A native of nearby Santa Rosa, Julianne McFarlin has been one of the most dominant defenders in the area, helping the Santa Rosa High School girls soccer team allow just 19 goals as a senior in 2009. She was instrumental in the Panthers' 1-0 playoff victory over Windsor in November – Santa Rosa's first postseason victory since 2004. McFarlin, who was a team captain as a junior and senior and the team's Most Valuable Player in each of the past two seasons, was named to the All-North Bay League First Team in 2008 and 2009 and earned Second Team honors as a sophomore in 2007. In addition to her efforts on the pitch, McFarlin was a California Interscholastic Federation Scholar Athlete in her four-year high school career.

“We are very excited that J.J. decided to stay at home and play for us at Sonoma State,” head coach Luke Oberkirch said. “We have watched her for years and she is highly competitive. She has competed against a lot of top youth teams, which gives her a lot of valuable experience. J.J. is a tough tackler and is very focused on the field. She will be able to come in and help us out right away.”

Kate McFarland, hailing from Campbell Hall School in North Hollywood and the Real SoCal Soccer Club, earned First Team All-Gold Coast Athletics Conference honors as a sophomore and was named the Alpha League Most Valuable Player as a junior.

“Kate played on one of the best youth teams in the country and she is a very smart and experienced defender,” said Oberkirch. “ She will come in and contribute right away at the backline midfielder's position.”

A member of the 2009 Idaho 4A State Championship team from Sandpoint High School in Idaho, Alicia Mertz was named the 2009 Inland Empire League Most Valuable Player. She also participated in the Olympic Development Program Region 4 Pool in 2008 and was tabbed as the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year in the IEL.

“Alicia came to our camp last July and we knew right away that she would be a great addition to our program,” Oberkirch said. “She has some great skills, great composure and can play multiple positions.”

Megan Foy was named to the Capital Athletic League All-Conference team in all three years she played for El Camino Fundamental High School in Sacramento and was also the league's Most Valuable Player. She helped the Eagles to a league championship and section finalists in two consecutive years.

“Megan is a very skilled left-sided player and can play both offense and defense really well,” Oberkirch said. “She is very competitive and is used to playing in top level competition as a member of Placer United. Megan will fit in well with this team.”

Lauren Fryer, a native of San Juan Cap, was a member of the CIF Championship team from San Clemente High School from 2007-09 as a forward for the Tritons.

“Lauren is a goal scoring forward and will come in and be a big impact for us,” said Oberkirch. “She is a technical player and can hold the ball really well up front, but has a knack for scoring.”

Allie Carlton of Irvine (University HS), Caitlin Witwer of Bakersfield (Stockdale HS) and Caity Winterbottom of San Mateo (Aragon HS) also signed letters of intent to play for the Seawolves in 2010. Sonoma State finished 8-9-3 in 2009, including a 6-7-3 mark in California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) play.