Rio Grande --- The University of Rio Grande RedStorm women's soccer program is putting the finishing touches on its 2010 recruiting class. The latest to sign on the dotted line is Rachel Hoffman of Bishop Fenwick High School. Hoffman signed her national letter of intent to being playing for the RedStorm in the fall.

Hoffman, a 5'8" midfielder/defender, gives the RedStorm good size, depth and athleticism on the defensive side of the ball.

Hoffman displayed a number of emotions as she signed her letter. "I feel excited and nervous," she said. "I'm very anxious to be a part of the '10-11 women's soccer team."

Rio Grande assistant coach Callum Morris was very pleased to be able to sign Hoffman and add her to the mix. "I first met Rachel as a coincidence, with my club team, she played against us," he said. "I met her after the game and spoke to her and was so surprised that nobody had actually contacted her to play soccer."

"I think we've caught one under the radar to be honest," Morris added. "She's very athletic; she should be a really big player for us this season."

Hoffman talked about the factors involved that helped make her decision to choose Rio Grande as a college destination. "It has a nice campus, small classes," Hoffman said. "Callum and (fellow Rio assistant) Chris (Skarratt) have really pushed to bring in players and hopefully I can be a part of it. I know that it (the women's soccer program) is a new program that is growing and improving and I can't wait to get started."

Morris talked about what Hoffman will bring to the Rio program. "What she will bring to the table is a bit of fight, a bit of character and hopefully better leadership that we've been lacking in the past few years," he said. "Hopefully she can lead the team as a freshman, which you don't see a lot of."

Hoffman plans to major in Biology/Chemistry with a long term focus of using that degree to become a veterinarian. 

She describes herself as a hard working player and pinpoints an area that she feels to improve upon. "I am hard working and have a lot of heart for the game," Hoffman said. "I feel like the only thing I need to work on is foot skills." 

Morris believes that Hoffman can play in the middle or in the defensive backfield for the RedStorm. "She can play out of the back, she can play midfield, she's strong right down the middle, she has good ball skills and she can play with both feet," he said. "And, like I said, her fight and her character that she will bring to the team will be great for our team." 

Hoffman has set forth a very simple goal for herself as a player. "My goal is to be the best player I can be," she said. 

Rachel is the daughter of Neil and Janet Hoffman of Franklin, Ohio.

Hoffman joins Jackson High School's Brittney Sims, Hannah Stickelman of Ontario High School, Haley Payerchin of Cloverleaf High School, Amy Lien of South Point High School, Ashley Gilley of Northwest High School, Mary Schramm of Marietta High School, Cassie Kyle of Waverly and Alexandria Davis of Teays Valley High School as the current members of the Rio Grande recruiting class.