By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Fort Wayne, Ind.---Jill Burkholder (Bryan/Bryan, Ohio), a sophomore midfielder for the Express women's soccer team, has signed with the University of Saint Francis women's soccer program.

The Cougars started recruiting Burkholder during her high school career at Bryan and continued to follow her while with Owens.

"I've seen her improve her game while playing for them, and I have no doubt she is going to have a huge impact here at USF in the midfield," said University of Saint Francis women's soccer head coach Christy Young via SaintFrancisCougars.com. "Her First Team All-American honors while at Owens speak for itself. Her personality fits in perfectly with our team, and she has an awesome attitude."

This past season, Burkholder had 13 goals and eight assists as she helped lead the Express women's soccer team to a 17-2-2 overall record, the program's first Region XII tournament championship and the program's first NJCAA D-I national tournament appearance. The team also won a program record 15 straight games and achieved the highest national ranking in program history at No. 13.

Following the season, Burkholder was named First Team All-Region XII, NSCAA All-Central Region and NSCAA First Team All-American. She was also named to the all-tournament team at the Region XII level. She finished second on the team in goals, assists and scoring.

As a freshman, Burkholder led the Express to a 13-2-3 record while totaling eight goals and nine assists. She led the Express to a regular season Region XII championship and a Region XII tournament semifinal appearance, while leading the team in assists. Following the season, she was named the team's MVP, earned First Team All-Region XII honors, and was named to the Region XII All-Tournament team.

Burkholder remains just one of seven players in program history to record three assists in one game, which she achieved her freshman year. On Oct. 23 of her sophomore year, she scored twice directly off corner kicks to reach 20 career goals.

In all, Burkholder tallied 21 goals and 17 assists in her career at Owens as the team finished 30-4-5 during that period. She leaves the program fourth in career goals, second in career assists and third in career points.

Burkholder will join Drew Plummer (Tiffin University) as one of two Express players in the program's three-year history to play at a four-year school.

The Cougars are a member of the NAIA and compete in the Crossroads League. They finished 12-7 last year, with a 6-3 league record. Their season ended with a loss in the Crossroads League tournament semifinals.

Notes

Express women's soccer head coach Mary Whisler, who recently completed her third season with the program, also played for the University of Saint Francis.