By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, Ohio---Owens Community College women's soccer head coach Kenny Hewitt has announced the signing of nine players, including six more international student-athletes, to round out his 2015-16 recruiting class.

"I expect this class to challenge those returning from last year and to push each other forward to bigger and better things now that we have a larger squad," said Owens Community College second-year head coach Kenny Hewitt.

Those players include:

Sophie Hollis, LM/RM
Tomlinscote/Surrey, England

- Hollis was the captain of the Tomlinscote Under 18 Academy and a County Cup Finalist the past two years

Jermima Job, CM
Lincoln College/Nottinghamshire, United Kingdom

- Job is a product of Lincoln College in the U.K., where she earned the BTEC Diploma Sport award for development, coaching and fitness.

Emily Ginley, CF/LM/CM
Huddersfield New College/Halifax, United Kingdom

- Ginley was the top goal scorer and qualified for the national championships for Huddersfield New College in the United Kingdom. She was also the manager's player of the year, the top goal scorer, a member of the league's runner-up team and a member of the cup runner-up team for South Leeds City Girls. Furthermore, she won a league title with Wortley Ladies.

Ellie Kirby, RB/RM
Itchen Sixth Form College/Southampton, Hampshire, England

- Kirby is from Itchen Sixth Form College in Southampton.

Talia Swartbooi, RM/CF
Edenglen/Johannesburg, South Africa

- Swartbooi is from Edenglen High School in Johnannesburg.

Amanda Mthandi, CM/ACM
Vorentoe/Johannesburg, South Africa

- Mthandi, a member of South Africa's Under 20 national team, is a two-time Janine Van Wyk (JVW) school league player of the year 

Mackenzie Oberle, RM/LM
Whitmer/Toledo, Ohio

- Oberle earned Honorable Mention All-Three Rivers Athletic Conference (TRAC) and her team's outstanding midfielder award during her time at Whitmer High School. She was also named to the NWOHSSA All-Academic team.

Sarah Wamer, LM
Cardinal Stritch/Walbridge, Ohio

- Wamer was a First Team All-Toledo Area Athletic Conference (TAAC) and Northwest Ohio High School Soccer League (NWOHSSL) selection at Cardinal Stritch. She also earned Honorable Mention All-District honors.

Aubrey Bush, GK
Tallwood/Virginia Beach, Va.

- Bush, a 2014 graduate of Tallwood High School in Virginia Beach, Va., is a transfer from Georgia Perimeter College, where she started nine games in goal last year. She totaled three shutouts, while allowing a total of 14 goals. She had one assist in the field.

These players above join previous signees: Dayna Kingshott (CF/RM) of The College of West Anglia in King's Lynn, United Kingdom, Jenna Kidd (RB/LB) of Clay High School in Oregon, Ohio, Kathryn Spalding (CB) of Central Catholic High School in Toledo, Ohio, Kelsey Combs (CM/RB) of Anthony Wayne High School in Waterville, Ohio, Lynzee Richardson (CB/RB) of Napoleon High School in Napoleon, Ohio and Catie Phalen (CM/RM) of Lake High School in Millbury, Ohio.

They will join returners: goalkeeper Chelsie Randolph (Start/Toledo, Ohio), midfielder Dominique Cruz (Northwood/Northwood, Ohio), defender Siera Kovar (Bowsher/Toledo, Ohio), defender/midfielder Lydia Yeager (Start/Toledo, Ohio), midfielder Jessica Kreger (Bedford/Temperance, Mich.) and forward Jordyn Wright (Riverdale/Forest, Ohio).

Last year's squad featured 15 players, and Hewitt expects this year's team to field at least 21 players.

"I believe this team has a lot more quality than in previous years but they need to work hard together to realize and achieve their goals," Hewitt said. "They will be expected to come in with a big hunger to prove themselves against the very strong competition we have on our schedule this year."

The team's preseason will feature three matches against well-established four-year programs in Siena Heights University, Tiffin University and the University of Findlay. They will then open the regular season against JUCO powers Monroe Community College and Parkland College at home.

"It's not going to be easy and there's no honeymoon period," Hewitt said of the schedule. "Straight in and straight to work with this group."

Hewitt will enter his second year as the head coach of the women's soccer program at Owens this fall. Last year, the team finished 14-5-2, won the program's second straight Region XII tournament championship and advanced to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I National Tournament for the second straight season.

The team will begin fall practice Aug. 1 and open its regular season Aug. 28 at home against Monroe Community College at 12 p.m.