Nine high school soccer stars have signed off the next four years of their career to develop in front of Panther fans.

Eastern women’s soccer head coach Summer Perala announced an eight-player recruiting class Feb. 18, and has sense added one more prospect to the list of commitments. With six Panthers graduating, Perala said the incoming class of freshmen features nine girls who can immediately contribute.

“Almost everyone who has committed can come in and will be able to contribute,” Perala said. “They’re excited to come and be a part of this program.”

In her first recruiting class as a collegiate head coach, Perala said she is bringing in many versatile athletes:

Samantha Rall, forward/midfielder

Perala went all over the country to reel in athletes, including the Phoenix, Ariz. native, who has Midwestern ties.

Rall’s speed as a forward and midfielder has been compared to current Panthers red-shirt freshman forward Ashley Streid, the roster’s fastest player.

“If you think Ashley Streid is fast, I want to put those two in a foot race in preseason just to see who is faster,” Perala said.

For Rall, choosing Eastern was obvious once she visited the campus and immediately fell in love with it.

“I toured the school and fell in love with it,” Rall said. “I want to live somewhere cold and different than here in Arizona.”

In signing Rall, Perala beat out a couple Eastern rivals. Rall was also considering Ohio Valley Conference foe Jacksonville State, as well as in-state rival Northern Illinois.

Nicole Hutchinson, forward

From San Antonio, Texas, Hutchinson is a forward that Perala described as a truck and gutsy player who can tries to get any piece of the ball.

While Perala is excited to have Hutchinson skills, she almost couldn’t be recruited to Eastern after Perala originally thought she had committed to Texas-El Paso. When Perala and Hutchinson met at a tournament, Hutchinson said UTEP wasn’t a good fit. So Perala pounced on the opportunity and eventually signed her.

Brittany O’Dell, goalkeeper

O’Dell was a multi-sport athlete, playing both basketball and soccer at Charleston High School, which benefited the local star by giving her good hands.

Perala said O’Dell is a sponge at this point in her career, just having started a career at goalkeeper. But Perala is excited about her potential.

Bringing in a Charleston native gives Perala another unique aspect to her incoming class, as O’Dell will be the only local athlete on next season’s roster.

Lauren Hoppensteadt,defender/midfielder

The Oswego native is one of the more versatile recruits Perala has signed as part of an overall versatile class.

“We’re not 100 percent sure where she’ll be utilized the best,” Perala said. “She’s a decent defender, decent in the midfield, but the fact that she’s able to be versatile is a good thing.”

Megan Rogers, midfielder

Rogers is one of two Bloomington natives featured in Perala’s class and Perala expects Rogers to be a special player.

Perala expects the Normal Community star to contribute at the center-midfield position, using her great vision to spread the field. On set pieces, Perala said Rogers is especially dangerous and unique with the talent she has for hitting great free kicks.

“She nailed a couple great free kick opportunities when I went to see her play a couple times,” Perala said. “I was like, ‘Holy cats! She shoots like a guy!’ She is really good.”

Perala won the race for Rogers, beating out in-state rival Illinois State. Rogers chose Eastern after getting good vibes during a visit.

“It felt right,” Rogers said. “I liked the atmosphere and it’s not too far from home.”

Jenna Wampler, forward

Another Bloomington native, Wampler is also a teammate of Rogers’ on the Illinois Fusion club team.

Perala said she expects Wampler to be an exciting, dangerous player, who will create many career highlights.

“She’s one of those players that when she has the ball at her feet you kind of wait to see what she’s going to do next,” Perala said.

Aside from her ability in the attacking third, Perala said she likes how Wampler is a multi-faceted player.

“She’ll be one of the players that comes in and makes an impact right off the bat,” Perala said.

Brenna Vogel, defender

The 5-foot-8 Naperville native brings size to the Panthers backline, which doesn’t feature much size currently.

Along with size, Perala said she is excited about Vogel’s field presence, which isn’t too flashy but is composed enough to win possession.

Cassidi Dietz, defender

Perala expects Dietz to add good, contributing depth to the team’s backline with her competitive personality and athletic skills.

“To have that personality in the back where she’s not scared to go after the ball and get in the mix and get some hits, but be composed to start an attack is going to be huge for us,” Perala said.

Caitlin Greene, defender

The Freeport native is the ninth and latest recruit to be added to Perala’s recruiting class, and was a multi-sport athlete in high school, playing volleyball, basketball and soccer.

Perala expects Greene to be a versatile athlete during her career, playing defense but having the ability to do many things. The nine-player recruiting class has given Perala more hope for the future, saying that this season’s class will be another step in the process to compete in the OVC.

“With the class we have coming in, I think we could quite well challenge (at the top of the OVC),” Perala said. “Knock on wood.”

Alex McNamee can be reached at 581-7944 or [email protected].