COLORADO'S BARTH COMMITS TO AURORA UNIVERSITY

AU Women's Soccer Program Signs Faith Christian Academy Defender

Aurora University's highly successful women's soccer program just got stronger. The nationally prominent Division III program located in suburban Chicago, Illinois received a commitment from Evergreen, Colorado's Devin Barth. The 5'6" Faith Christian Academy senior defender will join a Spartan program next fall that is seeking its eleventh conference championship in the past thirteen seasons and its sixth NCAA National Championship tournament bid in the past eight years.

The Spartans return four All-Conference players to their line-up for the up-coming season, but head coach, Kanute Drugan, sees Barth as having an opportunity to make an impact right away. "Devin adds another strong presence to our roster. She is a physical, aggressive defender with good communication skills, good decision-making ability, and has the passion and intensity we look for in a recruit."

Aurora University's fields a nationally prominent, nationally ranked, and nationally successful women's soccer program. Drawing to its roster from top high school programs and top club programs from all over the United States, Coach Drugan confirmed that Barth's soccer pedigree had much to do with gaining his interest in her early on in the recruiting process.

"I saw Devin play for the Colorado Edge U18G Black at a college showcase in Colorado," Coach Drugan confirmed. "I knew immediately I wanted her in our program. With her training background at the Edge and the success of their club overall, I knew she would be a good fit for us. She also came from a highly successful high school program and that just made her more attractive to me."

Devin's experience with the Edge was an important factor in his interest in her, but he also was impressed with her passion for soccer. "Devin is very competitive. She hates losing. She is very determined and she really wants to be part of something successful. That's why I believe she will make the transition successfully."

Although losing eight seniors to graduation might have an impact on the Spartans opportunity in 2009, Coach Drugan believes the recruiting class more than makes up for that. With the inclusion of the 2009 recruiting class, AU represents 17 different states on the women's soccer roster. Five of the AU girls are from Colorado. Devin Barth becomes the latest Colorado import to make a positive impact on the continuing national success of the Aurora University women's soccer program.