HAMMOND, La. – Southeastern Louisiana women's soccer head coach Blake Hornbuckle went far and wide for the Lady Lions' 2016 signing class.

    Reigning Southland Conference Tournament champion Southeastern added six student-athletes this week, Hornbuckle announced on Saturday. All six will be incoming freshmen this fall.
    
    Signing with the Lady Lions were defender Rebecca Gillett (Christchurch, New Zealand); midfielder Alexandra Gundersen (Reading, Pennsylvania); defender/midfielder Caitlin LaMarche (Laguna Niguel, California); midfielder/forward Caroline Lee (Tryon, North Carolina); striker Amber Marinero (West Covina, California); and fullback Lenny Yekka (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada).

    "The 2016 class will add attractive qualities in speed, versatility, athleticism and leadership to add to our existing player base," Hornbuckle said. "We are thrilled about the new roster additions."

    Gillett is a 2015 graduate of Papanui High School. She was the Sportswoman of the Year in 2014 and '15, the Junior Sportswoman of the Year in 2012, the girls' soccer MVP in 2013, '14 and '15 and a recipient of the Senior Athletics Cup in 2013, '14 and '15. She captained the Papanui High team in 2013, '14 and '15, the Canterbury 14^th grade squad in 2012 and the 17^th grade team in 2014 and '15. Gillett also played volleyball and participated in peer support. She played centerback/wingback for the Parklands Premier and Mainland Pride squads.

    "Rebecca communicates well and is fluid with the ball in the back," Hornbuckle said. "She can play centrally or wide as an outside back. Her ability to get forward fast is one of her many characteristics. She can also play up top and is difficult to defend with her athletic frame and presence on the field.

    Gundersen is a senior at Exeter High School in Reading where she captained both the soccer and swim teams in 2015. The All-Berks midfielder also played lacrosse and was a member of the student council and UNICEF. She played holding midfielder for the FC Revolution Falcons club team. She plans on majoring in kinesiology at Southeastern.
    
    "Lexie can play anywhere in the midfield and along the back line," Hornbuckle said. "She is adept at supporting the play, occupying the appropriate space to defend well and start the attack. "Lexie displays high communication and leadership skills."

    LaMarche is a senior at Aliso Niguel High School where she lettered two years as a center back and center mid. She helped her squad capture the South Coast League championship in 2013 and '14 and helped lead it to the CIF quarterfinals in 2013 and the CIF playoffs in '14. She was also on the track team, student government and the student newspaper. LaMarche played defender for the Slammers F.C. ECNL and captained the United FC club squad in 2014.

    "Caitlin is versatile and can fill multiple roles," Hornbuckle said. "She utilizes a smart soccer brain and composure on the ball. Caitlin thrives on competition and pushes herself to get better every day. She is also comfortable on both sides of the field."

    Lee is a senior at Polk County High School where she captained the soccer team this past season. She is a three-year letterwinner at midfield and has earned All-Conference and Polk County High School Athlete of the Year honors. She scored 12 goals and eight assists as a junior. She was also named to the 2014 and '15 North Carolina State Games team. Lee has also earned a letter as the libero on the Polk County High volleyball team, was president of the Hiking Club, founder of the ESL Buddy Club and was an Fellowship of Christian Athletes student leader. She played forward for the Highlands Football Club squad. She plans on majoring in Pre-Med at Southeastern.  

    "Caroline possess a strong athletic frame with speed that enables her to attack quickly and close down players fast defensively," Hornbuckle said. "Her high work rate, competitive spirit and measured aggressive nature on the field will raise the level of play on a daily basis."  

    Marinero is finishing up her senior year at South Hills High School. She has lettered two years in soccer and has been named Offensive MVP, first-team All-League, second-team All-League twice and Academic All-League. She has also lettered one year each in volleyball and basketball and has participated in ceramics, the FCA and the Red Cross Club in high school. Marinero has played striker for a trio of club teams – the Fullerton Rangers, Celtic and Freedom.

    "Amber displays a sheer drive and determination to go to goal," Hornbuckle said. "The closer she is in the attacking third of the field, the more her attributes and confidence shine. She will create opportunities from both central and wide roles on the field."

    Yekka is a senior at Our Lady of Mount Carmel, the same school that produced current Southeastern All-America goalkeeper Hope Sabadash. She also played volleyball in high school, run track with Athletiques International and captained the Woodbridge Soccer Club in 2013 and '14. She also played for Team Ontario in U14 and U15, helping the squad win at Nationals. 

    "Lenny will provide speed on the flank and can play anywhere out wide on both sides of the field," Hornbuckle said. "She is a shutdown defender that can mark and frustrate attackers or run by players on the attack as a midfielder or forward.  Lenny will provide a strong field presence and service ability."
 
Southeastern 2016 Women's Soccer Signees
Name – Position – Height – Hometown – High School
Rebecca Gillett – D – 5-6 – Christchurch, N.Z. – Papanui HS
Alexandra Gundersen – MF – 5-5 – Reading, Pa. – Exeter HS
Caitlin LaMarche – MF – 5-7 – Laguna Niguel, Calif. – Aliso Niguel HS
Caroline Lee – MF/F – 5-4 – Tryon, N.C. – Polk County HS
Amber Marinero – STK – 5-5 – West Covina, Calif. – South Hills HS
Lenny Yekka – FB – 5-7 – Mississauga, Ontario, Canada – Our Lady of Mount Carmel