NEWARK, DE -- The University of Delaware women’s soccer team has signed two players and added a transfer for the 2006 season, head coach Scott Grzenda announced on Thursday.

Announcing their intention to attend Delaware are Megan Delaney (Gaithersburg, MD/Damascus), Melissa Kilker (Morrisville, PA/Pennsbury) and North Carolina State transfer Kasie Shover (Lancaster, PA/Penn Manor).

“I believe that these three individuals will make an immediate impact on our program and push us over the top in conference play.” said Grzenda, the 2005 Colonial Athletic Association Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year. “They are complete players; all three are outstanding physically, technically and tactically.”

Delaney, a center back from Damascus High School, was a three-year captain, All-Met Conference, All-County and All-State selection her junior and senior seasons and was named team MVP her senior year. She was also captain for her club team, the six-time state champion Bethesda Eclipse, and was a member of the Maryland Olympic Development Team.

“Megan will provide us with instant leadership and organization in the back. She is a great one-on-one defender who can also contribute to the attack. We are very happy she chose Delaware to continue her athletic and academic careers,” said Grzenda.

Kilker, a forward from Pennsbury High School, was a three-time League Attacker of the Year. She has been an All-Area and All-League selection for the past three years and will compete in her senior season this spring. Kilker is a member of the YMS Spirit club team and was also a member of the EPYSA State and Olympic Development Program Region I teams.

“Melissa is a true goal scorer. She is the kind of player who will do what it takes to put the ball in the back of the net. I’ve seen her score some tremendous goals and with her speed and tenacity I know she will excel here at Delaware,” Grzenda said of Kilker.

Shover, the younger sister of four-year starting goalkeeper Lindsey Shover, played the 2005 season at North Carolina State before transferring to Delaware. She will begin classes at Delaware in the spring 2006 semester. At N.C. State last fall, Shover started nine games and played in 13 in the midfield. She posted 10 shots on the season and recorded an assist in the Wolfpack’s loss to Clemson. Shover was a two-time league MVP, an All-Area, All-State and All-American selection at Penn Manor High School. She was also a member of the EPYSA State and Olympic Development Program Region I teams. She will join fellow FC Delco club teammates Dana Rodgers (Wallingford, PA/Strath Haven) and Lisa Parsons (West Chester, PA/Bishop Shanahan) as well as redshirt freshman goalkeeper Annie Bevan (Spring City, PA/Owen J. Roberts) with the Blue Hens.

“Kasie is a tremendous athlete and a great soccer player. She is a playmaker and someone who makes everyone around her better. We are extremely happy to have her at Delaware,” said Grzenda.

Delaware finished its 2005 season 10-6-4 (7-3-1 CAA) placing third in the conference. The Hens also advanced to their first CAA semifinal and were ranked seventh in the final NSCAA Mid-Atlantic Poll.