San Antonio – Trinity University women's soccer coach Lance Key will have three top new players on the roster when the Tigers open their season in September.

Joining the Tiger squad are midfielder Hannah Westberg of Overland Park, Kan. (Blue Valley Northwest); midfielder Michelle Lanier of Albuquerque, N.M. (Sandia); and midfielder/forward Sarah Hanel of Bellaire, Texas (St. Agnes Academy).

Westberg was captain of the Blue Valley Northwest Huskies, who won the regional title in 2008. She also played for the Blue Valley Stars Mallorca, which captured the state championship six times. They also were Region II finalists in 2007. Westberg was a member of her high school's Principal's Honor Roll, where a student had to maintain a 4.0 weighted grade point average. She also received the Kansas Honors Scholar Award, presented to graduating seniors who finish in the top 10 percent of their class.

According to Coach Key, "Hannah is a dynamic player who we feel will create a lot of difficulties for opposing defenders."

Lanier was named to the Albuquerque Journal All-Metro team her senior year, and was elected twice to the All-State Team. In addition, Lanier was a team captain and named to the All-District Team three times. Sandia High School won the Class 5A state championship her junior year, and was runner-up during her sophomore season. Lanier was voted the District 2-5A Player of the Year. She played club soccer with the Olympic Development  Program (ODP) U14-16 State Team, which won the New Mexico championship in age category. Lanier was a club teammate with Jenni White of Albuquerque (Albuquerque Academy), the Gatorade New Mexico Girls Soccer Player of the Year. White will also become a Trinity Tiger in August.

"Michelle's presence and vision will be an important part of our possession of the ball this season," commented Coach Key.

Hanel played only one year at St. Agnes Academy, but earned All-District Honorable Mention recognition. A member of the South Texas ODP state pool since her U-13 days, Hanel's club team won the state title three times, and advanced to the regional quarterfinals. They were also state runners-up on two occasions. Hanel was team captain for her successful club team.

"We place a tremendous emphasis on individual work ethic on our team," said Coach Key. "Sarah fits that mold to a tee, and therefore, will see success at Trinity as a result."

Coach Key, in his sixth season as the Tigers head coach, led Trinity to a perfect 16-0-0 regular-season record, and won a fourth Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship last fall. He was elected SCAC Women's Soccer Coach of the Year for the third time. 

The Tigers finished the season with an 18-0-1 record, and advanced to NCAA Division III quarterfinals, played on Trinity's field. For his efforts, coach Key was named National Soccer Coaches Association of America West Region Coach of the Year.

Trinity will return three of its top four scorers in 2010.  All-American and SCAC Defensive Player of the Year Danika Wright will lead the Tigers next fall, following a year in which the team was the top-ranked defensive team in Division III.  Wright will be joined by seven other returning All-SCAC performers, including SCAC Newcomer of the Year Lindsay Euers.