SOCCER: Gibson Adds Meharg And Stephens

BIG RAPIDS - Ferris head soccer coach Neathan Gibson, who is entering his fourth season running the show for the Bulldogs, is trying to build a strong program that will compete with the best teams in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

If Ferris can compete with the best of the GLIAC then it will be able to compete with the best the nation has to offer in NCAA Division II women's soccer.

Gibson's recruiting class, aimed at helping Ferris continue to strengthen its program, has added two more new faces in Clarkston's Courtney Meharg, who is being penciled onto the roster as a forward, and St. Johns' Kara Stephens, who will come in and compete as a goalkeeper.

Gibson on Meharg:

"Courtney has the potential to make a very good name for herself in our conference. She is going to be another dangerous forward who is going to give us some strength in the final third adding to our attacking depth."

Gibson on Stephens:

"Kara is one of our goalkeepers who will be expected to play a key role for us this fall. I'm equally excited to have her join the Bulldog program and help lead us with her high skills set."

Meharg, at 5-foot-9, gives Ferris good height as an attacking player and Stephens gives the team another quality option in goal.

This is going to be a big recruiting class for Gibson's program, but the talent level seems to be to the coach's liking as he hopes to strengthen Ferris' program for years to come.

For more on the signings, visit the Ferris State University Athletics Web site: http://www.ferris.edu/sports/soccer/09news/09recruitsthree.htm