STATESBORO, Ga. - Four transfers join four freshmen to complete the 2011 Georgia Southern Women's Soccer recruiting class. Christine Watts (South Carolina), Emily Archer (Belmont Abbey), Zoe Van Gorder (Utah) and Kailey Keifus (Gonzaga) join the Eagles for the 2011 campaign.

"It is our desire that the experience and talent of this class of transfers will support our coaching staff in changing the mentality and culture of our Women's Soccer program," said Head Coach Vanderspiegel. "This class, combined with the work put in by our returning players this spring, has us pleased with the direction our program is headed."

A junior transfer, Watts comes to Georgia Southern with two years of eligibility remaining after two seasons at South Carolina. Playing in the midfield for South Carolina, Watts scored three career goals with eight assists including six last season. In 2010 she started all 25 games and averaged 89 minutes per game. A product of Peachtree Ridge High School in Duluth, Ga., Watts was a four-time all-region selection and led GHSAA Class 5-A in points during the 2007 season.

"We are very excited to have a player of Christine's (Watts) ability," said Vanderspiegel. "She is an extremely accomplished high school player who has achieved great things over the past two years on and off the field for South Carolina. She will bring an instant sense of leadership and experience to our program."

Archer transfers to Georgia Southern following her freshman season at Belmont Abbey. A striker who played 22 games in 2010 for the Crusaders, Archer scored seven goals including three game winners to rank second on the team in scoring. She tallied four assists on the season, helping Belmont Abbey to an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. Archer attended North Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, N.C., prior to enrolling at Belmont Abbey.

"Emily (Archer) had a very successful freshman year under the tutelage of current assistant coach Robert Lane during the 2010 season at Belmont-Abbey," said Vanderspiegel. "She will be an asset to our team on the offensive side of the ball with her dynamic abilities to create scoring opportunities in the final third."

Van Gorder joins the Eagles from the University of Utah after playing two seasons for the Utes. She scored two goals as a freshman and started 19 games while appearing in 31 contests. Van Gorder scored her first collegiate goal in her debut game against Utah Valley. She scored a second goal against Utah State in Salt Lake City's Rio Tinto Stadium.

"Zoe (Van Gorder) will bring leadership and stability to our backline," said Vanderspiegel. "Like Christine (Watts), she too has competed at a very high level and understands what it takes to assist this program in reaching new heights."

Following a freshman season at Gonzaga, Keifus comes to Statesboro to strengthen the Georgia Southern goalkeeping corps. She posted a 1-0 record when she replaced the Bulldogs' injured goalkeeper against Eastern Washington. Keifus played the remaining 96 minutes of the overtime match and did not allow a goal while making three saves. A native of North Tustin, Calif., Keifus was a standout captain for Foothill High School posting 15 shutouts as a senior and recording 248 career saves.

"We only return one goalkeeper who recorded minutes during the 2010 season, so we are thrilled to add a quality goalkeeper who possesses collegiate experience and the work rate of Kailey (Kiefus)," said Vanderspiegel.

The four transfers join the previously announced freshman recruiting class of Nicole Heiser (Strongsville, Ohio), McKenzie Stanford (Norcross, Ga.), Lindsey Vasher (Richmond Hill, Ga.) and Sydnie Van Curen (Rincon, Ga.).

Georgia Southern opens the 2011 campaign on Friday, August 12th, with an exhibition game against North Florida at Eagle Field. The regular season begins on Friday, August 19th at Winthrop.