Mitchell girls' soccer standout Kim Duff was among three players added to Dakota Wesleyan's 2009 recruiting class Wednesday.
Duff, a midfielder in high school who can also play defense, was a second-team all-state selection three years in a row for Mitchell High School, where she played for her father, Scott, this past season. She was also an all-conference selection as a freshman for Ben L. Smith High School in Greensboro, N.C.
"We are overjoyed to include (Duff) in our program," DWU head coach Dale Roden said in a press release. "She comes from a soccer family that has passion for the game, and, as a byproduct of that environment, she possesses the potential to contribute right away in a major way."
The family ties will continue for Duff this season, when she will join her sister Sarah, who was a key member for the Tiger women's team this past season as a redshirt freshman. Kim Duff said, however, that having her older sister on the team wasn't a major factor in her decision.
"I almost would rather have my sister not be there, because it always seems like I'm playing under her shadow," said Duff, who will be playing alongside her sister for the first time. "It will definitely be fun, though."
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The younger Duff was also a starter on the Dakota Gold Adrenaline club team, which won the state championship. Roden is excited about her potential to play several positions.
"Kim is an impact player, without a doubt," Roden said. Because of her athletic ability and advanced level of tactical interpretation, we will not confine her to a specific position at this time. However, it is evident that she will adapt to the college level and contribute to our program's success instantly."
Duff said the fact that her sister already plays for the Tigers does give her some familiarity with both the program and Roden going into her freshman year.
"Dale came over and spoke to me and took me back to the real reasons I started playing soccer," Duff said. "I was really impressed by the things he expressed."
Also announced Wednesday were the signings of Meghan Pedersen, a Spearfish native, and Lindsey Wadley of Sapulpa, Okla.
Pederson was a three-year starter and an honorable mention all-state player at Spearfish High School, and is expected to help the Tigers defensively.
Wadley is a goalkeeper who earned two varsity letters in high school. She is expected to add depth behind Danielle Richardson, the Tigers' all-Great Plains Athletic Conference goalkeeper.
The three new signees join Courtney Dickson, Karli Fuelling and Abby Hubbard to bring the Tigers 2009 recruiting class to six. The new class will try to help the Tigers build on their school-record eight-win season in 2008.
