CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- After graduating a program record eight players this past season, Lesley University's women's soccer head coach Paul Vasconcelos announced a nine-member recruiting class that will join the Lynx this coming fall.
Lesley women's soccer has announced the additions of defenders McKenna Straube, Emma Callender, Kyra Harbus, and Rachel Buckley along with midfielder Jordan Mitchell. Xaelel Allen-Caballero, Kai Morehead, Samantha Bessey come in as forwards while Kailee Hall comes in as the lone goalkeeper.
"We had a great graduating class this past year that left a major void in our roster," said Vasconcelos, who is entering his ninth year at the helm. "Overall, we are very pleased with the way our 2015 recruiting class turned out. It is the largest class we have ever recruited and we feel it has the potential to also be one of the closest classes by the time they all receive their degrees. This class comes from all over the country, represent every position on the field, have unique personalities and have contrasting skills sets. However, they are all very similar in that they are excellent students, value the team first, love the game, are extremely competitive, work hard and serve their communities."
Let's Meet the Class of 2019
#22 McKenna Straube
Height: 5-8
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Junction City. Ore.
High School: Junction City HS
Straube joins the Lynx from Junction City, Ore. where she was a four-time All-Conference selection and captain of her high school team. She played her club ball at Eugene Timbers FC under Frank Miceli where she won a 2014 Oregon State Championship.
"Kenny was one of our highest rated recruits, we feel she has all the characteristics to be a great center mid in the college game. We are very excited to get a player of her size, athleticism and ability."
#18 Samantha Bessey
Height: 5-7
Position: Forward
Hometown: Algonquin, Ill.
High School: Huntley HS
Sam Bessey Comes to Cambridge from Algonquin, Ill. where she played for Huntley High school. Bessey played her club ball at Crystal Lake Force under Diego Cevallos.
"Bessey is a recruit we identified early on in the process and think she will fit in well with our current group of players. She is a great athlete that can finish and will help fill some holes in our forward/winger position."
#16 Emma Callender
Height: 5-6
Position: Defender
Hometown: Philomath, Ore.
High School: Philomath HS
Callender comes to Lesley after 4 years at Oregon powerhouse Philomath High School in Philomath, Ore. where she was a First Team All- Conference back. She played her club ball at Eugene Timbers FC where she won a 2014 Oregon State Championship under Francesco Miceli.
"Cal is a great soccer athlete, we expect her to come in and play in the back. She is a great 1v1 defender and plays with great composure. Our staff is thrilled to get a player with her ability and talents."
#3 Jordan Mitchell
Height: 5-5
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Sachse, Texas
High School: Sachse HS
"Jordi is a player that we believe will come in and help us right away. She is confident on the ball and plays with that flash we look for in a player. The staff and I are all very excited about her prospects."
#17 Xaelel Allen-Caballero
Height: 5-5
Position: Forward
Hometown: Henrietta, N.Y.
High School: Henrietta-Rush HS
"Xaelel is another technically quick and athletic player. She played and trained in some good systems and we expect to utilize her on the outsides where she can use her speed and quickness."
#7 Kai Morehead 
Height: 5-5
Position: Winger
Hometown: Oxnard, Calif.
High School: Oxnard
Morehead joins the Lynx from Oxnard, Calif. where she played at Oxnard High School and was an All-Pacific View league First Team and All-CIF Third Team selection. She played her club ball at ECNL Eagles under coach Lalo Alvarado.
#6 Kyra Harbus
Height: 5-4
Position: Defender
Hometown: Ventura, Calif.
High School: Rio Mesa
Harbus comes to the East Coast from Ventura, Calif. where she played her club ball under Jack Craig at Oxnard United. In her senior year she helped lead Rio Mesa to a piece of the league title and was a First Team All-Pacific View league selection.
"Kyra is a talented and smart back that reads the game well and trained in a good system prior to coming here. She has a great attitude and work ethic, we feel she will fit in well with the rest of the roster."
#99 Kailee Hall
Height: 5-7
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Carlsbad, Calif.
High School: La Costa Canyon HS
"Kailee was a great pickup to our already talented goalkeeper group. She has great size and work ethic, she gives us depth at the position we have never had."
#25 Rachel Buckley
Height: 5-4
Position: Defender
Hometown: San Diego, Calif.
High School: Torrey Pines HS
Buckley played her school ball at SoCal powerhouse Torrey Pines in San Diego, Calif. while playing her club ball as the starting center back at Coronado Select under Brian Hiatt.
"Rachel is a good defender that marks up well and has a tremendous work rate. We believe she will develop into a solid back here and will give us some depth in our backline."