A year ago Nathan Pifer, the head soccer coach here at UTM, searched Oklahoma's 70,000 square miles for the best soccer players. His goal was simple - to find enough talent to take the Skyhawk soccer team to the upper echelon of the Ohio Valley Conference - and he did it.

Pifer went back to Oklahoma in search of more talent this past year and once again he found what he was looking for among the state's 3.4 million people. Oklahoma's Kindal Keim and Jamie Ohlheiser signed national letters of intent to play for the Skyhawks and Pifer.

Keim is a crafty well-skilled forward who can score goals, Pifer said. "She possesses incredible technical skill level which will contribute to scoring goals and creating scoring chances for other teammates."

Keim is an all-conference and all-district player who was voted offensive MVP of her high school team this past season. She also has been playing for the Oklahoma Shockers Soccer Club. "Kindal's technical ability to score and create goals will help our team immediately. Look for her to contribute offensively right away," Pifer said.

Ohlheiser is a powerful defender who will bring speed and strength to the back line, Pifer said. "She has good vision and leadership skills to play the sweeper position." Ohlheiser is an all-district player as well as the district MVP. She was named defensive player of the year and defensive MVP in 2002. She also is the team captain for the Oklahoma Shockers Soccer Club.

"Jamie's vision and ability to defend well are keys to our success next year," Pifer said. "Her size and power will strengthen our defense immediately." Keim and Ohlheiser will join Dani Myrick and Lindsey Tilk as members of the Skyhawks. Myrick finished 18th in the nation in points per game with 2.11 as well as tied for 19th in the nation in goals per game with 0.84. She was the only player from the Ohio Valley Conference to place on either list. Myrick, a 5-5, forward from Midwest City, Okla., started in all 19 games for the Skyhawks, scoring 16 goals with seven assists. She also chipped in seven goals and three assists in conference play.

Pifer is expecting to sign several more players. "This recruiting class is the final ingredient needed to assure UT Martin of being a conference champion contender for many years to come.

" I am impressed with the talent that is joining the team next year. These young ladies will fit in very well to strengthen our program," Pifer said. Try to catch the soccer team kick some balls next fall.