ITTA BENA – Mississippi Valley State has announced the signings of six women's soccer standouts for the 2013 season.

The defending SWAC champion Devilettes will have six new members this season: Maria Areiza, Cassidy Schoolfield , Erica Cervi, Andréa Kennedy, Stefania Viscardi and Kylie Blanchard.

Areiza, a 5-foot-7 forward, arrives at MVSU from Wharton High School in Tampa Bay, Fla. Areiza also played for the club team Tampa Bay United Premier and helped lead them to an Adidas Columbus Day Classic championship and Disney Pre-Qualifier championship. She also lettered in cross country and track, placing third in the District 4x100 Meter Relay and fourth in Regional Triple Jump.

Bixby, Okla. native Cassidy Schoolfield arrives at MVSU after a standout career at Bixby High School. She also played for the Blitz & Hurricane club team. Schoolfield will serve as a utility player and a forward for the Devilettes.

Cervi, a Windsor, Ontario Canada native, is coming off a 2012 Western Ontario Youth Soccer League championship with the Eastside Kickers. She was named to the WECCSSA All-Star team following the 2011 and 2012 season. Cervi, who played at Holy Names Catholic High School, also was a member of the Regional Development Team from 2007-08.

Kennedy, of Saunders Secondary High School, helped her team go undefeated at the 2012 Umbro Showcase in Toronto and an Indoor League championship with a 16-1-2 record in London, Ontario. Since 2009, Kennedy has been a part of six championship squads. Kennedy will add depth and balance to the Devilette squad in the midfield line.

Viscardi is transferring to MVSU from Tiffin University where she played one season and scored two goals on 15 shots. Previously, the Mississauga, Ontario Canada native played at St. Paul Secondary School where she helped led the team win the Ropssaa Tier 1, OFSAA and Ropssaa AA championships.

Blanchard, a goalkeeper, played at St. Mary's Catholic High School and for the Erin Mills Soccer Club. During the 2011-12 season, Erin Mills won the West Division. During the 2009-10 season, with Blanchard, St. Mary's won the high school soccer tournament and the District 8 Athletic Association championship.