RICHMOND, Ky. – After signing seven members to the program in the early period that included three All-Americans, the Eastern Kentucky University soccer team inked Bo Claussen from Virginia and Fernanda Quiroz, a U15/U17 Mexico Youth National Team player, announced by head coach Matt Cosinuke on Wednesday afternoon.
 
As of Wednesday, EKU's 2024 class stands at nine and is considered the most highly decorated group of incoming players in program history.  Before 2024, the Colonels had only signed one incoming freshman All-American in its 19 seasons of soccer.
 
"We are very excited about the addition of Bo and Fernanda to our family.  Both come from very different backgrounds and parts of the world, but reflect the talent, athleticism, work ethic and desire to compete for time immediately," said Cosinuke. "This entire class reflects the direction and future for our program.  I am personally very appreciative of the work our coaches have put into recruiting in my time at EKU and this 2024 class is just a small piece to an awesome project we have been building since I got here in 2019.  These young women will be building upon our existing foundation and help us push this family for championships and NCAA tournament appearances."
 
Claussen, a defender out of Louisa, Virginia, was a two-year captain with Louisa County High School and played every minute for her team on the backline.  She competed with various teams on the ECNL and GA scenes.
 
Quiroz comes to Richmond from Tijuana, Mexico where she competed for the U15 and U17 Mexico Youth National Team and Club Tijuana of the Liga MX Women as a midfielder.
 
Her U17 squad suffered a 2-1 loss to the United States in the 2022 Concacaf U-17 Women's Championship in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Quiroz appeared in the match off the bench. 
 
Prior to that result, Mexico defeated Nicaragua, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico in the event.  She played a key role in pitching six consecutive shutouts in the tournament, outscoring their opponents by a wide 57-0 margin.
 
Quiroz and Claussen join Ella Grode, Nicki Klosterman, Brooklyn Larrymore, Lauren Link, Ana Manning, Ruby Morgan, and Peyton Smith in the 2024 class.  The team is scheduled to open its 2024 regular season in August.
 
Grode and Manning were named United Soccer Coaches All-Americans in 2023 and 2022, respectively, while Smith participated in the All-America games during her youth career.
 
Quiroz (Mexico U15, U17) becomes the third youth national call up signed in the Cosinuke era, joining fellow teammates Nerea de Diego (Spain U15, U17, U19, U20) and Chiara Premoli (Italy U16, U19).  All three are on the current roster.