Courtesy of Mark Mentone, Felician SID

RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Felician College first-year softball coach Rick Krasny signed five high-school seniors to national letters of intent during the recently-concluded NCAA early signing period.

"With the addition of these five players, we are creating a much deeper roster," Krasny said. "This will create a positive, competitive atmosphere among the team, and I have no doubt that the added depth will result in more wins."

Alyssa Banca (East Rutherford, NJ/Becton Regional), a 5-foot-4 center fielder, is a two-time first-team all-league and honorable-mention all-county performer for Becton Regional. She was also an all-league selection in soccer. She plays summers for the Jersey Diamond Girls travel program. Banca intends to major in special education at Felician.

Kelsi Lugwigsen (Havre de Grace, MD/Harford Technical) is a catcher for Harford Technical High of Bel Air, Md., and for the AAU Maryland Legends. She expects to enroll in Felician's pre-occupational therapy program.

Alicia Markie (Wolcott, CT/Wolcott) is a 5-foot-6 pitcher who has won several team awards at Wolcott High, including Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, and Coach's Award. She is also a former Waterbury Republican Player of the Week. Her AAU team is the Central Mass. Rapids. Markie will study elementary education.

Carissa Trujillo (Fresno, CA/Edison) is a three-time first-team all-league catcher at Edison High. A school scholar-athlete award winner, she is a member of the San Jose Lady Sharks AAU program. She plans to enroll in the pre-physical therapy program at Felician.

Halei Van Dyke (West Milford, NJ/West Milford), a 5-foot-6 middle infielder, is a second-team all-conference and all-county selection for West Milford High. She was first-team all-conference and all-county in field hockey and also plays basketball. She plays summer ball for the Hudson Valley Hurricanes. Van Dyke has had three older sisters play softball for Felician, including current captain Hope. She intends to major in education.

Felician is a member of NCAA Division II and plays in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. The Golden Falcons are coming off a won-lost record of 10-33 in 2009.