CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - University of Illinois soccer head coach Janet Rayfield announced the addition of Caroline Ratz (Zionsville, Ind./Zionsville Community HS) to the Fighting Illini on Monday. She is the fifth member of the Class of 2015, joining Lauren Ciesla (Palos, Ill./Neuqua Valley HS), Patricia George (Chicago, Ill./Friedrich Von Steuben Metropolitan Science Center), early enrollee Morgan Maroney (Castle Rock, Colo./Castle View HS) and Katie Murray (Cincinnati, Ohio/Oak Hills HS).

Notes:
• All-state and all-district selection as a senior in 2014
• 2014 high school team captain
• National Honor Society member (2013-15)
• High Honor Roll (2011-15)
• Served as an Eagle Mentor and a member of Key Club
• Younger sister of current Illini Katherine Ratz

Coach Rayfield on Ratz: "Caroline has spent most of her time on the field as an attacking player in her club program. However, we have been able to work with her in our summer camp environment. Watching her play, we feel we have an outstanding center back in the making. Her strength and power will be an asset in the box and she has the pace to deal with speedy attacking players as well. Caroline has the physical tools to excel in that role and we are confident in her ability to learn the position with the coaching and teaching she will find here at Illinois."