DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Julia Karlenäs became the fifth signee for the 2014 Embry-Riddle women's soccer team, Eagles Head Coach Samantha Bohon announced on Thursday.
 
Karlenäs brings a wealth of experience to the Eagle lineup, both at the club and international levels. A member of Sweden's U18, U19 and U20 national teams, she has 16 international caps, including 10 appearances for the U20 squad. Earlier this month, she was selected to the U23 national team for the Six Nations Tournament in Spain where she competed for Sweden in games against the United States, England and Germany.
 
Karlenäs has also spent the last three seasons as a member of Mallbackens IF that competed in Damallsvenskan, the highest division of women's soccer in 2013. A 5-7 midfielder, Karlenäs started all 19 games in 2013 and 17 of 18 contests in 2012 when Mallbackens IF played in Elitettan, Sweden's second division.
 
"It took Liam [McIlhatton] and I all of about 30 seconds into watching Julia play that we both recognized her talent," Bohon commented. "I love the dominant presence, both on the ground and in the air. She's blue-collar yet brings a high level of technical ability to her midfield position. After speaking with her personally, I felt quite confident she's the type of person that we want to bring here. Her recent stint with her U23 national team will add some valuable international experience and maturity that will help us next fall."
 
Karlenäs is the second Swedish signee for Bohon this season as she will join her Mallbackens IF teammate Emmie Johansson as freshmen on the 2014 roster.