SEATTLE (May 2) -- Nicole Ruiz, a Federal Way native and all-conference player at Barry University last season, will transfer to Seattle Pacific University and begin playing soccer for the Falcons next fall.

Ruiz started on defense at Barry, a perennial NCAA Division II power in Miami. She made the all-Sunshine State Conference second team as a sophomore and was a part-time starter as a freshman. Ruiz appeared in a total of 36 games and had six assists in two seasons with the Buccaneers, who made the NCAA semifinals in 2000 and advanced to the second round of the 2001 playoffs.

While at Federal Way High School, Ruiz was twice named all-SPSL and was a member of the FC Royals club which won the state championship in 2000. She was selected to the state ODP team twice, attending regional camp once. Ruiz also lettered three years in basketball and tennis.

Coach Bobby Bruch has signed seven recruits for the Seattle Pacific program, which finished its inaugural season with a record of 8-10-1.