Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State soccer has signed eight recruits during this term's early signing period for the 2021 season, as announced by head coach Brian Bahl.
All signings are contingent upon admission to MSU and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Clearinghouse.
"Our goal with this class was to further the pace and dynamic presence in our attack and also solidify who we are in the back half of the field. The speed, athleticism and physicality of this group is off the charts. They have all played at and trained in high level environments and have worked with terrific coaches. We feel the soccer IQ in this group is very high and that they are well prepared for the college game," coach Bahl said.
This year's signing class features eight student-athletes split even from Minnesota (4) and Iowa (4). The Mavericks' eight signees are: Macy Epp, Sophie Eskierka, Kelsey Heller, Maille Mathis, Louisa Shromoff, Emily Soukup, Natalie Thoen and Ashlyn Watt.
"We really feel like we were able to exceed our expectations with this group and we are extremely excited about the impact they will have on the program for years to come," said coach Bahl.
Coach Bahl also said, "This exceptional group exemplifies what our program here at MSU is all about. They are terrific young ladies and future leaders. They come from wonderful families. They are great teammates. They excel on the field, in the classroom and in their communities. We know that they will be incredible additions to Maverick Soccer and the MSU Family. We could not be more excited about this group and can't wait to finally have them all here with us in August!"
The incoming freshmen will join a Minnesota State team that was 19-4-1 (12-3-0 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference) in 2019 where they finished the season in the NCAA Quaterfinals after a loss to then-#2 Grand Valley State.
The 19 wins marked the second most matches won in a season in program history for the second season in a row. Along the way, the Mavericks won their fourth consecutive NSIC Tournament Championship and made their ninth straight NCAA Tournament appearance. Minnesota State was also in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 Poll in all 12 releases of the poll with its highest ranking coming in at No. 2 on Sept. 24, 2019.
Minnesota State had one of the best offenses in NCAA DII in 2019 — the Mavericks scored 69 goals and dished out 61 assists for a total of 199 points. As a team, MSU had the eighth most goals per match (2.88), the seventh most assists per match (2.54) and seventh most points per match (8.29) in NCAA DII last season.
The Mavericks finished the 2019 season ranked #5 in the USC poll, marking the highest ranking MSU has ever recieved to finish out a year in the program's 24-season history.
Macy Epp
Forward/Defender
5-8 - Freshman
Ankeny, Iowa - Akeny Centennial HS
Club Team: Sporting Iowa
A four-year starter and letterwinner with Sporting Iowa, Epp is a native of Ankeny, Iowa. With Sporting Iowa, she was a three-time semifinalist for the state cup and won it her freshman season in 2017. So far in Epp's high school career, she has played one season for the Ankeny Centennial Jaguars her sophomore year where they went 16-4-0 and 4-1 in the Central Metro League to win the conference. Epp played out her freshman year in the form of club soccer with the Iowa Rush. Last season was put on hold due the global COVID-19 pandemic. Epp looks to hit the high school pitch again in the spring of 2021 before heading to Mankato, Minn., to be a Maverick next fall.
Personal: Macy is the daughter of Todd and Renae Epp. Great great uncle, Hank Epp, is in the Minnesota State Basketball Hall of Fame and was an All-American in 1946-47. Has a sister, Sidney, who attends the University of South Dakota. Macy spends her free time as a barista at Starbucks and is a three-time academic letterwinner, two-time CIML Academic Award winner and Iowa HS Soccer Coaches Association Honorable Mention for Academic All-State. Macy was born July 18, 2003 in Des Moines, Iowa.
Chris Allen, Ankeny Centennial High School Coach, on Epp: "Macy is a versatile soccer player. She demonstrates a dynamic scoring ability from a variety of ranges and with a variety of surfaces when in the attack. As a fullback, she has shown the ability to move up and down the flank with the various phases of the game. On top of all that, she is committed to positively impacting the culture of her team."
Sophie Eskierka
Midfielder
5-9 - Freshman
Circle Pines, Minn. - Centennial HS
Club Team: Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL
Eskierka went 18-3 her junior year at Centennial where the Cougars went on to win their section and finish runner-up at the 2019 Minnesota State Soccer Tournament. Last season, Eskierka played in 14 matches and went 13-1, playing as a member of the starting XI each game. They finished 13-1 and were Northwest Suburban conference and section champions.
Personal: Sophie is the daughter of Ben and Jodi Eskierka. Sister, Ellie, plays soccer at the University of St. Thomas. Sophie enjoys spending free time with family and friends and aspires to find a career in business and marketing in her time at Minnesota State. She was born Jan. 29, 2003, in Coon Rapids, Minn.
Joe Hartwell, MTA Coach, on Eskierka: "Sophie has all the tools to be an impact player at the next level. She's a special athlete, has great technical skills, is poised and comfortable on the ball and has great vision. She's also really versatile. She played primarily in attacking roles for me on her club team and played primarily in the back for her high school team. I look forward to following her college career."
Kelsey Heller
Defender
5-5 - Freshman
Urbandale, Iowa - Urbandale HS
Club Team: Sporting Iowa
Heller is a four-year starter at Sporting Iowa. She's played two seasons so far with the Urbandale J-Hawks before the COVID-19 pandemic put a hold on her junior season. With Sporting Iowa that season, she helped her club to a third-place finish at the state cup. In her two seasons at Urbandale, Heller has played to a 16-18 mark while competing to a 11-13 mark in the Central Iowa Metropolitain League. She finished out her sophomore campaign with all-conference honorable mention and was a state runner-up with Sporting Iowa. As a freshman, Heller was second team all-confernece in the CIML. Also, a basketball player at Urbandale, Heller has three years as a J-Hawks point guard under her belt.
Personal: Kelsey is the daughter of Jeff and Melissa Heller. Has two siblings, Calen and Kati. Sister, Kati competes on the University of Chicago's basketball team. Proposed major is engineering and aspires to work in the field of engineering. Kelsey is an honor roll member, academic all-conference and All-State member in the classroom. She was born March 19, 2003, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Rich Bywater, Sporting Iowa Club Coach, on Heller: "Kelsey has been part of the Sporting Iowa family for her entire club soccer career. I have had the pleasure of coaching Kelsey on two occasions throughout her Sporting Iowa pathway. Kelsey has always made herself a valued member of the club both on and off the field. Her vibrant and energetic personality is infectious. She has an innate ability to raise the spirits and mood of a group instantly. Additionally, Kelsey is an extremely talented athlete and soccer player. Kelsey is a player that possess incredible grit, determination and drive. As well as the technical ability to consistently impact the game. We couldn't be prouder of Kelsey's commitment and growth as a soccer player and person. She epitomizes all the major core values we would want from a Sporting Iowa graduate. Kelsey's Sporting Iowa family will proudly keep a watchful eye on her progress at Minnesota State University, Mankato."
Maille Mathis
Forward
5-2 - Freshman
Brooklyn Park, Minn. - Champlin Park HS
Club Team: Eclipse Select Minnesota
Mathis is a three-year, three-time letter winner out of Champlin Park. As a forward, Mathis led the Rebels to a 40-7-3 overall record (30-4-3 Northwest Suburban Conference) in her high school soccer career. In her three seasons, Mathis has been named to First Team All-State her senior year, Second Team All-State her junior year, a Max Preps Player of the Week on three different occasions and likewise for player of the game honors six other times. As a senior, she was a section champion, all-conference and garnered First Team All-State honors. Mathis also garnered offensive MVP and CCX Sports Spotlight Player of the Week honors that season. Her junior year, she was named to Second Team All-State after winning her first section championship and was named Northwest Suburban All-Conference. When Mathis was a sophomore, the Rebels were Great Lakes League Champions.
Personal: Maille is the daughter Lance and Katie. She has four siblings: Alyx, Allie, Josh and Jake. Maille is a three-time honor roll member at Champin Park High School. She was born July 19, 2003, in St. Louis Park, Minn.
Igor Stosic, Eclipse Select Minnesota Club Coach, on Mathis: "Having Maille as part of the team for the past few years has made our team very dangerous in attacking third. Her hard work and competitiveness helped her to grow quickly as a player, while her explosiveness combined with great technical skills has made her a serious offensive threat. She responded very well to the team's style of play which included a great deal of combining with other players. However, when needed, Maille used creativity and individual skills to create scoring opportunities which led to many goals. I have no doubt she will continue her impressive playing career playing in college and hopefully beyond."
Louisa Shromoff
Forward
5-2 - Freshman
Lakeville, Minn. - Lakeville North HS
Club Team: St. Croix Academy
Shromoff is a Four-year letterwinner at Lakeville North High School where she played outside midfielder. A Lakeville, Minn., native with the Panters, Shromoff was the team's leading goal scorer this past fall and the team captain. The Panthers rounded out the season rated sixth in the state for class 1AA. Her junior year, Shromoff was named to the 2019 all-section team. In 2018 as a sophomore, she was a state tournament participant as the Panthers played in the state quarterfinals. With St. Clroix Academy, Shromoff was a semifinalist for the 2019 state cup. Her freshman year as a Panther, Lakeville North finished fourth in the state tournament.
Personal: Louisa's parents are Kristy and her father Craig, who played baseball at Winona State in college. She has two siblings, Esten and Elaina. Louisa's proposed major is excerise science. She was born Dec. 26, 2002 in Burnsville, Minn.
Jesse Campos, St. Croix Soccer Club Coach, on Shromoff: "Louisa Shromoff is a fantastic wide striker that brings tremendous speed and power to the attack, while displaying grit and tenacity on the defensive side. Her ability to outwork opponents in wide areas and deliver strong crosses into the box will create many goal scoring opportunities for her team. Lou is dedicated to her craft and is relentless in her pursuit of excellence. The Mankato community will enjoy watching Louisa Shromoff compete as a Maverick!"
Emily Soukup
Goalkeeper
5-8 - Freshman
Moorhead, Minn. -
Moorhead HS
Club Team: Dakota Fusion
Soukup is a three-sport athlete out of Moorhead, Minn. In high school, Soukup competed in track (pole vault) and weightlifting (classic & skate/ski) outside of soccer. As a goalkeeper for the Moorhead Spuds, Soukup backstopped the team as a four-year letterwinning starter. In her four seasons, the team held a record of 42-21-0, including a 10-win undefeated showing this past fall that ran into mid-October before the Spuds were blanked, 1-0, en route to the state tournament. Soukup finished the season with 25 career shutouts, breaking the previous record of 16. As a sophomore, Soukup got her start with eight games played, 57 saves and a 2.23 GAA. Her sophomore year featured a single-game record showing against STMA where she stopped 28 shots. In 14 games, Soukup had 97 saves and a 0.83 GAA. She was awarded the MVP of that season and again her junior year when she eclipsed the school shutout record. In 18 games, she had 89 saves while boasting an 0.27 GAA. She was named to all-conference team in club soccer with the Dakota Fusion in 2019 and again as a senior in her high school season this past fall.
Personal: Emily is the daughter of Brandon and Christine Soukup. Has three siblings: Cody, Madeline and David. Emily enjoys biking and fishing in her freetime, is a member of the Moorhead High School Student Council, chair and key club. She is seeking a career working in the field of developmental adapted physical education (DAPE). Her proposed major is special education. Emily was born April 9, 2003, in Fargo, N.D.
Nicole Wiesner, Moorhead HS Coach, on Soukup: "Emily is very aerobatic, powerful, and fun to watch! She illustrates magnificent team spirit, has a hilarious personality, and exudes tremendous sportsmanship. She is a two-time MVP and holds high school records for the most saves in a single game (28) as well as the most career shutouts (24). She is one of the most dynamic and dominant players I have ever had the pleasure to coach."
Marco Campoverde, Moorhead HS Coach, on Soukup: "I can't speak more highly of Emily Soukup. Emily is as reliable a GK as you'll find and just as capable with her feet as she is with her hands. She has literally saved us countless times and keeps us in every game. Emily would be an asset to any soccer team as both a fantastic player and an overall great person."
Natalie Thoen
Forward/Defender
5-7 - Freshman
Ames, Iowa - Ames HS
Club Team: Iowa Rush
Thoen is a two-year letterwinner and starter at Ames High School where she played forward. Her freshman year saw a 12-5 finish and fifth-place spot in the Central Iowa Metropolitan League. In 2018 as a sophomore with the Little Cyclones, they finished 9-8 (3-3 CIML) for fourth in the conference standings. Thoen scored seven goals in her second season and garnered all-conference honorable mention and an offensive MVP award. Thoen also competed four seasons with the Iowa Rush and won state each of the four seasons she was a member. As a result, she's slated to compete in regionals in June of 2021. Previously went 1-1-1 at nationals in 2017, where she started in each match.
Personal: Natalie is the daughter of Tyler and Kim Thoen. Has four siblings: Justin, Taylor, Jordan and Olivia who is a sophomore on the Mavericks soccer team. Natalie's proposed major is health science. Aspires to be an optometrist after her time at Minnesota State. She was born May 4, 2003.
Daryl Brazeau, Iowa Rush Club Coach, on Thoen: "Natalie is going to be a fantastic addition to the Mavs program. Natalie is one of the fastest kids I have coached. She thrives getting up and down the flanks. One minute she will be winning the ball by our goal and the next she is down at the other end serving in a perfect cross. The great thing about Nat is she equally skillful on both sides of the ball. She attacks with purpose and precision and wears on you defensively with her strength and persistence. Mav family you are getting a great one. Congrats Nat on your signing and Go Mavs!"
Ashlyn Watt
Forward
5-4 - Freshman
Adel, Iowa - Adel-De Soto-Minburn HS
Club Team: Sporting Iowa
A native of Adel, Iowa, Watt is a four-time state cup runner-up. She first competed a season as the team captain of the Vision Soccer Academy before moving on to the Sporting Iowa Soccer Club. Voted MVP by teammates in her sophomore and freshman years of high school soccer. Rounded out second season as a member of the first team All-State, first team all-conference and second in Racoon River Conference. Watt was 11th in Iowa Class 2A with 24 goals as a sophomore. Named to second team All-State, first team all-conference after setting the ADM HS single-season scoring record (28 goals) as a freshman.
Personal: Ashlyn is the daughter of Sean and Tracy Watt. Has two siblings named Anika and Kelby. Father, Sean wrestled at Iowa State University. Ahlyn's hobbies include being involved with her brother Kelby's sprint car racing team. Ashlyn will study athletic training at MSU with the aspiration to one day be an athletic trainer. She was born Dec. 5, 2002, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Rich Bywater, Sporting Iowa Club Coach, on Watt: "Ashlyn has been part of the Sporting Iowa pathway for the last three years. I have been fortunate enough to work with Ashlyn over the past season. Ashlyn instantly struck me as a leader. A fiercely competitive and powerful individual that leads her team both vocally and by example. I was instantly impressed with Ashlyn's vision as a player. It was very apparent that she's see's the game differently to most. Her cerebral nature as allows her to include and combine with teammates, bringing the best out her and the collective. Above all else, the most impressive quality of Ashlyn's is what she brings to the group as a person. Ashlyn is humble, hardworking and dedicated individual. She has been an amazing addition to the Sporting family and we are graciously grateful to see her graduate out of the program. We are immensely proud of the player and person you have become! Minnesota State University, Mankato, are receiving an incredibly exciting prospect. We at Sporting Iowa wish Ashlyn all the success she deserves and will monitor her college career closely."
Kelsey Gaffney, Sporting ADM High School Coach, on Watt: "Ashlyn Watt is a very skilled and smart player who is going to do great things at the collegiate level, on and off the field. She is very hardworking and a great team player who will do whatever is asked of her. She lives and breathes soccer. If Ashlyn is not at a soccer game, soccer practice, or working out in the gym, you will find her out on the soccer field getting in extra repetitions with the soccer ball. We cannot wait to watch her continue to succeed on and off the field for Minnesota State! Go Mavericks!"
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