Huskers Add Impressive 11-Player Class

<?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Lincoln, Neb. ? Nebraska head soccer coach John Walker announced the addition of 10 high school seniors and one freshman-to-be currently enrolled at Nebraska who will compete for the Huskers in 2005-06. The class, ranked seventh nationally by StudentSportsSoccer.com, includes three in-state players and six players from a total of four states. The class is also bolstered by the inclusion of Canadian Under-19 National Team midfielder Selenia Iacchelli who enrolled in January and will play as a true freshmen this fall.

<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

The ability to recruit quality and quantity has Walker excited about the 2005 season, when Nebraska will look to build on its 2004 trip to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, its eighth appearance in the last nine seasons.

 

“Overall, this may be the best group that we have ever brought in,” Walker said. “You add Selenia Iacchelli ? who joined us this January - and Jessie Bruch (who returns after missing the 2004 season due to injury) and it is obvious that there will be significant gains for the 2005 team."

 

“The new group is complete in terms of bringing elements of skill, speed, athleticism and creativity to the team," Walker said. "Lastly, they are a very competitive and tough group ? this is probably the thing that we like best.”

 

The 2005 Nebraska soccer recruiting class includes two players from the state of Kansas, two from California, one from Colorado and one from New Mexico, in addition to the three Nebraska recruits. Forward Aysha Jamani, a native of Calgary, Alberta, is the Huskers’ second recruit from Canada in this year's class.

 

Five of the 11 players in this year’s class attended a Nebraska soccer summer camp.

 

Below is a complete breakdown of the 2005 class and information on Iacchelli, including quotes from the student-athletes and their coaches.

 

Nebraska Soccer 2005 Recruiting Class, Individual Breakdown

Player                          Position              Hometown (High School/Club Team)

Kellie Jensen                 Defender              Leawood, Kan. (BlueValley West/Kansas City Dynamos)

Lauren Isenhower           Forward    Shawnee, Kan. (Northwest/Kansas City Dynamos)

Ali Lokanc                     Forward/Midfield  San Diego, Calif. (Patrick Henry/PQ Premier Soccer Club)

Jamie Klages                 Goalkeeper           Coronado, Calif. (Coronado/PQ Premier Soccer Club)

Aysha Jamani                Forward    Calgary, Alberta (Edmonton Aviators/Canadian National Team)

Lindsay Poehling            Forward    Elkhorn, Neb. (Elkhorn)

Jessie Goodell               Forward/Midfield  Durango, Colo. (Durango/Rio Vista Elite Soccer Club)

Danielle Schoen Forward    Albuquerque, N.M. (La Cueva/Rio Vista Elite Soccer Club)

McKensie Kirchner         Defender              Omaha, Neb. (Millard North/Arsenal Soccer Club)

Brittany Pfeil                  Goalkeeper           Norfolk, Neb. (Norfolk/Norfolk Express)

Selenia Iacchelli             Midfielder             Edmonton, Alberta (Edmonton Aviators/Under-19 Canadian National Team)*

*Enrolled at Nebraska in January of 2005

 

Kellie Jensen, Defender, Leawood, Kan. (BlueValley West/Kansas City Dynamos)

Kellie Jensen was the 2004 Kansas Gatorade Player of the Year for Blue Valley West. A two-time team co-captain, Jensen helped lead West to the Kansas 5A state title in 2002. She led her team in assists in 2003 and was an All-Region II Olympic Development Program selection in 2003-04. Jensen teamed up with fellow Husker recruit Lauren Isenhower on the Kansas City Dynamos club team. The Dynamos, one of the best club programs in the nation, won the 2001 National Club championship. A true defensive leader who reads the game extremely well, Jensen has the potential to be a foundation for the Huskers defensively, according to NU Head Coach John Walker. In the classroom, Jensen is a four-year member of the honor roll and is a member of Who’s Who Among American High School Students. She was also awarded the EKL Scholar Athlete Award.

 

Kellie on why she chose Nebraska:

“I chose Nebraska because they have a great school and facility, and I think John is a great coach. I felt like it was the school for me.”

 

Coach Derek Shoare on Kellie:

“Kellie has been and continues to be one of the natural leaders of her club team. This, among other factors, comes from her intense spirit of competition. She wants and needs to be a winner. She will bring these qualities of spirit and leadership to Nebraska. Kellie has played many positions over the past three years at the club level and this is another asset that will help her be a major contributor to the Huskers over the next four years.”

 

Lauren Isenhower, Forward, Shawnee, Kan. (Shawnee Mission Northwest/Kansas City Dynamos)

Lauren Isenhower scored nine goals in 2003 en route to being named Shawnee Mission Northwest’s Player of the Year. Previously, Isenhower earned Best Newcomer, Most Skilled Player and MVP honors. Her club team is the Kansas City Dynamos, the same team as future teammate Kellie Jensen. WIth the power-house Dynamos, Isenhower won the national club championship in 2001. Isenhower is also a three-year member of the Kansas Olympic Development Program state team. A gifted athlete, Isenhower is perhaps the most powerful player in the Nebraska program, according to NU Head Coach John Walker.

 

Lauren on why she chose Nebraska:

“I chose Nebraska because I fell in love with the entire Nebraska atmosphere, the coach and the players. I trusted Coach Walker, and I knew that I could get along well with him over the next four years. The team really helped me decide because I felt more comfortable with them than any of the other schools I visited.”

 

Coach Derek Shoare on Lauren:

“Lauren is an incredibly talented athlete with great speed and strength. I believe we have only just begun to see a small portion of the tremendous potential she will bring to the Husker program. Her dedication, determination and focus have enabled her to be one of the premier forwards in the Midwest. Under the guidance of Coach Walker, I expect to see her bloom into a nationally recognized player over the next four years.”

 

Ali Lokanc, Forward/Midfielder, San Diego, Calif. (Patrick Henry/PQ Premier Soccer Team)

Ali Lokanc was named a Prep Athlete of the Month in January 2005 by the San Diego Union-Tribune after scoring eight goals and adding three assists in the month of December for Patrick Henry High. She added three more goals in Patrick Henry’s last match on Wednesday. In 2004, Lokanc was a first-team All-Eastern League selection for the league champion Patriots as well as a second team Division II All-California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) team selection. She earned first-team Division II All-CIF honors in 2003. Currently the leading San Diego high school goal scorer, Lokanc’s quickness and power maker her a very versatile player, according to NU Head Coach John Walker. Her club team is PQ Premier Soccer Team, the same team as future teammate Jamie Klages.

 

Ali on why she chose Nebraska:

“I chose Nebraska because I felt all of the support that student-athletes get, the facilities and the coaches were great. It all clicked when I went there. I’m really excited to go there.”

 

Coach Howard Hawver on Ali:

“The thing that stands out about Ali is her overall strength. She has incredible strength and speed going forward. On top of that, she has a left foot that is just lethal, whether she’s shooting or crossing, she’s so powerful. She’s probably one of the most powerful players I think I’ve ever coached.”

 

Jamie Klages, Goalkeeper, Coronado, Calif. (Coronado/PQ Premier Soccer Team)

A well-rounded athlete, Jamie Klages is currently serving as co-captain for Coronado High’s soccer team. She has allowed only seven goals in 21 games this season while leading her team to a 19-0-2 record. Klages currently leads San Diego county with 13 shutouts in 2004-05. An outstanding goalkeeper, Klages earned second-team All-Western League honors in 2004 as a member of the Division III California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) San Diego Section championship team. She is also a two-time first-team Division III All-CIF selection. Klages is a two-time San Diego Union Tribune second-team all-state selection and holds the Coronado High single-season record with 16.5 shutouts. Her High School coach Miles Ramirez, who also coached Mexican National Team goalkeeper Linnea Quinones, ranks Klages with any other goalie he has ever coached. According to NU Head Coach John Walker, Klages enters the Nebraska program with the most potential of any goalkeeper in school history. Klages also starred for Coronado’s volleyball and track and field teams. She was a co-captain of the league-champion Islanders volleyball team and she finished fifth in the California all-division state track meet by clearing a height of 5-7 in the high jump. She is the Coronado High record holder in the high jump, 100-meter hurdles (16.2) and as a member of the 4x400-meter relay team (4:05.3). She is a six-time Harbor League champion in track, as well as a two-time CIF Division II high jump champion.

 

Jamie on why she chose Nebraska:

“I knew as soon as I set foot on the campus that Nebraska was the right college for me. It was exactly what I was looking for, from the wonderful coaches and players to the outstanding facilities, academics and campus, everything just fit me perfectly. I am so excited for the opportunity to be able to compete at the highest level with such an amazing soccer program, and I can’t wait to be a part of it all next year.”

 

Coach Miles Ramirez on Jamie:

“Based on her growth in her four years at Coronado, Jamie will make an immediate impact at the University of Nebraska. Her work ethic and positive attitude will be assets to the team. Jamie should be a major contributor to the team as it strives toward its goal of winning the NCAA Division I championship. Jamie and her dedication to the game will be well received by Husker soccer fans.”

 

Aysha Jamani, Forward, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Edmonton Aviators/Canadian Under-19 National Team)

Aysha Jamani comes to Nebraska as one of the most heralded young players in the world. Jamani ranks as the seventh-best overall prospect and third-best forward in the 2005 recruiting class by StudentSportsSoccer.com. Jamani is a member of the Canadian Under-19 and Senior National Teams. As a Husker, Jamani will join teammates Brittany Timko, Sari Raber and Tanya Dennis as members of the Canadian Under-19 National Team and Timko, Dennis and Sasha Andrews as members of the Canadian Senior National Team. A native of Calgary, Alberta, Jamani will bring a wealth of international experience to Nebraska. She has appeared in 10 games with the Senior team, scoring seven goals. At the FIFA Under-19 Women’s World Championship in Thailand in 2004, Jamani teamed up with Timko, Raber and Dennis. She appeared in each of Canada’s four games and scored one goal. In the CONCACAF Under-19 qualifying tournament, Jamani played in all five games of the tournament, scoring five goals. She has scored a total of 18 goals (seven with the Senior team, 11 with the Under-19 team) with the Canadian National Teams. A terrific one-versus-one player with a great track record for finishing at the international level, Jamani should be a very entertaining player to watch at Nebraska, according to NU Head Coach John Walker.

 

Jamani on why she chose Nebraska:

“Choosing to come to Nebraska was one of the easiest decisions I've ever had to make. When I went on my visit, everything just seemed to fit. Nebraska is such a well-rounded University, and I just felt very comfortable there. The coaching staff at Nebraska is great, and I am extremely excited about sharing the next four years of my life with such a talented and fun team.”

 

Coach IanBridge on Jamani:

“Aysha Jamani is one of the most talented attacking players in the country. Her dribbling and creative skills are special?second to none. I have seen her do things that no other player can do at the Under-19 level. As well as being an exciting performer for my Under-19 team, Aysha has made an impact with our Senior National team, scoring seven goals in 10 ?A’ Internationals this past year. I look forward to watching Aysha develop and mature as a player and as a person at Nebraska.”

 

Lindsay Poehling, Forward, Elkhorn, Neb. (Elkhorn)

One of three in-state recruits in this year’s class, Lindsay Poehling brings an impressive resume to Nebraska from Elkhorn High. Poehling was the 2003 Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year as well as an Omaha World-Herald first-team All-Nebraska selection. In 2004, Poehling led the state by scoring 24 goals and led Class B and was tied for the state lead with 58 total points. Poehling also added 10 assists as a junior in 2004. A good one-versus-one player with pure speed, Poehling stood out while attending Nebraska’s summer camp, according to NU Head Coach John Walker.

 

Lindsay on why she chose Nebraska:

Check back with Huskers.com to see why Lindsay chose Nebraska.

 

Coach Judy Breed on Poehling:

“Athletically, she brings a whole lot to the table, primarily great speed and a bullet for a leg. She has one of the hardest shots that I’ve ever seen. She has just incredible strength in her shot. Personality-wise, what she can bring to the team is great unselfishness. She is a kid that is all about team and is all about the team having the glory and not herself.”

 

Jessie Goodell, Forward/Midfielder, Durango, Colo. (Durango/Rio Vista Elite Soccer Club)

Jessie Goodell has distinguished herself both on and off the field while starring at Durango High. In her freshman season, Goodell earned Colorado 5A first-team all-conference honors. In her sophomore year of 2003, she again garnered first-team all-conference accolades in addition to receiving the Durango Golden Boot award. She also began the season on the Denver Post’s Top 20 5A midfielders to watch list and as one of the Rocky Mountain News’ Top 50 5A players in Colorado. As a junior, she again found herself on the watch lists and repeated as a first-team all-conference selection and Golden Boot award winner. The Colorado native played her club ball in New Mexico for the Rio Vista Elite Soccer Club as a four-year member of the Olympic development program. A testament to her love for the game, Goodell traveled three hours from her home in Durango to play for Rio Vista. Goodell has an unbelievable work ethic and appetite for the game, according to NU Head Coach John Walker. At Durango, Goodell was also a member of the varsity cross country team. In the classroom, Goodell boasts a grade-point average of 3.9 while taking honors courses in English, history and math. Goodell is also a member of Who’s Who Among American High School students.

 

Jessie on why she chose Nebraska:

“One of the main reasons I chose Nebraska was I feel they have a strong chance to win a national championship in the four years I’ll be there. I really liked the coaching staff at Nebraska.”

 

Coach Matt Melancon on Jessie:

“Jessie brings an unbelievable work ethic, determination and love for the game to Nebraska. She is a true student of the game who possesses the self-discipline and competitiveness that has allowed her to compete at the highest level. She’s a very fit player with confidence, skill and creativity on the ball that makes her so dangerous. She has a knack for beating players one-versus-one and then possessing the vision to play the final quality ball. This same creativity also makes her dangerous off the ball, with runs that will attack an opponents’ defensive shape. She loves the big stage and to play against the best, a big reason she chose Nebraska.”

 

Danielle Schoen, Forward, Albuquerque, N.M. (La Cueva/Rio Vista Elite Soccer Club)

Danielle Schoen is yet another highly touted player in the Huskers’ 2005 recruiting class. Schoen earned first-team All-America honors as a junior from the National Soccer Coaches Association, as well as Player-of-the-Year honors for the state of New Mexico. In New Mexico, Schoen was the 5A state player of the year as well as a first-team all-state selection in 2004. She earned District 2A player-of-the-year honors as well as being named the Albuquerque Tribune’s Fall Sport Player of the Year. As a senior, Schoen led La Cueva High to the 5A state championship by scoring 24 goals and adding eight assists, including three goals and two assists in the playoffs. She finished her career as a three-time all-district and all-city first-team selection and as a two-time all-state selection. Coming from the same high school that produced Connecticut All-American Kristin Grazcyk and Notre Dame All-American Amy Warner, Schoen was a key late addition for the Huskers, according to NU Head Coach John Walker. Schoen played her club ball for Rio Vista Elite Soccer Club with future teammate Jessie Goodell. With Rio, Goodell earned Rocky Mountain Region VIII first-team honors.

 

Danielle on why she chose Nebraska:

“Nebraska is a well-known school for its athletics. I received the information on the school and the soccer program, and I was really impressed with the facilities and with the success that the team has had. I went there on my visit and I really liked the girls and my coaches a lot, so it wasn’t really a hard decision.”

 

Coach Matt Melancon on Danielle:

“Danielle is a naturally blessed athlete with great size and pace, which have often created mismatches for her at every level. She’s an instinctive scorer who has a nose for the goal. She has developed a calmness that has made her very relaxed, successful and dangerous in the big games and on the big stages. Danielle can beat players one-versus-one in tight spaces and then has the strength and speed to separate or create a scoring opportunity for herself or her teammate. She also has good vision on the ball and often looks to keep possession. Danielle brings the ability to take over a game and is always a threat when she is on the field.”

 

McKensie Kirchner, Defender, Omaha, Neb. (Millard North/Arsenal Soccer Club)

McKensie Kirchner comes to Nebraska after earning first-team all-state honors at Millard North. Kirchner also excelled at Nebraska’s summer camp to impress the Husker coaching staff. An athletic and intelligent defender, Kirchner is a tough player to beat, according to NU Head Coach John Walker. Off the field, Kirchner also garnered first-team academic all-state honors. As a member of the Arsenal Soccer Club, Kirchner played a key role in leading the program to five state cup championships and nine divisional titles.

 

McKensie on why she chose Nebraska:

“Nebraska has always been my top choice for a college not only to attend but most importantly play soccer. It's unbelievable to get the opportunity to play for a top 25 Division I team right in your back yard. I grew up as a Husker, and now I will actually be able to put on a red and white jersey and represent them on the soccer field. Being a Husker at NU just seems like the only way to go.”

 

Coach Alex Mason on Kirchner:

“McKensie has good speed while maintaining good ball control. She is good in the air, with a good tactical awareness. Her enjoyment of the game is on display every time she plays, as she will be the team joker making sure fun is part of the experience.”

 

Brittany Pfeil, Goalkeeper, Norfolk, Neb. (Norfolk/Norfolk Express)

As a junior at Norfolk High, Brittany Pfeil finished fourth in the state ? and second in Class A ? with 157 saves. She finished the season by allowing 18 goals in 14 games for a goals-against average of 1.28. A good athlete with good size, Pfeil has a great amount of potential, according to NU Head Coach John Walker. She played her club ball for the Norfolk Express.

 

Brittany on why she chose Nebraska:

Check back with Huskers.com to see why Brittany chose Nebraska.

 

Coach John Irwin on Pfeil:

“I think one of the things she brings would be her hard work and dedication. She works extremely hard and always strives to do her best. The other thing would be her competitiveness. I’ve coached soccer at Norfolk for 14 years, and she’s as much of a competitor as anyone I’ve seen. She hates to lose and is really driven and expects a lot out of herself.”

 

Selenia Iacchelli, Midfielder, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (Edmonton Aviators/Under-19 Canadian National Team)

Selenia Iacchelli enrolled at Nebraska in January of 2005. She will be a freshman for the 2005 season. As a member of the Under-19 Canadian National Team, Iacchelli notched two goals. She helped lead Canada to the CONCACAF Under-19 World Championship in 2004 and was also a member of Canada’s 2003 Pan-American Games team. Considered a 2005 recruit by StudentSportsSoccer.com, Iacchelli ranks as the 15th-best overall prospect in the 2005 class, as well as the fourth-best midfielder. Iacchelli’s extensive international experience has helped her become a very skillful and creative attacking player, according to NU Head Coach John Walker.

 

Selenia on why she chose Nebraska:

“I was looking for a school that could help me develop as a player. I thought the coaches at Nebraska could help me do that. I chose Nebraska because of the coaches, and I felt comfortable here. The coaches have experience and I like how they coach.”

 

Coach IanBridge on Iacchelli:

“Her strengths are her creative attacking qualities. She’s an excellent dribbler. She has got a great aerobic capacity and can run all day. She’s a good all-around midfield player with exceptional creative attacking skills. She can score some incredible shots from long range.”