Huskers Announce 2007 Recruiting Class

The <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska soccer team will welcome 14 newcomers to its roster this fall, as head coach John Walker announced the 2007 recruiting class this week. The class, one of the largest in program history, includes seven in-state players and seven from out of state.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

 

Nebraska’s in-state recruits include a pair of Lincoln natives, Alexa Cardona (Pius X) and Jamie Sanchez (Lutheran), in addition to Omaha natives, Colleen and Katie Goetzmann (Millard North), Brianna Eilman (Westside), Andrea Zuniga (Burke) and Bellevue native Meredith Shuman (West).

 

Outside the state, the Huskers picked up a number of talented players from throughout the Midwest, including Kansas, Missouri and Texas, as well as from California. Set to join Nebraska out of the greater Kansas City metro in Kansas are Brittany Goosen (Olathe South) and Blair Slapper (Shawnee Mission East), while Michaella Fulmer (O’Hara) joins the Huskers from across the border in Kansas City, Mo. Also from Missouri is Warrensburg native Anna White (Warrensburg).

 

Rounding out the class is a pair of Texans, Dallas native Rachel Hawryluk (Trinity Christian) and Houston native, Jessica Mills (ClearLake), as well as Torrance, Calif., native Jaclyn White (Bishop Montgomery).

 

The 14 new Huskers will join a roster chalked full of experience in 2007 as Nebraska returns nine players who started in at least half of NU’s games last season. However, NU will be minus one of its most dynamic players with the loss of three-time Big 12 Player of the Year Brittany Timko to graduation. Despite the loss, the Huskers will return second-team All-Big 12 selection Aysha Jamani on the scoring front, Jessie Bruch in the midfield and Big 12 All-Newcomer selection Carly Peetz on defense, as well 14 other players who earned at least one start in 2006.

 

A complete breakdown of the 2007 class, as well as comments from Coach Walker can be found below:

 

Alexa Cardona, F/MF, Lincoln, Neb. (Pius X)

Alexa Cardona is one of two Lincoln natives joining the Huskers in 2007, along with Lincoln Lutheran graduate Jamie Sanchez. A four-year letterwinner for Pius X, Cardona was a member of back-to-back Class B state champion teams in 2004 and 2005 with Nebraska’s Carly Peetz, and went on to earn first-team all-state and Lincoln Journal Star Super State honors in Pius’ runner-up finish in 2006. Cardona also played four seasons for the Olympic Development Program state team and was a 2006 ODP Pool holdover.

 

Cardona on why she chose Nebraska: “Growing up in Lincoln and loving the Huskers is very common in this state. I chose to stay here and play for not only my home state but also my favorite team. Going to Nebraska just made the most sense to me. After meeting with the excellent coaches, touring the outstanding facilities, and seeing all the positive things Nebraska has to offer me, why would I want to go anywhere else?”

 

Walker on Cardona: “Alexa is a skilled, creative attacking player that can play as a striker or a midfielder. She’s explosive, physical and very competitive.”

 

Brianna Eilman, MF/F/D, Omaha, Neb. (Westside/Toro Magic)

Brianna Eilman is one of five incoming Huskers from the Toro Magic club program under head coach Mario Zuniga in Omaha, where Eilman was a two-time club state champion. Also a two-year starter for head coach Don Gilpin at Omaha Westside, Eilman was a three-time all-state honorable mention selection by both the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World Herald. The 5-5 utility player has also worked in the Olympic Development Program as part of the Nebraska state team from 2001 to 2005, and a Regional pool player in 2004 and 2005.

 

Eilman on why she chose Nebraska: “I thought that NU was a great fit for me academically and athletically. I met Coach Walker at his camp last year and got to meet him, but I got to know him on my visit with my parents and I knew I wanted to play for him because of how he coaches the game. I also decided on Nebraska because of the new athletic facilities and soccer complex. I had the feeling that I could help bring a National Championship to Nebraska!”

 

Walker on Eilman: “Brianna is a very fast, natural flank player who can play on either the left or right side of the field. She’s an explosive 1V1 player and crosses the ball well. She’s versatile enough to play as a striker or a defender.”

 

Michaella Fulmer, F, Lee’s Summit, Mo. (O’Hara/SASC Pink Panthers)

Michaella Fulmer set the Missouri state goal-scoring record (169) in her junior season at O’Hara High School in Kansas City, Mo., en route to helping her team to its fifth consecutive state championship. The 5-4 forward is a three-time first-team Missouri all-state and all-district selection, as well as a two-time first-team all-conference member. In 2005, she was named the Missouri Class 1 Offensive Player of the Year.

 

Fulmer on why she chose Nebraska: “I chose Nebraska because it has a great soccer program and facilities. Also I loved Coach Walker's coaching style and the way he approaches the game.”

 

Walker on Fulmer: “Michaella is a natural goal scorer. She’s explosive, strong, quick in the penalty area and brave. She strikes the ball well with both feet and has a goal scorer’s mentality in that she is always keeps shooting.”

 

Colleen Goetzmann, MF, Omaha, Neb. (Millard North/Toro Magic)

A four year starter in the midfield for Millard North, Colleen Goetzmann joins the Huskers along with her twin sister Katie. At Millard North, Goetzmann earned first-team all-state honors while helping the Mustangs to the 2006 state title. She was also a 2005 second-team all-state and academic all-state selection. Goetzmann is one of five incoming Huskers to play for the three-time state champion Toro Magic club team in Omaha, where she started as a center midfielder.

 

Goetzmann on why she chose Nebraska: “The main reason for choosing Nebraska is the academic support. I love the soccer program, the school is close to home, and Nebraska has always been my favorite college. A chance to play soccer for them is awesome, and I wouldn’t pass that up!”

 

Walker on Goetzmann: “Colleen is a very mobile and innovative central midfielder with excellent athletic ability. She has a good skill level, great engine, passes the ball well and sees the field.”

 

Katie Goetzmann, MF, Omaha, Neb. (Millard North/Toro Magic)

Katie Goetzmann joins the Huskers with her twin sister Colleen after both spent three years with the 2006 state champion Millard North Mustangs. Goetzmann earned first-team All-Nebraska, all-state and SuperState honors in her junior year, in addition to being an academic all-state selection. Goetzmann played club soccer for the Omaha Toro Magic, helping the team to state titles in 2003 and 2006, and a third-place finish at the 2006 regional tournament.

 

Goetzmann on why she chose Nebraska: “I chose Nebraska because John Walker runs an awesome soccer program. Nebraska also offers a great academic system. UNL is only an hour away, so I am far enough from home, but not too far. Also, I have a few of my close teammates all going there too, so it should be really fun.”

 

Walker on Goetzmann: “Katie is a very athletic right sided player who can play as a midfielder or a right back. She’s very good in the air, crosses the ball well and plays the game physically.”

 

Brittany Goosen, F/MF/D, Olathe, Kan. (South/KCFC Futura)

As a forward and midfielder for Olathe South, Brittany Goosen helped her team to a Kansas 6-A state championship, where she scored the first goal and provided the game-winning assist in the 2-1 overtime victory. Her performance earned Goosen a selection to the NSCAA high school all-region team, the Kansas City Star All-Metro first team and the Kansas all-state first team. Goosen played her club career with the KCFC Futura and head coach Richard Davies, where she was a two-time state champion. Goosen is also a former Region II team member and was a member of the 2004 U-15 U.S. National Team Pool.

 

Goosen on why she chose Nebraska: “I choose the University of Nebraska because it felt the most like home to me. I really enjoyed the town of Lincoln when I came for my visit, and the coaching staff was great. I was especially impressed with the pride the University has for women's athletics in general, and the support it provides to the soccer team.”

 

Walker on Goosen: “Brittany is a very skilled and composed player who can play virtually any position on the field. She has an excellent first touch and passes the ball well. And she can playmake and score with equal efficiency.”

 

Rachel Hawryluk, D, Dallas, Texas (Trinity Christian/Dallas Texans 89 Red)

Rachel Hawryluk joins Nebraska from TrinityChristianAcademy in Dallas, Texas, after a remarkable 2006 season that included Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools all-state, all-district and All-Tournament honors. As a club competitor, Hawryluk played for the Dallas Texans 89 Red, helping her team to the 2006 Disney Cup and Region III West Premier league championships. Hawryluk also participated in the Olympic Development Program and competed in the 2004 ODP National Championships, while playing with the North Texas ODP state team from 2004 to 2006.

 

Hawryluk on why she chose Nebraska: “The reason why I choose Nebraska is because y’all have a great women’s soccer program that I can not wait to be a part of. John is a great coach and all of his players love him. Also, even though Nebraska is far from Texas, after I visited I felt I belonged there. I can not wait to make Nebraska my home for four years.”

 

Walker on Hawryluk: “Rachel is an explosive, powerful defender. She’s good in the air and is an excellent individual defender. She also passes the ball well out of the back and is very physical. She has huge potential.”

 

Jessica Mills, GK, Houston, Texas (Clear Lake/Challenge 89)

Jessica Mills is one of two Texas natives among NU’s 2007 recruits, along with Rachel Hawryluk. Mills is the goalkeeper for the four-time state champion Challenge 89 soccer club, a team that was also a regional quarterfinalist in 2004 and 2005. Mills was also a member of the Texas Olympic Development Program State Team from 2004 to 2006, while also competing in the ODP Regional pool those same years. Mills’ athletic accomplishments are rivaled only by her academic success. At ClearLake high School in Houston, Mills is ranked first in her class of 4,200 with a perfect grade-point average of 4.50.

 

Mills on why she chose Nebraska: “I decided to come to Nebraska because it has everything I was looking for; good academics, great soccer, away from home and great people. Everybody wants to help you succeed in all aspects of your life at Nebraska. The facilities were also the best I have ever seen. But one of the biggest reasons I decided to come to Nebraska was the coaches and the players. The coaches had a great balance between them and their personalities were so warm and outgoing. All the players I met were awesome. They treated me with the same respect as the players already on the team. I loved Nebraska because it is an environment that I would like to spend my college years growing as an individual, mentally, physically and emotionally but also making friends and living out the best years of life.”

 

Walker on Mills: “Jessica is a charismatic, athletic goalkeeper with great club and regional team experience. She’s excellent with the ball at her feet and a confident communicator and organizer.”

 

Jamie Sanchez, F, Lincoln, Neb. (Lutheran/ Victory)

One of two Lincoln natives on Nebraska’s 2007 recruiting class along with Alexa Cardona, Jamie Sanchez joins the Huskers out of Lutheran High School, where she was a three-year starting forward. Sanchez, who owns the Lincoln Lutheran school record for goals in a game (6), was named to the 2006 Lincoln Journal Star first-team all-state and second-team SuperState teams and was selected as the 2007 Lincoln Star City Sports Youth Athlete of the Year. Sanchez is also a four-year starter for the Victory club team, helping her team to State Cup runner-up finishes in 2002, 2003 and 2006, and State Cup titles in 2004 and 2005.

 

Sanchez on why she chose Nebraska: “I knew that Nebraska was the right college for me because when I went on my visit I was blown away by the academic support they have there for all their student-athletes. Also, the facilities were amazing with the new HawksChampionshipCenter and the locker rooms. Going to a college that is close to home so my family is able to watch me play also a factor. Going to Nebraska and being able to have the opportunity to play soccer at the Division I level is a dream come true.”

 

Walker on Sanchez: “Jamie is a powerful and athletic player with some physically dominant traits. She needs refinement in her skill and tactics area, but has tremendous potential as either a striker or a defender.”

 

Meredith Shuman, D, Omaha, Neb. (Bellevue West/Toro Magic)

Meredith Shuman is one of five players from the Toro Magic soccer club in Omaha, where she was a three-time State Cup champion, a Midwest Regional semifinalist and a State League champion. Shuman was also a four-year starter for coach John Mauro at Bellevue West, where she is a three-time Class A all-state selection, including first-team honors in 2006, and a two-time LincolnJournalStarSuperState selection. Shuman also competed on the Nebraska Olympic Development Program state team in 2005.

 

Shuman on why she chose Nebraska: “After evaluating several outstanding Division I soccer programs, I decided to attend Nebraska because of the commitment to excellence and superb coaching the Huskers have demonstrated over the last 13 years. I attended the NU WinterSoccerAcademy in January/February of 2006, and that experience was enough to convince me that Coach Walker and the Huskers are committed to winning and competing for the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship.”

 

Walker on Shuman: “Meredith has explosive speed and is an excellent individual defender with good organizational abilities. She passes the ball well over distance and should be a terrific defender for us.”

 

Blair Slapper, F/MF/D, Prairie Village, Kan. (Shawnee Mission East/KCFC Heat)

One of two Kansas natives added to the Husker roster for the 2007 season, Prairie Village native Blair Slapper is a utility player who will likely work as either a midfielder or defender for Nebraska. Slapper is a four-year letterwinner as a midfielder at Shawnee Mission East, where she led her team in assists in both 2005 and 2006 before being named an All-Sunflower League Honorable Mention selection, while helping the Lancers to the 2006 regional championship. Slapper moved into a defensive role in the club circuit, boosting the KCFC Alliance Heat to the 2006 Kansas State Championship and earning a final national ranking of 18th. A six-year member of the Kansas Olympic Development Program, Slapper was recently named as a Kansas Player to Watch by rivals.com.

 

Slapper on why she chose Nebraska: “Nebraska has an incredible tradition of student-athletes. I wanted to be a part of that tradition. The University offers a wonderful Division I soccer team, academic support and beautiful facilities. I attended Nebraska soccer camp in 2005 and fell in love with the school, coaches and team tradition. Nebraska's coaching staff continues to develop you as a player, and I look forward to the player I will become under their direction.”

 

Walker on Slapper: “Blair is very competitive, hard working, tough and physical. She has good organizational skills also and can play as a midfielder and as a defender.”

 

Anna White, MF/F, Warrensburg, Mo. (Warrensburg/KC Futura)

Missouri native Anna White joins the Huskers from Warrensburg High School, where she is a three-time offensive player of the year for the Tigers, while posting school records for goals in a season (46), assists in a season (32), points in a season (118) and assists in a game (4). White also gained statewide honors as the 2005 Class 1 Co-Offensive Player of the Year in Missouri, the 2006 All Western District Offensive Player of the Year, and a three-time all-conference and two-time first-team all-state selection. White was also a four-time member of the Olympic Development Program state team. Academically, White is ranked sixth in her class at Warrensburg and is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, High Honor Roll and a number of extra curricular clubs.

 

White on why she chose Nebraska: “I was just amazed at the education and the resources I would receive at Nebraska. Also, I felt like I could really fit in with the soccer program!  I felt like this would be a real big opportunity to excel in my education and athletics. I also met many great people; the coaches and future teammates that impacted my decision. This is a great school and I am really thankful for the blessing to have this opportunity!”     

 

Walker on White: “Anna is a very complete central midfield player. She’s skilled, creative, has a big engine and is a dangerous goal scorer with both feet. She sees the field well and can be dangerous as a playmaker.”

 

Jaclyn White, F, Torrance, Calif. (Bishop Montgomery/P.V.S.C. Breakers)

Jaclyn White joins Nebraska from Torrance, Calif., where she was a six-time high school scholar athlete at Bishop Montgomery. In 2005, White was named the Long Beach Soccer Club Most Valuable Player, as well as being a 2006-2007 first-team All-League selection. A talented athlete, White also excels in cross country and track.

 

White on why she chose Nebraska: “I decided on Nebraska because of program as a whole. The support is amazing and individuals are given opportunities to excel not only as athletes, but also as students. The staff is dedicated to each individual and helping them prepare for the future. I believe that I will be pushed to my limit at Nebraska and become a better soccer player, as well as a better individual.”

 

Walker on White: “Jaclyn is an imposing, physical athlete. She has excellent top speed, is good in the air and is very brave in and around the penalty area. Jaclyn is simply a difficult player to play against because of her size, speed and commitment.”

 

Andrea Zuniga, F/D, Omaha, Neb. (Burke/Toro Magic)

Andrea Zuniga is one of five players among Nebraska’s 2007 recruits out of the three-time state champion Toro Magic club team in Omaha. Zuniga also played for BurkeHigh School, earning a pair of first-team all-state honors and a first-team SuperState selection.

 

Zuniga on why she chose Nebraska: “The school spirit is amazing! Being a Husker is something to be proud of. The coach/player relationships and the support from the rest of the school are both really great. Also, they have a very good medical program.”

 

Walker on Zuniga: “Andrea has excellent skill level and shoots the ball well with both feet. She’s a fearless dribbler and is willing to accept contact, which makes her difficult to defend. She could play as a striker or an attacking midfielder.”