Huskers Add Eight to 2009-10 Roster

Lincoln - Nebraska Head Coach John Walker announced on Thursday, Feb. 5, that seven recruits signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Husker soccer squad, while Tara Macdonald will join NU as a transfer.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

The seven signees, Jordan Jackson of Overland Park, Kan., Emma Stevens of Corona, Calif., Taylor Houck of Chalfont, Pa., Morgan Marlborough of Lee’s Summit, Mo., Bri Badje of Lincoln, Bri Exstrom of Lincoln and Stacy Bartels of Omaha will begin their Nebraska career during the 2009-10 academic year. Macdonald, a native of Austin, Texas, comes to NU after playing two seasons at Oklahoma.

“The incoming class is very talented and we feel that several of them should be able to play for us immediately and make an impact,” Walker said.

Below are biographies for each player, including information on their high school and club careers.

 

Jordan Jackson
Forward/Midfielder
Overland Park, Kan.

A three-year starter for Coach Alex Aiman and Blue Valley West High School, Jackson has led the Jaguars to a 42-9-3 record from her midfielder position. She has already claimed three school records, including career points (141), career assists (49) and season assists (24 in 2008), with her senior season still to come.

Last season, the Jaguars posted a 13-5 record to advance to the regional semifinals, as Jackson finished with 66 points on 21 goals and 24 assists. For her efforts, she was named Kansas’ Gatorade Player of the Year and to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s (NSCAA) All-Region V team in 2008.

As a sophomore Jackson notched 10 goals and 10 assists to help Blue Valley West to the regional championships with a 14-2-2 mark. In 2006, she earned 45 points as a freshman with 15 goals and 15 assists, as her team posted a 15-2-1 record to finish as the state runner-up.

The 5-7 Jackson is a three-time all-state first-team selection and has earned first-team honors at the league level three times. The Kansas City Star named her to its all-metro first-team in 2008, honorable mention in 2007 and second-team in 2006. She was also Blue Valley West’s nomination for Wendy’s High School Heisman.

At the club level, Jackson has played for Coach Richard Davies and the KCFC Alliance Jazz the last three years. She has helped the team to runner-up finishes each of the last two years, while winning the prestigious Score at the Shore tournament in 2007 and claiming second in 2008. Davies also coached current Husker Brittany Goosen.

Jackson has also been involved in the Olympic Development Program, earning a spot on the state team in 2002, 2003 and 2007. She was also a regional pool player in 2007 and 2008.

In the classroom, Jackson has a 4.1 grade-point average, which earned her Scholar All-America honors from the NSCAA.

Jordan is the daughter of Maureen and Craig Jackson, and was born on Sept. 19, 1990. She joins Goosen, Lauren Isenhower and Blair Slapper as Kansas natives on the NU roster.

Jackson on NU: “Of all the Division I universities I visited, Nebraska had the best soccer fit for me. I like a fast, physical, aggressive style of play and that is NU soccer. Nebraska is a perfect place to develop my soccer skills, as well as continue my academics, so I can have a great career after graduation."

 

Davies on Jackson: “Jordan is one of the most natural goal scorers I have ever worked with. She is a fantastic teammate with a work ethic that is an example to all. I anticipate her being a huge impact at the collegiate level.”

 

Walker on Jackson: “Jordan should be able to make an impact for us immediately, especially in attacking. She can play as a striker or attacking midfielder and really is dangerous in either role. She is fast, strong, brave and skillful, while hitting the ball well with both feet. Her all-around game and drive will make her a key member in our team for the next four years. The fans will love her energy level.”

 

Emma Stevens
Goalkeeper
Corona, Calif.

 

The California soccer season runs from December to March, so Stevens is currently in the middle of her senior season at Santiago High School. She has been a four-year starter under Coach Mike Fleming, and has guided the Sharks to a 15-3-3 record this season with two games left before postseason play begins. She has racked up 96 saves, as Santiago is undefeated in league play at 9-0-2.

 

Last season, Stevens led Santiago to its third state semifinal in three seasons, as the Sharks claimed a league championship with a 15-4-9 overall mark. She collected 142 saves to help her team go undefeated in league play at 7-0-1.

 

During her sophomore year, Santiago posted a 14-7-4 record behind 95 saves from the 5-7 Stevens. As a freshman, Stevens helped the Sharks advance to the state semifinals by allowing only one goal and collecting 25 saves, before Santiago fell to the eventual champions. The team claimed a 21-6-4 mark overall, and went 8-1-1 to claim its first league title with Stevens in net.

 

Stevens has accumulated over 4,000 minutes in net so far in her career at Santiago, notching more than 350 saves. For her efforts, she has been named to the all-league team three times, the all-country team twice and the all-state first-team twice. She was also league MVP last season, while being voted captain of her high school team for three years.

 

On the club level, Stevens has the starting goalkeeper for Slammers FC for the past seven years. She led the team to a state title in 2007, winning the semifinal match by penalty kicks. Behind Stevens, the Slammers have advanced to the semifinals or finals of the state tournament five of her seven years. The team has won two prestigious Surf Cup titles, and made 10 semifinal or final appearances in the tournament. She was named player of the tournament in 2003.

 

As one of the top goalkeepers in the nation, Stevens has been invited to the adidas ESP and Nike 50 camps.

 

Emma is the daughter of Rod and Colleen Stevens, and was born Aug. 2, 1991. She joins California native Jaclyn White on the Nebraska roster.

Stevens on NU: “I love Nebraska and am counting the days before I can wear the Scarlet and Cream and be a part of the family. When I first stepped on the University of Nebraska’s campus, I was in awe. The coaches and players welcomed me with such warmth. The program is everything I had hoped for and more, and becoming a part of the Husker tradition is the best decision I could make for my future.”

 

NU Goalkeeper Coach Wally Crittenden on Stevens: “Emma has a fantastic work rate and is very active in pursuing her growth and improvement on the field.  We will expect Emma to be a leader on and off the field.  Her passion for training will help ensure that she adjusts quickly to the next level.  Emma will definitely be in the mix to compete right away in one of the best goalkeeping corps in the Big 12.”

 

Walker on Stevens: “Emma is a very talented goalkeeper and possesses all of the physical traits to be a terrific keeper for us at Nebraska.  She is athletic, a good shot stopper, brave and also good with the ball at her feet. Along with Jessica Mills and Tara Macdonald, we should have an excellent group of goalkeepers for this fall.”

 

Taylor Houck
Defender/Midfielder
Chalfont, Pa.

 

A product of two of the best soccer programs in the nation, Houck (pronounced Howk) has excelled while playing defender for her high school (Germantown Academy) and club squad (FC Bucks Vipers). Under Coach Darci Borski, Houck and Germantown Academy have captured four-straight league titles, going undefeated in league contests in Houck’s four years. Last season, the Patriots finished with a 17-2-4 record, earning a No. 23 national ranking from the NSCAA, and claiming 13th in ESPN Rise’s Fab 50 rankings. The magazine also named Houck to its all-area first team. The Philadelphia Inquirer tabbed her squad as 2008’s Team of the Year.

 

Houck and Germantown Academy posted a 19-2 record during her junior season, as her team notched a 20-1 mark the previous year. In fact, during Houck’s sophomore season, the defense allowed only two goals during league play and seven goals on the season. As a freshman, Houck helped the Patriots to an 11-5-3 record. In her four seasons with Germantown Academy, Houck and the defense have allowed just 24 goals in league play.

 

Individually, Houck is a two-time all-area selection by the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Intelligencer Journal, including being named the Intelligencer’s 2008 Defensive Player of the Year. She has claimed first-team all-league honors four times and is a two-time league MVP runner-up. She was also voted MVP of her high school team three times, and was tabbed as a Top 100 recruit for 2009 by Topdrawersoccer.com.

 

At the club level, Houck has captained the FC Bucks Vipers to six Pennsylvania state titles, including a Region I championships and third-place finish at the national tournament in 2008. Under Coach Ed Leigh, she helped her club team win the Region I Premier League in 2008, and finish first in its division in 2007. Houck and the FC Bucks Vipers also finished runner-up in the 2007 Region I championships. Her club team is currently ranked first in the state and region and second in the nation according to Gotsoccer.com, while Nationalsoccerrankings.com has the Bucks Vipers third in the nation. The team also recently won the indoor state title.

 

Houck has also been a five-year member of the Olympic Development Program. She was in the Region I camp pool in 2004 and 2005, while helping the 2007 squad to the Region I final.

 

Taylor is the daughter of Terry and Linda Houck, and was born Jan. 21, 1991. She is the first native of Pennsylvania to play for Nebraska.

 

Houck on NU: “I felt Nebraska was a great fit for me both academically and athletically. When I visited and met the coaches and the team, I saw their obvious dedication and commitment to the program. I knew that I wanted to be part of NU’s legacy and contribute to winning the Big 12 and attaining our ultimate goal of an NCAA Championship.”

 

Leigh on Houck: “Nebraska is getting not only a great player, but a great person. Taylor is very serious and committed to playing soccer. She has an hour-long commute each way and never misses training. She will be a great asset to Nebraska, as she is a very physical and smart defender. She has been a fantastic player for us, and I am happy for her opportunity to play at Nebraska and in the Big 12 Conference, among some of the nation’s top teams.”

Walker on Houck: “Taylor is a very composed player with excellent skill and passes the ball well. She can play anywhere along the backline and also as a holding midfielder. She comes from one of the strongest club teams in the country and her comfort level on the ball will be an asset for us.”

 

Morgan Marlborough
Forward
Lee’s Summit, Mo.

 

A 6-0 forward, Marlborough has racked up numerous goals and accolades during her impressive career for Coach Tim Richardson and Lee’s Summit North High School. In three years for the Broncos, Marlborough has notched 163 goals, 52 shy of the state career record of 215, which was set by current Husker Michaella Fulmer in 2007.

 

Marlborough set a state season record with 63 goals last season, after breaking the school record twice before in her sophomore and freshman years. She tied her own state record with eight goals in one half while leading Lee’s Summit to an 18-4 record and second-place finishes in the conference and district. She also earned 12 assists during the year, and for her efforts was named to the NSCAA All-America team.

 

As a sophomore, Marlborough and the Broncos finished fourth at the Missouri state championships after earning conference and district titles. She finished with 57 goals and 13 assists to lead the team to a 22-4-1 record and earned NSCAA All-Region V accolades. She was also invited to the U.S. U-17 national team camp in 2007.

 

Marlborough had an instant impact as a freshman in 2006, posting 43 goals and eight assists and setting a state record with eight goals in one half, a mark she would tie in her junior campaign. Her team notched an 18-3-1 mark to finish as conference and district champions.

 

Marlborough is a three-time first-team all-state selection, while being named the all-state offensive player of the year in 2007 and 2008. The Kansas City Star has selected her to its all-metro first team the past three seasons and named her the all-metro player of the year in 2007 and 2008. She has also earned frequent honors at the conference and district level.

 

Playing for two separate club squads, Marlborough is a two-time state champion and regional semifinalist. Under Coach Mike Saif and the Dynamos, she captured the Kansas state title in 2007 and made it to the regional semifinal, while accomplishing the same feat with Coach Huw Williams and the KCFC Impact in 2008.

 

Morgan is the daughter of Matt and Karen Marlborough, and was born Dec. 3, 1990.

 

Marlborough on NU: “After visiting the university and watching several games, I really liked the atmosphere in Lincoln, Coach Walker, and the Huskers’ style of play. I felt like Nebraska would be a good fit for me.”

 

Williams on Marlborough: “Having coached in Kansas City since 1985, I can honestly say Morgan is the best goal scorer that I have ever coached and she is a player that should be considered among the best youth players to come out of Kansas City. I think she will make an immediate impact on the college scene. The Nebraska program is a getting a quality soccer player and an outstanding person.”

 

Walker on Marlborough: “Morgan is always dangerous on the soccer field. She is fast, strong, a good one-versus-one player and finishes well with both feet. I think she is Big 12 ready and should be able to make an impact for us right away. Morgan should be an attacking leader for us throughout her career.”

 

Bri Badje
Midfielder/Defender
Lincoln, Neb.

 

Badje (pronounced Badge) started her career as a forward under Coach Alyssa Watson at Lincoln Southwest High School, before moving to the defensive side of the ball for her junior campaign. She joins fellow Silverhawk Bri Exstrom in the 2009 NU recruiting class.

 

A 5-4 center defender, Badje guided Southwest a 12-2 record last season and an appearance in the state championships. The Silverhawks also earned district, conference and city titles, while Badje was named to the all-city and all-conference teams and the Lincoln Journal Star’s all-state first-team.

 

In her first two seasons with Southwest, Badje notched 14 goals and 13 assists as a forward, helping the Silverhawks post 11-4 and 10-5 records in 2006 and 2007, respectively, and qualifying for the state tournament each season. She also helped guide her team to a city, conference and district championships in 2007 and a district runner-up finish in 2006.

 

In the classroom, Badje has a 4.66 grade-point average and is a member of National Honor Society. She is a three-time Scholar Athlete award winner at her high school and was named to the Nebraska School Activities Association’s (NSAA) academic all-state team in 2008.

 

Badge played her club ball under Coaches Andy Benkis and Alex Vasquez with the Arsenal Primo for the last two years, capturing state titles both seasons. Badge, along with Exstrom, previously spent time with the Capital Soccer Association Intensity.

 

Bri is the daughter of Alice Dominiani and Doug Badje, and was born Nov. 21, 1990.

 

Badje on NU: “I signed with the Huskers because I grew up around Nebraska soccer and being a part of it has always been a dream of mine. It was a goal that I have been working toward, and I could not pass up this exciting opportunity.”

 

Benkis on Badje: “Bri is a very intelligent player on the field and one of the most coachable players I have been around. She transitioned from forward to a shut-down defender very quickly. Badje was always up for the challenge of marking the opponent’s best player with high success. Her can-do attitude and high work ethic make up for any lack of size she might have. Bri is a great team player who makes everybody around her better. She is very coachable, while having high personal standards and desire to be successful.”

 

Walker on Badje: “Bri is a skillful, creative player that can play in midfield or as an outside fullback. She reads the game well, is a good passer and has a high work ethic. Bri has been a regular at our games, camps and academy since she was a kid and is a true Husker.”

 

Bri Exstrom
Midfielder/Forward
Lincoln, Neb.

 

The second Lincoln native to join the 2009 NU recruiting class, Exstrom was a high school teammate of Bri Badje under Coach Alyssa Watson at Southwest High School. A forward for the Silverhawks, the 5-6 Exstrom has already claimed several school records through three seasons, including season goals (25), assists (17) and combined goals and assists (42), while setting career records in goals (51), assists (26) and combined goals and assists (77).

 

Last season, Exstrom helped Southwest to a 12-2 record with city, conference and district titles and an appearance in the state tournament with her record-setting performance of 25 goals and 17 assists. She scored the second most points in the state behind current Husker Molly Thomas. Exstrom’s efforts earned her recognition on the Lincoln Journal Star’s first-team all-state and first-team Super State, while the Omaha World-Herald named her to its All-Nebraska first team.

 

Southwest went 11-4 during Exstrom’s sophomore year, as she posted 15 goals and six assists. The Silverhawks claimed city, conference and district titles before falling in the first round of the state tournament. Exstrom garnered first-team all-state and second-team Super-State accolades from the LJS during the year.

 

As a freshman, Exstrom notched 11 goals and five assists to help the Silverhawks finish second in the district with a 10-5 record. LJS named her an honorable mention to its all-state team. She is also a three-time member of the all-city and all-conference teams.

 

Exstrom played her club ball under Coaches Andy Benkis and Alex Vasquez with the Arsenal Primo for the last two years, capturing state titles both seasons. Exstrom, along with Badge, previously spent time with the Capital Soccer Association Intensity.

 

In the classroom, Exstrom is a three-time Scholar Athlete award winner for Southwest and was named to the academic all-state team by the NSAA last season.

 

Bri is the daughter of Brad and Nancy Exstrom, and was born Oct. 18, 1990.

 

Exstrom on NU: "I chose Nebraska because of the coaching staff, education, facilities, players, and chance to represent my home state. UNL is the whole package and a person would be crazy to give up on an opportunity to continue the tradition of excellence and high expectations that Nebraska soccer has set."

Benkis on Exstrom: “Bri’s best qualities are her strength, power and toughness. She is a fearless attacking-oriented player who has a motor that never stops. She is very strong at winning balls in the air and is physically intimidating. Bri can score from any part of the field and strikes the ball very accurately. She is always willing to do the extra work to make herself better.”

Walker on Exstrom: “Bri has a big engine and is willing to embrace the physical aspects of the game. She can play virtually every position on the field and plays with an energy level that is contagious. Like Bri Badje, she has been a constant at our games, camps and academy ever since we can remember and is fulfilling a lifelong dream to become a Husker.”

 

Stacy Bartels
Forward/Midfielder
Omaha, Neb.

 

From her forward position, Bartels has been a major factor in helping Coach John Carlson and Omaha Skutt High School to the Class B state championship game in two of the past three seasons.

 

Last season, the Skyhawks posted a 16-1 record, before falling in a 1-0 shootout in the final. Bartels found the back of the net six times during the state tournament to finish the season with 26 goals and 14 assists for 66 points, including six game-winning goals. Her 26 goals and 66 points were season records at Skutt, while she also holds career records for goals (55) and points (119) through her junior year. Her efforts earned her first-team Super State honors from the Lincoln Journal Star and first-team All-Nebraska accolades from the Omaha World-Herald, while notching Class B first-team all-state honors from both publications.

 

Bartels finished her sophomore campaign in 2007 with 24 goals and 10 assists for 58 points, as Skutt fell to Lincoln Pius X in the first round of the state tournament to claim a 14-4 record on the year. Bartels was named to the Omaha World-Herald’s Omaha Area first team, and earned Class B first-team accolades from the OWH and LJS.

 

As a freshman in 2006, Bartels and Skutt claimed the state crown with a 2-1 victory over Pius X in the final for a 17-2 record. Bartels scored the first goal in the championship game and assisted on the second, as she posted five goals and five assists for 15 points on the season.

 

Stacy is the daughter of Sandy and Pat Bartels and was born on Feb. 22, 1991. She is the eighth citizen of Omaha on the current Husker roster.

Bartels on NU: “I choose Nebraska because it is close to home, and I’m very close with my family. I’ve grown up around a Husker-loving family and knew that someday I would be playing there myself. I respect the tradition that Coach Walker has started at Nebraska, and I feel privileged to say that I am now a Husker.”

Carlson on Bartels: "I knew we had a great player when Stacy was a freshman in 2006 and was going one-on-one against [current Husker] Carly Peetz. Stacy did more than hold her own and never backed down."

Walker on Bartels: “Stacy is a mobile one-versus-one player who can play on the flank or as a striker. She is very quick in tight spaces and we hope that she can continue our tradition of having excellent one-versus-one attackers in our program.”

 

Tara Macdonald
Goalkeeper
Austin, Texas

 

Macdonald joins the Huskers after playing two seasons for Oklahoma under Coach Randy Evans and will have two years of eligibility to play for NU. She redshirted her first season in the Sooner program in 2006, but won the starting job seven games into the 2007 season. At 5-10, she made an immediate impact in her first career starts, notching 12 saves and back-to-back shutouts over North Texas and Middle Tennessee State at the Sooner Invitational. Her efforts won her all-tournament team honors and she was named the defensive MVP.

 

With Oklahoma visiting Lincoln for its 2007 Big 12 opener, Macdonald played an impressive game, notching 11 saves against the Huskers, but NU triumphed 1-0. The goal broke a 249 minute shutout streak to start her career. Macdonald went on to start OU’s first six conference games, including a 10-save effort against Texas A&M, before injuring her back against Kansas and missing the remainder of the season. In total she made eight starts and 10 appearances while collecting 55 saves and allowing 10 goals in 757 minutes of action.

 

During her prep career, Macdonald lettered two years while playing under Coach Carrie Hoffman at James Bowie High School in Austin, Texas. She led her team to district titles from 2003 to 2005, while earning first-team all-district honors on the field and in the classroom her senior season. Macdonald played club soccer for Austin United Capitals under David Winner from 2001 to 2005, and trained with Winner in Austin last fall. She is currently enrolled at UNL and will play with the Huskers this spring.

 

Tara was born May 14, 1988, in Houston, Texas, and is the daughter of Mark Macdonald and Pam Helmly. She is the fourth Texas native on the Husker roster, and the second goalkeeper to hail from the state.

 

Macdonald on NU: “The way the girls interact with each other really drew me to the Nebraska soccer team. They are an awesome group of girls with great chemistry, and I hope to add to their success.”

 

NU Goalkeeper Coach Wally Crittenden on Macdonald: “Tara is a great competitor and will commit herself 100 percent to helping the team win.  Her attention to detail and her coachability will be key characteristics that we will expect her to contribute on a daily basis.  Expect Tara to utilize her experience to help position herself to compete day in and day out.”

 

Walker on Macdonald: “Tara is an experienced, athletic goalkeeper with good size and movement. She has experience as a starting goalkeeper in the Big 12 Conference and was outstanding against us here in Lincoln in 2007. Tara, Jessica [Mills] and Emma [Stevens] give us a very strong goalkeeping group.