Nebraska Soccer Signs Eight for 2011 Class

Lincoln - The Nebraska soccer coaching staff has announced the addition of eight student-athletes from three Midwestern states to comprise the 2011 signing class. Each student-athlete submitted her national letter-of-intent Wednesday and will start their careers this August, as the Huskers begin their first season of competition in the Big Ten Conference.

The new Husker class includes four in-state signees, in addition to four commits from the Kansas City metro area, who have all been club teammates as members of the KCFC Intensity.

"It is a strong group of players with several of them having the ability to compete to be in the starting 11 immediately," head coach John Walker said. "They have a nice mix of technical ability and athleticism."

The 2011 class will join a Nebraska program that narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament last fall. The Huskers finished third in the Big 12 Conference and had a 13-7-1 record, the best season by NU since 2005. Nebraska lost six players to graduation, but returns eight starters as the Huskers aim for a return to the postseason.

2011 Nebraska Soccer Signing Class

Samantha Areman
Position: Midfielder/Defender
Hometown: Firth, Neb.
High School: Norris Titans
Coach: Janet Myers
State Classification: B
Club: Capital Soccer Association (Ambush)
Coach: Rudy Wagner

Samantha Areman has scored 35 goals and added 32 assists in her first three seasons at Norris High School. A two-time first-team All-State selection, Areman has guided the Titans to three straight state tournament appearances and two district titles. As a freshman in 2008, she scored the game-winning goal to give Norris its first district championship. Areman was a second-team Super-State selection in 2010 and has been named to the EMC All-Conference team each of her first three years. Also a standout point guard, Areman is a two-time honorable-mention All-State and all-conference selection on the basketball court. A member of the National Honor Society and a 2010 academic All-State honoree, Areman will be the first Norris High graduate to play for the Huskers in program history.

Areman has competed at the club level with the Capital Soccer Association's Ambush from 2004 to 2010.

Coach Walker: "Sam is a natural left-footed player. She can play as a wide midfielder or attacking fullback. She has good pace and is a good crosser. She can be a strong 1v1 attacker and hits a heavy shot."

Samantha Areman on why she chose Nebraska: "I knew I wanted to be a Husker from the moment I toured the facilities, met the coaches and saw all that the program had to offer. Not only does Nebraska pride itself in athletic tradition, but the academic support for athletes is among the best in the nation. In my opinion, there is no other school that compares to Nebraska and I couldn't be more pleased with my decision."

Jourden Casey
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Omaha, Neb.
High School: Omaha Westside Warriors
Coach: Nathan Mosely
State Classification: A
Club: Omaha Football Club (Arsenal)
Coach: Alex Mason

Casey has helped Omaha Westside to three consecutive state tournaments, including a pair of runner-up finishes (2008 and 2010) as a center midfielder and defender. Casey was an immediate scorer as a freshman when she produced 16 goals and six assists. She has totaled 37 goals and 25 assists in her first three seasons and has earned honorable mention All-State status each year. She was a high school teammate of current Husker midfielder Kylie Kusleika.

At the club level, Casey has played for the Omaha Football Club. She has been part of six state championship teams (2005 to 2011) with an overall record of 149-35-25. An adidas Elite Soccer Camp participant, Casey was named the 2009 OFC Player of the Year.

Coach Walker: "Jordan has good technique and vision. She sees the field well and is a good passer. She has made a large improvement physically over the last year and now her athleticism has become one of her strengths."

Jourden Casey on why she chose Nebraska: "The coaching staff and training facilities are top notch. Everyone is so welcoming and I knew right away it was the right place for me."

Mayme Conroy
Position: Forward
Hometown: Omaha, Neb.
High School: Omaha Skutt Skyhawks
Coach: John Carlson
State Classification: B
Club: Capital Soccer Association/Omaha Football Club
Coach: Rudy Wagner/Doug Trenerry

Mayme Conroy has been one of the most dominant scorers in the state of Nebraska the past three years. The forward has totaled 69 goals and 30 assists to break the Omaha Skutt school record for total points (168). Last year, she led the Skyhawks to their second straight Class B state championship after scoring a single-season school record 27 goals, breaking the previous mark set by former prep teammate and current Husker forward Stacy Bartels. For her efforts, the three-time All-State selection was named the honorary captain of the Omaha World-Herald's 2010 All-Nebraska Soccer Team. In 2009, Conroy made her first of two Super State teams as she had 23 goals and 15 assists en route to Omaha Skutt's state title. Conroy is also a three-year starter on the basketball team, where she has been named All-State the past two seasons and earned one team MVP award.

The majority of Conroy's club success has come with Lincoln's Capital Soccer Association, while she has also played one year with the Omaha Football Club. She has been a part of two state championship teams and one runner-up squad.

Coach Walker: "Mayme is a dominant athlete (5-11) as she has good speed and is committed to the physical parts of the game. She has a very high work rate defensively and is aggressive in the box. Combine that with her strong athleticism and she is very difficult to play against."

Mayme Conroy on why she chose Nebraska: "I really admire the school and its athletic program. I grew up in Lincoln so I thought it would be neat to attend the university. I also know a lot of people there and it is close to home. I'm excited.'"

Kelsey Goff
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Hometown: Liberty, Mo.
High School: Liberty Blue Jays
Coach: Tom Rottjakob
State Classification: 3
Club: KCFC (Alliance/Intensity)
Coach: Huw Williams

Kelsey Goff is an honorable-mention All-State selection after helping lead Liberty High to the 2010 Missouri Class 3 state championship and a No. 7 national ranking. A midfielder/forward, Goff has 35 goals and 35 assists through her first three years with the Blue Jays. She was a second-team All-State pick in 2009 after being named first-team All-District as a freshman in 2008.

Goff is part of the Kansas City Football Club with the Alliance and Intensity. As part of the Olympic Developmental Program, she played on a Region II international tour in Holland in 2009. She played club soccer with current Husker sophomores Morgan Marlborough and Jordan Jackson.

Coach Walker: "Kelsey is a tall, natural flank player with good pace and the ability to cross. She has strong 1v1 attacking skills and will do the work necessary to be an effective flank player."

Kelsey Goff on why she chose Nebraska: "All the girls are very kind and welcoming and the atmosphere is great. The facilities are outstanding and the academics are wonderful and supportive. The campus was just a great fit.'"

Caroline Gray
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Kansas City, Mo.
High School: St. Teresa's Academy Stars
Coach: Jeremy McElduff
State Classification: 3
Club: KCFC (Intensity)
Coach: Huw Williams

Gray is a two-time All-State selection out of St. Teresa's Academy in Kansas City. She has reached double-digit goals in three straight seasons for a total of 44, including 17 last year to earn second-team All-State honors. With 15 goals as a freshman, Gray earned third-team All-State accolades and a spot on the Kansas City Star's All-Metro team as an honorable-mention selection. Gray also excels on the basketball court, as the point guard was a 2010 All-District member.

Gray plays club soccer for the Kansas City Football Club (KCFC) and has been a team captain for nine straight seasons (2003 to 2011). As part of the Olympic Development Program, she was part of the 2007 Region II championship team.

Coach Walker: "Caroline is a natural central midfielder with excellent field vision. She has good passing range, is strong in the air can also hit shots from distance. She is a very talented and intelligent player."

Caroline Gray on why she chose Nebraska: "The moment I stepped onto campus I knew it was where I belonged. Everyone was so kind and welcoming. It was an incredible feeling. I am excited and honored to be a part of the program."

Sydney Pugh
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Olathe, Kan.
High School: Olathe Northwest Ravens
Coach: Chris Graham
State Classification: 6A
Club: KCFC (Intensity)
Coach: Huw Williams

Pugh has helped lead Olathe Northwest to a pair of Kansas 6A Central Region titles as the starting goalkeeper. A Class 6A All-Region selection, Pugh set the single-season school record with 11 shutouts last year, while she also ranks second in career shutouts (15.5) heading into her senior campaign. A two-time team captain, Pugh ranks first in the postseason with a 1.8 goals against average and second in career goals against average at 1.55. Pugh has been named to the All-Sunflower League first team and is a four-time member of the Honor Roll.

Pugh plays at the club level for the KCFC Intensity under head coach Huw Williams. She has been a part of six consecutive state championship teams.

Coach Walker: "Sydney is quick off her line, reads the game well and is a brave shot stopper. Development will be a priority for Sydney early in her career."

Sydney Pugh on why she chose Nebraska: "On my first visit I instantly fell in love with the university, coaching staff, the academic opportunities and the facilities. I wanted to be a part of the school spirit that the student body and entire city share. Nebraska offers a complete academic and soccer experience unmatched by any other university I explored."

Molly Rappold
Position: Midfielder/Defender/Forward
Hometown: Prairie Village, Kan.
High School: Shawnee Mission East Lancers
Coach: James Kelley
State Classification: 6A
Club: KCFC (Intensity)
Coach: Huw Williams

Rappold scored 24 goals and added 13 assists while helping lead Shawnee Mission East to the 2010 Sunflower League title with a perfect 10-0-0 record. Under head coach James Kelley, Rappold was named to the 2010 Kansas Class 6A all-state first team, while also earning All-Sunflower League honors the past three years, including first-team accolades last spring. A member of the National Honor Society, Rappold was named to the 2010 state all-academic team after her GPA ranked seventh out of 242 schools.

Rappold has competed for the KCFC Intensity enjoyed notable success at the club level, including a pair of state cup championships (2005, 2010) and Region 2 titles (2006, 2008). As part of the Olympic Developmental Program, Rappold was on the Region II team that toured Costa Rica in 2008.

Coach Walker: "Molly can play virtually all positions on the field. She may be best suited to the middle of the midfield but can also be an effective flank player or forward.  She has good technique, a strong work ethic and is a high energy player."

Molly Rappold on why she chose Nebraska: "I liked the coach, the facilities and the team. It's a good distance from home and I knew I would get a good education while playing my favorite sport. I am looking forward to a competitive season in the Big Ten."

Liz Sundberg
Position: Forward
Hometown: Lincoln, Neb.
High School: Lincoln Southwest Silverhawks
Coach: Alyssa Watson
State Classification: A
Club: Omaha Football Club (Elite 92/93)
Coach: Alex Mason

Liz Sundberg has totaled 33 goals and 16 assists during her first three prep seasons at Lincoln Southwest High School. In addition to all-conference honors, Sundberg was named to the Omaha World Herald's All-Nebraska First Team following the 2010 season, in which she was a team captain for the Silverhawks. Off the field, Sundberg is an Academic All-State selection, a regular member of the honor roll and is on the National Honor Society. Sundberg was a prep teammate of current Husker midfielder Bri Badje.

Sundberg has also played for the Omaha Football Club and been a part of six state championship teams.

Sundberg has a lineage of Nebraska connections, as her father, Craig, lettered for the Husker football team (1982-84) and her brother, Brett, is currently on the NU men's golf team. Her oldest brother, Aaron, also attends Nebraska. As a toddler in 1994, Liz was featured on Nebraska Soccer's inaugural team poster and media guide cover that was themed, "The Birth of a New Tradition."

Coach Walker: "Liz is strong athletically and plays the game with a physical edge. She is a strong header of the ball. She will need to refine techniques early in her career but has the physicality."

Liz Sundberg on why she chose Nebraska: "For me, the choice was easy. I've grown up watching the Huskers and am excited to be representing the school. After visiting the campus, meeting the coaches, and seeing everything the program has to offer, I was very confident in my decision."