Huskers Add Five Soccer Players to 2016 Class

Lincoln, Neb. – The Nebraska soccer team announced the addition of five student-athletes for the 2016 season on Wednesday. The commits include Meg Brandt, Mayte Corral, Elyse Huber, Sinclaire Miramontez and Brenna Ochoa.

“It is a strong group of players in this 2016 class with several of them ready to contribute immediately and make an immediate impact this fall,” Head Coach John Walker said. “When you add in Aubrei Corder to this group (enrolled this semester) and take into account that current players Savanah Uveges, Emilee Cincotta and Lindsay Hargreaves will also be in their first year of eligibility for the 2016 season, this class is very strong.”

Four of NU’s newcomers hail from the Midwest, including Ochoa, who is from Omaha, Neb. Brandt and Huber are both Iowa natives, while Miramontez is from Kansas. Corral comes to Nebraska from Los Gatos, Calif.

The 2016 season will mark the second year for the soccer team at Hibner Stadium. Last season, the Huskers went 8-7-2 overall.

Nebraska Soccer 2016 Recruiting Class

Meg Brandt – Ankeny, Iowa (Centennial), Iowa Rush, MIDFIELDER
Meg Brandt was named 2015 Gatorade Iowa Girls Soccer Player of the Year as a standout for Ankeny Centennial. Brandt also earned first-team all-state honors during her junior season in 2015. In 2013, she helped Centennial win the Class 4A state title under Coach Chris Allen and was named captain of the all-tournament team as a freshman. Brandt has tallied 12 goals and 12 assists during the first three years of her career. A CIML all-academic team member, Brandt also played point guard for the basketball team for four years. During the club season, Brandt helped Iowa Rush to three state cup crowns under Coach Daryl Brazeau. One of Brandt’s teammates during the club season was Caroline Buelt, who was a freshman for the Huskers in 2015.

Quote from Club Coach Daryl Brazeau
“I am thrilled for Meg to continue her career at Nebraska. I think her style of play, her competitive nature and her passion to be the best is a natural fit with Coach Walker and his program. Meg is the most talented kid I have had the privilege to coach. Her ability to impact the game on the offensive and defensive side is second to none. When she touches the ball fans move to the edge of their seats because something special is about to happen. I am sad to see Meg leave our club but I know she is going to do a lot of special things at Nebraska."

 

Mayte Corral – Los Gatos, Calif. (Los Gatos), Santa Clara Sporting White, GOALKEEPER
Mayte Corral spent four years as the varsity goalkeeper for Los Gatos High School. For her career, Corral spent more than 2,500 minutes in goal with a 1.5 goals against average and collected 168 saves. She helped Los Gatos to the 2013 DeAnza League title and 2014 CCS crown. Outside of soccer, Corral earned the 2012 National Forensics League Degree of Merit. Corral played club soccer for Santa Clara Sporting under Coach Veronica Zepeda-Cashman. The team won three State Cup titles and captured the 2014 Premier League Spring GU16 title.

Quote from Club Coach Veronica Zepeda-Cashman
“Mayte is a great goalkeeper, teammate and person. The energy and leadership she brings to her teammates is vital to a team’s success. As a goalkeeper, she has a big presence, great reaction time, and controls the box well. She's flexible, explosive, and her strong positioning and decision making while under attack make her a great player. Her desire and commitment to continue to learn and improve will continue to help her compete at this next level.”

 

Elyse Huber – Sioux City, Iowa (East/Burlington), Omaha FC, FORWARD
Elyse Huber will finish her high school career at East High School after spending her first three years at Burlington. She achieved all-state second-team honors in 2014 and 2015 and was named All-Hawkeye Player of the Year in 2013 and 2015. Huber earned Mississippi Athletic All-Conference first-team accolades in 2015 along with second-team honors in 2013 and 2014. She set the high school goal record for a single season and career. Huber also played basketball and competed for the track team in high school. Huber played for Iowa City Alliance and Omaha Football Club during the club season.

Quote from Club Coach Alex Mason
“Elyse joined the 97/98 Omaha FC Elite team and immediately showed her goal scoring habit, great speed with and without the ball. She will score goals that will amaze everyone and especially the staff at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and more so the Big Ten Conference. Elyse can play in any formation, she enjoys playing with her back to goal turning on defenders and beating them in a breakaway scenario.”

 

Sinclaire Miramontez – Lenexa, Kan. (Shawnee Mission West), Sporting Blue Valley, DEFENDER
Sinclaire Miramontez helped guide Shawnee Mission West to a pair of top-four finishes at the state tournament during her last two years with the team. Shawnee Mission West finished third in 2014 and fourth in 2015. Miramontez scored 11 goals for her career and added 20 assists. She was named first-team All-Sunflower League Defense on three occasions, first-team all-state defense twice, Sunflower League Defender of the Year in 2015 and Wendy’s High School Heisman School Winner in 2015. Miramontez also played high school tennis for two years. Miramontez played club soccer for Sporting Blue Valley ECNL 97-98 under Coach Gareth Pritchard. She served as a team captain for four years and helped the team qualify for the top flight of ECNL Nationals all four years. Sinclaire will join her sister Sydney (current Husker junior) in the Nebraska soccer program.

Quote from Club Coach Gareth Pritchard
“Sinclaire is a player of the very highest standard. She has proven over the past few years that she can compete and flourish at the ECNL level. Sinclaire has incredible natural ability, but her work ethic matches it. As a captain of our team, she also has the character to improve the players around her. Simply put, Sinclaire is one of a kind. One of the very best defenders that I've coached over the years.”

 

Brenna Ochoa – Omaha, Neb. (Millard West), Elite Girls Academy, MIDFIELD/FORWARD
Brenna Ochoa played a key role for Millard West in winning the Class A state title in 2013 and 2015. The Wildcats also advanced to the semifinals in 2014. Ochoa scored 20 goals and tallied 25 assists during her career. In 2015, she earned All-Nebraska first-team honors and Lincoln Journal Star Girls Super-State first-team accolades. She was honorable mention all-state in 2013 and 2014. A three-time Millard West Outstanding Student Award winner, Ochoa was also named to the NCPA academic all-state team. Ochoa helped Elite Girls Academy 98 Maroon win the 2015 State Cup title under Coach Marcus Kelcher. She was also a part of Omaha FC teams that were State Cup champions from 2011 to 2014.

Quote from Club Coach Marcus Kelcher
“Brenna is a player who I feel could bring an immediate impact to the Husker program for the fall 2016 season.  She has all the attacking attributes to be successful at the next level. In all my years of coaching I have witnessed few players with the technical ability that Brenna possesses. I am excited to see her continue to develop and grow under Coach Walker and his excellent staff. She has been a joy to coach and I look forward to helping her prepare over the next few months leading up to her arrival in Lincoln.”