CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston soccer program announced the addition of six signees for their 2014 signing class. The Golden Eagles signed Ellie Brettschneider (MF/D, 5-6, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South H.S.), Nicole Corbin (D/MF, 5-7, Ramsey, Minn./Anoka H.S.), Maggie Gibbons (D, 5-6, Cohasset, Minn./Grand Rapids H.S.) Gabby Kekke (MF, 5-6, Argyle, Minn./Stephen-Argyle H.S.), Beth Lastovich (MF/F, 5-9, Hugo, Minn./White Bear Lake H.S.) and Miranda Mosher (F, 5-10, Watertown, Minn./Orono H.S.) to National Letters of Intent.

"The first thing I look for with our recruits is the type of person they are and the character they have," said Head Coach Joe Alianiello. "This group is made up of fantastic young ladies who are going to represent the UMC Athletics Department and the Women's Soccer program with class in the classroom and on and off the field.   Our current roster really meshed well with the incoming class when they visited which will only help for the 2014 season."

All six signees are from the state of Minnesota, a priority in recruiting for Coach Alianiello who has looked to bring in regional talent, especially talent from the state of Minnesota, in the fold for the University of Minnesota Crookston soccer program. With the six signees, the Golden Eagles will now have 15 members of the 22 player roster come from the state of Minnesota. In addition, Minnesota Crookston has two players from Wisconsin, two from South Dakota, one from Manitoba and one from Michigan.

"It is our continuing priority to recruit the state of Minnesota and the immediate region and continue to get faster, quicker and more athletic and recruit versatility," Alianiello said. "We did that with this first part of our 2014 class. This group is going to stay with us for four years and help make us better and that is exciting.  I am really looking forward to getting them on campus and working with them.  

Minnesota Crookston was looking to replace eight players from last year's roster. The Golden Eagles will continue to look for at least two more signees for the class.



Ellie Brettschneider, MF/D, 5-6, Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville South H.S.

High School: Will be one of four players on the roster originally from Lakeville, Minn., along with Molly Buck, Cayla Bendel and Samantha Deutsch...Was a three-year starter for Lakeville South H.S...Served as team captain as a senior at Lakeville South H.S...An All-Conference Honorable Mention selection as a junio and senior...Named Most Valuable Defensive Player as a junior and senior...Member of the 2012 Regional Olympic Development Program team...Also lettered for the basketball team...Helped the program to the state tournament.

Personal: Daughter of Martha and Dan Brettschneider...Born Dec. 15, 1995...Undecided on major.

"Ellie is a versatile player that can anywhere across the backline and at center mid," Alianiello said. "She is solid in the air and a hard-nosed 1 v 1 defender.  She has a phenomenal attitude and is extremely motivated to do well at this level."


Nicole Corbin, MF/D, 5-7, Ramsey, Minn./Anoka H.S.

High School: Played club soccer for North Metro Lightning Premier...Helped lead team to state tournament Championship on the club level...Club team also won the Puma Champions Cup in Rockford, Ill...Helped lead varsity team to second place in sections in 2012 and a sectional championship in 2011...Member of the Minnesota Olympic Development Program team...Competed in track...Was All-Conference in 4X800 and All-Conference Honorable Mention in 800m.

"Every game I watched of Nicole during the recruiting process, I came away impressed  with her work rate and commitment to the team," Alianiello said. "She is versatile player that can pretty much play anywhere across the midfield or backline when needed.  She is going to be solid player in the NSIC when it's all said and done."

Maggie Gibbons, D, 5-6, Cohasset, Minn./Grand Rapids H.S.

High School: A four-year letterwinner at Grand Rapids H.S...A 2012 and 2013 All-Area Team...A 2013 All-Star Team member...Helped club team earn Region Championship and get a berth in state tournament...Served as team captain as a senior...Teammates at Grand Rapids H.S. with current Golden Eagle players Kary Sheppard and Delaney Kohorst...Also played basketball for Grand Rapids H.S.

Personal: Daughter of Marie and Denny Gibbons...Born June 20, 1996...Plans to major in wildlife management at UMC...Earned 2013 Award of Excellence for academics.

"While attending a Grand Rapids High School game in 2012, to watch our 2013 commitments Delaney Kohorst and Kary Sheppard, I noticed this #19 buzzing up and down the wing all game long," Alianiello said. "Maggie Gibbons was her name and I am thrilled we are adding our third Thunderhawk to the program.  She can play at either outside mid or outside back and even at center back if needed."


Gabby Kekke/MF/5-6/Stephen, Minn./Stephen-Argyle Central H.S.

High School: Participated in soccer and cross country during her high school years...Was a member of West Marshall Fusion Cross Country team.

Personal: Daughter of Tim and Lisa Kekke...Born Jan. 24, 1996...Majoring in elementary education.

"Gabby is a quick, athletic player that is only going to grow as player once she gets acclimated to the Northern Sun," Alianiello said. "She can play up top or out on the wing and I really looking forward to her development over the next four years"


Beth Lastovich, MF/F, 5-9, Hugo, Minn./White Bear Lake H.S.

High School: An All-State Honorable Mention selection in 2013...All-Suburban East Conference pick...Has started every varsity game for White Bear Lake H.S. since the second game of her freshman year...Has earned a varsity letter each of her four years in high school...Helped lead her team to the Minnesota Class AA State Tournament with a record of 18-2-2 in 2012...Team was the Suburban East Conference Champion in 2012 and Section 4AA champion...Second on the team in points in 2012...Elected varsity co-captain in 2013...Played club soccer for White Bear Thunder...Also lettered in basketball earning two trips to the Minnesota State Basketball Tournament...Had the highest measured vertical jump on the basketball team...Was coached in club by Coach Alianiello as a youth.

Personal: Daughter of Wendy Tahija and Lee Lastovich...Born Jan. 15, 1996...Majoring in health science.

"I coached Beth when I was coaching club with White Bear Lake in the Twin Cities so I am thrilled to have the opportunity to coach and work with her again," Alianiello said. "Her size and speed are going to be a huge asset for us next year in our attack and she has become quite a proficient finisher.  She also can play on the wing as well."


Miranda Mosher, F, 5-10, Watertown, Minn./Orono H.S.

High School: Earned First Team All-State as a senior...Was the Wright County Conference Most Valuable Player...An All-Wright County Conference selection...Earned MSHSSCA Athlete Academic Award...Scored 15 goals and had six assists as a senior for Orono H.S...Named Team Most Valuable Player.

Personal: Daughter of Bridgett and John Mosher...Born April 3, 1996...A member of National Honor Society...Earned Academic Letter.

"Miranda is a great athlete and is going to help us score more goals over the next four years," Alianiello said. "She can play up top, in an attacking center mid role or out on the wing.  She visited during two of our coldest games this past season and didn't run away so we know she's tough!"

For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.

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The University of Minnesota Crookston is an NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).