SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University women’s soccer program has announced an incoming recruiting class of 10 members that will join the team this fall. They will be welcomed into a program led by head coach Greg Henson, who enters his fifth season leading the Bulldogs. Concordia has averaged 15 wins per season over the past three years while claiming a pair of GPAC tournament titles during that stretch.
The new group of Bulldogs hail from six different states: California (two), Colorado (two), Iowa (two), Kansas (one), Nebraska (two) and Nevada (one). Henson believes the class includes several athletes capable of making an immediate impact on the playing field.
“This is probably the most talented recruiting class we’ve had coming in from top to bottom,” Henson said. “This class will provide us with depth throughout the lineup. There are a number of players that can come in and challenge for roles on this team. I’m just really pleased with the talent and the types of student-athletes we were able to bring in.”
In terms of proximity, Kaitlyn Radebaugh of Norris High School is the most local newcomer. A member of the Elite Girls Academy, Radebaugh just completed an all-state honorable mention season. She is also an academic all-state award winner.
“Kaitlyn has had a great high school career,” Henson said. “I first noticed her as a sophomore when we were recruiting Courtney Prange from Norris as well. Kaitlyn really stood out in that match and we followed her throughout her career. I think she’s just as excited to be at Concordia as we are to have her.”
Henson has been able to move out west and into central Iowa in recent recruiting cycles. The footprint is expanding for Concordia women’s soccer.
“This is definitely our most diverse recruiting class in terms of the areas of the country that our players are coming from,” Henson said. “It’s important for us to recruit well both in state and out of state. We’ve been traveling a little bit further west and expanding the Concordia brand. It’s an exciting time for Bulldog soccer and I’m looking forward to the fall and getting the ball rolling again.”
2017 Women’s Soccer Recruiting Class
Carrie Black
Hometown: Highlands Ranch, Colorado
High School: Lutheran High School (Parker, Colo.)
Club Team: Real Colorado
Team Success:
-Advanced to the second round of the state tournament three years in a row
-Club: won the President's Cup in 2016
Honors:
-Two-year captain and four-year varsity letter
-First team academic all-state
-Honor roll all eight semesters (ranked third in graduating class)
Chelsea Bright
Hometown: Van Meter, Iowa
High School: Van Meter High School
Club Team: Sporting Iowa
Team Success:
-Two-time club state champion
-Four-time conference champs with a record of 33-0, one time district champ and one state appearance so far.
Honors (senior season not yet completed):
-Named team captain
-Three-time all-state (second team as a junior; honorable mention as freshman and sophomore)
-Three-time all-district (first team as a sophomore and junior; second team as a freshman)
-Second team academic all-state as a junior
-First team all-conference
-Dean’s list for four years at Van Meter HS and for four semesters at Des Moines Area Community College
Victoria M. Cera
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
High School: Centennial High School
Club Team: F.C Warriors Blue 99
Team Success
-Nevada State Champions 2013 and 2017
-Nevada State Cup Finalist 2014 and 2015
-Nevada NPL State Champion 2014
-Region IV President’s Cup champions 2016
-President’s Cup National Finalists 2016,
Honors
-Nevada ODP 2014 & 2015
-Class 4A All-Southern Nevada 2016
-All-Sunset Region 2016
-All-Northwest 2015 & 2016
-All-state 2016
Jennika Chapman
Hometown: Westminster, Colorado
High School: Jefferson Academy
Club Team: Real Colorado Edge Select
Team Success:
-2016 State President's Cup Finalists (club)
-2016 League Runner-ups (club)
-2014 Metro League champions; state quarterfinalist
-2015 state finalist
-2016 state semifinalist
-2017 Metro League champion; state semifinalist
Honors:
-Four-year varsity letter recipient
-Jefferson Academy most career games played
-2016 first team Metro League
-2016 first team all-state
-2017 first team academic all-state (Metro League and all state accolades have not yet been announced for this year)
-Platinum Honor Roll: Fall 2013-Spring 2017 (for achieving a weighted 4.0 GPA during a semester)
-Four-year academic letter recipient
-2017 Journalist of the Year
Cassie Montiel
Hometown: Columbus, Nebraska
High School: Columbus High School
Team Success:
Appeared in state quarterfinals in 2014 and 2017
Tori Pearson
Hometown: Folsom, California
High School: Union Mine High School
Club Team: Cap FC United
Previous College: Folsom Lake College
Team Success:
-Bay Valley Conference Champions 2014 and 2015
-Big 8 Conference Champions 2016
-Junior college nationally ranked No. 5 (Ranked No. 3 in California 2016)
-Final four state tournament appearance 2016
Honors
-Team top defensive player as junior and senior in HS
-Scholar-Athlete award at Folsom Lake College 2016-2017
Kaitlyn Radebaugh
Hometown: Roca, Nebraska
High School: Norris High School
Club Team: Elite Girls Academy
Team Success:
-2014/15 State Cup Semi-Finalist
-2015/16 State Cup Semi-Finalist
Honors:
-Two-time Nebraska all-state honorable mention
-Four-year varsity letter award
-Two-time Nebraska academic all-state
-Two-time all-conference soccer award
-NCPA academic all-state award
-Two-time academic all-conference
-Member of honor roll
-Four-year academic letter award
Emily Sanders
Hometown: Shawnee, Kansas
High School: Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
Club Team: Sporting Blue Valley PSG
Team Success:
-2017 District Champions (beat every other Shawnee Mission School)
-Placed second in the Sunflower League (2017)
Stats/Honors:
-Started every game senior year (club and high School)
-Three years on varsity; 15 high school goals (seven varsity)
-Honor roll (junior and senior year)
High school activities:
-Heavily involved in SMNW volunteer clubs (CCC, Key Club, Northwest Connect)
-Member of Murals Club, CCC, Breakfast Club, Key Club, Northwest Connect and Ultimate Frisbee Club
-Involved in various art programs (ceramics and painting)
Michaela Twito
Hometown: Ames, Iowa
High School: Ames High School
Club Team: Ames Soccer Club
Honors (senior season not yet completed):
-Selected as team captain as a senior
-Earned a 3.9 GPA
Sarah Wuthrich
Hometown: Encinitas, California
High School: La Costa Canyon High School
Club Team: LA Galaxy San Diego
Team Success:
-2015-2017 National Premier League (Southern California) Finalist
-2016 National Cup Finalist
-2017 National Cup Quarter Finalist