Klosterman Announces 2015 Recruiting Class
Feb 5, 2015 | Women's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. – Head Coach Don Klosterman and the Omaha women's soccer program have announced the signing of seven freshmen as well as one transfer to make up the Mavericks' 2015 recruiting class.
UNO will showcase nearly the same roster in 2015 as it did in 2014, featuring a squad full of experience. Klosterman and the UNO coaching staff expect the addition of these eight new faces to add both depth and quality to the team.
The Mavericks' 2015 recruiting class includes freshmen Nicole Hagel (Stilwell, Kan.), Abigail Hansen (Lincoln, Neb.), Abby Meader (Lincoln, Neb.), Claire Pueschner (Apple Valley, Minn.), Emily Romero (Bellevue, Neb.), Cydney Skinner (Monument, Colo.), and Kelsey Stithem (Kearney, Neb.), as well as transfer Katie Vanderzwaag (Parker, Colo.) from UNLV.
"We're very pleased to welcome these eight young women to the program," Klosterman said. "In our recruiting for this 2015 group we were planning to address a few positional needs, which we did, and also add overall quality to our current roster, which we certainly did as well."
Below is a detailed list of the 2015 Omaha women's soccer recruiting class:
Nicole Hagel, Fr., Forward, Stilwell, Kan. (Blue Valley High School)
Hagel joins Omaha after a standout career at Blue Valley High School near Kansas City, Mo. During her sophomore and junior seasons at Blue Valley, she scored 16 goals and dished out eight assists. Hagel's KC Metro Dynamos soccer club is a three-time Kansas State Cup Champion and advanced to the semifinals at the 2014 US Youth Soccer National Championships.
She plans on majoring in journalism or advertising at UNO.
Coach Klosterman's Comments on Nicole:
"Under the guidance of Coach Derek Shoare for KC Metro Dynamos Nicole has developed into an excellent player and will continue to improve and she will be a very good college player. Nicole will come in as a forward, but has the ability to play other positions."
Abigail Hansen, Fr., Defender, Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln East High School)
Hansen is a Nebraska native who played at Lincoln East High School and Omaha FC. At Lincoln, Hansen was a member of three teams that qualified for the Nebraska State Tournament. She has earned three Nebraska Honorable Mention All-State awards. While playing for OFC, her club team, OFC Elite 96/97, won state cup titles. She also played for the Nebraska ODP team three years.
She plans on majoring in journalism and media communication at UNO.
Coach Klosterman's Comments on Abigail:
"Abby is a strong, intelligent player with excellent communication skills as a center back. She is a competitor who will be a major contributor to the program."
Abby Meader, Fr., Forward, Lincoln, Neb. (Lincoln Southwest High School)
Meader is a Nebraska native who is a two-time All-Nebraska Selection from Lincoln Southwest High School. While playing for the Silver Hawks, Meader was a member of three teams that qualified for the Nebraska State Tournament. She has ranked amongst the top goal scorers in the state of Nebraska over the past two seasons. Meader is also a member of the Lincoln Southwest basketball team. She also plays club soccer for OFC Elite 96/97.
She plans on majoring in elementary education at UNO.
Coach Klosterman's Comments on Abby:
"Abby is an outstanding athlete who can score goals, she will be an impact player and has a chance to contribute from the very beginning. Her speed and athletic ability will make her a dangerous scoring threat in college soccer."
Claire Pueschner, Fr., Defender, Apple Valley, Minn. (Eastview High School)
Pueschner comes to UNO after developing as a defender at Eastview High School in Apple Valley, Minn. She was a three-year starter for Eastview and captained the side her senior year. Pueschner was a two-time all-conference performer for the Lightning. She played her club soccer for the Prior Lake Soccer Club.
She plans to major in business and technology at UNO.
Coach Klosterman's Comments on Claire:
"Claire comes from an excellent club team and has played at a high level and with her athletic ability she will be a very strong player. Claire will more than likely be a college defender but has the ability to play other positions."
Emily Romero, Fr., Midfielder/Forward, Bellevue, Neb. (Bellevue West High School)
Romero is a homegrown talent who was a two-time All-State selection for Bellevue West High School. She has been a three-year starter for the Thunderbirds and has led the team in goals each season. Romero has been a part of four Nebraska State Cup championships with Omaha FC Elite 96/97.
She plans on majoring in business finance and accounting at UNO.
Coach Klosterman's Comments on Emily:
"Emily is very valuable because she can play both as a midfielder and forward. She has excellent technical ability, field vision and soccer knowledge. Emily not only can facilitate other players but she can score goals which increases her value as a college soccer player."
Cydney Skinner, Fr., Defender, Monument, Colo. (Palmer Ridge High School)
Skinner will join the team from Monument, Colo., where she attended Palmer Ridge High School. The defender was a two-year starter for the Bears and earned four academic letters for her performance in the classroom. Skinner played for the Pride Predators soccer club and was part of the 2014 Colorado State Cup championship team.
Coach Klosterman's Comments on Cydney:
"Cydney has had excellent club coaching and competed at a high level. She is a very strong and athletic center back who communicates and makes plays, she organizes and know how to play her position."
Kelsey Stithem, Fr., Midfielder, Kearney, Neb. (Kearney High School)
Stithem is a Nebraska native who is a four-year letter winner in basketball and soccer at Kearney High School. She has 39 goals and 16 assists in her first three years with the Bearcats and has earned Second Team All-State honors, as well as Academic All-State Honors in both sports. Stithem played club soccer for Nebraska Select.
She plans on majoring in architectural engineering at UNO.
Coach Klosterman's Comments on Kelsey:
"Kelsey is a very athletic two sport athlete who will improve significantly as she makes the adjustment to college soccer. Kelsey has the ability to play several positions but mainly as a midfielder. "
Katie Vanderzwaag, Jr., Defender, Franktown, Colo. (Chaparral High School/UNLV)
Vanderzwaag transfers to Omaha as a junior with two years of eligibility remaining. Over the past two season, she appeared in 19 games with 12 starts for UNLV. Prior to joining the Rebels, she was a four-year starter at Chaparral High School and played club soccer for the Real Colorado National Club team, based out of Highlands Ranch.
She plans on majoring in biology at UNO.
Coach Klosterman's Comments on Katie:
"Katie has already proven in winter team training that she will be a valuable asset to the team. A very good athlete with proven college experience so she will be able to help our team immediately."
