Women's Soccer Inks Four on Signing Day
Feb 3, 2016 | Women's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. – Omaha women's soccer head coach Don Klosterman announced the addition of four members to the 2015 signing class on Wednesday. The newcomers to the UNO soccer family include Erin Bunker (Overland Park, Kan.), Mallory Edwards (Omaha, Neb.), Taylor Gelling (St. Michael, Minn.), and Sophia Roux (Medina, Minn.). The four will join transfers Carlie Cook (Claremore, Okla./Tulsa) and Erin Dimon (Overland Park, Kan./Illinois State) in the 2016 recruiting class. Cook and Dimon are already on campus and participating in spring practices.
"I am very excited about this incoming class," said Klosterman. "The four signees are outstanding individuals. We made an effort to identify players who not only have a high level of soccer ability and are capable of thriving in our program, but also have a championship mentality. I am confident these four players joining the program will add to what we've been building in Omaha Soccer. Not only are they unbelievable on the soccer field, they are amazing in the classroom. They will be a perfect fit at our school as student-athletes, and I can't wait to have them represent the soccer program at UNO."
Below is a detailed list of the 2016 Omaha women's soccer recruiting class:
Erin Bunker, Fr., Goalkeeper, Overland Park, Kan. (Shawnee Mission South High School) (Kansas City United Rangers)
Erin Bunker joins Omaha after a standout career at Shawnee Mission South High School. Bunker is a three-year starter in goal for the Raiders and is coming off an all-conference performance last season. As a junior, she had a 0.84 goals against average with six shut-outs in 19 games. This spring Bunker will be serving as a captain for the Raiders.
Bunker played her club soccer for the Kansas City United Rangers under Coach Doug Miller. She was part of a team that won six straight club state championships and were twice regional finalists. During the 2014 and 2015 state finals, Bunker saved a penalty kick to lead her side to victory.
She plans to major in business administration and finance during her career at Omaha.
Coach Klosterman on Bunker:
"Erin is a talented goalkeeper and we are excited to have her join our team. She is a driven, hard-working, motivated person and her work ethic and focus are second to none. Those attributes will make her successful at the highest level. Erin is a great distributor both with her goal kicks and punts. This is just another way we can make our attack more potent. She has the ability to make saves that could be the difference-maker in the outcome of a game. She will be an asset to the Omaha soccer program and we expect her to do great things as a Maverick."
Mallory Edwards, Fr., Defender, Omaha, Neb., (Marian) (Omaha FC)
Local product Mallory Edwards joins the Mavericks soccer program after playing her high school soccer at Omaha Marian. As a junior last season, Edwards earned Honorable Mention All-State Honors from both the Omaha World Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star. She was a part of the Crusader team that won the Nebraska Class A State Title in 2014 and was Class A Runner-up in 2015.
Edwards played her club soccer for OFC 97/98 Elite under Coach Alex Mason. During her time with Omaha FC, she has been a part of six straight Nebraska State Cup Championships and a National League participant.
Edwards plans to major in criminal justice and minor in psychology at UNO.
Coach Klosterman on Edwards:
"It's always great to add a local player to our recruiting class. Mallory has the speed and physical toughness to be a commanding center back in the Summit League. What we love most about Mallory is that she is scrappy, feisty, and defends hard. The best part for me is that I don't think that we have fully uncovered all of her potential. She has even higher levels in her. UNO is the ideal school to continue her development and bring out her best."
Taylor Gelling, Fr., Defender/Midfielder, St. Michael, Minn., (Benilde-St. Margaret's School) (Minnesota Thunder Academy U18 ECNL)
Taylor Gelling comes to Omaha following a stand-out career at Benile-St. Margaret's School in St. Louis Park, Minn. Gelling anchored a Red Knight back line the finished 20-1-1 and won the Minnesota Class A State Championship. During the 2015 season, the Red Knight's defense had 16 shut-outs and allowed only nine goals. Gelling earned all-conference and academic all-conference honors as a senior.
Gelling played her club soccer for the Minnesota Thunder Academy under Coach Dave Alberti. Her MTA ECNL U-18 team won the 2015 ECNL North American Cup.
Gelling is planning on majoring in either business or pre-med.
Coach Klosterman on Gelling:
"Taylor is a very good athlete that comes from a winning background. She is a tough as nails defender who will do whatever it takes to win her individual battle. Taylor's biggest attributes lie in her ability to defend 1-v-1. She is technically solid, has good vision and connects well with her teammates in the middle of the field. She has a tremendous work-rate on both sides of the ball and will add some versatility to our defense."
Sophia Roux, Fr., Midfield, Medina, Minn. (Benilde-St. Margaret's School) (Minnesota Thunder Academy U18 ECNL)
Sophie Roux joins Omaha after a stellar career at Benile-St. Margaret's School. Roux captained the Red Knights to a Class A State Championship her senior season. She earned all-conference, academic all-conference, MSHSSCA All-State 1st team, and Class A all-tournament honors during a senior campaign that saw her put up 39 points on eight goals and 23 assists.
Roux played her club soccer for the Minnesota Thunder Academy under Coach Dave Alberti. Her MTA ECNL U-18 team won the 2015 ECNL North American Cup. The MTA Academy has produced current Omaha players Courtney Neville and Lauren Lawler.
Coach Klosterman on Roux:
"Sophia is the epitome of a student-athlete. She is driven and determined to get the most out of herself in the classroom and on the soccer field. She is a well-rounded attacking player who does a superb job of not only creating scoring opportunities for her teammates, but sets herself up to be in dangerous positions at all times. Her ability to read the game is truly one of her best qualities. Sophia has the 1-v-1 ability and athleticism to beat anyone in our league. If she can come in prepared and full of confidence she can make an immediate impact in our midfield. She is a player I am very excited to see grow during her college years and is an outstanding addition to our squad."
