Updated: July 31, 2008 

"We are very pleased and excited to announce this recruiting class," noted Upper Iowa head soccer coach Brian Bahl. "This is a very special group of student-athletes that will join us in August. From an academic and an athletic standpoint, I know they will make the Upper Iowa community very proud. I want to thank Coach Jones and our entire staff for their hard work and assistance in helping bring this class together. This quality class will have a tremendous impact on our program. We are very proud of the group we are bringing in and feel that along with our returning core group of ladies, the program will be able to challenge for a Northern Sun Conference Championship and a trip to the NCAA tournament."

"Our goal with this class was to get better in three main areas. First, we wanted to continue to get faster and more athletic. Second, we wanted to upgrade our technical and finishing abilities. And third, we wanted to add versatility to our roster; players that were dynamic enough to play a variety of positions on the field. We feel we have addressed all three areas very well and have actually exceeded our expectations in regards to making the needed improvements. In addition, the ladies that are coming in have a wonderful passion for the game; and from a personality perspective, we believe they match up very well with our great foundation of returning players."

"The most notable improvements will come in the way of increased speed and overall athletic ability. We also feel that these additions will allow us to be more efficient in finishing off our scoring opportunities. From an aspect of depth, we are also in much better shape than we were a year ago. It should be a very exciting fall!"

Kristen Phillips ~ Goalkeeper ~ Papillion, NE (Papillion-LaVista South HS) ~ Toro Magic
Coach's Comments: "Kristen is the final piece to the puzzle that we had been searching for in this recruiting class for a long time.  I had the opportunity to see Kristen for the first time a few years back and new very early that she was a special player.  High quality goalkeepers are very hard to find, but Kristen definitely is one.  She has tremendous size and athleticism and a very motivated and passionate work ethic to go along with tremendous maturity.  For an incoming freshman she has terrific leadership qualities that will really make a difference with this recruiting class being as large as it is.  Kristen also brings a great background and experience to the program, having played on one of the finest club teams to come out of Nebraska in a long time.  Kristen's club team won the last two state titles in their division and went 29-2-3 against in-state competition with her in goal.  It's a team that has sent seven players to the D1 level and many others to the D2 level.  We are really looking forward to the impact we feel Kristen will have on the the program.  We are thrilled to have her as a member of the Peacock Soccer Family!"

Leslie Willson ~ Forward/Defender ~ Shell Rock, IA (Waverly-Shell Rock HS) ~ FC Midwest/Heartland
Major: Social Services
Key Stats: Named to 2006 All-State Tournament Honorable Mention Team, 2007 All-State First Team, 2008 All-State Tournament Honorable Mention Team... Competed in State Tournament, Started, and Lettered in each year of her four year career... Basketball: Named 2nd Team All-Conference... Holds record for steals in a season (82)
Coach's Comments: "Leslie is an absolutely fantastic addition to this recruiting class.  She is sort of the icing on the cake for us.  She is so versatile and can play so many roles, we really think this will allow Leslie to make an immediate impact on the program, where though for sure, is yet to be determined.  She brings speed, solid technical skill, tactical awareness, and just an impressive on field presence to the program.  As a junior in high school she was a first team all-state forward and this year made the move to sweeper and was selected to the state tournament all-tournament team and was the rock that held the WSR defense together." In addition to what she is capable of on the field, Leslie has a wonderfully fun personality that will fit in very well within our program."  We are very excited to have Leslie as a member of the Peacock Soccer Family!"

Caitlin Wagener ~ Forward ~ Green Oaks, IL (Libertyville HS) ~ Eclipse Select
Major: Physical Therapy
Key Stats: Member of Illinois ODP State Team 2004-2006... Named Libertyville HS Rookie of the Year... Member of Illinois State Cup Finalist Team for 4 straight years... Member of MLS Got Milk 3v3 National Finalist Team... US Gymnastics Association Level 9 Gymnast... Four-year Honor Roll Student
Coach's Comments: "Caitlin is a huge addition to our program and we are extremely excited to have her with us. She brings a level of play to our front line that we have been lacking. Caitlin is a quick and dynamic player that has a highly advanced technical and physical component to her game that we believe will allow her to provide that finishing presence up top that we desperately need. She has played at the highest club level available, being a product of national power Eclipse (IL), and has experienced tremendous success within that setting. This background we believe, will allow her to impact our program greatly from day one. Caitlin is also a tremendous person who fits the model of what we want our players to be."

Allison Clark ~ Center Midfield ~ Elgin, IL (Elgin Academy) ~ Crystal Lake Force Elite
Major:Education
Key Stats: Member of Illinois State ODP Team... HS & Club Team Captain... Team MVP... Named All-Conference 2006 & 2007... Named All-Area 2006 & 2007... Named Player of the Year at Elgin Academy in Field Hockey and Softball
Coach's Comments: "Allison brings tremendous athleticism and versatility to our program. She is remarkably creative and does a terrific job of putting herself in opportune spots on the field. We believe Allison will make significant contributions in the center midfield spot; however, she has the capability to play a variety of roles for us. In addition to her on the field attributes, Allison brings tremendous character to our program and will provide a positive daily influence on everyone in our program."

Emily Gielau ~ Defender ~ Denver, IA (Denver HS) ~ FC Midwest
Major: Undecided
Key Stats: Member of Iowa ODP State Team 2001-2004... 4-year Letterwinner... Captain of HS team... Holds Denver HS records in assists for a game, season, and career... Named Denver HS Defensive MVP 2005 and Offensive MVP HS 2006 & 2007... Named team MVP 2007... Named Honorable Mention All-State 2006 & 2007... Named 1st team All-Conference 2004-2007... CROSS COUNTRY: Individual District Champion... Member of 3A State Runner-up Team... Member of the basketball, softball, and track teams... Involved in Band, Drama, and Speech Club at Denver HS
Coach's Comments: "Emily is an extremely athletic and soccer savvy player. She might be the most athletic member of this class. She brings a high level of versatility, being able to play many positions at a high level, and has a wonderfully competitive passion for the game. Our initial thoughts have Emily making a significant impact on our backline, but her abilities elsewhere on the field will give us many options. Emily also brings a great personality and leadership qualities to our program and we are really looking forward to working with her on a daily basis."

Jamie Krusie ~ Midfield/Forward ~ Marion, IA (Linn-Mar HS) ~ Heartland SC
Major: Undecided
Key Stats: 3-Year Varsity Letterwinner... Named Offensive Player of the Year at Linn-Mar HS 2007... Second Team All-Mississippi Valley Conference 2006 & 2007... Honorable Mention All-Conference 2005
Coach's Comments: "Jamie brings terrific speed and has a relentless presence on the field. The level of energy and the work rate we have seen Jamie play with has us very excited about the difference she will make on our program right away. We see Jamie playing a flank role for us, but she has the ability to play a variety of positions on the field. We look forward to having Jamie's enthusiasm and passion for the game as a part of our program on a daily basis."

Lauren Miklos ~ Midfield ~ Troy, IL (Triad HS) ~ Metro United
Major: Sports Marketing
Key Stats: Hononable Mention All-Conference... Named Most Improved Player her sophomore year at Triad HS... Named to the Honor Roll for four straight years
Coach's Comments: "We are very excited about what Lauren brings to our program. She might be the most technically advanced and creative player in the class. Her ability to see the field and her quickness on the ball is very special. She has played within a quality club environment at Metro United that has prepared her well for the college game. Lauren is a dynamic and versatile player who we feel will impact us right away. We see her playing a role as center midfielder, outside mid, and even up top. In addition, Lauren has a wonderful and fun personality. She will bring a wonderful presence to our program each day."

Shaina Marnell ~ Center Midfield ~ Hanover Park, IL (Conant HS) ~ Sockers F.C. Chicago
Major: Marketing/Advertising
Key Stats: Named All Sectional in 2006 and 2007... Named to the A & B Honor Roll
Coach's Comments: "Shaina is a creative and highly technical player that will help bring a new dimension to our program. She has terrific distribution abilities and sees the field very well. Her ability to find the open space or player has us very excited. We see Shaina in an attacking center midfield role or possibly up top. In addition to her on the field qualities, Shaina has a wonderful personality, a passion for the game, and a level of maturity and leadership that I think will be very valuable for this class considering how large it is."

Lauren Verhulst ~ Forward ~ Dike, IA (Dike-New Hartford HS/NU High) ~ FC Midwest
Major: Undecided
Key Stats: Honorable Mention All-State 2006 & 2007... Named All-Metro by the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier for 3 straight years... Named 1st team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-State for Softball... 3-Year Captain at NU HS... Member of National Honor Society... Named to the Honor Roll every year of high school
Coach's Comments: "Lauren is an athletic and physical player that knows how to finish off her chances. She has tremendous speed and has a creative flare to her game that we are very excited about. Our initial thoughts have us utilizing Lauren up top. However, we also feel she is capable of helping in other areas as well. Lauren is a terrific person with a great passion for the game. She will bring an enthusiastic and positive presence to our program each day."

Jenna Sand ~ Defender ~ Rochester, MN (Lourdes HS) ~ Rochester Warheads
Major: Criminology w/minor in Graphic Design
Key Stats: Lettered in Soccer (2 years) & Track (2 years)... All-Conference Track performer... Honors Math and Physics student... Named to the Honor Roll every year of high school
Coach's Comments: "Jenna is an athletic and physical defender with good size and quickness that we feel can bring a positive presence to our backline. She reads the game well and has the ability to direct a group very well. We see Jenna competing for a spot within our back four. In addition, Jenna's personal qualities are a perfect match for what we look for in a player. Jenna will contribute in many positive ways to our program."

Jessica Sand ~ Midfield/Forward ~ Rochester, MN (Lourdes HS) ~ Rochester Warheads
Major: Crimonolgy w/minor in Psychology
Key Stats: Captain, All Conference Selection 2006 & 2007... Lettered in golf for 4 straight years... Honors Math and AP Literature student... Named to the Honor Roll every year of high school... Member of the National Honor Society
Coach's Comments: "Jessica is a versatile attacking player that brings experience as a forward and as a midfielder. She has terrific field vision and a sense for the goal that will really make a difference for us. We see Jessica playing mostly up top, but she could also see time in a variety of midfield roles. We believe that Jessica also has the qualities to be a terrific leader within our program. She has an outgoing personality that will be a welcomed addition."

Emma Vanderheyden ~ Goalkeeper ~ Rockford, IL (Guilford HS) ~ Rockford Dactyls FC
Major: Sports and Exercise Science
Key Stats: Most Improved Player 2006... All-Conference Honorable Mention 2007... Member of Carpe Diem, Honor Roll, and the National Honor Society
Coach's Comments: "Emma provides us much needed help at the goalkeeper position. She provides quality keeping experience and a solid presence in goal. She also brings a tremendous work ethic. Emma has a very positive personality and is a welcomed addition to our program."

Jolene Ridenhour ~ Center Midfield ~ Davenport, IA (North HS) ~ Quad City Strikers
Major: Art Education
Key Stats: 2007 Honorable Mention All-Conference... 2007 Coaches Award... 2006 Gatorade Will to Win Award Northern Illinois Soccer Camp... Named Rookie of the Year at Davenport North HS... Ranked 1st in her class... Academic Excellence 2002-2007... Received Spirit Award for Outstanding Citizenship
Coach's Comments: "Jolene is a talented and physical central midfield player with great size. She is strong in the air and brings much needed height to our middle. She has terrific field awareness and vision. We see Jolene settling into a role in the middle for us. Jolene also brings tremendous character to our program and a passion for the game that will allow her to contribute to the program in many ways."