CHICAGO – A total of 19 student-athletes have signed a National Letter of Intent to become the initial members of the Chicago State University women's soccer program, head coach
Tony Tommasi announced on Thursday (Feb. 13). The 19 current high school seniors come from nine different states. The startup program will open their inaugural season this fall.
"My goal was to not just to bring numbers to this first class but to also bring a level of quality that could be competitive right away," Tommasi said. "I feel that each player signing in this period fills that criteria. Obviously that's just on paper and the true test will be to coordinate all their outstanding individual qualities in a unified effort. At the foundation, my style of play is one of high pressure and intensity. In recruiting these outstanding student-athletes, I kept that theme in mind. All have very good 'soccer IQs' which will go a long way this preseason as we need to come together quickly. This group has all the tools to build a solid foundation for the program and I know they will battle for 90 minutes. I'm very happy with the level of talent we have been able to sign and will continue to sign in the near future."
Katie Verheyen (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Tremper) (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Tremper HS)
The 5-5 defender was a second team all-conference player as a junior on a Tremper High School squad that went 19-4-3 and won the conference, sectional, regional championships and made a final eight appearance in the Wisconsin State Tournament. As a senior, she will be a team captain this spring. Verheyen also played with the Kenosha Crew from 2010-13. An honor roll student, Verheyen also played basketball and golf during high school.
Megan Stapleton (Cincinnati, Ohio/Madeira) (Cincinnati, Ohio/Madeira HS)
The 5-5 forward helped Madeira High School earn sectional and conference championships each of her four years. Madeira also picked up district and regional championships her first two years. As a freshman Madeira went undefeated and won the state championship. Individually, Stapleton was named All-Conference Third Team as a senior and Second Team as a junior. She led her team in assists as a junior, the same year she played on the Olympic Development Program (ODP) State Team and participated in the ODP Region II camp. Stapleton owns five years of club experience with Cincinnati United Premier and three seasons with Ohio Elite Soccer Academy. Academically, Megan was an honor roll student and a three-time All Southwest Ohio Academic and Cincinnati Hill League Academic selection.
Lexy Larson (Orion, Ill./Orion) (Orion, Ill./Orion HS)
A 5-9 goalkeeper, Larson became the first freshman to play varsity soccer at Orion High School. She made the 2012-13
Dispatch/Argus Girls' Soccer All-Star Team as a junior. She also played with EMSSC Pride U18 soccer team, Orion/Sherrard travel soccer team, Orion/Sherrard recreational team and Orion indoor recreational team. In high school, Larson also played basketball for three seasons and made the honor roll all four years.
Shelby Shultz (Sellersburg, Ind. /Silver Creek) (Sellersburg, Ind./Silver Creek HS)
The 5-8 midfielder made the All-Area Honorable Mention and was named a team captain as a senior at Silver Creek High School. As a junior, she scored the first hat trick in school history. Her high school team won the Warriorette Cup during her junior and senior seasons. Academically, Shultz made the honor roll all four years in high school.
Taylor Conroy (Omaha, Neb./Millard West) (Omaha, Neb./Millard West HS)
The 5-8 forward helped Millard West to an undefeated 8-0 record her junior year. She owns three years of club experience with the Millard Stars, three years with Arsenal and four with the Omaha Football Club. Conroy was an honor roll student at Millard West.
Gabby Klemp (Muskegon, Mich./Reeths-Puffer) (Muskegon, Mich./Reeths-Puffer HS)
The 5-4 goalkeeper broke the Reeths-Puffer High School record for career shutouts during her junior season. As a sophomore, she won the Unsung Hero award as voted by her teammates while making All-Area Honorable Mention. The team won the district championship her sophomore season and Klemp tied the school record for shutouts in a season. As a junior, the goalkeeper made the Muskegon Area All-Area Dream Team, Muskegon Area All-District First Team and Muskegon Area OK Black All-Conference. On the club level, Klemp played for the Fruitport Fire Elite and won the Petoskey Tournament 2009-11. She also played for the RP Select team in 2011-12 before rejoining the Fruitport Fire Elite in 2013-14, winning the Mild Cup Tournament Championship. Academically, Klemp made the honor roll, was a member of the National Honor Society, won the Citizenship Award and was an Impact leadership group member.
Sara Marcotte (Republic, Mo./Republic) (Republic, Mo./Republic HS)
The 5-9 forward has made the All-District and All-Conference First Team three straight years after tallying 120 career points. During her sophomore and junior years, she made the All-Region First Team while the team won back-to-back District Championships. As a sophomore, she earned All-State Third Team and All-State Second Team honors after scoring a career-high 40 goals as a junior. She recorded the first hat trick in Republic history. She's also played with the Missouri Elite FC from 2007-14.
Jordyn Stanberry (Grand Haven, Mich./Fruitport) (Grand Haven, Mich./Fruitport HS)
The 5-3 center back had a banner junior year at Fruitport High School which included being named to the All-Area Dream Team, All-Region First Team and All-State Honorable Mention after scoring a career-high three goals. As a sophomore, Stanberry made the All-Conference First Team and All-District First Team. During her freshman season, she made the All-District Second Team as her team won the conference championship. A member of the Fruitport Fire from 2004-13, Stanberry was a part of the 2006 Mild Cup Championship and 2008 Petsokey Soccer Tournament Championship teams. While at Fruitport High School, she was an honor roll student and an AP Scholar.
Vialy Garcia-Hernandez (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell) (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell HS)
The 5-2 forward/midfielder has two varsity letters in soccer from Francis Howell High School. She attended Philomath High School in Oregon her freshman year where she was an All-Conference Honorable Mention performer as she helped her team to the state quarterfinals. At Francis Howell in Missouri she was named All-Conference All-Academic her sophomore and junior year. She started playing club soccer in 2004, owning experience with Yahara, Crush, Mid Rivers, and WC St. Louis. Her Crush team won the state champoinship at The State Games of Oregon in 2009 and 2010. Off the field, Garcia-Hernandez was a member of the honor roll, National Honor Society and Student Council. She went to nationals of the Future Business Leaders of America as a freshman and the district finals at Francis Howell.
Carrie Hepp (New Hope, Minn./Robbinsdale Cooper) (New Hope, Minn./Robbinsdale Cooper HS)
The 5-5 goalkeeper was a three time all-conference performer at Robbinsdale Cooper High School. She earned five total varsity letters in soccer, lacrosse and basketball. Hepp played club soccer for the Golden Valley Phoenix. Academically she was an honor roll student.
Jordan Hinterser (Granite City, Ill./Marquette Catholic) (Granite City, Ill./Marquette Catholic HS)
The 5-8 defender played soccer and golf at Marquette Catholic. As a sophomore, her junior varsity team went 14-0. Hinterser played for the Lou Fusz Socccer Club for four years and earned MVP honors of the Little Illini Tournament. She also played for the Granite City Elks and earned a No. 5 ranking as a youth.
Cassidy Kepler (Omaha, Neb./Millard South) (Omaha, Neb./Millard South HS)
The 5-5 midfielder has played for Millard Star (three years), Arsenal (seven years), Bellevue (one year) and Omaha FC (three years) on the club level. She earned two varsity letters at Millarad South where she was an honor roll student.
Lina Lorence (Henderson, Nev./Basic) (Henderson, Nev./Basic HS)
A 5-6 defender, Lorence was All-Southern Nevada, All-Sunrise Region and All-Southeast League as a senior at Basic High School. She was also member of the Bandits Soccer Club in Southern Nevada. In the classroom, Lorence won the Student-Athlete Award and Presidential Award twice.
Alexis Lothamer Gross (Faribault, Minn./St. Mary's) (Faribault, Minn./Shattuck-St. Mary's HS)
The 5-6 center back played soccer and basketball in high school. As a freshman and sophomore she was a starter on the varsity team at Haslett High School. Her sophomore year she was named All-Conference and All-District. She traveled throughout the country with the Shattuck-St. Mary's Center of Excellence Soccer Program. In 2013 she was on the Minnesota State Cup Finalist, NSCAA College Showcase Champions, Jefferson Cup Champions and CASL College Cup Showcase Elite Division teams. In 2012 her club was Challenger Sports Invitational Finalists. In 2011, her Super Y team went to nationals in Tampa, Fla. She also played for the TNT Dynamite in 2008-11. Her team was a Michigan State Cup Semifinalst and went to the Super Y National Tournament in 2011. Academically she was an honor roll student.
Katie Sneed (Imperial, Mo./Seckman) (Imperial, Mo./Seckman HS)
The 5-5 midfielder earned four varsity letters at Seckman High School. As a junior she was named All-District and All-Conference after helping her team to a district championship. Seckman went to the district finals her sophomore year as she was named All-Conference. She was also named All-Conference Honorable Mention as a freshman. Sneed owns extensive club experience with the WC St. Louis Academy. Her 2009 and 2010 teams were State Cup Finalists. In 2008 she helped her team to the State Cup Semifinals. Her teams won four Slysa League Championships, a Midwest Regional League Championship and a Regional Futsal Championship. In the classroom, Sneed was an honor roll student and the secretary for the National Honor Society. She was the German Spelling Team Champion from 2011-13 and was a Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) District Champion and State Qualifier.
Lexi Montgomery (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell) (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell HS)
The 5-8 forward earned four varsity letters at Francis Howell High School. Her team went undefeated during her freshman year and as a sophomore she was named her team's best offensive player. She also played for FC St. Louis that placed fourth in an international tournament in 2010 and participated in the Norhalne Cup. Montgomery also played for the WC St. Louis team in 2013 and was the leading scorer for the U18 Academy team. In the classroom, she was named to the honor roll and was a member of the National Honor Society. She was a GAC All-Academic Team selection three of her four years. She was also picked up a student of the month honor at Francis Howell.
Abbey Sibley (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg) (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg HS)
The 5-5 defender was named All-Conference Honorable Mention her junior season, her second year as a team captain. As a sophomore she was named All-Conference Second Team and team MVP. She was the only freshman on the varsity team in 2011. Sibley brings club experience with the Portage Soccer Club and the Grand Rapids Crew. Academically, she was an Academic All-Conference section and named to the honor roll.
Maddie Korus (Lexington, Minn./Centennial) (Lexington, Minn./Centennial HS)
The 5-4 defender/midfielder was named Northwest Suburban Conference Honorable Mention following her senior season at Centennial High School. She helped her prep team to double-digit wins each of her four years. As a junior her team earned a sectional championship and advanced to the state quarterfinals. As a sophomore, Centennial finished third in the state in class AA. She played for Centennial Soccer Club from 2005-11. Her team won the Eau Claire United competition in 2009, finished second in both the 2010 Father Hennepin Cup and 2011 Lake Superior Open. She joined the Fire Soccer Club in 2011. Her Fire soccer team finished second at the 2013 Coon Rapids Invitational and won the 2013 U19 Premier league. In the classroom, she earned multiple awards for a cumulative GPA above 3.00.
Olivia McCafferty (Crown Point, Ind./Boone Grove) (Crown Point, Ind./Boone Grove HS)
The 5-4 forward made PCC and NWISC All-Conference First Team all four years at Boone Grove High School. She also made
NWI Times All-Area Second Team as a sophomore and junior and
NWI Times All-Area Honorable Mention as a freshman. During her junior season, McCafferty was voted as the top team player voted on by the area coaches and won the Mental Attitude Award. As a senior, she served as captain and went on to capture MVP honors after scoring 28 goals and 24 assists, her only year as a forward. During that season, her team won the sectional championship for the first time in the school's history for girls' soccer after she scored both goals in the final. McCafferty also played club soccer with the Demotte Tigers, winning the 2010 President's Cup and finishing fourth at the 2011 State Cup. She will graduate from Boone Grove with honors.
