DATE: Feb. 4, 2015 CONTACT: Brad Folkestad, Director of Athletic Media Relations (218-755-4603 / [email protected])

Soccer Bemidji State soccer program gets commitments from six for 2015 Stone introduces future of the BSU soccer program

BEMIDJI Minn. -- Bemidji State University head soccer coach Jim Stone announced the commitments of six recruits for the 2015 season Wednesday. Alexandra Erickson (Coon Rapids, Minn.), Natalie Engel (Maple Grove, Minn.), Anna Fobbe (St. Paul, Minn.), Margaret Koehler (Hudson, Wis.), Danielle Nelson (Woodbury, Minn.) and Rachael Norton (Mounds View, Minn.) each signed National Letters of Intent to play soccer for the Beavers beginning next season.

“When we looked ahead to this recruiting class, one thing that we had in mind was creating more depth defensively, both with our back line and our midfield play,” said Stone. “I think that is also going to carry into our next recruiting class in 2016 because we are fairly attack-heavy. At the same time our goal every year is to find talented players who share our values.” Stone added, “I think with the six players that we are signing, we accomplished both tasks, while adding talent, diversity and depth.”

The 2015 signing class is made up of a defender, three forwards, a midfielder and a goalkeeper.

Bemidji State completed the 2014 campaign with an overall record of 9-9-1, while it finished tied for seventh in the final NSIC standings owning a 8-6-1 mark in league play. The Beavers, who earned the No. 8 seed in the US Bank / NSIC Tournament, was eliminated from the event by the nation’s No. 1 team in top-seeded Minnesota State University Mankato in the quarterfinal round. At the conclusion of the season, nine BSU soccer players were named to the Fall Academic All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Team; Sarah Stram, Christine Szurek, Raquel Thelen, and Bayley Ertl were tabbed to the All- NSIC team; and Stram and Szurek garnered 2014 NSCAA/Continental Tire Women’s NCAA Division II All-Central Region Team honors. In addition, the team was recognized with the NSCAA College Team Ethics and Sportsmanship Bronze Award and a NSCAA Team Academic Award.

Stone and the Beavers will return seven primary starters for 2015 after losing Sonja Barr, Rachel Scheller, Katie Espe, Molly Flahaven and Mari Wallestad to graduation. BSU returns its top six scorers, led by Stram, who netted 12 goals and six assists as a sophomore, while newcomer Thelen will return for her sophomore season after posting a team-best seven assists in 2014.

All signees are contingent upon admission to BSU and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Eligibility Center.

• Alexandra Erickson (Forward, 5-3; Coon Rapids, Minn. / Coon Rapids High School / Minnesota Thunder Academy) Erickson comes to Bemidji State after a four-year prep soccer career at Coon Rapids High School… A two-sport athlete for the Cardinals, she also competed in lacrosse... Erickson earned All-Northwest Suburban Conference honors to conclude each of her past three seasons and was named her team’s best forward... Erickson has also played club soccer for Minnesota Thunder Academy since 2011, where she played for former BSU Graduate Assistant Chris Citowicki for three club seasons.

Stone’s comments on Erickson: “Allie has great speed and she is an unbelievable athlete. She can strike the ball with both feet and shoot from distance. She has played for a high level club and had good coaching. We are really excited about what she brings as far as attacking play.”

Personal: Alexandra “Allie” Erickson is the daughter of Karen and Paul Erickson… Born October 31, 1996… Sister, Kirsten, played soccer at BSU from 2008-11… Plans to study business and minor in nutrition while attending BSU.

2015 Soccer Signing Day – page 2

• Natalie Engel (Defense, 5-10; Maple Grove, Minn. / Maple Grove High School / Anoka Ramsey Community College) Engel comes to Bemidji State after a year at Anoka Ramsey Community College, where she was named as a First-Team All- American, First-Team All-Region XIII and her team’s most valuable player… Prior to her community college career, Engel had a four-year prep soccer career at Maple Grove Senior High School… Earned All-North Suburban Conference honors and was named the Crimson’s defensive MVP.

Stone’s comments on Engel: “Natalie had a successful high school career and was an all-American last year at Anoka Ramsey Community College. She possesses a quality in height that you can’t coach and has leadership ability. She is good in the air and has the potential to compete for a center back position for us.”

Personal: Natalie Sarah Elizabeth Engle is the daughter of Elizabeth and Bob Engle… Born October 13, 1995… Brother, Nate, was a four-year letterwinner at University of Wisconsin-Superior… Is undecided on a major field of study at BSU.

• Anna Fobbe (Goalkeeper, 5-6; St. Paul, Minn. / Cretin-Derham Hall / Woodbury Soccer Club)

An eight-time letterwinner at Cretin-Derham Hall, Fobbe (FOH-bee) is a two-sport athlete, earning four letters both soccer and hockey… A four-year starter for the Raiders’ soccer team, Fobbe was named All-Suburban East three times and all-state as a senior… Led her team to a section championship in 2014… Was also a three-time all-conference selection in hockey… Additionally, Fobbe has played for the Woodbury Soccer Club.

Stone’s comments on Fobbe: “Anna was a great find for us. She is going to add the depth we need at the goalkeeper position. We are going to have two really strong goalkeepers that we are excited about. She was all-state last year and it seems like every coach we talk to says that she is going to be special. She is a great athlete, a great shot stopper and has incredible work ethic. She is the type of player that is going to get better every year, so we are fortunate to have her in our program.”

Personal: Anna Jean Fobbe… Born July 5, 1997… Daughter of Jean Fitzpatrick and Thomas Fobbe… Was a regular on the “Gold” Honor… Was also a four-year letterwinner in ice hockey as a prep… Plans to major in exercise science at BSU.

• Margaret Koehler (Forward, 5-8; Hudson, Wis. / Hudson Senior High School / St. Croix Academy)

A 12-time letterwinner at Hudson Senior High School, Koehler (KOH-ler) is a four-year start on the Raiders’ soccer and basketball teams… Is a two-time All-Big River Conference pick, earning first-team honors as a junior… Has led her team and been among the conference’s top scorers in 2013 and 2014... Led the Raiders to a conference title in 2014… Is a two-time captain for the Raiders’ soccer and basketball teams during each of the past two seasons… Was voted as her prep soccer team’s most dedicated, most tenacious and a true example of a student-athlete... Additionally, Koehler is a member of the St. Croix Academy, where she has been her team’s leading scorer during each of the past four seasons… The four-time club team captain, led St. Croix Academy to a state tournament three times, wining the championship in 2014.

Stone’s comments on Koehler: “Maggie is what we look for in a player. She is good academically, she has the personality that is going to make us better from the inside, out so to speak, and she is a really good athlete. She has great leadership potential as she is the captain of both her soccer and basketball teams. She has scored a lot of goals during her career, but we like the fact that she can give us some versatility in terms of where she could play.

Personal: Margaret “Maggie” Ann Koehler… Born May 5, 1997…Daughter of Darcey and Shawn Koehler… Was a four-year member of the Hudson High Academic Honor Roll and received an Academic Excellence Award… Plans to major in exercise science with minors in health promotion and education while at BSU.

• Danielle Nelson (Forward / Midfield, 5-3; Woodbury, Minn. / Woodbury High School / Minnesota Thunder Academy)

A three-time letterwinner for the Woodbury High School girl’s soccer team, won the team’s most dedicated award in 2011, Rookie of the Year in 2012 and is a two-time All-Suburban East selection in 2013 and 2014… Suffered a season-ending injury during the 2011 season, and worked her way back into a starting role in 2012… Also participated in the Olympic Development Program Regional Camp in 2013 and was a ODP state player from 2010-12… In addition played for the Minnesota Thunder Academy U18 team, where her coach was former BSU Graduate Assistant Chris Citowicki.

Stone’s comments on Nelson: “I think Dani fits the theme of this class, which I would say is hard work. We have made a cognitive effort to recruit players with good work ethic. Every time we watched her, she improved another part of her game. Technically, she is good on the ball. Although she isn’t the tallest player, she is really good in the air. She is strong and I think she is going to be a great player in our program. She’ll likely be a holding mid for us, but could play a few other places.

2014 Soccer Signing Day – page 3

Personal: Danielle “Dani” Elizabeth Nelson… Born October 10, 1996… Daughter of Sarah and Gary Nelson… Earned academic letters in 2012, 1013 and 2014… Garnered BSU Success Scholarship for 2015… Major area of study is psychology with minors in Spanish and coaching.

• Rachael Norton (Forward, 5-5; Mounds View, Minn. / / NOSC Blast)

Norton comes to BSU from Irondale High School where she earned seven athletic letters, participating in both soccer and basketball… A perennial All-Northwest Suburban selection, Norton set a single-season school record with 30 goals in 2012 and finished her prep career with 83 goals... Earned North Metro Second Team, East Metro First Team and second-team all- state honors to cap her junior season… The 2014 team captain was named Irondale’s MVP en route to her third all-state honor in 2014.... Additionally, Norton has been a member of the North Oaks Soccer Club since 2012… Led Blast Soccer to back-to- back Minnesota State Cup Championships (2013-2014), a 2014 Premier League title and just one game form qualifying for nationals.

Stone’s comments on Norton: “Rachel is the type of player and person that every coach in our league would want on their roster. She scored close to 90 goals in high school. Again going back to the theme, each time we watch her, she seems to improve. Last time we saw her at an event, she looked better than she ever had. I think she has the potential to be a great player in this league. She is fast and explosive, she is a good finisher and has a nose for the goal.”

Personal: Rachael Louise Norton… Born August 5, 1997… Daughter of Becky and Pat Norton… Is also a basketball player at Irondale… A 2014 team captain… Earned Academic Excellence for both soccer and basketball during each year of her high school career… Was voted Irondale’s 2014 Homecoming Queen… She is undecided on a major field of study.

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Nestled in Northern Minnesota’s wooded region and located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

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