Thirteen Come Aboard with More to Come

Kearney, Neb. – Nebraska-Kearney head soccer coach Chloe Roberts announced today the names of 13 high school seniors who'll join the program in the fall of 2019.

UNK had nine seniors among 19 players on last year's team. That senior class was the biggest in the program's 10-year history and this recruiting class will be one of the largest.

"I am very excited to welcome all of these young ladies to the Loper Soccer family. This is a big recruiting class full of great people with tremendous talent. As staff we have worked hard to add competition and depth in all areas of the field," said Roberts.

Roberts noted the team will likely add a couple of more players early next calendar year with the final roster size being around 25 players.

The large group to date includes six defenders, four midfielders, two midfielders/forwards and one midfielder/defender. By state, seven are from Nebraska, four hail from Kansas and one each is from Colorado and Wyoming.

"I am very confident they will come in eager to learn and embrace the culture we have created within the program and have an immediate impact. I look forward to them coming in and joining our already incredible group of returners. The future is very bright for UNK Soccer," said Roberts.

The Lopers went 5-12-1 (3-7-1) this past season, finishing 10th in the MIAA. UNK will begin spring workouts in March 2019.

Raegan Downham – Defender (5-10, Cheyenne, Wyo./Cheyenne South H.S.)

4-year soccer and track letterwinner
4-year first-team all-conference in soccer
Holds several South track records

Coach Roberts Quote: "Reagan is a tall, fast central defender. She will strengthen our back line with her desire and determination to win the ball."

Lily Engeman – Defender (6-0, Olathe, Kan./Olathe South H.S.)

4-year soccer letterwinner; 1-year cross country letterwinner
Had 14 assists and three goals (20 points) during the 2018 club season
Club team (KCSG Academy Copa) won the 2018 Kansas State Cup

Coach Roberts Quote: "Lily is a tall, strong central defender who reads the game very well. She is going to come in and provide strength to our back line right away."

Hannah Hardy – Midfielder (5-5, Kearney, Neb./Kearney H.S.)

3-year soccer letterwinner (senior season in spring 2019)
Part of Bearcats team that won a 2016 conference title and reached the Class A state tourney
Club program was the 2017 President's Cup State Champs & a State Cup semifinalist

Coach Roberts Quote: "Hannah is an energetic, creative central midfielder. She will add competition and depth both on the defensive and attacking side of the ball."

Caralee Legg – Midfielder (5-7, Topeka, Kan./Washburn Rural H.S.)

3-year varsity soccer letterwinner(senior season in spring 2019)
Had eight assists and seven goals (22 points) as a junior
Part of WRHS program that has finished in the top three at the state tourney three times

Coach Roberts Quote: "Caralee is a strong, intelligent player who is great on the ball. She will strengthen our midfield with her ability to create scoring opportunities while working hard on the defensive side of the ball."

Ariella Mesa – Midfielder (5-1, Olathe, Kan./Olathe Northwest H.S.)

4-year soccer letterwinner
Part of an ONW program that has won two league titles & one regional title
Part of a Club program (Kansas Rush) that won the 2016 State Cup

Coach Roberts Quote: – "Ariella is a very creative, technically gifted attacking midfielder who loves to be on the ball and make something happen. She will strengthen the center of our midfield, especially in the final third."

Molly Platt – Defender (5-9, Highlands Ranch, Colo./ThunderRidge H.S.)

2-year soccer letterwinner heading into senior season (spring 2019)
Five goals and 10 assists (10 points) for TRHS & 10 goals and 10 assists (30 points) in Club
Helped TRHS reach the 2018 Class 5A Sweet 16 & helped club team win the 2017 U18 state title

Coach Roberts Quote: – "Molly is a composed defensive midfielder with great vision and passing range. She will add a different dimension to our midfield on both sides of the ball."

Payton Rehn – Defender (5-4, Omaha, Neb./Skutt Catholic H.S.)

Part of a Skutt program that was the 2018 Class B state runners up & 2017 and 2016 state champs

Coach Roberts Quote: – "Peyton is a skillful, strong and energetic outside back who loves to take players on and get forward. She will add to both our defensive and attack side of the ball.

Emma Riedel - Defender (5-9, Kearney, Neb./Kearney H.S.)

3-year soccer letterwinner heading into senior season
NSAA All-Academic
Helped Club program (Nebraska Select) qualify for the President's Cup-Region 2

Coach Roberts Quote: – "Emma is strong, coachable defender who can play anywhere along the backline. She will add depth and competition in all of those spots."

Sierra Rohs – Defender/Midfielder (5-7, Wichita, Kan./Maize H.S.)

Soccer and volleyball letterwinner
Part of a MHS program that won a 2017 regional title and finished third in the state tourney
Also won a 2016 region title

Coach Roberts Quote: – "Sierra is a composed, intelligent player who can play both the center back and central midfield positions. Her leadership qualities, and skills on the ball will add depth and competition in both areas."

Katie Shields – Midfielder/Forward (5-3, Dominant Left Foot, Plattsmouth, Neb./Omaha Mercy H.S.)

Soccer and cross country letterwinner
Class B all-state as a junior
Has helped Mercy win two district titles and reach the state tourney twice

Coach Roberts Quote: – "Katie is a talented natural left footed, gifted, passionate player who loves to take players on and get forward. She will strengthen our attack with her technical and tactical aspects of the game."

Aleaya Snyder – Defender (5-6, Omaha, Neb./Omaha Mercy H.S.)

4-year soccer letterwinner
2-time honorable mention all-state
Has helped Mercy win two district titles and reach the state tourney twice

Coach Roberts Quote: –"Aleaya is a fast and talented defender who can play anywhere along the back line. She will strengthen our back with her athleticism and passion for the game."

Emma Weis – Midfielder/Forward (5-5, Omaha, Neb./Omaha Mercy H.S.)

3-year soccer letterwinner
Academic All-State and 2-time honorable mention all-state
Has helped Mercy win two district titles and reach the state tourney twice

Coach Roberts Quote: – "Emma is talented, hardworking, creative player who is great in taking others on with an eye for goal. She will strengthen our attack providing a threat going forward."

Isabella Whiston – Defender (5-3, Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln East H.S.)

3-year soccer letterwinner
Academic All-Conference
National Honor Society

Coach Roberts Quote: – "Isabella is a talented, energetic outside back who is great on the ball. She is going to add not only to our back line, but also be a threat going forward into the attack."

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