University of Minnesota Athletics
SOC: Golden Gophers Sign Outstanding Recruiting Class
2/1/2005 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
2005 Minnesota Soccer Signees (12)
Name Pos. Hometown (High School/Club Team) Kelsey Hood M Ankeny, Iowa (Ankeny/Ankeny Soccer Club) Elena Fruci F Mahtomedi, MN (Mahtomedi/St. Croix Elite) Kaitlin Wagner M Wayzata, MN (Wayzata/St. Croix Elite) Clare Grimwood M/D Eagan, MN (Eagan/St. Croix Elite) Lindsey Schwartz F Bettendorf, IA (Pleasant Valley/Heartland Soccer Club) Ashley Seeler D/M Eden Prairie, MN (Eden Prairie/St. Croix Elite) Marti Klinsing F Wayzata, MN (Wayzata/Woodbury Wildcats) Carlie Edwards D Inver Grove Heights, MN (Simley/St. Croix Elite) Elise Bjerkenas D Wayzata MN (Wayzata/Wayzata Wave) Nikki Jensen F Richfield, MN (Richfield/Bloomington Soccer Club) Kalli Elias F/M/D Byron, MN (Byron/RYSA) Kara Elias F/M/D Bryon, MN (Byron/RYSA)
Head Coach Mikki Denney Wright comments on the 2005 signees: "This is a great recruiting class. Our coaching staff worked very hard this year to keep the top players from Minnesota at home, and to draw the top talent in the Region. We feel that this class will help raise the level of our program. They are talented soccer players, fantastic people and courageous leaders. They are a great fit for Minnesota Soccer, and they will bring passion and drive to our team. Our fans will be excited to see this class compete next fall at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium."
Kelsey Hood
POSITION: Midfield
HOMETOWN: Ankeny, Iowa
HIGH SCHOOL: Ankeny High School (Rhoda Fohrs)
CLUB TEAM: Ankeny Soccer Club (Ozzie White)
"Kelsey is one of the most talented midfielders in the nation, and is clearly one of the top recruits we have ever had here at Minnesota Soccer. She has incredible technical ability, outstanding vision and tremendous playmaking ability. She has proven herself on the national level, and will continue to excel in the Minnesota Soccer program. She will be an important addition this year as an attacking midfielder, and will be one of the most exciting newcomers in the Big Ten." -- Coach Denney Wright
Member of the Region II Team 2000-2004..ESP National Camp 2002, 2003. Region II European Tour '02. one of eight seniors in Region II invited to play in 2005 Interregional Event in Home Depot Center in LA ... Iowa State Cup Champions 2000-2004 .. four-year basketball letter winner ... three-year starter on Class 4A State Championship Basketball Team ... High School Basketball Team currently ranked #15 in USA Today poll. chose Minnesota over Florida, Auburn, Kansas and West Virginia.
Elena Fruci
POSITION: Forward
HOMETOWN: Mahtomedi, Minn. (Mike Redmond)
HIGH SCHOOL: Mahtomedi High School (Jeff Zupfer)
CLUB TEAM: St. Croix Elite
"Elena is such an attacking force. She has great speed, quickness, attacking mentality, and a wonderful ability to finish. She single-handily destroyed defenses at Mahtomedi this year. She will make an immediate impact as a front runner on our team. We hope she is the first of many "Ms. Soccer" award winners to come to the U." -- Coach Denney Wright
2004 Minnesota "Ms. Soccer" .. 2004 NSCAA/adidas All-American.. 2001- 2004 Minnesota ODP Team. 2001, '02, '03 Region A/B Pool. St Paul Pioneer Press Soccer Athlete of the Year 2004. Star Tribune Soccer Athlete of the Year 2004.. All-State, All- Metro Team 2003, '04. All-Conference 2001- 2004..Kare 11 Prep Athlete of the Week '04.. HS State Champs, Section Champs, Conference Champs '04.. Club Team ranked #17 in the nation. three Club State Championships.2002 Region II Semi-finalist ..2003 Orange Classic Semi-Finalist. chose Minnesota over Iowa State and Creighton.
Kaitlin Wagner
POSITION: Midfield
HOMETOWN: Wayzata, Minn.
HIGH SCHOOL: Wayzata High School (Tony Peszneker)
CLUB TEAM: St. Croix Elite (Jeff Zupfer)
"Kaitlin is a gifted soccer player, and a wizard with the ball. She possesses tremendous skill and speed of play, and will look to contribute immediately in the midfield. We see Kaitlin as a future leader for our program because of her competitive spirit, drive and work rate." -- Coach Denney Wright
Ranked as one of the top five AA soccer players in the State by MSHSSCA.. 2003-2004 Minnesota ODP Team. Region II B Pool. Club Team ranked #17 in the nation. three Club State Championships.2002 Region II Semi-finalist..2003 Orange Classic Semi- Finalist. HS All-State, All-Conference, All- Metro, All-State Tournament Team, 2002, '03, '04.. 2003 and '04 HS Conference Championship. 2002 HS State Championship.HS MVP Midfield 2002, '03, '04. chose Minnesota over Michigan State and University of Kentucky.
Clare Grimwood
POSITION: Midfield/Defender
HOMETOWN: Eagan, MN
HIGH SCHOOL: Eagan High School (Mark Obarski)
CLUB TEAM: St. Croix Elite (Jeff Zupfer)
"Clare is a feisty, dynamic and versatile player. She is crafty on the ball, and a warrior on defense. We are looking to develop Clare as an outside back or defensive midfielder for next year. As a left-sided player, she will be a much needed addition to our back line. She will bring great personality and passion to our team." -- Coach Denney Wright
Ranked as one of the top five AA soccer players in the State by MSHSSCA.. Senior Classic Outstanding Player of the game.. Minnesota ODP 4 years.. All- State 2003, '04. All Conference, All- Metro 2002, '03, '04.. HS Captain and MVP '04. Club team ranked #17 in the nation. three Club State Championships.'02 Region II Semi-finalist ..03 Orange Classic Semi-Finalist.. chose Minnesota over Long Beach State and UC-Santa Barbara.
Lindsey Schwartz
POSITION: Forward
HOMETOWN: Bettendorf, Iowa
HIGH SCHOOL: Pleasant Valley High School (Cathy Allbaugh)
CLUB TEAM: Heartland Soccer Club (Colin Crichton)
"Lindsey is an incredibly gifted athlete. She is a tremendously fast and dynamic, and is a dangerous attacker. Her potential is tremendous. I think she will impact the Big Ten immediately with her athleticism, and she will greatly help our attack. We love to recruit leaders, and Lindsey is born a leader. At her High School, she is captain of her basketball, volleyball and soccer team. We can't wait to have her as part of our program." -- Coach Denney Wright
Pleasant Valley Female Athlete of the Year 2004.. Iowa ODP Team 1998-2004. High School Soccer MVP 2003 and '04. Leading Scorer & Leading Assists '04. 2004 MAC Conference Champion. . four-sport Athlete, Basketball, Volleyball, Track & Soccer.. 2004 Captain Soccer, Basketball, & Volleyball. State Qualifier in Track (400 M Hurdles). chose Minnesota over Iowa State, West Virginia and Rice University.
Ashley Seeler
POSITION: Midfield/Defender
HOMETOWN: Eden Prairie, Minn.
HIGH SCHOOL: Eden Prairie High School (Bob Pacieznik)
CLUB TEAM: St. Croix Elite (Jeff Zupfer)
"Ashley is a tenacious defender and an intelligent attacker. She will be a great ball winner for us in the midfield, and I believe she will challenge immediately for a starting spot this fall as a defensive midfielder. Every time we watch Ashley play she gets better and better, and we can't wait to add her to our team this fall." -- Coach Denney Wright
Ranked as one of the top five High School AA soccer players in the State by MSHSSCA . ..2000-2004 Minnesota ODP Team... Club team ranked #17 in the nation. Club State Championship 2004..HS All- State '04.1st Team All-Metro '04.All-Conference 2002, 2003, 2004.State Tournament Team 2003.. HS MVP '04.. HS Captain 2004. .Two uncles played for the Gophers (Scott Schuveiller, baseball '82- 84, Mike Pehrson, baseball '82- 86).. chose Minnesota over Indiana.
Marti Klinsing
POSITION: Forward
HOMETOWN: Wayzata, Minn.
HIGH SCHOOL: Wayzata High School (Tony Peszneker)
CLUB TEAM: Woodbury Wildcats (Kate Cortis)
"Marti is a true target front runner with a fearless mentality. She is a great ball winner and has a combative attacking mentality. She will add bite to our attack next fall. We feel she will have a tremendous future as a Gopher." -- Coach Denney Wright
One of the leading goal scorers in the state..2004 Minnesota ODP Team..All-State, All- Metro, All-Conference, All State Tournament Team '03.. HS State Champions 2002.. Channel 12 Team '03. Trojans Best Forward '03.. Trojans leading scorer '02. four-year varsity letterwinner in soccer.. three-year varsity letterwinner in basketball.
Carlie Edwards
POSITION: Defender
HOMETOWN: Inver Grove Heights, MN
HIGH SCHOOL: Simley High School (Steve Buterin)
CLUB TEAM: St. Croix Elite (Jeff Zupfer)
"We are very excited to add Carlie to our program. Carlie will immediately challenge for playing time as an outside back. She serves a tremendous long ball, and is dangerous on set pieces. Her drive to be great is contagious, and I believe that she will be an important leader for our team in the future." -- Coach Denney Wright
1998, 2003, '04 Minnesota ODP Team..Club team ranked #17 in the nation.. three Club State Championships..2002 Region II Semi-finalist..'03 Orange Classic Semi-Finalist. HS All- State 2003, '04.. HS All Conference 2001- 2004. HS MVP '03.
Elise Bjerkenas
POSITION: Defender
HOMETOWN: Wayzata, MN
HIGH SCHOOL: Wayzata High School (Tony Peszneker)
CLUB TEAM: Wayzata Wave (Tony Peszneker)
"Elise is a great defender and an effective organizer in the back. She is lethal on set pieces, and has a great ability to strike the ball. We are looking to develop Elise as a center back in our program. She will contribute great things in the future." -- Coach Denney Wright
All-State, All-Conference, All-Tournament Team Team 2003.. HS Captain. Trojan Best Defender '03.. Channel 12 Team '03...HS State Champions 2002.. Letterwinner in soccer and alpine skiing.
Nikki Jensen
POSITION: Forward
HOMETOWN: Richfield, Minn.
HIGH SCHOOL: Richfield High School (Rob Nelson)
CLUB TEAM: Bloomington Soccer Club (Scott Zachmann)
"Nikki is a talented athlete with unlimited potential. We originally recruited Nikki out of Minnesota Soccer Camp last summer because we were so impressed with her training mentality and athleticism. She has been successful in three sports during high school, and we are excited to see her develop in our program." -- Coach Denney Wright
HS All-Conference 2003, '04.. HS All- State 2003, '04. HS MVP 2004. HS MVP Forward 2003, '04. varsity letter (four years) in soccer, basketball and track.
Kalli Elias
POSITION: Forward/Midfield/Defender
HOMETOWN: Byron, Minn.
HIGH SCHOOL: Byron High School (Marc Stangler)
CLUB TEAM: RYSA (Neil Vassar)
All-State 2003, All- Conference 2003, '04.. HS Team Captain 2004.. HS Track All- State 2003..HS Track All-Conference 2000, '01, '02, '03
Kara Elias
POSITION: Forward/Midfield/Defender
HOMETOWN: Byron, Minn.
HIGH SCHOOL: Byron High School (Marc Stangler)
CLUB TEAM: RYSA (Neil Vassar)
All-State 2003, All-Conference 2003, '04..HS Team Captain 2004. HS MVP 2004.. HS Track All- State 2000.. HS Track All-Conference 2000, 2001, '02, '03
The 2005 season kicks off on Aug. 26 at Nebraska. Fans first chance to catch the 2005 Golden Gophers and the fab freshmen is on Sunday, Sept. 11 as Minnesota faces South Dakota State. The full schedule can be found here!
