University of Minnesota Athletics
Soccer Adds Nicole Baier
5/14/2010 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
Minneapolis - The University of Minnesota soccer team has added Nicole Baier for the 2010 season. Baier comes to Minnesota after a very successful season at the University of Nebraska, Omaha.
An native of Omaha, Neb., she joins the Golden Gophers fresh off an All-American season at the DII powerhouse. "We are excited that Nicole has decided to continue her career at the University of Minnesota," Minnesota head coach Mikki Denney Wright said. "I believe she is a great fit for the Gopher Soccer Family, and we look forward to watching her excel in her next three years with our team."
Baier was a Daktronics Division II Third Team All-American as a freshman, as well as an All-South Central Region First Teamer and the Region's Player of the year. In her first year in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association she was a unanimous First Team All-Conference player and was the league Player of the Year.
A forward, she scored 16 goals, six for game-winners and logged 11 assists for 43 points. She fired off 86 shots on the season and landed 45 on goal. Twice she had a hat trick on the year, and had eight multi goal games.
"I'm extremely excited and honored to get the opportunity to play for such a talented and welcoming group of girls and coaching staff," Baier said. "I know these girls will push and challenge me to my full potential and beyond."
Prior to college, she played high school and club soccer for Ed Dudley at Marian High School and for the Gladiator Tango respectivley. "Nicole has that certain something that all coaches look for," Dudley said. "As a forward she can run by, over or around a defender and then put the ball in the net. At both the high school and club levels, she has completely taken over a game by herself, and won it for her team. She is the real deal."
Baier will begin her career at the University of Minnesota in the fall of 2010, in her sophomore season.
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