University of Minnesota Athletics
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Minnesota Inks Five on National Signing Day
11/8/2023 2:16:00 PM | Soccer
Joining the Maroon and Gold next season are Aaryn Gabriel (Kernersville, N.C.), Ashley Thurk (Edina, Minn.), Avery Petty (Golden Valley, Minn.), Grace Estby (Wayzata, Minn.), and Karson Yon (Durham, N.C.).
MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota soccer head coach Erin Chastain and her all-female coaching staff announced the addition of five new Golden Gophers for the 2024 season with the signing of letters of intent.
Joining the Maroon and Gold next season are Aaryn Gabriel (Kernersville, N.C.), Ashley Thurk (Edina, Minn.), Avery Petty (Golden Valley, Minn.), Grace Estby (Wayzata, Minn.), and Karson Yon (Durham, N.C.).
"It's always an exciting day to add tremendous student-athletes to our Gopher Soccer family," said head coach Erin Chastain. "We are really excited about this incoming class. The class has a lot of versatility from a position standpoint and will add to both our on-field product and our team culture. They are competitive, athletic and driven and share a passion for the University of Minnesota and the chance to represent this special place."
Aaryn Gabriel | Kernersville, N.C. | NC Fusion ECNL NL
"I selected the University of Minnesota for many reasons," said Gabriel. "Primarily, it attracted me with its student centered campus and inspiring environment for my academic journey. The city of Minneapolis has endless opportunities where I can explore, learn, and grow. The soccer program, along with its dedicated coaches and talented players, greatly influenced my decision. I'm passionate about sports and being part of a community that values athletics and academics is something I cherish. I'm excited to study in a new and diverse location both academically and culturally."
Gabriel joins the Golden Gophers after playing with the NC Fusion ECNL NL and in the USL Women's League. Gabriel was an ECNL NL All-Conference selection along with being named to the Mid-Atlantic U16 and U17 first team. The signee also received invitations to the US Soccer YNT (Youth National Team) Regional ID Center in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Gabriel competes for Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy and was named all-conference in soccer, basketball, indoor and outdoor track. She is a member of NHS, NTHS, and is a Crosby Scholar. Currently, she is the 2023 SGA President of her school and has been named to the Honor Roll every year since her sophomore year.
Gabriel is the daughter of Shawan and Keisha Gabriel and has one sister, Saniya. Father Shawan played football at Lenoir-Rhyne University and Guilford College. She intends to major in physical activity and health promotions with a minor in business management. Â
Ashley Thurk | Edina, Minn. | Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I loved the idea of getting to play for my home state, so that my family and friends can watch me play," said Thurk. "I also love Erin Chastain and the coaching staff and everything that the University of Minnesota has to offer, including the business school, the Carlson School of Management. I'm so excited to play with several of my Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL club teammates."
Thurk signs with Minnesota after competing with MTA ECNL, where she qualified for the ECNL Champions League twice. Recently, her team competed and won the 2023 Sweden Gothia Cup, a tournament that is considered the largest, most international, and competitive youth cup in the world. Thurk competes in soccer and track at Edina High School and has competed at the varsity level since her freshman year. Recently, Thurk and the Hornets won the 2023 MSHSL Class AAA State Soccer Tournament over Wayzata. Prior to her championship run, Edina won the 2AAA Section Championship to advance to the MSHSL State Soccer Tournament in 2021 (third place finish) and 2022 (second place finish). For her athletic efforts, Thurk was named a Lakes Conference honorable mention in 2022 and 2023, while being named to the MSHSL All-State Soccer Team in 2021 and 2022. The Minnesota native also has been selected to the Lakes Conference All-Track Team in 2021 and 2022 while receiving Academic All-State honors in 2022 and 2023. Thurk has also been the recipient of the Academic Excellence Award the last two years.
The daughter of Catherine and Paul Thurk, she has three brothers, Jack, Mikey, and Willy. Mikey competes on the swim team at Villanova. Thurk intends to major in business at the Carlson School of Management. She will join the Golden Gophers alongside current MTA ECNL teammates Avery Petty and Grace Estby.
Avery Petty | Golden Valley, Minn. | Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL
"I've always wanted to play for my hometown team, the Minnesota Golden Gophers," said Petty. "I grew up going to games and now I have the chance to wear the uniform and play on the same field, Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium."
Petty will join the Maroon and Gold squad after being a five year soccer letter winner at Hopkins High School. The signee is a four time Lakes Conference All-Conference selection, three time All-State selection, and two time All-Section selection. Petty was named to the USYS National Championships Best XI in 2022 and was selected as the 2022 USPSL Midwest Region MVP.Â
The daughter of Adam and Kristin Petty, she has two older sisters, Madison and Jordyn. Sister Jordyn is a goalkeeper at Northern Iowa. Her grandfather John played basketball at Ohio State University. Avery intends on majoring in marketing and graphic design. She will join the Maroon and Gold alongside current MTA ECNL teammates Ashley Thurk and Grace Estby.
Grace Estby | Wayzata, Minn. | Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL
"Minnesota is close to home, has an all-female coaching staff, amazing players with perfect soccer weather in fall," said Estby. "It also has an amazing athletic village for student-athletes."
Estby signs with Minnesota after competing with the Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL team. Estby was a four-time ECNL Champions League qualifier and was part of the 2021 squad that won the ECNL Midwest Conference. Estby has earned eight varsity letters at Wayzata High School in soccer and track. She was a Lakes Conference All-Conference selection in 2022, during the same year she was named All-Section and All-State. This past season, Estby was recognized to the 2023 All-Metro team and were the 2023 MSHSL Class AAA State Soccer Runners Up. With the Trojans, Estby has been a four-time Section 6AAA Champion and State Tournament qualifier. Notably, she was named a High School Soccer All-American.Â
The daughter of Tara and Brad Estby, has two brothers Maxwell and Charles. She will join the Maroon and Gold alongside current MTA ECNL teammates Ashley Thurk and Avery Petty.
Karson Yon | Durham, N.C. | NC Courage ECNL
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I feel it's a place where I can grow both on and off the field," said Yon. "The minute I walked onto campus and was around the soccer team I felt a family-like atmosphere of women who loved and supported each other. In addition, to the amazing academics and raging school spirit, I'm so excited to be a Golden Gopher!"
Yon joins the Maroon and Gold after competing with the NC Courage ECNL program. Named a Top Drawer Soccer three-star prospect, Yon was also a USL Academy Cup participant. The Top Drawer Soccer Top 50 South Atlantic Player was a two year ECNL Champions League participant in 2022 and 2023. Her team reached the ECNL Sweet Sixteen at the national tournament and won the USL Academy Cup.Â
The daughter of Cheron and Larry, has two siblings Larry and Kennedy. Mother Cheron ran track at University of North Carolina - Central for four years, father Larry played basketball at Saint Andrews University for two years, sister Kennedy is a sophomore and plays soccer at Florida International University. Karson intends to major in kinesiology.
Joining the Maroon and Gold next season are Aaryn Gabriel (Kernersville, N.C.), Ashley Thurk (Edina, Minn.), Avery Petty (Golden Valley, Minn.), Grace Estby (Wayzata, Minn.), and Karson Yon (Durham, N.C.).
"It's always an exciting day to add tremendous student-athletes to our Gopher Soccer family," said head coach Erin Chastain. "We are really excited about this incoming class. The class has a lot of versatility from a position standpoint and will add to both our on-field product and our team culture. They are competitive, athletic and driven and share a passion for the University of Minnesota and the chance to represent this special place."
Aaryn Gabriel | Kernersville, N.C. | NC Fusion ECNL NL
"I selected the University of Minnesota for many reasons," said Gabriel. "Primarily, it attracted me with its student centered campus and inspiring environment for my academic journey. The city of Minneapolis has endless opportunities where I can explore, learn, and grow. The soccer program, along with its dedicated coaches and talented players, greatly influenced my decision. I'm passionate about sports and being part of a community that values athletics and academics is something I cherish. I'm excited to study in a new and diverse location both academically and culturally."
Gabriel joins the Golden Gophers after playing with the NC Fusion ECNL NL and in the USL Women's League. Gabriel was an ECNL NL All-Conference selection along with being named to the Mid-Atlantic U16 and U17 first team. The signee also received invitations to the US Soccer YNT (Youth National Team) Regional ID Center in 2018, 2019, and 2021. Gabriel competes for Winston-Salem Preparatory Academy and was named all-conference in soccer, basketball, indoor and outdoor track. She is a member of NHS, NTHS, and is a Crosby Scholar. Currently, she is the 2023 SGA President of her school and has been named to the Honor Roll every year since her sophomore year.
Gabriel is the daughter of Shawan and Keisha Gabriel and has one sister, Saniya. Father Shawan played football at Lenoir-Rhyne University and Guilford College. She intends to major in physical activity and health promotions with a minor in business management. Â
Ashley Thurk | Edina, Minn. | Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I loved the idea of getting to play for my home state, so that my family and friends can watch me play," said Thurk. "I also love Erin Chastain and the coaching staff and everything that the University of Minnesota has to offer, including the business school, the Carlson School of Management. I'm so excited to play with several of my Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL club teammates."
Thurk signs with Minnesota after competing with MTA ECNL, where she qualified for the ECNL Champions League twice. Recently, her team competed and won the 2023 Sweden Gothia Cup, a tournament that is considered the largest, most international, and competitive youth cup in the world. Thurk competes in soccer and track at Edina High School and has competed at the varsity level since her freshman year. Recently, Thurk and the Hornets won the 2023 MSHSL Class AAA State Soccer Tournament over Wayzata. Prior to her championship run, Edina won the 2AAA Section Championship to advance to the MSHSL State Soccer Tournament in 2021 (third place finish) and 2022 (second place finish). For her athletic efforts, Thurk was named a Lakes Conference honorable mention in 2022 and 2023, while being named to the MSHSL All-State Soccer Team in 2021 and 2022. The Minnesota native also has been selected to the Lakes Conference All-Track Team in 2021 and 2022 while receiving Academic All-State honors in 2022 and 2023. Thurk has also been the recipient of the Academic Excellence Award the last two years.
The daughter of Catherine and Paul Thurk, she has three brothers, Jack, Mikey, and Willy. Mikey competes on the swim team at Villanova. Thurk intends to major in business at the Carlson School of Management. She will join the Golden Gophers alongside current MTA ECNL teammates Avery Petty and Grace Estby.
Avery Petty | Golden Valley, Minn. | Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL
"I've always wanted to play for my hometown team, the Minnesota Golden Gophers," said Petty. "I grew up going to games and now I have the chance to wear the uniform and play on the same field, Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium."
Petty will join the Maroon and Gold squad after being a five year soccer letter winner at Hopkins High School. The signee is a four time Lakes Conference All-Conference selection, three time All-State selection, and two time All-Section selection. Petty was named to the USYS National Championships Best XI in 2022 and was selected as the 2022 USPSL Midwest Region MVP.Â
The daughter of Adam and Kristin Petty, she has two older sisters, Madison and Jordyn. Sister Jordyn is a goalkeeper at Northern Iowa. Her grandfather John played basketball at Ohio State University. Avery intends on majoring in marketing and graphic design. She will join the Maroon and Gold alongside current MTA ECNL teammates Ashley Thurk and Grace Estby.
Grace Estby | Wayzata, Minn. | Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL
"Minnesota is close to home, has an all-female coaching staff, amazing players with perfect soccer weather in fall," said Estby. "It also has an amazing athletic village for student-athletes."
Estby signs with Minnesota after competing with the Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL team. Estby was a four-time ECNL Champions League qualifier and was part of the 2021 squad that won the ECNL Midwest Conference. Estby has earned eight varsity letters at Wayzata High School in soccer and track. She was a Lakes Conference All-Conference selection in 2022, during the same year she was named All-Section and All-State. This past season, Estby was recognized to the 2023 All-Metro team and were the 2023 MSHSL Class AAA State Soccer Runners Up. With the Trojans, Estby has been a four-time Section 6AAA Champion and State Tournament qualifier. Notably, she was named a High School Soccer All-American.Â
The daughter of Tara and Brad Estby, has two brothers Maxwell and Charles. She will join the Maroon and Gold alongside current MTA ECNL teammates Ashley Thurk and Avery Petty.
Karson Yon | Durham, N.C. | NC Courage ECNL
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I feel it's a place where I can grow both on and off the field," said Yon. "The minute I walked onto campus and was around the soccer team I felt a family-like atmosphere of women who loved and supported each other. In addition, to the amazing academics and raging school spirit, I'm so excited to be a Golden Gopher!"
Yon joins the Maroon and Gold after competing with the NC Courage ECNL program. Named a Top Drawer Soccer three-star prospect, Yon was also a USL Academy Cup participant. The Top Drawer Soccer Top 50 South Atlantic Player was a two year ECNL Champions League participant in 2022 and 2023. Her team reached the ECNL Sweet Sixteen at the national tournament and won the USL Academy Cup.Â
The daughter of Cheron and Larry, has two siblings Larry and Kennedy. Mother Cheron ran track at University of North Carolina - Central for four years, father Larry played basketball at Saint Andrews University for two years, sister Kennedy is a sophomore and plays soccer at Florida International University. Karson intends to major in kinesiology.
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