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Photo by: Bjorn Franke
Minnesota Adds Nine to 2025-26 Roster
11/13/2024 1:30:00 PM | Soccer
MINNEAPOLIS - University of Minnesota head soccer coach Erin Chastain announced the addition of nine new Golden Gophers for the 2025 season on Wednesday afternoon.
Joining Minnesota's squad are Tyra Chu (Sterling Heights, Mich.), Tenley Senden (Medina, Minn.), Sawyer Danielson (St. Paul, Minn.), Mya Nugent (Long Grove, Ill.), Jacqueline Keller (River Forest, Ill.), Hannah Heinlein (El Dorado Hills, Calif.), Emily Filbrun (Saline, Mich.), Emily Buescher (Naperville, Ill.), and Brenna Schoenfelder (Castle Pines, Colo.).
Tyra Chu | Sterling Heights, Mich. | Athens High School | Nationals SC ECNL
"I chose the University of Minnesota because of the soccer program and academics as well as the team culture," said Chu. "I felt like the environment is a good fit and gives me the best opportunity to grow myself as a person, student, and athlete."
Chu joins after competing with Nationals SC ECNL since 2016 and Detroit City FC USL W League since 2024. Since 2021, the defender has received five invitations to the USYNT Talent ID camps. With Nationals, she was a GA Nationals finalist last summer and won the GA Mid-America Cup for the fourth-straight season. This past summer, Chu played alongside current Gophers Sophia Romine, Kate Childers, and Ally Childers with Detroit City FC and were the 2024 USL W League Central Conference Champions.
The daughter of Tuyen Chu and Phuong Nguyen, she has one sibling, Peter. The Sterling Heights, Mich., native is the first in her family to play a collegiate sport. Chu intends to major in biology.
Tenley Senden | Medina, Minn. | Wayzata High School | Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL
"Ever since I've known about the University of Minnesota, I've wanted to go there," said Senden. "Knowing it's close to home, and both my parents played sports there made me want to go there even more. When I'd attend Gopher Football games, it made me fall in love with the campus; I always saw myself being there."
Staying in her home state, Senden joins Minnesota after competing with MTA ECNL, where she has competed since 2022. Senden, a Medina, Minn., native also plays for Wayzata High School in the Lakes Conference. With the Trojans, they've seen success the last three seasons reaching the state quarterfinal in 2022, state runners up in 2023, and state champions last fall. This past season, Senden was recognized to the Lakes All-Conference and MSHSL All-State Teams.
Her mom Kristen was on the gymnastics team at Minnesota and dad Stuart played on the men's hockey team. Grandfather Bruce Vandersall worked with the Gopher football program and worked as high up as Defensive Coordinator. Her uncle, Mark, also played baseball for Minnesota. Currently, her older sister Brynn competes on the Gopher women's basketball team. She has one younger brother, Callen and intends to major in interior design.
Sawyer Danielson | St. Paul, Minn. | St. Paul Academy | Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I loved the community the soccer team had," said Danielson. "It felt like home right away, on my visit and I missed it once I left. I love the campus and how it's in the city and it has a really great college for what I want to go into. I love the feeling and atmosphere at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium while watching the games so I am excited to experience it on the field. I chose the Minnesota because of all of the great opportunities it has to offer."
Danielson will join after competing with MTA ECNL for five seasons. Danielson led MTA to National Qualifiers in 2021, 2023, and 2024. A native of St. Paul, Minn., Danielson plays at St. Paul Academy and has earned varsity letters in soccer and cross country. With the Spartan soccer team, she's earned All-Conference and All-State honors three years in a row. In 2023, Danielson helped lead St. Paul Academy to win the MSHSL Single A State Championship while earning All-Metro accolades.
The daughter of Ben and Carey Bollinger Danielson, she has a brother, Carter, and a sister, Emma. Dad Ben was a cross country and track and field athlete at St. Olaf, mom Alysia Danielson ran track and St. Thomas, and stepmother Carey played college soccer at Harvard. Her brother plays soccer at Claremont McKenna College. Danielson intends to major in marketing and sports management.
Mya Nugent | Long Grove, Ill. | Adlai E. Stevenson High School | FC United GA
"Academically the University of Minnesota has a very good scientific research program," said Nugent. "Athletically, it's very competitive in the Big Ten conference. There's a great team culture and staff that cares about the development and success of their athletes."
Nugent comes to the Land of 10,000 Lakes after six seasons competing with FC United GA and one season with USL W League team River Light FC. The attacking midfielder has received five invitations to the USYNT ID camps from 2018-2022. The Long Grove, Ill., native was named to the GA Mid America Talent ID team from 2021-23 and the GA National Talent ID Team in 2022 and 2023.
The daughter of Karin and Mike Nugent, she has one brother Caden. Nugent intends to major in Biochemistry and minor in photography.
Jacqueline Keller | River Forest, Ill. | Fenwick High School | Galaxy SC GA
"I chose the University of Minnesota because of its business school and the coaching staff," said Keller. "On my visit when I formally met the staff I had no doubt I would commit if offered."
Keller joins after playing competitively with Galaxy SC GA for two seasons. The goalkeeper is also a talented multi-sport athlete, playing competitive travel basketball, lacrosse and earned varsity letters on the basketball team at Fenwick High School as a freshman and sophomore. Keller has also excelled in the classroom, as she is a member of the National Honors Society.
The daughter of Kara and Jon Keller, she is the youngest of five children: Brittany, Katie, Ben, and Max. Keller intends to major in business management and finance.
Hannah Heinlein | El Dorado Hills, Calif. | Oak Ridge High School | San Juan Soccer Club ECNL
"I chose the University of Minnesota because of the amazing team dynamics, strong coaching staff and great academic reputation that the school has to offer," said Heinlein. "Another reason why I chose Minnesota is because it offers four beautiful seasons!"
Heinlein will come to Dinkytown after playing competitively with San Juan Soccer Club ECNL for six years. At the end of last season, her squad was ranked the No. 5 team in the ECNL. In 2021 and 2022, Heinlein was a First Team All-League ECNL Conference selection and Second Team selection in 2024. Individually, Heinlein has received an invite to the National Team Player Development Program from 2022-24. She also competes at Oak Ridge High School in the CIF - Sac-Joaquin Section Division I. Heinlein has earned a varsity letter all four years in soccer and named a first team all-league member from 2022-24. For three-straight years, Heinlein was voted the Oak Ridge High School female athlete of the year and won the 2022 Norcal Division I State Championship.
The daughter of Bryce and Amber Heinlein, she has one older sister, Alyssa. Mom Amber ran track at California State University Sacramento and sister runs track at California State Fullerton. Heinlein intends to major in human physiology.
Emily Filbrun | Saline, Mich. | Saline High School | Michigan Hawks ECNL
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I felt so welcomed from the moment I stepped on campus," said Filbrun. "I couldn't wait to become a part of the culture I experienced. I think Minnesota will provide me with the competitive environment I look for in both soccer and academics."
Filbrun will join after playing with the Michigan Hawks ECNL for eight seasons. With the Hawks, Filbrun earned ECNL Midwest Conference first team recognition in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, her team won the ECNL Midwest Conference Championship in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In 2022, Filbrun received an invitation to the U.S. Soccer Girls Youth National Team ID Center.
Emily is the daughter of Amy and Dave Filbrun, she has one sister Tricia. She intends to major in kinesiology.
Emily Buescher | Naperville, Ill. | Naperville North High School | Chicago FC United GA
"I chose the University of Minnesota because both the team and coaching staff made me feel welcomed from the minute I met them," said Buescher. "In addition, I strongly believe that Minnesota is the perfect fit for me academically and athletically."
Buescher joins the Gophers after playing competitively with Chicago FC United GA since 2021. From 2022-23, Buescher received GA Mid-America Talent ID Team honors with her club team. Buescher attends and plays for Naperville High School where she earned varsity letters in 2023 and 2024. She was an all-conference, all-section, and all-area selection during both seasons. In addition, she was named Most Valuable Player on the Chicagoland First Team after winning the Dupage Valley Conference.
The daughter of Jennifer and Bert Buescher, she has two siblings: Katelynn and Matthew. Sister Katelynn played soccer at UIUC from 2018-21, her cousin Emily Derucki currently plays at Missouri. Great grandfather Charles F Goll played football at Tulane from 1935-37. Buescher intends to major in psychology and neuroscience.
Brenna Schoenfelder | Castle Pines, Colo. | Rock Canyon High School | Real Colorado ECNL Athletico
"I chose the University of Minnesota because not only does the location of the college fit my interests but the culture of the University of Minnesota is what I would like to surround myself with during my college experience."
Schoenfelder joins after gaining over 11 years of experience with Real Colorado ECNL Athletico. A goalkeeper, Schoenfelder also competes at Rock Canyon High School and has earned four varsity letters. This past season, she was an all-conference and all-state selection. With Rock Canyon, Schoenfelder has led her team to two state championship runner ups (2023, 2024) and two conference championships (2022, 2023).
The daughter of Kristin and Jeremy Schoenfelder, she is an only child. Schoenfelder intends to major in business.
Joining Minnesota's squad are Tyra Chu (Sterling Heights, Mich.), Tenley Senden (Medina, Minn.), Sawyer Danielson (St. Paul, Minn.), Mya Nugent (Long Grove, Ill.), Jacqueline Keller (River Forest, Ill.), Hannah Heinlein (El Dorado Hills, Calif.), Emily Filbrun (Saline, Mich.), Emily Buescher (Naperville, Ill.), and Brenna Schoenfelder (Castle Pines, Colo.).
Tyra Chu | Sterling Heights, Mich. | Athens High School | Nationals SC ECNL
"I chose the University of Minnesota because of the soccer program and academics as well as the team culture," said Chu. "I felt like the environment is a good fit and gives me the best opportunity to grow myself as a person, student, and athlete."
Chu joins after competing with Nationals SC ECNL since 2016 and Detroit City FC USL W League since 2024. Since 2021, the defender has received five invitations to the USYNT Talent ID camps. With Nationals, she was a GA Nationals finalist last summer and won the GA Mid-America Cup for the fourth-straight season. This past summer, Chu played alongside current Gophers Sophia Romine, Kate Childers, and Ally Childers with Detroit City FC and were the 2024 USL W League Central Conference Champions.
The daughter of Tuyen Chu and Phuong Nguyen, she has one sibling, Peter. The Sterling Heights, Mich., native is the first in her family to play a collegiate sport. Chu intends to major in biology.
Tenley Senden | Medina, Minn. | Wayzata High School | Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL
"Ever since I've known about the University of Minnesota, I've wanted to go there," said Senden. "Knowing it's close to home, and both my parents played sports there made me want to go there even more. When I'd attend Gopher Football games, it made me fall in love with the campus; I always saw myself being there."
Staying in her home state, Senden joins Minnesota after competing with MTA ECNL, where she has competed since 2022. Senden, a Medina, Minn., native also plays for Wayzata High School in the Lakes Conference. With the Trojans, they've seen success the last three seasons reaching the state quarterfinal in 2022, state runners up in 2023, and state champions last fall. This past season, Senden was recognized to the Lakes All-Conference and MSHSL All-State Teams.
Her mom Kristen was on the gymnastics team at Minnesota and dad Stuart played on the men's hockey team. Grandfather Bruce Vandersall worked with the Gopher football program and worked as high up as Defensive Coordinator. Her uncle, Mark, also played baseball for Minnesota. Currently, her older sister Brynn competes on the Gopher women's basketball team. She has one younger brother, Callen and intends to major in interior design.
Sawyer Danielson | St. Paul, Minn. | St. Paul Academy | Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I loved the community the soccer team had," said Danielson. "It felt like home right away, on my visit and I missed it once I left. I love the campus and how it's in the city and it has a really great college for what I want to go into. I love the feeling and atmosphere at Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium while watching the games so I am excited to experience it on the field. I chose the Minnesota because of all of the great opportunities it has to offer."
Danielson will join after competing with MTA ECNL for five seasons. Danielson led MTA to National Qualifiers in 2021, 2023, and 2024. A native of St. Paul, Minn., Danielson plays at St. Paul Academy and has earned varsity letters in soccer and cross country. With the Spartan soccer team, she's earned All-Conference and All-State honors three years in a row. In 2023, Danielson helped lead St. Paul Academy to win the MSHSL Single A State Championship while earning All-Metro accolades.
The daughter of Ben and Carey Bollinger Danielson, she has a brother, Carter, and a sister, Emma. Dad Ben was a cross country and track and field athlete at St. Olaf, mom Alysia Danielson ran track and St. Thomas, and stepmother Carey played college soccer at Harvard. Her brother plays soccer at Claremont McKenna College. Danielson intends to major in marketing and sports management.
Mya Nugent | Long Grove, Ill. | Adlai E. Stevenson High School | FC United GA
"Academically the University of Minnesota has a very good scientific research program," said Nugent. "Athletically, it's very competitive in the Big Ten conference. There's a great team culture and staff that cares about the development and success of their athletes."
Nugent comes to the Land of 10,000 Lakes after six seasons competing with FC United GA and one season with USL W League team River Light FC. The attacking midfielder has received five invitations to the USYNT ID camps from 2018-2022. The Long Grove, Ill., native was named to the GA Mid America Talent ID team from 2021-23 and the GA National Talent ID Team in 2022 and 2023.
The daughter of Karin and Mike Nugent, she has one brother Caden. Nugent intends to major in Biochemistry and minor in photography.
Jacqueline Keller | River Forest, Ill. | Fenwick High School | Galaxy SC GA
"I chose the University of Minnesota because of its business school and the coaching staff," said Keller. "On my visit when I formally met the staff I had no doubt I would commit if offered."
Keller joins after playing competitively with Galaxy SC GA for two seasons. The goalkeeper is also a talented multi-sport athlete, playing competitive travel basketball, lacrosse and earned varsity letters on the basketball team at Fenwick High School as a freshman and sophomore. Keller has also excelled in the classroom, as she is a member of the National Honors Society.
The daughter of Kara and Jon Keller, she is the youngest of five children: Brittany, Katie, Ben, and Max. Keller intends to major in business management and finance.
Hannah Heinlein | El Dorado Hills, Calif. | Oak Ridge High School | San Juan Soccer Club ECNL
"I chose the University of Minnesota because of the amazing team dynamics, strong coaching staff and great academic reputation that the school has to offer," said Heinlein. "Another reason why I chose Minnesota is because it offers four beautiful seasons!"
Heinlein will come to Dinkytown after playing competitively with San Juan Soccer Club ECNL for six years. At the end of last season, her squad was ranked the No. 5 team in the ECNL. In 2021 and 2022, Heinlein was a First Team All-League ECNL Conference selection and Second Team selection in 2024. Individually, Heinlein has received an invite to the National Team Player Development Program from 2022-24. She also competes at Oak Ridge High School in the CIF - Sac-Joaquin Section Division I. Heinlein has earned a varsity letter all four years in soccer and named a first team all-league member from 2022-24. For three-straight years, Heinlein was voted the Oak Ridge High School female athlete of the year and won the 2022 Norcal Division I State Championship.
The daughter of Bryce and Amber Heinlein, she has one older sister, Alyssa. Mom Amber ran track at California State University Sacramento and sister runs track at California State Fullerton. Heinlein intends to major in human physiology.
Emily Filbrun | Saline, Mich. | Saline High School | Michigan Hawks ECNL
"I chose the University of Minnesota because I felt so welcomed from the moment I stepped on campus," said Filbrun. "I couldn't wait to become a part of the culture I experienced. I think Minnesota will provide me with the competitive environment I look for in both soccer and academics."
Filbrun will join after playing with the Michigan Hawks ECNL for eight seasons. With the Hawks, Filbrun earned ECNL Midwest Conference first team recognition in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, her team won the ECNL Midwest Conference Championship in 2022, 2023, and 2024. In 2022, Filbrun received an invitation to the U.S. Soccer Girls Youth National Team ID Center.
Emily is the daughter of Amy and Dave Filbrun, she has one sister Tricia. She intends to major in kinesiology.
Emily Buescher | Naperville, Ill. | Naperville North High School | Chicago FC United GA
"I chose the University of Minnesota because both the team and coaching staff made me feel welcomed from the minute I met them," said Buescher. "In addition, I strongly believe that Minnesota is the perfect fit for me academically and athletically."
Buescher joins the Gophers after playing competitively with Chicago FC United GA since 2021. From 2022-23, Buescher received GA Mid-America Talent ID Team honors with her club team. Buescher attends and plays for Naperville High School where she earned varsity letters in 2023 and 2024. She was an all-conference, all-section, and all-area selection during both seasons. In addition, she was named Most Valuable Player on the Chicagoland First Team after winning the Dupage Valley Conference.
The daughter of Jennifer and Bert Buescher, she has two siblings: Katelynn and Matthew. Sister Katelynn played soccer at UIUC from 2018-21, her cousin Emily Derucki currently plays at Missouri. Great grandfather Charles F Goll played football at Tulane from 1935-37. Buescher intends to major in psychology and neuroscience.
Brenna Schoenfelder | Castle Pines, Colo. | Rock Canyon High School | Real Colorado ECNL Athletico
"I chose the University of Minnesota because not only does the location of the college fit my interests but the culture of the University of Minnesota is what I would like to surround myself with during my college experience."
Schoenfelder joins after gaining over 11 years of experience with Real Colorado ECNL Athletico. A goalkeeper, Schoenfelder also competes at Rock Canyon High School and has earned four varsity letters. This past season, she was an all-conference and all-state selection. With Rock Canyon, Schoenfelder has led her team to two state championship runner ups (2023, 2024) and two conference championships (2022, 2023).
The daughter of Kristin and Jeremy Schoenfelder, she is an only child. Schoenfelder intends to major in business.
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