Northwest Missouri State soccer coach, Tracy Hoza, announced the commitments of three high school players and one junior college transfer Friday.
Local product Alyssa Stiens from Maryville High and Alexus Taylor from Lincoln Southeast in Lincoln, Neb., will join the Bearcats in 2013 as freshmen. Nene Nwaturuocha from Dowling High in West Des Moines, Iowa joined the Bearcats at semester.
The lone transfer in the class is Nicole Cronin, a midfielder from Hutchison Community College.
The four new Bearcats will improve the depth Hoza brought in last year, as she added eight on signing day and 11 more before the start of the 2012 season.
“This recruiting class with add more skill, speed and strengthen our already very competitive roster in 2013,” Hoza added.
Below is an alphabetical list of the 2013 Bearcat soccer class with comments from Coach Hoza:
Alyssa Stiens (Maryville, Mo.)
High School: Maryville HS High School Coaches: Bayo Oludaja and Stuart Collins
Parents: David and Theresa Stiens
Notes: Stiens is a three-time first-team all-district midfielder and an all-state selection as a junior … she earned all-conference honors as a junior and sophomore and was tabbed honorable mention all-conference as a freshman … set the single-season school record for goals as a sophomore with 39, only to break her own record as a junior with 57 … holds the Maryville High career record for goals with 117 … was also voted Offensive Player of the Year all three seasons for the Spoofhounds … led Maryville to a Missouri State sectional appearance and a 16-3 record as a senior
Coach Hoza: “We are very happy to add a local standout soccer player to our Bearcat soccer roster. Alyssa will add speed and goal scoring capabilities to our forward line.”
Alexus Taylor (Lincoln, Neb.)
High School: Lincoln Southeast HS Head Coach: Anna Trent
Parents: Monte and Shelly Taylor
Notes: Taylor was an all-state pick in 2011 before missing the 2012 high school season due to injury … was an all-city selection helping the Knights to a runner-up finish at the Nebraska State Championship … is also a letter winner on the hardwood helping Lincoln Southeast to a runner-up finish as the State Championships … led her club team, CSA Academy 18-under team to the Nebraska State Cup finals
Coach Hoza: “Lexi is a very strong athlete with fantastic defending skills. She is outstanding at winning her one-on-one battles during the game.”
Nene Nwaturuocha (West Des Moines, Iowa)
High School: Dowling HS
Parent: Rose Nwaturuocha
Notes: Nwaturuocha was a four-year letter winner earning all-conference honors as a senior … helped the Maroons to the Iowa state playoffs twice … played club for Johnston-Urbandale-West Des Moines winning the 2012 Iowa State Cup Championship … also spent two years playing for the Iowa 1994 Olympic Development Program
Coach Hoza: “Nene is a natural on the ball. She has good vision and is a great talent passing the ball.”
Nicole Cronin (Limerick, Ireland)
Previous School: Hutchison Community College
Notes: Cronin helped the Blue Dragons post a 15-1 record in 2012 falling in the Region VI Championship game … finished with 13 assists as a sophomore and two goals … tallied four goals in her freshman season … played at Ardscoil Mhuire High in Limerick, Ireland and also played for Munster under-19 team serving as team captain … Cronin represented the Republic of Ireland under-19 national team advancing to the 2010 European Championships
Coach Hoza: “Nicole is a very well rounded soccer player. She is gifted technically and tactically and has tremendous leadership on the field.”
— NWMSU Sports Information —