NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State soccer head coach Brad Silvey and his staff announced the signing of eight commitments to National Letters of Intent during National Signing Day. This is Silvey's first full year of recruiting as ISU's head coach.
"Today is an exciting day for Redbird Soccer," said Silvey. "It is with great pride and anticipation that we welcome our 2018 Class to Illinois State. This is a collection of wonderful talent, athleticism, and character that I am confident will positively contribute to our program success and culture. "
The 2018 class is comprised of two forwards, three midfielders, two defenders and one goalkeeper. The class includes (listed alphabetically):
Shaina Dudas | Forward | Elk Grove Village, Ill. | Naperville North HS | Naperville Soccer Association
Highlights: played all four years at Naperville North under varsity head coach Steve Goletz…served as team captain her senior year…earned most improved player her freshman year…reached the state regional three times and super sectionals twice…won the Naperville Invite twice…won North Shore Invite in its inaugural year…was a member of the NSA team that won the State Cup Championship in 2017 under head coach Greg Muhr…was a member of the Region 2 Illinois State team that won the Region 2 Championship and were the National ODP Championship runner up.
Silvey about Dudas: "A gifted and clever attacking player, Shaina will provide our program with additional options to break down and unlock our opponents. She is cool and calm on the ball, can bite you with her speed and can threaten a goal with both feet. Her high work ethic and stability will allow her ceiling to stay incredibly high."
Priya Gillan | Goalkeeper | White Rock, British Columbia, Canada | Semiahmoo Secondary School | Surrey United
Highlights: played for the Surrey United Soccer Club for five years under head coach Niko Marcina…earned Goalkeeper of the year for the club in 2015…was a member of the Gold Medal Team BC during the Western Canada Summer Games in 2015…was selected to the BC Provincial Team six years in a row…was a member of the Arizona Championship team that won the President's Day Tournament in 2016…played for the BC Provincial High Performance Program Team for six years under head coach Luca Dalla Pace…was selected to the BC Provincial Team training camps and tournament play every year…was selected to the Team BC training camp for the 2017 Canada Summer Games and earned a spot on the reserve team…played basketball and ran cross country and track in high school.
Silvey about Gillan: "Priya was our capstone to the 2018 Class, and I couldn't imagine a better way to put an exclamation point on this group. Her dedication towards the game and her future is inspiring. She is a driven goalkeeper who is not afraid of any challenge. Her footwork and ability to play as an 11th field player will add tremendous value to our program."
Hannah Mueller | Midfield | Macomb, Mich. | Dakota HS | Michigan Hawks Academy
Highlights: played her freshman year at Dakota under varsity head coach Chris Corteg where they made it to the semifinals of districts…played for the Michigan Hawks under head coach Doug Landefeld…won the 2017 ECNL National Championship…also ran track her sophomore year for Dakota where she qualified for the state meet.
Silvey about Mueller: "A dynamic and versatile player, Hannah brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program. She is very skilled, crisp and precise in her technical execution. She has a high soccer IQ and will have the ability to slide into multiple areas of the field."
Riley O'Brien | Forward | Aurora, Ill. | West Aurora HS | Team Chicago
Highlights: played all four years at West Aurora for varsity coaches Laura Wagley and Kevin Briars…earned All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2015…earned All-Conference, All-Sectional and Offensive MVP in 2016 and 2017…was team captain in 2017…team won the Pepsico Showdown Championship in 2017…won the Regional Championship for the first time in school history in 2017…played for Team Chicago Academy under coaches Phil Neilson and Dave Lovercheck…were state champions and MRL champions in 2015…was invited to play up for the 1998 National League team that placed second…went to Nationals twice with the 1998 team and tied for third in their second appearance…was a member of the ODP State Team under head coach Paul Webster…advanced to Nationals in 2016 and was invited to be on the ODP Regional Team.
Silvey about O'Brien: "Riley has the ability to bring flash, flare and improvisation into our attack. She excels in isolated situations and will create goal scoring opportunities through her service and ball striking. She is a competitor and brings a winning mentality into any environment."
Sydney Peitzmeier | Midfield | Omaha, Neb. | Elkhorn South HS | Elite Girls Academy
Highlights: played all four years at Elkhorn South under varsity head coach Lindsey Aliano…were State Champions in 2015…won the conference tournament every year…won the district tournament every year…served as team captain for three years running…earned First Team All-State and the Varsity Hustle Award her freshman year…earned Second Team All-State two years in a row…played for the Elite Girls Academy U18 Maroon ECNL team under head coach Marcus Kelcher.
Silvey about Peitzmeier: "A tested and accomplished midfield option, Sydney will bring a competitive edge into our team environment. She has a blue-collar work rate, yet a refined skill set. Additionally, her strength and determination to overcome adversity will pay dividends throughout her collegiate career."
Alyssa Siebers | Defense | Lisle, Ill. | Naperville North HS | Naperville Soccer Association
Highlights: played all four years at Naperville North under varsity head coach Steve Goletz…named senior captain…won Sectionals in 2015 and 2016…were ranked #1 in the country…played for NSA for 12 years under head coach Greg Muhr…was a member of the 2017 State Cup Championship team…ranked #1 in the state…played on the ODP Team for two years under head coach John Soltani where they were Regional champions.
Silvey about A. Siebers: "Alyssa will be a great addition to our backline. She has the knowledge and physical traits to anticipate, read, and shutdown her opponents. Her ability to win matchups and spark attacks will serve as an invaluable asset."
Jessica Siebers | Defense | Lisle, Ill. | Naperville North HS | Naperville Soccer Association
Highlights: played all four years at Naperville North under varsity head coach Steve Goletz…named senior captain…won Sectionals in 2015 and 2016…were ranked #1 in the country…played for NSA for 12 years under head coach Greg Muhr…was a member of the 2017 State Cup Championship team…ranked #1 in the state…played on the ODP Team for two years under head coach John Soltani where they were Regional champions.
Silvey about J. Siebers: "Another versatile defender, Jessica has the ability to fill in anywhere across the backline. She is a fearless competitor that is willing to place her body on the line for her team. She has been an anchor and a life-savor in desperate moments – we anticipate the same performance within our program."
Logan Ziegler | Midfield | Burlington, Iowa | Burlington HS | Iowa Rush
Highlights: played all four years at Burlington under varsity head coach Doug Ziegler…earned Second Team All-Conference in 2015…earned First Team All-Conference in 2016 and 2017…won All-Hawkeye Land Player of the Year in 2016…earned First Team All-Hawkeye Land in 2015, 2016, and 2017…earned First Team All-District and Second Team All-State in 2017…was the varsity team captain three years running…was a member of the Iowa Rush under head coach Daryl Brazeau where the team won third place in the MRL Premier I in 2016 and first place in the MRL Premier I in 2017…the team was also State Cup Champions in 2016 and 2017…played for the ODP State Team for five years…was a member of the ODP Region II Pool for three years…was selected to represent Region II at the Interregional Tournament in 2016.
Silvey about Ziegler: "Logan is a bright and brilliant addition to our program. Her commitment to excellence in all areas of soccer, academics and life are admirable. She can play a variety of positions within the midfield and forward lines and always finds a way to positively impact the game."
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