Illinois State head coach Brad Silvey announced the addition of seven new Redbirds Wednesday. Dakota Anderson (Louisville, Colo.), Katharine Ashley (Saint Paul, Minn.), Katherine Felton (Saginaw, Mich.), Caroline Hennessy (Glen Ellyn, Ill.), Lauren Herrig (Davenport, Iowa), Peyton Kennedy (Overland Park, Kan.) and Michaela Kirschten (Hillsboro, Ore.) signed National Letters of Intent to attend Illinois State University and compete for the Redbird soccer team in the fall.
"Our program is blessed and fortunate to announce such incredible additions within our 2019 commitments," said Silvey. "This signing class promises high achievement and outstanding character, which will be requisite as our expectations are extremely high. Positionally, they will provide a massive boost to our defensive line and give us more depth and balance in our midfield and forward lines. As this group quickly integrates into our program, I am confident that our 2019 team will undoubtedly be more competitive and consistent. We are excited to welcome each of them and their families into our Redbird Soccer family!"
Dakota Anderson
Midfielder | 5-4 | Louisville, Colo. (Monarch HS) | FC Boulder
- Four-year varsity soccer player at Monarch, was named to the all-conference team her junior year and a team captain her senior year
- Two-time CSA State Cup Finalist
- Her club team, FC Boulder, was ranked No. 2 in Colorado after tying the No. 1 team and qualified for regionals in Hawaii
- With FC Boulder, traveled and made it to the Norway Cup semifinals
- Member of ODP traveling team in 2017
- Honor Roll member
Why Dakota chose Illinois State: "I chose ISU because of the immediate connection I made with the coaches and players. In addition, I loved the campus atmosphere and cannot wait to be a Redbird and represent the school as a student-athlete."
Coach Silvey: "With her technical prowess and charismatic personality, Dakota will provide a spark and competitive edge into our team culture. She brings versatility, a high work rate and a love for the game that is infectious."
Katharine Ashley
Midfielder | 5-3 | Saint Paul, Minn. (Central HS) | Eclipse Select (MN)
- Three-time first team all-conference selection in high school and named Most Valuable Player of her conference her senior year, helping lead Central to two conference championships
- 2018 All-State Second Team and All-Metro Second Team
- Tallied 36 career goals at Central High School, dishing out 14 career assists
- 2017 PDT Champion and 2015 State Tournament Champion with her club team
- Member of National Honor Society and honor roll
Why Katharine chose Illinois State: "I chose Illinois State, because of the positive culture surrounding the soccer program and the welcoming atmosphere on campus."
Coach Silvey: "Katharine is a fun player that is very sharp and tidy with the ball. She has the ability to advance play both though her clever passing and skill on the dribble. She is a great addition to the midfield line and will look to make an immediate impact."
Katherine Felton
Midfielder | 5-2 | Saginaw, Mich. (Nouvel Catholic Central HS) | Nationals Union
- Helped her club team win a state, regional and USYSA National League National Championship in 2017
- Also a state champion in 2018 and state cup finalist in 2016 and 2019
- Two-time all-state selection while at Nouvel Catholic Central, member of two district championship teams
- Honor Roll member
Why Katherine chose Illinois State: "I chose ISU because of what I want to major in, and they have a very good program for accounting. I absolutely loved the atmosphere that the coaches and players created and knew I wanted to be part of that."
Coach Silvey: "A natural attack-minded player, Katherine will provide a very active and dynamic addition to our front line. She is committed to consistent improvement, has a great motor, an instinct to create and score goals and a coachable mentality."
Caroline Hennessy
Defender | 5-8 | Glen Ellyn, Ill. (Glenbard West HS) | Sockers FC
- Has played club with Sockers FC for three years, currently ranked first in the Midwest Conference with a 5-1 record, posting a goal differential of 15 so far this season
- Sockers FC finished fourth in their first year competing in the DA, finished the season with a goal differential of 14
- Only freshman to play varsity at Glenbard West and helped her team make it to the regional finals for the first time in six years
- Honor Roll member
Why Caroline chose Illinois State: "I chose to attend and play soccer at Illinois State because it felt like home for me from the first time I visited. Everyone I met was friendly and helpful and I loved the feel of the campus, the size, the reputation of the school, and the fact that it offered a great curriculum for my major."
Coach Silvey: "A midfielder that has recently converted to a defender, Caroline will help to build and bolster our back line. Her technical ability, physical attributes and exposer to a high level of training/competition will enable her to integrate quickly into the Redbird Soccer environment."
Lauren Herrig
Defender | 5-7 | Davenport, Iowa (Assumption HS) | Sporting Eastern Iowa
- Helped her team to three-consecutive Class 1A State Championships
- In 2018, was named Second Team Academic All-State and Second Team All-Conference in soccer
- Club team placed fourth in the 2017 Iowa Girl's State Cup
- Captain of both her high school soccer team and basketball team as a senior
- In addition to basketball and soccer, Lauren ran cross country placing third in the district championships
Why Lauren chose Illinois State: "I chose Illinois State, because it provided me with better opportunities for the future in my academic and soccer career. I fell in love with the coaching staff, the team atmosphere, and the excellent academics. I am excited to continue my next journey as a Redbird, and take advantage of all the wonderful privileges the school has to offer on its beautiful campus."
Coach Silvey: "Lauren will bring a much needed and desirable bite and edge to our defensive line. She is strong, fearless and tough to get around. Lauren is a fierce competitor that knows how to win and will simply make our back line better."
Peyton Kennedy
Defender | 5-7 | Overland Park, Kan. (Blue Valley West HS) | Sporting Blue Valley
- Captain of Sporting Blue Valley, who is currently undefeated, ranked first in their conference and fourth in the nation by U.S. Soccer
- 2016-17 ECNL team was ranked No. 1 in the country, and fluctuated in the top 25 throughout her time with them
- Started every game of her career at Blue Valley West, scoring the game winning goal in the 6A State Championship her sophomore year
- Made it to 6A State Championship her freshman year, leading the team with seven assists on the season and tallying six goals
- Two-time All-State Second Team selection
Why Peyton chose Illinois State: "I chose Illinois State, because the campus is perfectly-sized and beautiful, and it creates a home-away-from-home feeling. The coaches and girls are amazing, and I can't wait to become a Redbird to challenge my soccer career and explore my options academically."
Coach Silvey: "With her technical ability, speed and physical presence, Peyton will look to quickly integrate into our back line. She has found a lot of success within an extremely competitive environment which will have her prepared for the college game."
Michaela Kirschten
Defender/Midfielder | 5-6 | Hillsboro, Ore. (Glencoe HS) | Crossfire United
- Helped Glencoe to a league championship in her senior year, scoring seven goals on the season and earning first team honors
- High school team were state semifinalists her junior year, in which she was named All-Metro First Team and scored two goals in their second round win
- Helped Crossfire United to back-to-back Surf Cup Championships in 2016-17 and 2017-18
- Qualified for  ECNL National Playoffs in 2016-17 and 2017-18
- Attended ECNL/id2 National Training Camp in Summer of 2018
- Captain of both her club and high school soccer team
- Member of the ODP State Team from 2013 to 2015
Why Michaela chose Illinois State: "I wanted to attend a university that was a larger size in a smaller town but had support from the community, and I felt that Illinois State fit that bill completely. Coming from Oregon, I needed a family atmosphere and the programs focus of the team being a family helped seal my decision."
Coach Silvey: "A very smart and knowledgeable defender, Michaela will be another great addition to our team defensive efforts. With her high soccer IQ and her ability to break play and quickly connect secure passes, she will fit seamlessly into our style and system of play."
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