Bismarck, ND - University of Mary head women's soccer coach Levi Evans today announced the commitments of eight student-athletes to continue their education at U-Mary and play soccer for the Marauders beginning in the 2012 season.

Joining the Marauders are Bailey Bachman-Williams (Minot, N.D.), Sabra Bertsch (Bismarck, N.D.), Emily Christensen (Minot, N.D.), Mary “Meggie” Gaspers (La Crescent, Minn.), Destiny Glaser (Bismarck, N.D.), Madison Klatt (Mandan, N.D.), Mikayla Schuette (Bismarck, N.D.) and Jacquelyn Smith (Lewison, Idaho).

“As with any recruiting class, we looked to replenish what was lost in graduation,” commented Marauders head coach Levi Evans. “We certainly recruited for need this season and feel we were very effective in replenishing those needs and making us a better program. Not only did we recruit good soccer players but good student-athletes as well. I look forward to seeing this recruiting class grow as soccer players and students.”

The Marauders finished the 2011 campaign 11-8-1 overall and tied for fourth in the Northern Sun, earning a spot in the conference tournament for the sixth straight season. U-Mary owns two NSIC tournament championships in six years as a member of the conference.

2012 MARAUDERS WOMEN'S SOCCER STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMITMENTS

Bailey Bachman Williams (Defender, 5-10, Minot, N.D. / Minot HS)
Bailey Bachman Williams, who played a key role in consecutive state tournament trips for Minot (N.D.) High School, including a runner-up finish in 2010, has earned all-state and all-conference recognition. She will join her older sister Alex at U-Mary. The daughter of Ronda and Jim Bachman Williams, Bailey will pursue a nursing degree at U-Mary.

“Bailey is super-wired into the game and plays any time she can,” said Marauders head coach Levi Evans. “We are always excited to bring those types of players into our program. I expect Bailey will compete for a spot in the back line, ideally as a center back. What makes Bailey such an asset is that she is so good in the air and getting the ball out of dangerous situations. She is a tremendous tackler and will clean up a lot of dangerous situations. We are super excited that Bailey chose to play at the University of Mary.”


Sabra Bertsch (Midfielder, 5-7, Bismarck, N.D. / Century HS)
An all-state performer as a sophomore, Sabra Bertsch led Century (N.D.) High School to a state title in 2011. The Bismarck, N.D. native scored the lone goal of the 2011 state semifinal match in overtime to send the Patriots to the title game. Century also won WDA championships in 2010 and 2011. An all-state and all-region selection in 2010 when she scored 12 goals as a sophomore, Bertsch posted seven goals and three assists in 2011 and earned all-tournament recognition. She will continue to play for her high school coach, Sarah McNulty, who is a Marauders assistant coach.

The daughter of Theresia Hersch and Ron Bertsch, Sabra plans to major in biology and follow the pre-medicine program at U-Mary.

“We are super-excited to keep this local kid in Bismarck and add Sabra to the Marauders program,” said Marauders head coach Levi Evans. “She comes from a very successful high school program at Century, which is the defending state champion. A proven central midfielder in high school, Sabra fills a void for us and will combine with our strikers to form a potent attack. Sabra approaches the game with a need to keep learning and improving as a player. Sabra comes to U-Mary looking to improve her game and at the same time she will improve our program.”


Emily Christensen (Midfielder, 5-5, Minot, N.D. / Minot HS)
Emily Christensen led Minot (N.D.) High School to the past two state tournaments, including a runner-up finish as a sophomore in 2010. The native of Minot, N.D., earned second-team all-state honors as a junior in 2011 and has also registered All-West Region and all-state tournament recognition.

Emily, whose older brother Logan plays soccer for the U-Mary men's team, is the daughter of Dale and Ann Christensen. A four-year academic award winner in high school, she will pursue a biology degree at U-Mary.  

“Emily lives, breathes and eats soccer,” said Marauders head coach Levi Evans. “She plays year round and is committed to the game. It is great to have someone who is so wired to soccer. Emily will play center midfield and fills a need for us. She is a good passer with good vision and possesses great strength on the field. We are super excited to have Emily join us at U-Mary.”


Mary “Meggie” Gaspers (Midfielder, 5-8, La Crescent, Minn. / Aquinas HS)
Meggie Gaspers led Aquinas High School to WIAA regional and sectional championships in 2010 and another WIAA regional championship in 2011 in Wisconsin. The native of La Crescent, MN, earned 1st team all-Mississippi Valley Conference honors in 2011 and honorable mention recognition in 2010.

The daughter of Joe and Marcie Gaspers, Meggie will major in athletic training at U-Mary.

“We're excited that Meggie chose to attend the University of Mary,” said Marauders head coach Levi Evans. “Meggie possesses a lot of skillful attributes as a soccer player. She is creative in how she approaches and plays the game. Meggie is the type of player who you want to get the ball to her feet and allow her creativity and vision to dictate her decisions on the field. A knowledgeable player who will continue to get better, we look to play Meggie in roles that will allow her to be creative on the flank and create crossing opportunities.”


Destiny Glaser (Defender, 5-3, Bismarck, ND / Century HS)
Destiny Glaser scored the game-winning shootout goal in the 2011 North Dakota high school championship game, giving Century High School the state title. Glaser also assisted on the lone goal of the state semifinal contest off a corner kick in overtime. The Bismarck, ND, native will join her older sister Quin on the University of Mary squad. Glaser will also play for her high school coach, Sarah McNulty, who is a Marauders assistant coach.

A member of the National Honor Society, Destiny is the daughter of Dave and Sheila Glaser. She is undecided on a major at U-Mary.

“Destiny joins us from very successful programs at Century High School, the defending state champion, and her Dakota United club team,” said Marauders head coach Levi Evans. “We are looking for Destiny to play on the back line, preferably at right back. She is very competitive and very aggressive in how she plays the game. Destiny has a lot of experience in pressure situations and I believe that will translate into her developing into an effective college player.”


Madison Klatt (Defender, 5-5, Mandan, N.D. / Mandan HS)
The team most valuable player for Mandan (N.D.) High School in 2011, Madison Klatt earlier was awarded the squad's hustle award in 2009 and 2010.

A three-time WDA All-Academic selection (2009-11), Madison is the daughter of Sherri Klatt and Bryan Klatt and plans to major in physical therapy at U-Mary.  

“I had the unique experience to coach Maddie when she was a younger player and I am super excited that she will play for me and continue her academic career at U-Mary,” said Marauders head coach Levi Evans. “We are looking to utilize her as a left back because she has a very effective left foot. Maddie is the type of player who will bring her all every day in practice, games, the training room and the classroom.”


Mikayla Schuette (Defender, 5-2, Bismarck, N.D. / Bismarck HS)
Already a three-time all-WDA performer, Mikayla Schuette has led her hometown Bismarck (N.D.) High School to the state soccer tournament the past two seasons. She has also led her summer team to second place in the USA Cup.

A member of the National Honor Society and the Student of the Year as a freshman, Mikayla is the daughter of Paulette Kerzmann and Randy Schuette and plans to pursue a degree in special education.

“We are thrilled to keep another outstanding local player in town,” said Marauders head coach Levi Evans. “I've seen Mikayla play club soccer and at Bismarck High for quite a while and she will be a positive player for us at U-Mary. What makes Mikayla successful is that she is a smart player with good vision, is a multi-sport athlete and is very coachable. A center back in high school, we project her as an outside back at U-Mary. We are excited to get such a competitive player on our team.”

Jacquelyn Smith (Defender, 5-8, Lewiston, Idaho / Lewiston HS)
A two-time team captain, Jacquelyn Smith led Lewiston (ID) High School to its only two trips to the state tournament, placing eighth in 2010 and sixth in 2011. Smith, voted the Most Inspirational Player for her team in 2010 and 2011, was named to the 5A All-Inland Empire League first team in 2010 and also earned Idaho ODP State Team honors in the same season.

Smith earned Scholastic Team Award honors for four years and was a 2010 invitee to the National Young Leaders conference in Washington, DC. The daughter of Jaynie and Bryan Bentz and John and Robin Smith, Jacquelyn plans to major in nursing at U-Mary.

“I am very excited that Jackie will play for the University of Mary,” said Marauders head coach Levi Evans. “We felt Jackie really connected with the coaching staff, the players and the community during her visit to campus in the fall. We look to utilize her as a possible outside back but she also has the potential to be an outside midfielder or a forward. We will utilize Jackie's skills in the best way possible to help the program. She will bring a lot of experience to our program based on the level of competition she plays against in Idaho.”

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