University of St. Thomas Athletics
Women's Soccer adds 12 for first D-I recruiting class
11/11/2020 8:44:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Tommie Women's Soccer coach Sheila McGill is celebrating 12 commitments, all incoming freshmen, in her first NCAA Division I recruiting class announced Wednesday on National Signing Day.
McGill welcomes:
- Annie Bantner, 2021, McHenry, Ill./McHenry East HS, FC United GA, GK
- Marli Bertagnoli, 2021, Eden Prairie, Minn./Minnetonka HS, Tonka Fusion Showcase, F-MF
- Abby Brantner, 2021, Medina, Minn./Wayzata HS, Tonka Fusion Showcase, F
- Sofia Caballero, 2021, Maple Grove, Minn./Providence Academy HS, MN Thunder ECNL, MF
- Annika Eckroth, 2021, Edina, Minn./Edina HS, Minnesota Eclipse SC, D-MF
- Kendell Ellis, 2021, Billings, Mont./Billings West HS, Billings United Club, GK
- Emma Fournier, 2021, Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove HS, MN Thunder ECNL, F-MF
- Lexi Huber, 2021, Lakeland, Minn./Stillwater HS, St. Croix Academy Club, F
- Lissa Mizutani, 2021, Excelsior, Minn./Minnetonka HS, MN Thunder ECNL, D-MF
- Camryn Rintoul, 2021, Apple Valley, Minn./Shattuck-St. Mary's HS, Salvo SC, D-MF
- Arianna Sanchez, 2021, Castle Rock, Colo./Rock Canyon HS, Real Colorado ECNL, F-MF
- Ellie Tempero, 2021, Omaha, Neb./Westside HS, Sporting Omaha FC DA, MF
"We are incredibly excited to welcome our first Division I recruiting class," McGill said. "It has been so much fun recruiting this group. They are fast, strong, aggressive, talented soccer players. They are crafty, driven and selfless. Not only are they great soccer players, they are also great people, and that is incredibly important to us as a team. These players work hard for their teammates, are inclusive and encouraging in their support of their teams, and are leaders on and off the field. We are confident they have what it takes to make it as a D-I Tommie."
St. Thomas received NCAA approval last July to make an unprecedented direct move of all of their varsity sports from non-scholarship NCAA Division III into Division I.
Starting in fall 2021, St. Thomas Women's Soccer will be among 19 sports competing in the Summit League. The Tommies will also have teams in the Pioneer Football League for football; its women's hockey team in the Women's Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA); and its men's hockey team in the inaugural season of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).Women's Soccer Class of 2021 Signees
Annie Bantner, 2021, McHenry, Ill./McHenry East, GK
Made school's highest academic honor list, will major in Biomedical Science at St. Thomas, considering career in oncology research... in soccer named team MVP and set school records for most saves in a game and most saves in a season; was also team's Heart of the Warrior award honoree in 2018 and all-conference in 2019... coached by Fabrice Gautrat... mother, Jen, competed in swimming at Dartmouth; father, Wayne, competed in football at Dartmouth... daughter of Jen Bantner and Wayne Bantner.
Coach McGill's comments on Annie:
"Annie is a strong, organized goalkeeper who is comfortable playing quickly out of the back. She controls her box and is a good leader on the field. She has quick distribution, and is strong coming off her line."
Marli Bertagnoli, 2021, Eden Prairie, Minn./Minnetonka, F-MF
Academic All-State honoree in both soccer and track and field... plans to major in Business while at St. Thomas... in 2020 soccer season was named first-team all-state, all-conference, captain, team MVP; also was two-time recipient of team's Skipper Award... helped team to state championship in 2018 as well as two other section team crowns... was two-time captain of club soccer team that was state champion in 2019... coached by Jeff Hopkins at Minnetonka; Fusion Elite Soccer club coach is Kevin Vongsaphay... older sister Alli is varsity distance runner for the Tommies.... daughter of Darcy and Greg Bertagnoli.
Coach McGill comments on Marli:
"Marli brings speed, work rate and coachability to our team as an outside attacker. She is able to play on both sides, learns quickly and is able to implement new tactics effectively. She is a high caliber player with great character."
Abby Brantner, 2021, Medina, Minn./Wayzata, F
Made school's highest academic honor list, will major in Pre-Health Professions with a possible path to physical therapy or physician's assistant school... in soccer was named all-state and played on section champ team as a senior in fall 2020; as a sophomore played on Wayzata High's state runner-up team and made All-Academic Gold list; twice named all-conference... previously played on Minnesota club champion team (2017) with Fusion U15 and scored game-winning goal... coached by Tony Peznecker at Wayzata; Tonka Fusion Elite club coach Kevin Vongsaphay... mother, Anne, played college soccer at Concordia-Moorhead... brother Max is St. Thomas student... daughter of Anne and Mike Brantner.
Coach McGill comments on Abby:
Abby is a competitor, she will play wherever her team needs her, and can change a game in an instant with her speed and drive. She attacks hard to goal and is selfless in the final third.
Sofia Caballero, 2021, Maple Grove, Minn./Providence Academy, MF
On school's highest academic honor list... yet undecided on major at St. Thomas... in soccer was named all-state, team MVP, two-time all-conference and once HM all-conference... daughter of Martha Correa and Andres Caballero.
Coach McGill comments on Sofia:
"Sofia is so smooth on the ball, she distributes quickly. She is strong and able to hold people off as she creates opportunities and can get herself out of sticky situations on the dribble. She plays fast and has great movement off the ball."
Annika Eckroth, 2021, Edina, Minn./Edina, D-MF
On school's academic's Dean's List, will major in Biology while at St. Thomas... in 2020 soccer season was named second-team all-state and all-conference on team that finished 12-2; played on two conference champion teams during her high school era... National League, Great Lakes Conference Premier II Champions, Maplebrook Soccer Club... coached by Katie Aafedt at Edina and Igor Stosic with Minnesota Eclipse club... also was two-year letter winner and Academic Gold Award honoree for alpine skiing... will become fourth family member to compete in college sports: mother, Lisa, and father, Mike, both were four-year competitors in track and field at North Dakota State; older brother Isaac plays for the Tommie men's soccer team... daughter of Lisa and Mike Eckroth.
Coach McGill comments on Annika:
"Annika is a strong, physical defensive player. She is great in the air and executes consistently what is being asked of her. Her distribution is spot on, and she is able to change the point of attack quickly. She has an accurate and dangerous dead ball and shot."
Kendell Ellis, 2021, Billings, Mont./Billings West, GK
On school's academic Dean's List, four-time Academic All-State... plans to major in Engineering while at St. Thomas... repeat all-state honoree in 2020... named all-state and led team to 2019 state championship in soccer; led Montana prep goalkeepers with only five goals allowed in regular season... all-conference and two-time captain, team placed third in state in 2018... also played on state champion basketball team... coached by Rob Zimmerman... daughter of Randi and David Ellis.
Coach McGill comments on Kendell
"Kendell is a goalkeeper with incredible reach, strength and is able to read airballs and crosses well. She is fearless and has great timing, quick reaction and is always a student of the game. She distributes well and has great speed."
Emma Fournier, 2021, Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove, F-MF
On school's academic Dean's List, plans on majoring in International Business while at St. Thomas... was named two-time first-team all-state and two-time all-conference... helped team win 2019 state championship and overall was a part of four consecutive section championships; was championship-game MVP and all-tournament honoree at state in 2019... coached by Mark Yueill, Ben Levahn, Jean Viardin, Igor Stosic... father, Mark Fournier, competed in varsity volleyball and crew at Bates College... daughter of Julie and Mark Fournier.
Coach McGill comments on Emma:
"Emma is strong, physical enough to hold off players on the dribble, and can drive with determination to goal. She competes hard and knows how to win 50/50 balls with confidence. She plays a fast-paced game and looks to work creatively for teammates."
Lexi Huber, 2021, Lakeland, Minn./Stillwater, F
"A" academic honor roll throughout high school... will major in Business while at St. Thomas... two-time first-team all-state; state finalist for Ms. Soccer Award; three-time all-conference; and played on three state-tourney qualifying teams at Stillwater... team made it to state in 2018, 2019 and 2020... in soccer also was team MVP and two-time captain... was team's leading scorer in junior and senior seasons for soccer, and team's leading scorer in junior season for hockey, and both teams won conference championships... coached at Stillwater by her father, Mike Huber; club coach is Jesse Campos... will become fourth member of her family to play college soccer: father, Mike, played soccer at UW-Parkside; mother, Julie, played soccer for Minnesota Gophers; older brother Logan is in his second year playing soccer at Division I Nebraska-Omaha... daughter of Julie and Mike Huber.
Coach McGill comments on Lexi:
"Lexi is an attacking leader. She is creative on the ball, plays quickly to teammates or attacks on the dribble. She creates goal-scoring opportunities through creative play and team focus. She works hard on offense and defense and is able to turn quickly with the ball."
Lissa Mizutani, 2021, Excelsior, Minn./Minnetonka, D-MF
On school's "A" honor roll in academics... considering careers in medicine or biology … Minnesota second-team all-state for Minnetonka High; also captain, all-conference and team Rookie of the Year... played on Skippers' 2018 state champion team and three-time section champ squad... also lettered three times as sprinter in track and field... ODP State Team 2017, 2018, 2019… MYSA State Cup Champions 2018… Nation Premier League champions 2018... played for Coach Jeff Hopkins at MHS; Club Coach Mark Yueill... gained certification as a scuba diver... mother, Wendy, played varsity water polo four seasons at Occidental (Calif.) College... daughter of Wendy and Stan Mizutani.
Coach McGill comments on Lissa:
"Lissa is strong, fast and physical with a selfless attitude. She can play fast possession, or take off on the dribble as needed. She can play outside on the attack, or anywhere on the back line. She earns the trust of her teammates through her consistency, drive and work rate."
Camryn Rintoul, 2021, Apple Valley, Minn./Shattuck-St. Mary's, D-MF
Made school's high academic honor roll... plans on majoring in Business and Actuarial Science at St. Thomas... two-time team captain... played in the US Soccer Development Academy with Shattuck-St. Mary's and Salvo SC.... coached at Shattuck by former St. Thomas player Victoria Vargas... father, Ryan, played ice hockey at Minnesota State Mankato (1994-98)... daughter of Bobbi and Ryan Rintoul.
Coach McGill comments on Camryn:
"Cam brings composure, vision and organization to the game. She is a player who positions herself for success. She is clean technically, attentive tactically and able to place an accurate long ball to an on-running player."
Arianna Sanchez, 2021, Castle Rock, Colo./Rock Canyon, F-MF
Elite student made school's highest honor list, also named Academic All-State and is a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist... plans to major in Neuroscience at St. Thomas and considering a career in medicine or research... member of U17 Costa Rican Women's Soccer Team... four-year varsity player at Rock Canyon High, and as a freshman played on Colorado state tournament Final Four qualifier... played club soccer with Real Colorado... daughter of Lysa and Alfredo Sanchez.
Coach McGill comments on Arianna:
"Arianna is a hard-working, determined player willing to make the extra run and get there for her teammates. She is technical and creative on the attack, able to move off the ball to create angles and runs to support her teammates."
Ellie Tempero, 2021, Omaha, Neb./Westside, MF
On school's highest academic honor list... considering career in medicine and will major in Biology while at St. Thomas... was selected high school team's Newcomer of the Year in 2018 on state-tourney qualifier... played on two-time state champion club team... named DA Attacking Player of the Year as a sophomore and as a junior... U.S. Soccer Girls Training Center invitee (2018); Nike id2 Training Camp invitee (2018); US Youth Soccer National League qualifier (2018-19)... played for Coach Chris Dunford at Westside High and Sean McCoy for the Sporting Omaha FC Premier club team... daughter of Jonell and Rick Tempero.
Coach McGill comments on Ellie:
"Ellie is a strong, technical and creative center midfielder. She knows her position well, is a ball winner, shooter, fast-possession player and brings her teammates with her when she plays. She works hard with a smile on her face and leads with her inclusivity and encouragement."
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The Tommies received NCAA approval last July to make an unprecedented direct move of all of its varsity sports from non-scholarship NCAA Division III into Division I.
Starting in fall 2021, St. Thomas Women's Soccer will be among 19 sports competing in the Summit League. The Tommies will also have teams in the Pioneer Football League for football; its women's hockey team in the Women's Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA); and its men's hockey team in the inaugural season of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).
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Fans can follow athletic recruiting news here on Tommiesports.com as well as on the St. Thomas Athletics' Twitter, Facebook and Instagram social media channels. To learn more about this week's signing classes, follow our teams on social media - https://tommiesports.com/socialaccounts.aspx
