Women's Soccer Adds Five For 2017 Season

Five players sign with the Leathernecks

MACOMB, Ill - Director of Soccer Dr. Eric Johnson announced the addition of five women's soccer student-athletes who signed with the program on Wednesday (Feb. 1). Jenna Lundgren, Bridget Schuler, Paige Taylor, Natalie Nagle and Lauryn Peters will all join the Leathernecks for the 2017 campaign.

"This class, along with our returning squad members, will help us compete in the Summit League," said Johnson. "They are all accustomed to winning and will bring that mentality to training and games. We are looking forward to seeing how much of an impact they will have on our squad next fall."

Lundgren hails from York Community High School out of Elmhurst, Ill., where she was a 3-year varsity starter. Her accolades include being named an Illinois High School Association (IHSA) All-Section honoree (2016) and an IHSA Regional Champion (2015). In club soccer, she was a Midwest Regional League (MRL) Fall Champion in 2016, a Disney Showcase Premier Division Champion in 2015 and a 2013 Elite Club National League (ECNL) National Finalist. Lungren tallied six goals and 12 assists in 2016 and four goals and nine assists in 2015. Academically, she was named to the Honor Roll and High Honor Roll in high school. She plans to major in biology with a focus on medical sciences.

"Jenna attended our summer ID Clinic and impressed me with her desire to attack on the flank," Johnson said. "She has a very good engine and can get behind people with her energy and quickness. She has the ability to play on both sides of the field and will add an attacking mentality to our squad."

Schuler joins the Leathernecks from Peoria Notre Dame High School in Peoria, Ill. A three-sport athlete in high school, she lettered in soccer, volleyball and basketball. In her soccer career, she earned all-conference honorable mention and first-team all-conference (by unanimous decision), First Team All-Area and All-Sectional. She totaled 31 goals and 15 assists in her career. On the basketball court, Schuler earned First Team All-Conference honors twice, as well as First and Second Team All-Area in her career. Lastly, on the volleyball court, she was named First Team All-Conference three times, Second Team All-Area as a junior and All-Conference Honorable Mention as a freshman. Schuler plans to major in pre-nursing at Western Illinois.

"Bridget is a really good athlete and has proven it with her contribution to all three of her high schools teams," said Johnson. "She led the volleyball team in assists, is the point guard on the basketball team and can play any outfield position in soccer. Her competitive nature will provide a spark to the team. The sky is the limit once she starts to concentrate solely on one sport."

Taylor is a native of Lombard, Ill. and comes from Glenbard East High School. During her high school career, she was a four-year letter winner playing in the back line. Her team achieved 18 shutouts and a 23-4 record. She also helped Glenbard East finish third in the state and was named both All-Conference and Newcomer of the Year as a freshman.

"Paige is an athletic and hard-nosed defender. Her high school team was a final four team at the 3A level last spring and she was a big part of their defensive ability," Johnson said. "She expects to win and will add that competitive edge we need on the defensive side of the ball."

The duo of Nagle and Peters are high school teammates from West Valley High School in Yakima, Wash.

As a midfielder, Nagle was a four-year varsity starter and letter winner. As a senior (2016), she was named First Team 4A All-State, Player of the Year in the Columbia Basin Big 9 League (CBBN) and the team captain for both her high school and club teams. As a junior, she was named to the First Team CBBN All-League. Nagle has also earned First Team CBBN All-League (2015), Second Team CBBN All-League (2014) and 2A Central Washington Athletic Conference Honorable Mention (2013). At the club soccer level, her team was the US Club Washington State Champions from 2014-16, including a US Club Nationals appearance in 2016. Nagle also lettered in basketball for three years on the varsity squad. Academically, she was a National Honor Society member, History Student of the Year and earned the US National Guard Merit award. Nagle plans to major in nursing at Western Illinois.

"Natalie is a skilled midfielder who can move the ball from side to side and find gaps to play in people to goal," said Johnson. "She is composed and will help us keep possession and provide an outlet for defenders to play into."

Peters joins the Leathernecks after being named a All State Class 4A Honorable Mention honoree, First Team All-League in 2015-16 and also Honorable Mention in 2014. The defender was selected to the All-State Tournament Team in 2015-16. She was a two-year captain, and the leading scorer for West Valley High School in 2016 at outside back. She also lettered in track and basketball during her high school career. Off the field, Peters was a member of the National Honor Society.

"Lauryn is capable of playing several positions," Johnson said. "She can attack out of the back with her pace and her ball skills, and that also makes her a threat to score when she plays up top as a striker."

During their tenure at West Valley High School, they finished runner-up in back-to-back State Championship games in the 4A Division (2015-16). They helped earn a fourth-place finish in 2013.

Tweet #W1U

Print Friendly Version