Gophers Announce 3 New Signees on National Letter of Intent Day

The Minnesota Golden Gophers Women’s soccer team announced three signings today on this National Letter of Intent Day.

Two Minnesotans and an Iowan make up the 3 players who will help the 2010 Gophers compete in the Big Ten. Minnesota’s new additions include Lauren Bauer, Alex Koller and MacKenzie Misel, making up the Minnesota Soccer signing class of 2010. Bauer and Koller are natives of nearby Eagan and Bloomington respectively, while Misel comes north to Minnesota from Ankeny, Iowa.

Koller, a 2009 graduate of Bloomington Jefferson High School has already enrolled at Minnesota and is currently working out with the team. Originally committed to Illinois State out of high school, Koller decided to stay close to home and will begin her freshman season this fall. A three-time All-Conference performer in high school, Koller was also a member of the prestigious Minnesota Thunder Academy where she won six Minnesota State Cup Championships.

“Alex is one of the most competitive student athletes I have ever coached,” said Danny Storlien, Koller’s coach with MTA. “She is fierce, tenacious, and highly motivated. Her will to
perform, and to perform at a high level, is a quality every team and program wants and Alex has IT!”

Bauer comes to the Gophers out of Eagan High School, where she played her freshman season with current Golden Gopher Angie Olson. Bauer leaves the Wildcats as the school’s all-time leader in goals and points, breaking Olson’s records. She was a three-time team MVP and earned First Team All-State honors as a senior. Bauer also played club soccer for the Woodbury Inferno, winning five Minnesota State Cup Championships.

“Lauren is a dynamic player who is a game changer,” said Eagan High School coach Mark Obarski. “She has excellent speed and great ball skills. Lauren is the all-time leading
scorer in the history of Eagan girl’s soccer.”

Misel joins the Gophers from Ankeny High School, the same high school as former Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and All-American Kelsey Hood. An All-State honoree in 2009, Misel was a Gatorade Player of the Year Nominee as a senior when she racked up 58 points on 24 goals and 10 assists. On the Club scene, Misel played for the West Des Moines Xtreme, winning five Iowa State Cup championships.

“On the field, Misel handles the pressures of big games, maintaining composure and leadership,” said Misel’s high school coach Chris Allen. “She is dangerous from anywhere around the
penalty box with either foot and is also a capable defender. She is the type of player for whom the opposition game plans. Rarely does she receive the ball without immediately drawing pressure–often in the form of two defenders–yet she has led her high school team in goals and assists.”

“We would like to thank the excellent coaches who prepared MacKenzie, Lauren and Alex for the highest level of college soccer,” said Mikki Denney Wright. “These young women are lucky to work with such an outstanding group of club and high school coaches.  We understand the great dedication and commitment these coaches have made to the development of our recruits, we appreciate their support of our program and their passion to educate young people in soccer and life.  Thank you to Chris Allen, Sarah Connelly, Julie Eibensteiner, Frank Gurnick, Mark Obarski, Danny Storlien and Jeff Zupfer.”