MTU Women\’s Soccer Adds Seven

HOUGHTON, Mich. – Michigan Tech soccer coach Michelle Jacob has announced that seven players have signed National Letters of Intent to join the team for its inaugural season.

Ariana Peterson and Amanda Whiting are a pair of high scoring forwards at Ashland (Wis.) High School. The duo helped the Oredockers to a perfect 22-0 record while not allowing a single goal during the regular season.

Peterson is an All-Northern Lights Conference selection and currently ranks first in the state in points with 92 (37 goals and 18 assists). She has also scored 10 game-winning goals and was a member of the National Honor Society.

“Plain and simple – Ari can find the back of the net,” said Jacob. “She has a knack for seeing where the goalkeeper is and putting the ball somewhere else. She can score goals from all angles and distances and we look forward for her to use those skills for the Huskies.”

Whiting, who is also an all-conference selection, currently ranks third in the state in points with 86 (33 goals, 20 assists). She was a member of the volleyball and basketball teams and the National Honor Society.

“Not only can Amanda score goals, she can also provide the pass for someone else to score. She is a very unselfish and skillful player who reads the game well and provides a constant threat to the opposing team.”

Kaitlyn Boelter is a speedy defender who earned all-conference and Green Bay Press Gazette All-Area honors each of the last two seasons at Shawano High School. She led the Hawks in scoring during her sophomore and junior seasons. Boelter also participated in cross country and basketball for four seasons, earning defensive most valuable player honors as a junior and senior. She served as team captain of all three sports her senior season. Boelter was an honor student and was a member of the National Honor Society and Students Against Drunk Driving.

“Kaitlyn is a strong defender who has unmatched speed and great vision on the field. She is great at reading situations and is able to consistently put herself in good positions to take the ball from opposing players.”

Ann Dahlquist hails from Trenton, Mich., where she was an all-league selection at Gabriel Richard Catholic High School. The midfielder was also involved in student government, National Honors Society, Campus Ministry and Diversity Club.

“Ann’s technical skill and ability to distribute the ball to her teammates make her a dangerous midfielder. She is constantly moving off the ball to get in position to support her team. She works hard for every ball, pass or shot she takes.”

The team also welcomes two goalkeepers for the fall.

Jacqui Landry was a three-time All-Fox Valley Association Conference selection at Menasha (Wis.) High School who missed her senior season with a shoulder injury. She was an all-conference selection in basketball and was a member of the volleyball team. Landry was also involved in student council and National Honor Society.

“We are confident in Jacqui’s work ethic and determination to recover from her injury and believe she will be back stronger than before. Jacqui is a quick, technical keeper with a competitive edge. She has good range both in the air and in the box. Her solid play inspires confidence in her team.”

MaryBeth Spoehr was a two-time All-Fox Valley Association selection at Neenah High School. She also backstopped the Rockets to a top-10 ranking in the state. Spoehr also competed in volleyball, cross country and basketball and was a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club and Leadership Council.

“MaryBeth is an incredibly tough and athletic keeper who has a commanding presence in the box. Her strong technical skills provide for solid goalkeeping and quality distribution of the ball. MaryBeth’s focus and drive are portrayed the second she steps onto the field.”

Tech’s final recruit, Anna Roman-Pleschko, is a transfer from Lewis (Ill) and will have three years of eligibility remaining. The Glenview, Ill., native played club soccer for the Chicago Sockers and the Chicago Fire Juniors. She helped her teams to titles at BFC Fall Classic and the Red Lion Invitational and a runner-up finish at the Pepsi Youth Cup.

“We are very excited to have Ann transferring to us this fall. She comes from a high level club team and her passion about soccer is undeniable. We expect her to make an instant impact within our Husky soccer program.”

Tech will host Concordia-St. Paul Sept. 2nd for the first game in the program’s history.