NMU soccer team adds five recruits
Courtesy of NMU Athletics
MARQUETTE, Mich. — Northern Michigan University head women’s soccer coach Matt Granstrand announced Thursday the signing of five student-athletes to National Letters of Intent who will join the Wildcats in 2014.
“We are excited to be adding this group of talented young ladies to our team. They all excel in academics as well as being quality athletes and most importantly they are the kind of people that you want on your team,” said Granstrand. “We were very specific in the roles and positions that we were looking to fill to strengthen our current roster. I feel that the addition of all the incoming players combined with a talented and driven returning squad will lead to good things for our program. ”
Abigail Cook is a 6-0 center midfielder from DeWitt, Mich. Abigail plays high school soccer at DeWitt High School and is coached by Jamal Mubarekeh. Her club team is the TNT Dynamite coached by Jeff Hosler and Vern Meyers. In high school, Abby was All-Conference Honorable Mention and her team reached the state semifinals in 2012. She was a member of the National Champion Business Professionals of America-Human Resource Management team and a member of the National Honor Society. TNT competes in the Midwest Regional League and was State Cup Semi-Finalists in 2011 and 2013. Abigail is the daughter of Doug and Maria Cook and has a sister named Molly.
Madison Hamilla is a 5-5 forward from Gaylord, Mich. Madison plays high school soccer at Gaylord High School and is coached by Sean Byram. Her club teams are the Gaylord Extreme coached by Rob Pray and the Cadillac Frenzy coached by Yo Phonthipsavath. In high school, Madison was named First Team All-Conference, All-District, and Academic All-Conference. Madison also plays basketball and volleyball at Gaylord and is a member of the National Honor Society and Honor Roll. Madison is the daughter of Frank and Lori Hamilla and has a sister named Molly.
Maria Kiilunen is a 5-8 forward / offensive midfielder from Brighton, Mich. Maria plays high school soccer at Brighton High School and is coached by Deepak Shivraman. Maria’s club team is the Michigan Alliance coached by Eric Anderson. Michigan Alliance competes in the Midwest Regional League. Maria won the scholar-athlete award and varsity letter for academics at Brighton. Maria is the daughter of Dave and Nancy Kiilunen. Maria’s siblings are Bill, Aaron, Janel, Joanna (played soccer and graduated from NMU), Nora (ran cross country for NMU), Sarah, Helen (currently plays soccer at NMU), Todd, Gwen, and Irene.
Allyssa Milam is a 5-7 center back from Williamston, Mich. Allyssa plays high school soccer at Williamston High School and is coached by Jim Flore. Allyssa’s club team is the Michigan Jaguars coached by Andrew Richards and play in the Midwest Regional Legaue. The Michigan Jaguars were State Cup Finalists in 2013. In high school Allyssa was named All-Conference, All-League, All-District, All-Region, and All-State Honorable Mention. Allyssa also plays basketball at Williamston. Allyssa is the daughter of Andrew and Therese Milam and has a brother Jacob and a sister Melanie.
Lindsey Tuggle is a 5-8 outside back from Williamston, Mich. Lindsey plays high school soccer at Williamston High School and is coached by Jim Flore. Lindsey’s club team is TNT Dynamite which by Jeff Hosler and Vern Meyers and competes in the Midwest Regional League and were State Cup semifinalists in 2011 and 2013. In high school, Lindsey was named All-District, All-League and All-Academic. Lindsey is a member of the National Honor Society,the Business Professionals of America and the Math and Science Academy. Lindsey is the daughter of Tom and Julie Tuggle and has two sisters, Sarah and Abby.