MARSHALL — Southwest Minnesota State University head women’s soccer coach Clay Glasgow announced Thursday seven high school and four transfer student-athletes have recently signed letters of intent to continue their academic and soccer careers at SMSU.

Glasgow is in his first season as head coach for SMSU after being named to the position on Feb. 25, 2022.

Joining the program for the 2022 season include high school standouts Isabel Blanco from Surprise, Ariz., Contessa Borwick from Nevada, Iowa, Lenee Chavez from Bakersfield, Calif., Sandra Kraling from Rochester, Haley Mason from Chippewa Falls, Wis., Hannah Walburg from Watertown, S.D., and Brooke Wetterstrom from Olathe, Kan. The four transfers include Rachel Hicks from Rexburg, Idaho, Sydney Johnson from Maple Grove, Kylie Peters from North Mankato and Ciarra Valdez from Lehi, Utah.

“I am beyond excited to have these eleven young empowered student athletes join our soccer program.,” Glasgow said. “This is a very special, and in many aspects, a unique group. Academically, this group is solid and surpasses our admission criteria. Our community here at SMSU is very fortunate to have these young ladies continue their higher education while having a good soccer experience in Mustang territory. I have absolutely no doubt that these women will add value to SMSU and have an immediate impact on the women’s soccer team.”

2022 SMSU

soccer signings

Isabel Blanco, D, 5-9, Fr., Surprise, Ariz., Shadow Ridge HS

High School: 2022 graduate of Shadow Ridge HS … played for coach John Grey … two-time all-region … named region defensive player of the year … all-conference honoree … academic all-state … also in track & field.

Contessa Borwick, MF, 5-7, Fr., Nevada, Iowa, Nevada HS

High School: 2022 graduate of Nevada HS … played for coach Randy Davis … four-year letter winner … selected to play in state all-star games … scored 17 goals with four assists in 2022 … in final two years earned first team all-conference, first team all-district and second team all-state honors … scored 18 goals with seven assists during junior season … second team all-conference as a freshman … academic all-state honoree … academic all-conference in soccer and basketball.

Lenee Chavez, D, 5-6, Fr., Bakersfield, Calif., Stockdale HS

High School: 2022 graduate of Stockdale HS … played for coach Lorne Howlett … honorable mention all-conference.

Rachel Hicks, GK, 5-6, Jr., Rexburg, Idaho, Madison HS, Western Wyoming C.C.

Before SMSU: Played two seasons at Western Wyoming Community College … played for coach Brady Baldwin … played in 13 games with 11 starts in 2020-21 season … won five games and had a .087 GAA … during the 2021 season, played forward and scored three goals with four assists.

High School: 2020 graduate of Madison HS … played for coach Jaymon Birch … two-time all-conference honoree … team captain.

Sydney Johnson, F, 5-9, So., Maple Grove,

Maranatha Christian Academy,

Purdue University

Fort Wayne

Before SMSU: Played one season at NCAA Division I Purdue University-Fort Wayne … played for coach Jason Burr … played in two games.

High School: 2021 graduate of Maranatha Christian Academy … led team in scoring as a senior with 20 goals and six assists … named all-state … two-time all-conference honoree … also letter winner in track & field.

Sandra Kraling, MF, 5-0, Fr., Rochester, Shattuck St. Mary’s School

High School: 2022 graduate of Shattuck St. Mary’s School … played for coach Sue Vodicka … prior to Shattuck, played hockey at Rochester Lourdes HS … member of two state tournament hockey teams.

Haley Mason, F, 5-2, Fr., Chippewa Falls, Wis., Chippewa Falls HS

High School: 2022 graduate of Chippewa Falls HS … played for coaches Roger Skifstad and Al Ali … first team all-conference honoree … led team in scoring in both 2019 and 2021 … three-year letter winner … four-time state qualifier in cross country.

Kylie Peters, M, 5-8, RFr., North Mankato, Mankato West HS,

University of

Illinois-Springfield

Before SMSU: Played one season at Illinois-Springfield … played for coach Erin Egolf … did not appear in any games.

High School: 2021 graduate of Mankato West HS … played for coach Chrissy Makela … second team all-state honoree in 2020 … all-conference selection … scored 15 goals with 18 assists to help squad to a pair of conference titles and two state tournament appearances … four-year letter winner … also letter winner in golf … cross country.

Ciarra Valdez, MF, 5-2, Jr., Lehi, Utah, Skyridge HS, Western Wyoming C.C.

Before SMSU: Played two seasons at Western Wyoming Community College … played for coach Brady Baldwin … named Region IX honorable mention.

High School: 2019 graduate of Skyridge HS … played for coach Jerry Priesendorf … academic all-state.

Hannah Walburg, MF, 5-4, Fr., Watertown, S.D., Watertown HS

High School: 2022 graduate of Watertown HS … played for coaches Aaron Swanson and Casey Feininger … five-year letter winner … three-time soccer team captain … all-conference honoree … academic all-state … also in track & field … member of National Honor Society.

Brooke Wetterstrom, MF, 5-3, Fr., Olathe, Kan., Olathe East HS

High School: 2022 graduate of Olathe East HS … played for coach Chris Lawson … four-year letter winner … team captain … first team all-conference honors as a senior … all-state honoree … named second team all-league as a junior … led team in goals for multiple seasons … also in track, cross country and bowling.

“I was hired in March, which in the recruiting world of things is considered late for the upcoming season,” Glasgow said. “Personally, I feel very humbled and blessed to have connected with these amazing student-athletes and their families. Collectively this group is very talented, eager to compete and will definitely add much needed quality depth to our team. Individually they bring high qualities to the team in different positioning and a lot passion for the game.”

— Content courtesy

of SMSU Athletic

Communications