OMAHA, Neb. – Head women's soccer coach
Tim Walters announced the signing of 10 players to the 2022 roster on national signing day. One signee will join the Mavericks this spring, while the remaining nine will call Omaha home in the fall.
The recruiting class includes three midfielders, three defenders, three forwards, and a goalkeeper.
Maggie Gundersen | Midfielder | Carter Lake, Iowa | Thomas Jefferson
Gundersen has two playing seasons under her belt at Thomas Jefferson and will join the squad this spring. Last year, she earned Missouri River All-Conference First Team, IGCA 3A All-West Second Team, All-District, IGCA 3A All-State Second Team, IAHSSCA First Team, IAHSSCA 3A First Team All-State, and Council Bluffs Girls City Player of the Year honors. She was also named Academic All-State. In her freshman campaign, Gunderson was tabbed a Missouri River Conference honorable mention.
Walters on Gunderson: "I've known Maggie for the last four years and have got to spend some time with her at the club level. She is a fantastic player who does everything right and wants to get better every training session. She is another great fit for our program, a true box to box midfielder with a fantastic engine on both sides of the ball. She will also be the first player we've had in our program who is leaving high school early to join us for the spring season. We're excited for the impact she is going to have on our program right away."
Gunderson on Omaha: "I chose Omaha because it's a great opportunity to continue playing soccer at a high level under a great coaching staff with high quality players, all while being close to home. I look forward to competing for Summit League Championships and making lifelong memories!"
Lindsey Birch | Defender | Rochester, Minn. | Lourdes
Birch is a four-year letterwinner at Lourdes. As a senior, Birch helped her team to a 15-4-0 record and a runner-up finish in the 2A championship match. She was named first team all-conference, first team all-state with 10 goals, two assists, and helped the team to 12 shutouts. She helped her team to a 12-1-0 record and a state semifinal as a junior after earning a Section 1A Championship as a sophomore with a 15-4-1 record. Birch earned all-conference honors her last three seasons and all-state honors in her final two.
Walters on Birch: "Lindsey is a really intelligent centerback who reads the game really well. She has good pace, is strong and brave, and loves to play out of the back. Lindsey doesn't step off the field for one of the best club teams in the country and she has all of the tools to come in and help our team right away."
Birch on Omaha: "I chose UNO because the academics, campus life, and soccer all seemed to be a perfect fit for me both as an athlete and as a student. Also, on my academic visit, UNO felt like a campus I could see myself being at for the next 4 years. Finally, I chose UNO because I really enjoyed my conversations with the coaching staff via zoom and phone."
Ava Blum | Midfielder | St. Louis, Mo. | Nerinx Hall
In her junior season, Blum helped her team to a 19-3 record and a second-place finish in the state championship. Blum netted the game winner in the district finals and in the Class 4A Missouri State semifinals. She is a member of the National Honors Society and a four-year honor roll member.
Walters on Blum: "Ava is another hard-working midfielder who fits our values at UNO. She can play multiple positions, trains really well, and wants to get better every day. We lover her versatility and how she competes on the field and are excited to have her in Omaha"
Blum on Omaha: "I chose UNO because as soon as I stepped on campus, it felt like a home away from home. With the welcoming atmosphere, awesome facilities, and team's style of play paired with the university's great academics, I knew UNO would be a place that would help me continue to grow, learn, and compete for championships."
Payton Federmann | Forward | Edwardsville, Ill. | Edwardsville
Federmann has logged two seasons on the pitch at Edwardsville. She was named all-conference second team as a junior and earned academic all-conference honors the same year. In her freshman campaign, Federmann helped her team to a conference championship. She was third on the team in scoring and eighth in the conference.
Walters on Federmann: "Peyton is a competitor first and foremost. I love her ability to press and defend as a forward, and she loves to battle for the ball. She also wants to be in the box and score goals. She's a great fit for our program and we are happy she chose Omaha."
Federmann on Omaha: "I chose UNO not only for the beautiful campus and the city, but for the environment. I immediately noticed and fell in love with how involved the city was with college sports and how united the school and their athletes were. The coaches as well as the few former players I got to speak to made me feel incredibly welcome and wanted. They inspired me and told me about the opportunity UNO holds for their student athletes. I'm so excited to be a Maverick and cannot thank the coaches enough for giving me such a prestigious and exciting opportunity!"
Morgan Fenton | Forward | Grimsby, Ontario | Welland Centennial Secondary School
Fenton played club soccer for the North Toronto Soccer Club under coach Chris Vickers in the Women's Premier Division League. In 2021, Fenton played and started in 11 matches. She was in the top-10 goal scorers and an all-league top goal scorer from North Toronto with five goals scored. She also played volleyball for three seasons and track & field for one season.
Walters on Fenton: "Morgan is an athletic attacking player who can play out wide or up front. She has very good feet and what impressed us most was her tactical understanding of the game. We're excited for her to come in and make an impact this fall.
Fenton on Omaha: "I chose Omaha for the competitive soccer environment, strong team culture, and beautiful campus in a great city. I'm looking forward to competing for an established program lead by a great coaching staff. Upon visiting UNO, I got a strong feel for the close-knit team atmosphere and felt it to be somewhere I could see myself spending four years developing myself as a player, student and individual with the support of such a great group."
Kayla Hassler | Forward | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln Southwest
Hassler has played three seasons so far with Lincoln Southwest. Last year, she helped her team to a 15-1 record and the No. 1 seed at the state tournament. Hassler finished the season with seven goals and eight assists. She also logged minutes for the Silverhawks in 2019-20 as a freshman.
Walters on Hassler: "I was able to coach Kayla last year in club soccer, and I love the way she trains. She has the ability on the ball to get after players one on one, strikes a good ball and works very hard on the field. I'm hopefully she can add something a little different to our attack over the coming years"
Hassler on Omaha: "I chose Omaha because it feels like home. I'm not too close to home but not too far either. Everyone is so welcoming, and the atmosphere is wonderful."
Emma Konsmo | Goalkeeper | Carlsbad, Calif. | Santa Fe Christian
Konsmo is a three-sport athlete out of Carlsbad. While at Santa Fe Christian, she played basketball, soccer, and lacrosse. Konsmo also plays for San Diego Surf ECNL. In addition to her soccer accomplishments, Konsmo was named an All-League MVP and First Team All-Conference as a sophomore for basketball.
Walters on Konsmo: "Emma is going to be a very good goalkeeper for us in the future. She has a great frame and very good feet. We love her distribution and her ability to deal with crosses. She's a multi sport athlete which has really helped her develop. Emma also plays with a lot of personality which we really value in her position. We are really looking forward to her joining our goalkeeping group here in the fall."
Konsmo on Omaha: "The main reasons I chose Omaha were because of the competitive soccer atmosphere, beautiful campus, and passionate and hardworking coaching staff. I am beyond excited for the next four years!! Go Mavericks!"
Emma Nylund | Midfielder | San Antonio, Texas | Tom C. Clark
Nylund posted 27 goals and 33 assists after her first three seasons at Tom C. Clark. She was tabbed All-District and All-Region as a junior with 17 goals and 16 assists. In her sophomore campaign, Nylund posted four goals and five assists for an All-District nod. As a freshman, she notched sic goals and 12 assists helping her team to a 19-0-3 record and an all-district accolade.
Walters on Nylund: "Emma is another talented player that coach Farrell helped us bring in from Texas. She can play any of the midfield positions, is strong and quick, and can add goals from midfield. She sees the game very well and plays with a ton of intensity. She is going to fit in well in Omaha."
Nylund on Omaha: "I honestly just really liked the city and the campus. The facilities are nice, and I felt really welcomed by everyone."
Lauren Schmidt | Defender | La Vista, Neb. | Papillion-La Vista
Schmidt has three seasons under her belt at Papillion-La Vista. As a junior, the World Herald named her All-Class, All-Metro, and All-State. She was also tabbed an All-State honorable mention and led her team in assists. As a freshman, Schmidt helped her team to a 12-6 record and a state tournament appearance.
Walters on Schmidt: "Lauren is another player I've had the chance to work with on the club side the past few years. She is a very technical and clean defender who can play right or left back. She is very quick and can combine out of the back and put in good crosses with both feet. She is going to continue to get better and is another great fit for UNO."
Schmidt on Omaha: "I chose Omaha because I wanted to play for my hometown and have the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level in front of my family and friends. Not only does UNO have an amazing atmosphere, but they also have a great coaching staff. I'm so excited to grow and be a part of this program! Go Mavs!"
Breena Whitaker | Defender | Omaha, Neb. | Skutt
Whitaker has played two seasons at Skutt and helped lead them to a state championship last season. Whitaker was named a River City Conference First Team selection and an All-State honorable mention. As a freshman, Whitaker helped her team clinch the conference championship and a trip to the state tournament.
Walters on Whitaker: "Breena is a tough centerback, who reads the game well. She blocks shots, cuts out crosses, and loves a good tackle. She is another I was able to coach in club soccer last year, and I love her commitment to the team and to defending around her goal."
Whitaker on Omaha: "I chose UNO because it will provide the best academic and athletic environment for me during my college career. I am super excited to stay close to home and play soccer as a Maverick!"
