CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston soccer team announced their signing class Friday, November 17. Minnesota Crookston signed seven players in the early period including: Sydney Christopherson (F/MF, 5-3, Sioux Falls, S.D./Jefferson H.S.), Andrea Cuenca Medina (MF, 5-4, South St. Paul, Minn./Hill-Murray School), Callie Holthaus (MF, 5-3, Richmond, Minn./Albany H.S.), Anna Kuecker (D, 5-8, Marshall, Minn., Marshall H.S.), Elise Lefers (F, 5-5, Brookings, S.D./Brookings H.S.), Jordan Metz (GK, 5-9, Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial H.S.), and Corinne Meyer (F, 5-7, Lakeville, Minn./Edina H.S.).

The signing class focuses on talented individuals from the state of Minnesota, and the surrounding region, including two from South Dakota. The group builds on the strong core of regional student-athletes Golden Eagles currently have on their roster. It is the first full recruiting class brought in by Head Coach Neil Manktelow, and Assistant Coach Morgan Philliber.

"As we look to continue to develop the Golden Eagles soccer program, we are excited to add this group of student athletes to our roster," said Mancktelow. "They have all shown a great deal of enthusiasm for the vision that we have here and we look forward to working with them on their collegiate soccer journey."

The student-athletes listed as having signed a National Letter of Intent or Offer of Admission to play women's basketball at the University of Minnesota Crookston have been verified by the Minnesota Crookston compliance office once they sign the National Letter of Intent or once the student-athlete has accepted an Offer of Admission for Minnesota Crookston.

Sydney Christopherson (F/Mf, 5-3, Sioux Falls, S.D./Jefferson H.S.)

Christopherson was a four-year varsity player at Jefferson H.S. She helped her club team to a 2023 National Championship and a Regional Championship. In 2022, her club was the regional runner-up. 

She is the daughter of Jason and Kari Christopherson. Christopherson plans to major in exercise science and wellness. She is a member of the Cancer Awareness Club and is in the National Honor Society. She made a full recovery after tearing her ACL, MCL, and Meniscus during her sophomore year of high school. 

"Sydney is a hardworking attacking player with an eye for goal that we are looking forward to integrating into the team in the fall," stated Mancktelow.

"I am thrilled to have Sydney join the team next fall," Philliber said. "Her work ethic and ability to get her teammates in front of goal will be a great addition to the team."

Andrea Cuenca Medina (MF, 5-4, South St. Paul, Minn./Hill-Murray School
Cuenca Medina was a 2023 All-Metro East Honorable Mention selection. She was a two-year varsity letter winner at Hill-Murray School. 

She is the daughter of Daisy Medina and Noe Cuenca. Cuenca Medina is undecided on her major at U of M Crookston. Her brother Kevin Cuenca Medina is a goalkeeper at Rockhurst University. 
"Andrea is a creative midfield player who's vision and awareness on the field will be something we look to build on when she joins us in the fall," said Mancktelow.

"I am excited to add Andrea to our roster next fall," stated Philliber. ":Her work ethic and understanding of the game will be a great addition to the team." 

Callie Holthaus (MF, 5-3, Richmond, Minn./Albany H.S.)
Holthaus set a high school record at Albany H.S., for the most assists in a season with 14. She had three goals as a senior for Albany H.S. She was a member of the inaugural team at Albany H.S.

She is the daughter of Bonnie and Greg Holthaus. She plans to major in accounting at Minnesota Crookston. Her father Greg Holthaus played baseball at Ridgewater College.

"Callie's natural athleticism and ability to create goal scoring chances out of nothing will be a big asset to the 24 class," Mancktelow said.

"I am excited to have Callie join the roster next fall," remarked Philliber. "We value keeping local kids here and I look forward to seeing the impact she can make once she arrives next fall." 

Anna Kuecker (D, 5-8, Marshall, Minn., Marshall H.S.)
Kuecker was an All-Big South Conference Honorable Mention selection. She was a team captain and played five years of varsity soccer for Marshall H.S., starting all five. She was a 2023 MSHSL 4x800m relay state champion. She helped her team to a state championship in cross country. 

She is the daughter of Julie and Scott Kuecker. She plans to major in elementary education at Minnesota Crookston.

"Anna is a dedicated defender and a great example of the type of student athlete that we are looking to add to Golden Eagle Soccer," Mancktelow stated.

"The signing of Anna is great for our 2024 roster," Philliber said. "Her natural speed and ability to cover space on the field will be a great asset for the roster next fall."

Elise Lefers (F, 5-5, Brookings, S.D./Brookings H.S.)
She was named to the All-ESD Team for soccer. Lefers was a four-year Varsity Athlete Scholar Award recipient. She earned varsity letters each of her years in high school. She went to state for track in 2023. She earned the Music Scholar Award each of her years in high school. 

Her parents are Olivia and Matt Lefers. Lefers plans to major in exercise science at Minnesota Crookston. She lived and played soccer in Sydney, Australia for four years. She is a member of National Honor Society and has been on Honor Roll each of her semesters of high school.

"Elise's determination and focus are two things that really stand out to me about her and I think those qualities will help her when she joins us in the fall," remarked Mancktelow.

"It has been exciting getting to know Elise and having her sign to U of M Crookston," stated Philliber. "Her work ethic and understanding of the game will be a positive for us next fall."

Jordan Metz (GK, 5-9, Lino Lakes, Minn./Centennial H.S.)

Metz has earned All-Northwest Suburban Conference honors, and All-Northwest Suburban Honorable Mention accolades in her career. She helped her team at Centennial H.S., to a state runner-up finish. She holds the shutout record for Centennial H.S.

She plans to major in elementary education at Minnesota Crookston. 

"Jordan has been great to work with and we look forward to helping her transition into the college game as a goalkeeper," Mancktelow stated.

"I am excited to add a goalkeeper to the roster next fall," said Philliber. "Jordan's understanding of the game and personality will be a great addition to our goalkeeper unit." 

Corinne Meyer (F, 5-7, Lakeville, Minn./Edina H.S.)

She is the daughter of Karen and Chad Meyer. Her dad Chad played football at St. Cloud State University. Her mother Karen competed in track and field at Stonehill College.

"Corinne's a great example of the student athlete that we want here at Minnesota Crookston," Mancktelow said. "We are excited to work with her when she starts with us in the fall."

"I am thrilled to have Corrine's work ethic a part of this program next fall," remarked Philliber. "Her instinct to work hard and increase the environment will be an asset to this team."