Mankato, Minn. --- Minnesota State women's soccer coach Peter McGahey has announced nine student-athletes have committed to play women's soccer at MSU. All signings that are contingent upon admission to MSU and compliance with NCAA rules, including certification by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Committing to MSU are Tori Meinhardt (Maple Grove, Minn.), Courtney Vallarelli (Eagan, Minn.), Katrina Waltz (Farmington, Minn.), Brittany Zettel (Shorewood, Minn.), Kristina Gelecki (Omaha, Neb.), Jenn Peterson (Parker, Colo.), Brittany Cygan (Woodbury, Minn.), Sydney Temple (Madison, Wis.) and Brittany Leeder (Eagan, Minn.).

"It is a GREAT day to be a Maverick! We are excited to welcome our next generation of Maverick student athletes to our soccer program and University!" McGahey said. "Our efforts, both academically and athletically, continue to raise the expectations for our program. We are confident that all our 2010 student-athlete signees have the character and drive to build upon our program’s rich traditions of success both in the classroom and on the field. We look forward to sharing their efforts and triumphs, as they pursue their dreams here at Minnesota State University, Mankato."


Tori Meinhardt, Forward, Maple Grove, Minn., Osseo Senior High

Meinhardt is a four-year starter and letterwinner for the Orioles. Meinhardt led the Orioles in scoring all four season, with a total of 40 goals and 24 assists. She received the offensive MVP award all four seasons and team MVP her junior and senior seasons. Meinhardt was named all-conference all four seasons, named to the All-Area Team her junior and senior seasons as well as team captain both seasons. She also received the Presidential Award  as she received high honors in school. Meinhardt helped lead the team to a seven-game undefeated streak her sophomore season and then an 11-game undefeated streak her senior season. In her junior and senior seasons, the Orioles placed third in the Northwest Suburban Conference. Meinhardt was a member of the Plymouth Soccer Association. Her sister Katie was a member of the Bemidji State women’s soccer team. The daughter of Ron and Cheryl Meinhardt, she intends to major in Family Consumer Science.

“Tori is a fantastic technical and tactical soccer player, but what impresses me the most is her desire to learn the game. She is the epitome of coachable."
            -- Chad Hendricks, Osseo High School Soccer coach

Courtney Vallarelli, Forward, Eagan, Minn., Eagan High School

Vallarelli is a four-year starter and letterwinner for the Eagan high school soccer team. She helped lead her team to three section semi-finals, freshman through junior seasons. She established a career-record with 50 goals, and as a senior helped lead her team to the state tournament placing third. She tallied 97 points with 50 goals and 47 assists throughout her high school career. Vallarelli was named all-conference, All-State honorable mention her junior and senior seasons. The daughter of Fred and Susan Vallarelli, she intends to major in Pre-Physical Therapy or Elementary Education.
   
“Coutrney is a very dynamic player who added energy to the team up top and in the midfield. Coutney was a leader on and off the field and demonstrated her leadership by example to her teammates, and by her continuous outstanding play.” 
    --Mark Obarski, High School coach

Katrina Waltz, Forward, Farmington, Minn., Farmington High School

Waltz is a four-year starter and letter-winner for the Farmington Tigers. She led the team all four seasons with goals, finishing her high school career setting school records for career goals (49), assists (29) and points (78). Waltz helped lead the Tigers to a winning season her senior year. She received team MVP offense her junior and senior seasons as well as team captain both seasons. Waltz was named all-conference honorable mention junior year and all-conference her senior season. She participated in club soccer and won the Disney College Showcase, lower division and State Cup in 2007.  Her biggest sports thrill has been scoring the winning goal for the State Cup championship game. The daughter of Daniel and Melissa Waltz, Katrina intends to major in education, hoping to become and elementary teacher.

"I have been honored to have been able to coach as fine an athlete and leader as Katrina Waltz.  Every coach hopes to find that combination in a player and rarely does that hope become reality.  She is a unique find."
    --Rob Carpentier, High School Soccer coach

Brittany Zettel, Defender, Shorewood, Minn., Minnetonka High School

Zettel is a four-year starter and letterwinner for the Minnetonka Skippers. Zettel helped lead the team taking fourth in conference her freshman season, third her sophomore, fourth her junior and third again her senior season, with a combined career conference record of 32-22-9. Her senior season she was named MVP and All-Classic Lake Conference her junior and senior seasons. She was also a member of the Minnesota State ODP (PSA Wildfire Club) team from 2005-2008. As part of the club team she helped lead the team to winning the Minnesota Premier League championship three years in a row. Zettel's biggest sports thrill has been winning the Minnesota Premier league three years in a row and starting every varsity game throughout her high school career. Brittany is the daughter of Pat and Barb Zettel.           

"Brittany brings a tremendous physical presnece that allows her to be a strong tackler, a great ball winner out of the air and aplayer who can shut down opponents. Her three greatest strengths are; her tackling ability, her strength in the air and her leadership on defense."
                    ---Chris Laird, PSA Soccer coach

Kristina Gelecki, Midfielder, Omaha, Neb., Millard West High School

Gelecki enters her senior season of soccer in the spring at Millard West High School. She is a three-year letterwinner for the Geck. Gelecki has helped the team to two state championships and a district championship. Her greatest sports thrill thus far has been winning the Class A State Championship title twice, freshman and junior seasons. In her three seasons playing as midfielder she has assisted the team to a record of 52-11 overall. All three years her team has been named the Metro Conference champions. Her sister Michaela Gelecki played soccer for Buena Vista University in Iowa. The daughter of Mark and Lynda Gelecki, Kristina is a proposed pre-physical therapy major.

"As a soccer player Kristina has many great qualities, her work rate is first class, she is capable of playing in a number of positions at a high standard and can deliver a great cross from wide areas. She is a great teammate who interacts well with every member of the team and helps bring the team together."
    ---Matt Briggs, Head Soccer coach

Jenn Peterson, Forward/Midfielder, Parker, Colo., Chaparral High School

Peterson enters her senior season of soccer in the spring for the Wolverines. She is a three-year starter and letterwinner for the Wolverines. Peterson helped lead her team to fourth place in the Continental League 5A her junior season. She was named Academic All-State first team member for three seasons, and was named Continental League Honorable mention sophomore and junior seasons. Her biggest sport thrill was being 5A State Quarter finalist in 2008. The daughter of Peggy Peterson and the late Ken Peterson.
   
“ Jenn is a hard-working, intense and committed member of the varsity soccer program, who always works to better the team."
     --Jim Hall, Wolverines girl’s head soccer coach.

Brittany Cygan, Goalkeeper, Woodbury, Minn., Woodbury Senior High School

Cygan started at goalkeeper her sophomore, junior and senior years with her team, placing first in the Suburban East Conference each season. She helped advance the team to the state tournament each year, placing third her sophomore season, first her junior season and second in her senior season. She lists the experience of placing first in state as one of her biggest thrills in sport.  During her senior season Cygan led the team to a 46-game winning streak, while being ranked number one in the nation for four weeks. She also helped lead a team that gave up only 26 goals in 68 games. Cygan received all-conference and All-State, her junior and senior years. In her senior season she tallied 18 shutout matches, six goals-against-average, and 54 saves. The daughter of Matthew and Patricia Cygan, Brittany intends to major in accounting .

"She has very good technical skills; she is always in position, and is a student of the game. Brittany is a true team player, her accomplishments on the field are just an extension of the classroom. She has been a positive role model in the classroom, on the soccer field, and throughout the community." 
                    ---Pat Malicki, High School Soccer Coach

Sydney Temple, Forward, Madison, Wis., Madison LaFollette High School

Temple enters her senior season of soccer in the spring for the Madison LaFollette Lancers. She has started and lettered her previous three seasons. She has helped her team to second place in the Big 8 conference her sophomore year and fifth her junior year. In her three seasons she has tallied 28 goals, 24 assists accumulating 80 points, playing a total of 55 games. Temple was named all-conference honorable mention her junior year, First Team All-Conference and First Team All-City her sophomore year and second team All-Conference her freshman year. Sydney is the daughter of Gary and Cheryl Temple.

“Because of Sydney’s natural leadership skills, she is considered one of the cores of our soccer team, her peers look to her for guidance in times of need and celebrate with her in times of success.”
     –Eric Ballweg, Club Coach


Brittany Leeder, Defender, Eagan, Minn., Eastview High School

Leeder is a four-year starter and letter-winner for the Eastview Lighting, receiving the Ms. Defense award all four years. Leeder helped lead her team to three section 3AA tournament championships, receiving first her sophomore and junior season and second her senior season. In her junior season her team placed fourth in the state tournament. A team captain her senior year she made the Section 3AA Coaches All-Conference Section Tournament Team, received an all-conference award, the Lightning award, Adidas Team Academic award and a Presidential Achievement Leadership award. Leeder was a four-year starting member of the Minnesota Thunder Elite Academy team. The daughter of Charles and Leanne Leeder.

“Brittany has been the cornerstone of our defense and team. We have played many different systems, but all of them have been built around Brittany as the anchor of our defense and as a leader of our team."
    -- Ben Gaddis, Minnesota Thunder Elite Academy Coach

2010 MSU Women's Soccer Recruiting Class

Player	Position	Hometown	Last Team
Tori Meinhardt	Forward	Maple Grove, Minn.	Osseo Senior High School
Courtney Vallarelli	Forward	Eagan, Minn.	Eagan High School
Katrina Waltz	Forward	Farmington, Minn.	Farmington High School
Brittany Zettel	Defender	Shorewood, Minn.	Minnetonka High School
Kristina Gelecki	Midfielder	Omaha, Neb.	Millard West High School
Jenn Peterson	Fwd./Mid.	Parker, Colo.	Chaparral High School
Brittany Cygan	Goalkeeper	Woodbury, Minn.	Woodbury Senior High School
Sydney Temple	Forward	Madison, Wis.	Madison LaFollette High School
Brittany Leeder	Defender	Eagan, Minn.	Eastview High School

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