FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State University head women's soccer coach Mike Regan announced Wednesday, Nov. 14, nine student-athletes will join the Bison soccer program beginning in the fall of 2019.
Eden Taylor-Wineera, a midfield from Darlington, New South Wales, Australia; Regan Ostler, a defender from Fort Collins, Colo.; Grace Sjoberg, a defender/midfielder from Eagan, Minn.; McKenna Strand, a defender from Woodbury, Minn.; Kate Swanis, a midfielder from Las Vegas, Nev.; Paris Walsh, a defender from Las Vegas, Nev.; Paige Goaley, a forward from South St. Paul, Minn.; Taylore Simmons, a midfielder/forward from Las Vegas, Nev. and Lavin Douglass, a midfielder from Hopkins, Minn. will all play soccer and continue their education at NDSU.
"We are excited to welcome these nine new players to our Bison women's soccer family," Regan said. "Bringing in players at a variety of positions will help add depth to our team as we continue to climb the ladder in The Summit League."
Eden Taylor-Wineera
MF | Darlington, New South Wales, Australia (Alexandria Park Community HS)
High School: Also played tennis, basketball and softball in addition to club soccer…Selected for NSW Metro/Country Tennis State Team Tournament…Club: Selected to play for MacArthur Rams Senior Women in the NSW Women's National Premier League 1…Started all 18 games during 2018 season…Scored three goals during 2018 season… Personal: Daughter of Carey and Mel Taylor-Wineera…Mother played on New Zealand Under 19 softball team at the Junior World Series in 1995…Plans to major in Psychology.
Coach's Clipboard: "Eden has great technical qualities, a great work ethic and insight into what is happening on the field. She has a great passing range and accuracy, and can shoot from distance. She is able to beat players and can hit a killer pass." – Troy Whitton, MacArthur Rams
Regan Ostler
D | Fort Collins, Colo. (Rocky Mountain HS)
High School: Three-year varsity letterwinner…Two-year varsity starter…Earned all-conference second team honors as a junior…Team qualified for third round of the playoffs…Earned the Lobo Way Award…A member of the National Honor Society…Club: Played for Broomfield SC…Personal: Daughter of Danae and Arin Ostler…Sister, Riley, plays soccer at Metro State.
Coach's Clipboard: "Regan is a centerback who is committed to communication and organizing those around her. Teammates will love playing with her, she's brave in tackles and works hard. Goalkeepers will love playing behind her, she will put her body on the line to block shots and services. Regan is motivated to be and play with the best; she traveled two hours daily to club practices to compete against some of the best soccer players in Colorado. Regan is also a winner: she's a State Cup Champion and helped lead her team to two State Cup finals. Most importantly, she's a great teammate and will fully commit to helping North Dakota State be successful!" – Megan Remec, Broomfield SC
Grace Sjoberg
D/MF | Eagan, Minn. (Eagan HS)
High School: Three-year varsity letterwinner…Two-year varsity starter…Earned all-state honors in 2018…Set Eagan single-season assists record with 15…Led team to 2017 state title…Eagan went 13-0-3 during 2018 season…Scored nine goals and had 23 assists in her career…Club: Played for White Bear Soccer Club…Personal: Daughter of Trina and Patrick Sjoberg…Intends to major in Psychology.
Coach's Clipboard: "Grace is the hardest working, most intense and most passionate player I have ever coached. She has great first touches on the ball and perfect long ball range accuracy. She has good passing ability and accurate vision as a holding mid. She is a hard worker in the middle and very aggressive player with good speed, quickness and strength." – Dickenson Vilme, White Bear Soccer Club
McKenna Strand
D | Woodbury, Minn. (Woodbury HS)
High School: Four-year varsity letterwinner…Four-year varsity starter…Scored four goals and had three assists last season…Earned Rookie of the Year honors…Team finished third in section and made it to section semifinals…Club: Played for Eclipse Select Minnesota…Personal: Daughter of Mary Chepolis and Blake Strand.
Coach's Clipboard: "McKenna's energy and enthusiasm are contagious, so much so that everyone rises to a higher level when they are in her presence. She is an outstanding player with an ability to read the game well and close down attackers in space. She is a joy to coach and we can't wait to see what she and the Bison accomplish in the future." – Andy Kaasa, Eclipse Select Minnesota
Kate Swanis
MF | Las Vegas, Nev. (Bishop Gorman HS)
High School: Three-year varsity letterwinner…Two-year varsity starter…Led team to 16-0 record in 2018…Team won league title and state title in 2017…Vice President of History Club…Member of National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society…Club: Played for Heat FC…Personal: Daughter of Tiffany and Eric Swanis.
Coach's Clipboard: "I'm really excited for Kate to be attending North Dakota State. Kate is really excited about the opportunity to play for Coach Regan. Kate is a very dynamic attacking center midfielder. She is excellent at running at a back line and creating shots for herself. She has tremendous vision and is also an excellent distributor of the ball. She is adept at finding strikers in behind a back line. Kate is a terrific teammate and is always willing to sacrifice for the team. Being the best player she can be is a top priority for her. She is really going to flourish at North Dakota State!" – Tom Amick, Heat FC
Paris Walsh
D | Las Vegas, Nev. (Centennial HS)
High School: Earned a varsity letter during her sophomore year…Started as a sophomore…Earned ECNL Composite Team honors…Helped team to be State Cup Champions…Also participated in track & field and flag football…Led team to 2016 State Championships in Track & Field and Flag Football…Club: Played for Heat FC…Personal: Daughter of Karli and Brian Walsh…Intends to major in Biological Sciences.
Coach's Clipboard: "Paris is a tall strong center back that has the ability to anchor a top Division I programs defense. Paris will bring strength, power and a thirst to compete against the best." – Eric McDonald, Heat FC
Paige Goaley
F | South St. Paul, Minn. (Cretin-Derham Hall HS)
High School: Four-year varsity letterwinner…Four-year varsity starter…Member of National Honor Society…Four-time all-conference selection…Named honorable mention all-state as a senior…Earned CDH Varsity Soccer MVP honors as a junior…Led team to 12-4 record during regular season…Helped team to State Tournament Consolation Title as a junior…Also plays basketball…Club: Played for Dakota REV…Personal: Daughter of Cathy and Doug Goaley…Mother played golf at St. Cloud State…Brother, Sam, plays football at St. Thomas.
Coach's Clipboard: "Paige is a strong and fast competitor that likes to have the ball at her feet. She is capable of giving defenses trouble on the dribble and by shooting from distance, but doesn't shy away from defending hard as well. She's the type of player that works as hard in training as she does in matches and is a great personality to have as a teammate." – Taylor Rasmussen, Dakota REV
Taylore Simmons
MF/F | Las Vegas, Nev. (Shadow Ridge HS)
High School: Three-year varsity letterwinner…Three-year varsity starter…Scored 12 goals and had seven assists as a freshman…Voted Offensive Player of the Year on her team…Led team to second round of playoffs…Club: Played for Heat FC…Personal: Daughter of Nicole MacDowell and Mark Simmons.
Coach's Clipboard: "Taylore is a hard working physical player with play making ability on both the defensive side and offensive side of the ball. Taylore is an exceptional teammate and will help connect players by being a good teammate to all on the team." – Eric McDonald, Heat FC
Lavin Douglass
MF | Hopkins, Minn. (Hopkins HS)
High School: Four-year varsity letterwinner…Four-year varsity starter…Three-time all-state selection (First team as junior and senior, second team as a sophomore)…Scored 11 goals and had three assists as a senior…Tallied 39 goals and 16 assists in her career… Also ran track and field, where she qualified for the state meet in the 4x800-meter relay as a sophomore…Club: Played for ECNL Minnesota Thunder Academy…Personal: Daughter of Kathy and Rob Douglass…Sister, Chance, plays soccer at Truman State.
Coach's Clipboard: "Lavin is an athletic midfielder who is technical, makes good decisions with the ball and has good speed. She's highly competitive and has a drive to improve and make those around her better. She'll have a positive impact on the Bison program and has the potential to be an all-conference player." – Dave Alberti, ECNL Minnesota Thunder Academy
North Dakota State finished the 2018 season with an overall record of 9-7 and 6-2 in The Summit League.
