MARQUETTE, Mich. - The NMU women's soccer team has announced its incoming freshman class, including nine students across four different states.

"There is a lot of excitement surrounding this recruiting class. This group will push boundaries, create lasting bonds, and strive for excellence both on and off the field," says head coach Jon Sandoval.

This incoming group features multiple all-region selections, all-district selections, national champions, state champions, and team captains, boasting a plethora of winning mentality and leadership being added to the reigning GLIAC post-season and regular season champions.

"We believe that every player brings unique skills and experiences that contribute to our collective strength, and we are eager to welcome these passionate athletes into our program. 

To succeed, they will need to embody our core values and commit to continuous improvement. This is where their dedication meets opportunity."

Meet The Incoming Class
A forward from Naperville, Illinois, Lucy Burk joins the Wildcats from Metea Valley High School and Galaxy SC club. In her time at Metea Valley, Lucy was a state champion, a two-time all-sectional selection, an all-state selection, broke her school's career assist record, and was a four-year varsity basketball player. Burk is also a State Cup champion and National champion with Galaxy SC club team. 

A Fenton, Michigan native, Alyse Daavettila joins the Wildcats from Hartland High School and Legends FC club. During her time before NMU, Alyse was an all-district selection, an all-region selection, and an all-state third-team member. 

Emma Kastamo comes to Northern Michigan from Hartland High School and Legends FC club. The Hartland, Michigan native was a member of the 2021 D1 state championship team, as well as captain of her high school team.

Irene Kiilunen comes to NMU from Brighton, Michigan, where she played varsity for Brighton High School and club for Legends FC. Kiilunen is a 2023 all-conference member, and a 2022 second-team all-Livingston County selection, and is a State Cup Champion for Legends FC. 

Marena Maceroni is a forward who comes to NMU from Macomb, Michigan, where she played for MI Burn Soccer Club and Lutheran High North. In her time before the Wildcats, Marena was an all-region selection, a three-time all-district selection, and was named to the All-State third team. Along with soccer, Marena played basketball in high school. 

A defender from College Station, Texas, Kira Merrell joins the Wildcats from A&M Consolidated High School and Challenge SC club. Kira is a first-team all-district selection, was a team captain, and played varsity basketball her freshman year at Consolidated.  

A goalkeeper from Columbus, Ohio, Sally Patton joins the Wildcats from Upper Arlington High School and Sporting Columbus club. Sally was a four-year starter in her time at Upper Arlington and was team captain her senior year, where she holds school records in career shutouts (33), and is tied for first in single-season shutouts (15). Sally was a first-team all-conference and all-district selection, a second-team all-state selection, and named 2023 team MVP and 2022 coaches award recipient. 

Carly Sides is a goalkeeper from Libertyville, Illinois, who will join the Wildcats from Vernon Hills High School and Chicago FC United club. At Vernon Hills, Carly was a three-year starter and two-year captain and was an all-conference and all-sectional award winner, along with a National Honor Society member who was an honor roll member all four years. Sides is also a two-time Illinois state champion with Chicago FC.

A midfielder from Hartland, Michigan, Katie Swirczek comes to the Wildcats from Hartland High School and the Michigan Jaguars club. 2024 Captain of Hartland Varsity, Katie is a two-time all-district selection, an all-region selection, a 2022-23 all-Livingston County selection, and a member of the 2021 high school state championship team. Swirczek is a 2023 state champion with the Michigan Jaguars, and played basketball in high school. 

Looking Ahead
The Wildcats open 2024 with an exhibition at home against Lewis on August 24, at 1 PM. The full schedule release can be found here.