OTTAWA, Kan. - Ottawa University’s women’s soccer program has announced its signings for the 2010 season. The Lady Braves have signed five players, transfers Kayde Kluge, Alex Rivas and Theresa Crane and freshmen Taylor Mays and Kaitlyn Stinson to letters of intent for the 2010-2011 school year.
Kluge, a junior transfer from Newman University, is a defender from Wichita, Kan. She earned two letters for the Jets and was team captain her sophomore season. Kluge was named second team All-Heartland Conference at midfielder her sophomore season. At Maize High School, Kluge earned first team all-state and all-region as a junior and senior. She was a four-time all-conference performer. Kluge was named All-Metro her senior season, earned Varsity Defensive MVP honors her junior and senior seasons and was named team captain as a junior and as a senior. In 2006, 2005 and 2004 Kluge played club for coach Sammy Lane and helped lead her team to the Kansas State Cup finals. In 2008 Kluge played for coach Nathan Wilkey and helped her club team once again to the state finals. She played club ball with Lady Brave teammates, Lauren Peil, Amanda Just and Casie Kultgen.
“She is a player of unbelievable experience coming from a NCAA II school where she was a starter and captain as a sophomore. Kayde will add the physicality we missed in our national tournament game last season,” said OU head coach Craig Shaw. “Being reunited with her Lady Tigers club mates, Kayde will find the love of the game again and will be back to being one of the best defenders Kansas has ever produced.”
Kluge is the daughter of Rick and Val Kluge and plans to major in human services.
Rivas, a junior transfer from Fresno City College, is a midfielder from Fresno, Calif. She lettered two years in soccer and one year in cross country for the Rams. She earned second team all-conference at FCC and helped the Rams to a final ranking of 10th in the nation. At Edison High School Rivas earned two letters in soccer, three in track and four in cross country. She was a second team all-conference selection for the Tigers.
“She is a very accomplished left midfielder who was also a captain as a sophomore for her nationally ranked Junior college team,” said Shaw. “Luckily for me she went under the radar due to an ACL injury six games into last season. With her worth ethic, personality and determination there is no doubt she will be back this fall ready to show other colleges what they missed out on.”
Rivas is the daughter of Anna and Gerard Rivas and plans to major in biology.
Crane, a transfer from Barton Community College, is a forward from Herriman, Utah. She was a two year letterwinner for the Cougars. In 2009 Crane was a second team All-KJCCC selection at forward and a NJCAA All-Region VI second team selection. In 2008 she was a second team All-KJCCC selection at midfield and a NJCAA All-Region VI second team selection. As a sophomore Crane scored 18 goals and had 24 assists and as a freshman she scored 23 goals and had 17 assists (41 goals, 41 assists). At Riverton High School, Crane earned four letters in soccer for the Silver Wolves.
“Theresa is a player with the total package; great personality, superb grades, impressive work ethic, a total team player and unmatched proven goal scoring ability,” said Shaw “Obviously due to this she received a lot of interest and my team and I are very glad she chose here as she will fit in perfectly on and off the field.”
Crane is the daughter of Scott and Donna Crane and plans to major in elementary education.
Stinson, a goalkeeper from Davenport, Iowa, will red-shirt her freshman season at OU. In 2009 she was an honorable mention all-state selection and was named first team All-MAC at goalkeeper. Stinson was named MAC All-Academic in 2009 and in 2007. She was team MVP in 2009.
“She is a very talented goal keeper who I coached back in my Iowa days and have known for about four years,” said Shaw. “I am very glad she has decided to join our program especially when there are many programs who would like a goalkeeper of her stature. Kaitlyn will redshirt and learn off our current two goalkeepers and we be ready to fight for starting time in 2011.
Stinson is the daughter of Mark and Jodi Stinson and plans to major in biology.
Mays is an incoming freshman defender from Olathe, Kan. and attends Olathe South High School. She earned two letters in soccer and three letters in volleyball for the Falcons. Mays was voted by her teammates as the Most Improved Player her junior season. During her sophomore season, Mays was junior varsity captain and voted Best JV Defender. Mays played club soccer for the Blue Valley Starts Barcelona and was coached by Nacole Neuendorf. She helped her team to the KCI Tournament finals, the MAG Tournament semifinals and to the Tulsa Thunder Friendship Cup Championship. Mays helped her volleyball team go to state in 2009 and 2007, finishing third in 2007.
“The only outfield freshman I have signed as she is the only one I have seen this whole recruiting season that I felt could come in and add something to our very experienced squad,” said Shaw. “Her size, athleticism and composure on the ball will see her have a great four years in either defense or defensive mid. If a defensive player would ever get a KCAC freshman of the year award she would be the one. A lot of schools in Kansas will be kicking themselves for missing out on her!”
Mays is the daughter of Ron and Shari Mays and plans to major in exercise science.
The Lady Braves won their fifth KCAC Championship and their fourth KCAC Tournament Championship in 2009. Ottawa University qualified for the NAIA National Tournament and hosted the first round, both firsts in program history. Ottawa finished the season with an overall record 16-5-0 and returns everyone from the 2009 season.