MARSHALL, Minn. - Southwest Minnesota State head soccer coach
Amy Olson has announced the signing of four student-athletes for the 2010 season. Liana Hart from Marshall, Whitney Borstad from Coppell, Texas, Kate Chandler from Eagan, Minn., and Kiley Fink from Harrisburg, S.D., have all signed letters of intent to continue their academic and athletic careers at SMSU.
Hart is currently a senior at Marshall High School where she was a three-year letterwinner with the boys’ soccer program. The defender was named her team’s most valuable player in 2009 and defender of the year in 2007. Hart scored one goal for the Tigers in 2009.
“Liana is a strong leader and very hard working player,” said Olson. “I am very anxious to have her working with our team.”
Borstad will graduate from Coppell High School in Texas this spring. A two-year letterwinner, she was named second team all-district this past season and was a member of the 2009 Texas 5A state championship team. Borstad is expected to play in the midfield for the Mustangs. She is the third Borstad to join the SMSU soccer program as her older sister, Tatum, is currently on the Mustang roster, while her other older sister, Kayla, played at SMSU from 2005 to 2007.
“Whitney played for a strong high school and club program and brings a lot of experience to the table,” Olson said. “I anticipate that she will make an impact on the field for us immediately.”
Chandler will join the SMSU soccer team after graduating this spring from Eagan High School. The three-year letterwinner led her team to a section championship and third-place state finish in 2009. Chandler is expected to play defender or midfield for the Mustangs.
“Kate comes from a very strong high school program and has played against some of the best players in the state,” Olson said. “We are excited to have a player of Kate’s caliber with us for 2010.”
Fink is currently a senior at Harrisburg High School in South Dakota. A five-year letterwinner and starter, she was a four-time all-state honoree, picking up first team accolades her sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Fink captained her squad for two seasons and scored 20 goals during her senior season. Her team was Class A runner-up in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009 and picked up a third-place finish in 2006. For her career, Fink scored 66 goals and recorded 22 assists. She is expected to play in the midfield for SMSU.
“I expect Kiley to help out our team right away,” Olson said. “She has great speed and a knack for hitting the back of the net; we are very thrilled to have Kiley as part of our team next year.”
SMSU finished the 2009 season with a 2-14-0 overall record and 2-11-0 in the NSIC. The Mustangs were 12th in the final conference standings.
Southwest Minnesota State University, located in Marshall, Minn., is a member of NCAA Division II and competes in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference.