ST. PAUL, Minn. - Concordia University head coach Joe Alianiello has announced the signing of six additional soccer athletes to NCAA National Letters of Intent. Kaitlin Budd, Samantha Genung, Amy Jo Krivanek, Kimberly Sauberlich, Sara Skyberg and Arielle Stimson are the newest members of the 2009 Golden Bear soccer recruiting class.
Kaitlin Budd is a 5-9 senior goalkeeper at Antioch Community High School in Antioch, Ill. A four-time soccer letterwinner, Budd led her squad to a 2008 NSC Prairie Division championship. She was named IHSSCA Honorable Mention in 2007 and was a three-time All-Area Honorable Mention athlete (2006-2008). An accomplished student, as well, Budd has received high honors every year in high school and was a three-time North Suburban Conference All-Academic athlete. Budd also earned two letters in basketball and one in volleyball. She is active in National Honor Society and is the daughter of William and Jeani Budd.
"Katie is a fantastic goalkeeper and will be competing for the starting spot for the next four years," commented Alianiello of Budd. "She is very solid in the net and has the ability to make some unbelievable saves."
Samantha Genung, a 5-6 defender, is a native of Lindstrong, Minn. and is set to graduate from Chisago Lakes High School. Genung has combined for seven letters in track & field, soccer and academics. She has been named All-Conference Honorable Mention for her efforts in both track & field and soccer, and is also an Academic All-Conference athlete. She is the daughter of Kim Hofmann and Darren Genung. Genung will double as a multi-sport athlete for the Golden Bears, competing both on the pitch and on the track.
"Sam is athletic and quick, very versatile and can play essentially anywhere across the back line or in the midfield," said Alianiello of the dual athlete.
Amy Jo Krivanek is a native of Alexandria, Minn. and will graduate from Jefferson High School this spring. A 5-5 midfielder and defender, Krivanek has earned two letters for her particpation in soccer for the Cardinals. She was named All-Conference her senior season as she helped her team to a school best record of 14-3. Krivanek wsa also named Academic All-Conference and is a member of NHS, FCA, marching band and the jazz band. The oldest of four children, Krivanek is the daughter of Willian and Ann. She plans to major in kinesiology at Concordia with the goal of becoming a physical therapist.
"Amy has a great work ethic and a ton of upside," said Alianiello. "She can play anywhere across the backline and will increase our depth in the back."
From Appleton, Wis. and a 2009 graduate of Appleton North High School, Kimberly Sauberlich is a 5-6 defender. She has earned three letters in soccer, guiding her team to an undefeated 9-0 conference season as a senior and a State Tournament appearance. Sauberlich was named All-Conference First Team and All-Area Third Team as a senior in 2008 and was an All-Conference Honorable Mention honoree in 2007. She has also earned two letters for her participation in basketball and has twice earned the Academic Excellence distinction. Sauberlich is a member of the Psychology Club and assisted in organizing prom for the disabled at her high school. She plans on majoring in kinesiology at Concordia with the intent of pursuing a career in physical therapy. Sauberlich is the daughter of Kirk and Mary Sauberlich.
"Kim is a shutdown defender who possesses a ton of tenacity and grit. She has a great attitude of never wanting to get beat and will help bolster an already strong backline."
Sara Skyberg will come to Concordia from Esko, Minn., where she will graduate this spring from Esko High School. A 5-9 forward, Skyberg has combined for ten combined letters in soccer and track & field for the Eskimos, also gaining numerous All-Conference nods in the combined sports. She was the second-leading goal scorer for her soccer squad in her junior and senior seasons. She has been an Academic All-State athlete for three years, with her senior track season remaining. An accomplished jumper who will also compete with the Golden Bear track team, Skyberg cleared 5' 4" in 2007 on her way to a 6th place finish in the event at the State meet. She took 10th place in the high jump in 2006. Skyberg cleared the 7-foot mark as a pole vaulter and ran a personal best 29 seconds in the 200m dash. She is the daughter of Kevin Skyberg and Diane Gustafson.
"Sara will spark our front line and help create more goal-scoring opportunities for us," Alianiello explained.
Arielle Stimson is a 5-3 forward from Lakeville, Minn. and will graduate from Lakeville South High School this spring. Stimson has earned four letters in soccer and one in track. She was named MVP of her high school's soccer team as a senior, leading the Cougars in goals and assists on the season. As a sophomore, Stimson was a member of Shattuck Saint Mary's U17 team that took second at nationals. She participated in her school play her senior year. Stimson is the daughter of Gene and Teresa Stimson and plans on majoring in public relations at Concordia with a minor in French.
"Arielle is a pure goal scorer, plain and simple," said Alianiello. "She is smooth on the ball, has great breakaway speed and will immediately aid our production up front."
