SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Head coach
Brandon Barkus of Augustana soccer has announced an incoming class of seven student-athletes on National Signing Day. The seven future Vikings signed their National Letter of Intent Wednesday morning to continue their academic and athletic careers at Augustana University. This is
Brandon Barkus' 17th incoming freshmen class at Augustana.
"We are extremely excited to welcome this amazing group of young student athletes to the Augustana Soccer family. Each player brings a unique skill set that will add depth across a variety of positions. The overall character and talent of this class is extraordinary. Plus, with their proven ability to be impactful players on both their high school and club teams, I believe they will enhance our culture, competitiveness and success on the field immediately. I am very humbled that they chose Augustana and I truly believe that their intelligence and personalities will ensure our future will be bright!"
Addison Burt | Back | 5'7 | Omaha, Neb. | VJ and Angela Skutt Catholic | Gretna Soccer Club
Barkus on Burt "Addison is an incredibly smart and composed player who I anticipate will make an immediate impact in our back line. She is very technically sound and absolutely terrific out of the air. She wins balls with strength and determination that makes her strong and valued for our team. I believe that she can be a huge asset in the box on set pieces. Addison has been well coached which has really influenced her growth as a player. Addison's overall 1v1 defending will create massive challenges for our opponents and I am so very excited to see how she competes in our league!"
High School: Addison Burt comes to Augustana by way of VJ and Angela Skutt Catholic where she will captain the Skyhawks in the 2024 season. Last season, Burt received River Cities all-conference honorable mention and was an all-state honorable mention. Burt is a three-time state champion for the Skyhawks.
Ava Silvernail | Midfield | 5'7 | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Jefferson | Dakota Alliance Soccer Club
Barkus on Silvernail "Ava is an extremely athletic and physically tough midfielder that will be a wonderful addition to our team. Ava has great pure speed as well as excellent technical speed that shows how much pride she has in shutting down her opposition, this is a hard quality to teach, but Ava exudes this confidence. She brings others in the game with her possession but it's also her quality on the ball that truly separates her from other players. Her mentality also just really fits with what we were looking for and I really believe she will impact the team upon stepping on campus. Ava is going to look great in Navy and Gold!"
High School: A four-year starter for the Cavaliers, Silvernail will captain her high-school team in the upcoming 2024 season. A two-time metro all-conference honoree was a state runner-up in her freshman season.
Ella Weide | Midfield | 5'6 | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Harrisburg | Dakota Alliance
Barkus on Weide "Ella is an absolutely amazing playmaking midfielder that we are really excited about. Her first touch, composure and vision on the field will allow her to impact the game in so many ways. Ella has a great feel for the game and is very comfortable and capable of creating chances as a true 10 on the field. Weide savviness and bravery on the ball in tight spaces will contribute to our possession and will be a huge asset in our attack. Ella has an outgoing personality and high soccer IQ. I look forward to seeing her take the field next fall for our team! "
High School: A midfielder from Harrisburg high school, Weide is coming off a 17-1 senior season where she recorded six goals and three assists. Weide, an ESD conference first-team member, has won back-to-back state championships.
Isabelle Franks | Back | 5'0 | Gretna, Neb. | Gretna | Sporting Nebraska FC
Barkus on Franks "Izzie is an incredible all-around athlete that I am really excited about, she is amazing in 1v1 defending situations and she is great on the flank. Her abilities to sprint box to box relentlessly will truly separate her from all the other players in our league. She is fantastic in possession but I think it's her vertical passing with either foot that is one of her greatest qualities. I love her work rate and competitive spirit and I believe she is a perfect fit for our program moving forward. We are very excited to see Izzie in the Navy and Gold!"
High School: A three-time state champion for the Dragons of Gretna high school, the senior back has 11 goals and 9 assists through three seasons from the backfield. When not suiting up for her nationally ranked Dragons, Franks has won two state championships with Sporting Nebraska FC 2006.
Linnea Larson | Goalkeeper | 5'6 | Bennington, Neb. | Bennington | Nebraska Roots 05 G1
Barkus on Larson "Linnea is a very talented athletic goalkeeper that has calm confidence and phenomenal shot stopping abilities. Larson will make our goalkeeper crew one of the best in our league that will rival the top groups in the nation. Linnea is extremely competitive and has a team first mentality that I just love. Her work rate will be great for our training environment, I feel like she will fit in very well with our team. I love how great Linnea is with her feet, her comfortableness dealing with balls played to the backfield that will give our overall possession and ability to build out of the back a huge lift. I look forward to her next four years in an Augie uniform!"
High School: A three-year starter going into her senior season, Larson was an all-state honorable mention in her junior season after recording a 13-6 for the Badgers of Bennington high school. Larson recorded a goals against average of 0.509 in her junior season.
Makenzie Nelson | Forward | 5'6 | Sioux Falls, S.D. | Jefferson | Dakota Alliance
Barkus on Nelson "Makenzie is a true flank player, her left foot is incredible and her strength and desire to compete as a wide player is second to none. Nelson is fit, strong and fast. She has a good technical base and has the ability to serve high quality balls into dangerous areas. Her work rate is exactly what we look for when recruiting front runners, she is aggressive and I believe will be an absolute handful for our opponents next year. Mackenzie is an elite athlete that flat out scores goals. Her intensity and grit will show next fall, I have no doubt!"
High School: A four-year letterwinner and senior year captain, Nelson was named metro conference first-team after a nine goal season. In her freshman season, she was a state-runner up alongside incoming Viking, Silvernail.
Morgan Mancuso | Forward | 5'7 | Omaha, Neb. | Roncalli Catholic | Gretna Soccer Club
Barkus on Mancuso "Morgan will impact our front line with her natural attacking instincts as her qualities will be showcased because of her tenacity and relentlessness to go forward and drive to score. I love how aggressive Morgan is in 1v1 situations, setting herself and teammates up to score will be fantastic. Morgan will be a very difficult matchup for the opponents in our league, it will be exciting to see her on the field. She's a proven goal scorer at the high school and club level and we are confident she will continue that when she arrives here at Augustana! "
High School: A premier high school scorer for the Crimson Pride, Mancuso has potted 69 goals in three seasons. She was the top freshman scorer in the state of Nebraska while also leading her team to a district B championship. Mancuso is a three-time first team all-conference.
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