CARBONDALE, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Saluki women’s soccer program announced the signing of six players on Wednesday. It’s the second recruiting class for head coach Grant Williams, who led the Salukis to a 5-10-2 record in the program’s first season last year.
“Obviously, today is an exciting day and one that we’ve anticipated for quite a while,” said Williams. “We couldn’t be happier to welcome the five new incoming freshmen and one transfer to round out our 2020 recruiting class. The message from the get-go was that we wanted players who wanted to come here to make their mark and to help move our program forward. We had kind of set a benchmark last year for the pieces that we needed to add to help move the bar. I think we’ve been able to do that very successfully with the young ladies that will be joining our class.”
Out of the six recruits that Southern signed, only one came from the state of Illinois. After signing Alyssa Fallon out of Las Vegas, Nev. in last year’s class, Williams was able to secure another commitment from a player out of the Sin City in this year’s class. Additionally, Southern was able to add a player via transfer out of Louisiana Tech University for the second year in a row.
“I think adding players like that into our program is kind of two-fold,” said Williams. “Part of that is what Southern Illinois offers as an academic institution and the kind of experience the kids are going to get both as a student and an athlete. The second part of that is that they recognize what we’re trying to do as a soccer program. We now have the experience of our players to build on and people can kind of see what we look like, what the track record looks like and the trajectory looks like. That’s a very appealing message, whether a kid is five minutes down the road or all the way across the country. We are setting ourselves up to be in a great spot to achieve our goals.”
2020 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS WOMEN’S SOCCER SIGNING DAY CLASS
Lillie Schaldemose | 5’9″, Freshman | Murphysboro, Ill. | Murphysboro High School
High School & Club
Participated in varsity soccer for Murphysboro High School … was a part of the inaugural Murphysboro team of 2017 that went 13-5-2 … All-sectional honoree as a junior … earned All-south honors all three seasons of her playing career … totaled 104 career goals, including 51 during her junior season … team MVP both freshman and junior years … team captain her junior year … earned high honors throughout high school … also played volleyball and was a three-time All-conference honoree (2017, 2018, 2019) … member of the National Honor Society who was also in Key club, Beta Club and History Club.
Personal
Full name is Lillie Ozburn Schaldemose … daughter of Martin and Julie Schaldemose … father is a carpenter and her mother is an insurance agent … has two siblings … born on July 22, 2002.
“We always want the best players in our area to consider us first. Lillie has a fantastic track record of scoring goals at Murphysboro. She brings a level of athleticism and work rate that helped us address a couple key components we were looking for in this class. It will be a level of jump up in competition from what she’s used to, but we believe she’s up to the task given what we’ve seen of her. We look forward to seeing how she develops going forward.”
Riley Maulick | 5’5″, Freshman | Appleton, Wis. | Appleton North High School
High School & Club
Three-year starter for the varsity soccer team at Appleton North High School … helped her team win a regional championship in 2019 … All-conference honorable mention for 2018 and 2019 … also was a three-year starter on NEW United and played in the youth soccer Midwest Regional League … started her final year of club with the Allouez Stampede … placed first in the state in the State League 18U Premier … also played hockey and was a four-year varsity starter … helped Appleton North win two state championships … spent time volunteering with the soccer team by serving breakfast at a homeless shelter and helping coach at a surrounding youth soccer clinic.
Personal
Full name is Riley Marie Maulick … daughter of David and Christine Maulick … father is a general manager while her mother is a sales manager … two siblings, Greyson and Madison … born on April 21, 2002.
“Riley is going to bring some depth to our back line. She’s versatile and that’s another key component that we were looking for in adding to our 2020 class. She’s good on the ball and has good speed in addition to reading the game well. She also has some toughness, as she’s a two-time Wisconsin high school state hockey champion. You don’t play hockey just for the fun of it. She is a competitor and tough and we look forward to seeing her on our team.”
Mia Edwards | 5’9″, Freshman | Las Vegas, Nev. | Doral Academy Red Rock High School
High School & Club
Played varsity soccer for Liberty High school for her first three years of high school … selected to play for Nevada’s first and only United States soccer development academy club team: Albion SC Las Vegas 01/02 Girls DA … earned All-southern Nevada and All-conference honors (2018-19) … also played varsity volleyball during freshman year … served as president and vice president for the student council … member of the National Honor Society in addition to yearbook, dance and graduation committee.
Personal
Full name is Mia Symone Edwards … daughter of Michael and Miko Edwards … father is a commercial banker … has two siblings … born on November 11, 2001 … was once a figure skater hopeful being coached and trained by a three-time Olympian before playing soccer for the first time in eighth grade.
“Mia is a physical presence. She’s got great size, strength and enough speed to stretch a team. She’s primarily been an attacking player. She also got some experience last year as an outside back. She’s going to bring some competitiveness and athleticism and I’m excited to see where she’s able to make her mark.”
McKensey Bunch | 5’10”, Freshman | Lexington, Ky. | Tates Creek High School
High School & Club
Four-year starter for Tates Creek varsity soccer … earned All-city, All-district, All-reslient, All-state and All-region second team throughout her high school career … helped Tates Creek become district champions sophomore and senior years … also participated in track and field training sessions during freshman and sophomore years … earned KHSSA academic awards in addition to soccer team academic awards.
Personal
Full name is McKensey Morgan Bunch … daughter of Matthew Bunch and Caryn Belobraidich … has one sibling … born on September 11, 2001 … has rode horses competitively since she was five years old … likes to travel and has visited 15 countries.
“McKensey’s been a known commodity just with my recruiting ties in Kentucky. She’s a central player, whether she’s playing as a target forward or a forward in a two-front. She can also help us in the midfield, so again she’s got versatility on where she can play. She’s got some good physical attributes and competitiveness which is what we’re looking to add.”
Ashlyn Henrie | 5’6″, Freshman | Overland Park, Kansas | Shawnee Mission West
High School & Club
Four-year letter winner for the varsity soccer program at Shawnee Mission West … helped the Lady Vikings become Regional and League Champions … played club soccer with the KC Legends in the Midwest Regional League … also played basketball, where she was a four-year varsity letter-winner and finished third all-time in school history for steals … was a four-year scholar athlete winner and principal honor roll member … member of the National Honor Society, freshman mentor program, cotillion, band, relay for life, DECA, pep club and was treasurer of the student council.
Personal
Full name is Ashlyn Nicole Henrie … daughter of Jason and Niki Henrie … father works in banking while her mother works in telecommunications … born on July 12, 2002 … went to the same high school as Paul Rudd and Jason Sudeikis.
“Ashlyn is a left-footed player, so any time you can get somebody who’s naturally comfortable on their left side they’re going to be an asset. She’s primarily played as an outside back, but she’s comfortable enough on the ball that she can be used in a lot of different areas. Given the fact that she’s good with her left foot is going to give her some strengths in some areas that we don’t necessarily have. She’s ambitious, and in some regard, saw what we were doing and sought us out. She’s continued to push herself on the competitive side so we’re excited to add her to the program.”
Quinn Parks | Midfielder | 5’7″, Sophomore | Plano, Texas | Plano Senior High School | Previous: Louisiana Tech University
High School & Club
Participated in varsity soccer at Plano Senior High … All-district honoree as a sophomore … two-time recipient of academic achievement award … recognized as a regional player for ODP North Texas, a top state team for the last four years … played for two-time regional champion Solar ECNL … also played for UCNL nationals in Seattle and San Diego and for Dallas Texans DA … former club teammate of current Saluki Maya Warrior.
At Louisiana Tech University
Saw action in all 20 matches, making 12 starts … totaled 1,256 minutes of action, second most of any freshman … first career start came at Alcorn State (8/25), playing 66 minutes … netted first career goal, an equalizer in the second half, in home opener versus McNeese State (9/6) … went the distance in three league matches … started and played 85 minutes in overtime win against C-USA regular season champion Florida Atlantic (10/4) … assisted on game-winning goal in home finale against Marshall (10/27) … started and played 72 minutes in C-USA Tournament Quarterfinals versus FAU (11/6).
Personal
Full name is Julia Quinn Parks … nickname is “Quinn” … daughter of Johnny and Emily Parks … younger brother, Will … born Dec. 27, 2000 in Plano, Texas.
“There’s the tie to Louisiana Tech with Andrea Rodriguez. Andrea was able to give Quinn an idea of what her experience was like here versus there. Another factor was that she was a club teammate of Maya, so there was some familiarity there in what she was comfortable with and what we’re trying to do as a program in addition to my coaching style. If you look at Quinn’s experience this past season as a freshman, she basically came in and started in the midfield for Louisiana Tech all year. The Conference USA is a very strong conference, so I recognize that we’re getting on the soccer side. She’s an excellent student. For somebody who’s competing for time right away and fills a need that we had in this 2020 class, I’m excited that it worked out for both of us. I’m really excited to see her on the field this fall.”
