DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's soccer program has added eight student-athletes for the 2018 season, head coach Lindsey Horner announced. Joining the Bulldogs next year are Libby Helverson (West Des Moines, Iowa), Rebecka Musungu (Andover, Minn.), Halie Reznik (Cumming, Iowa), Tori Ubben (Ankeny, Iowa), Megan Valenzuela (Omaha, Neb.), Liza Van Zyl (Fort Dodge, Iowa), Alison Walls (Kansas City, Mo.) and Brynn Yoshinaga (Honolulu, Hawaii).
 
"Our 2018 class is comprised of promising student-athletes that we are very excited to coach and develop over the next four years," Horner said. "These players are competitive and motivated to come in and do well. Our 2017 team set the standard high for our program and our returners are currently working hard to develop this offseason. With the addition of these eight student-athletes, it makes for what could be an exciting combination of young talent, high expectations and a roster filled with players that want to push each other to achieve our potential. We look forward to welcoming our 2018 class to campus in a matter of months and working with each of them to make the most of what Drake has to offer academically, growing them as players and helping them establish themselves within our team and the Drake community."
 
Helverson is a dynamic and physical midfielder from West Des Moines Valley High School. She helped the Tigers qualify for the 2016 and 2017 Iowa Class 3A State Tournaments. A multi-sport athlete in basketball and soccer, she has lettered in each sport every season and was a member of the 2017 state championship basketball team. Her older sister, Haley, played soccer for the University of Minnesota and professionally in Europe after graduation. Libby plays club soccer for the Sporting Iowa Soccer Club.
 
Musungu, a powerful box to box midfielder, from Andover, Minn., who lettered four times for Andover High School. She helped Andover win the 2017 Minnesota Section 7AA championship and qualify for the state tournament. During her high school career, Musungu, was selected to the 2016 all-state second team, twice was named to the Northwest Suburban All-Conference team and earned two MSHSSCA Academic Excellence Awards. She plays club soccer for the Minnesota Thunder Academy.
 
Reznik, a forward, is a creative goal-scorer from Cumming, Iowa, but attends Shattuck St. Mary's Preparatory School in Faribault, Minn. Reznik scored 48 goals and handed out 29 assists in her prep career. She helped lead her 2016 team to the Region II semifinals and earned all-conference honors prior to foregoing her final high school seasons to compete in the US Development Academy for the Sabres.
 
Ubben, a tactically astute 5-11 defender, attends Ankeny Centennial High School. She is a three-year letterwinner for the Jaguars who has helped the program qualify for the Iowa Class 3A State Tournament the past two seasons, including winning the tournament title in 2016. As a junior, Ubben was selected to all-conference, all-district and all-state teams. She plays club soccer for the Sporting Iowa Soccer Club.
 
Valenzuela, another sharp defender, is from Omaha, Neb. who attends Marian High School. She helped the Crusaders win two Nebraska Class A state championships and twice been named the Marian Defender of the Year. Valenzuela earned consecutive all-state honorable mention honors as a junior and sophomore. She is a member of two-time Nebraska State Cup Champions, Gretna Prima Green '00.
 
Van Zyl is a 5-11 commanding goalkeeper from Fort Dodge, Iowa who attends Fort Dodge Senior High School. She is a talented multi-sport athlete in basketball and soccer, lettering and starting in each sport. Van Zyl has earned multiple all-conference accolades in each sport and has been a multi-year captain on both teams. She plays in net for Sporting Iowa Soccer Club.
 
Walls is an athletic forward who has a nose for the goal from Park Hill High School in Kanas City, Mo. She is another multi-sport athlete in basketball and soccer. During her junior soccer season, Walls earned second-team all-state honors and was selected to the Western Missouri Elite 11 team. She has helped the Trojan soccer team compile an impressive 60-19-5 record in her first three seasons with her final season set to come this spring. Walls is a member of Sporting Blue Valley Showcase '99.
 
The final member of the class, Yoshinaga, comes all the way from the Aloha state. A fast- forward that is dangerous off the dribble, she attends Punahou School in Honolulu. Yoshinaga has excelled on her school's cross country, soccer and track and field teams. Yoshinaga has been involved with the Hawaii Olympic Development Program and is a member of the Hawaii State Cup Champions, Leahi 99/00 Premier.
 
2018 Drake University Women's Soccer Class on Why They Chose Drake
Libby Helverson
"I chose Drake not only because it was close to home but because they have a great academic program. I knew I wanted to be a student-athlete at Drake because I love the coaches' energy and team chemistry. I knew in this environment I could have a successful soccer career."
 
Rebecka Musungu
"I chose Drake not only because of the great atmosphere, location, team, and academics, but because of the many opportunities it could provide for my future. When I visited, I instantly felt at home and I'm extremely excited and blessed to play soccer and further my academics with the Bulldogs!"
 
Halie Reznik
"I chose Drake because of the amazing opportunities that it can provide me. I like the comfortable campus atmosphere. I am excited to join a tremendous women's soccer program and like the feel of the team dynamics."
 
Tori Ubben
"I knew I wanted to be a student-athlete at Drake because of its great academics and I loved the size of the school. Along with that, I loved the team chemistry and the style and level of play the team has. After my visit, I knew Drake would be a great fit for me."
 
Megan Valenzuela
"I knew I wanted to be a student-athlete at Drake because right when I stepped on the campus, I knew this was the place for me. I committed to Drake not only because of the soccer team and their great team chemistry and style of play but also because of their academics."
 
Liza Van Zyl
"I knew I wanted to be a student-athlete at Drake because of the culture created by the team and the university. Success is measured first in the classroom and second on the field. The student-athletes at Drake set the bar high academically and athletically, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that."
 
Alison Walls
"I chose Drake because I wanted to attend a school with extremely strong academics as well as a quality soccer program. After visiting Drake, meeting the players and getting to know the coaches, I immediately felt at home and knew Drake was a perfect fit for me. I'm very excited for my next four years as a Bulldog!"
 
Brynn Yoshinaga
"I chose to attend Drake because I found the curriculum, the size of the school, and the overall atmosphere, to be a perfect fit for me. I was very impressed with the soccer program, it was something I really wanted to be a part of. I am very excited to be a Bulldog!"
 
What They Are Saying About the 2018 Drake University Women's Soccer Class
Libby Helverson
"Libby is a natural goal attacker and goal scorer. She can score with her left from almost anywhere. Her intensity and ability to always press and attack is second to none. She is extremely coachable and willing to work as hard as it takes to succeed. Libby is a winner, and an asset to any group she is a part of."
Nick Olivencia – Former Coach, Sporting Iowa Soccer Club
 
Rebecka Musungu
"Rebecka is a very skilled and crafty player. She is a student of the game and is constantly learning and developing her talents. I believe that she will thrive when surrounded by the equally talented players at Drake."
Tracey Griess, Head Girls Varsity Soccer Coach, Andover High School
 
Halie Reznik
"It's easy to look at Halie's goal scoring record and think that defines her, but there is much more to her as a player. Obviously scoring goals is an important part of the game and Halie
certainly, has that special knack for putting the ball in the back of the net. But Halie also is an incredibly hard worker and humble servant to the team. Her willingness to defend from the front will be a huge asset at the college level and her understanding of the game in general will serve the Bulldog program well for the next four years."
Joe Demay, Women's Soccer Director, Shattuck-St. Mary's Academy and U-19 coach
 
Tori Ubben
"Tori is a steadfast defender that stays incredibly cool under pressure, an attribute necessary to face the trend of pressing in soccer today. She has unflinchingly matched up against some incredibly talented players in club and school play and uses quick movements and misdirection to buy time and space for her decisions to play out. On top of this, she will add a high soccer IQ and an understanding of what it means to be a great teammate to Drake's program."-
Chris Allen, Head Girls Varsity Soccer Coach, Ankeny Centennial High School
 
Megan Valenzuela
"Megan is a role model and leader on-and-off the field. She is mentally and physically tough. Her team attitude, determination, and hard work will make her a great Bulldog."
Teresa DeGeorge, Head Girls Varsity Soccer Coach, Marian High School
 
Liza Van Zyl
"Liza's physical and technical skills are self-evident. What separates her is that she is a student of the game. I believe that Drake has acquired the complete package - a driven and coachable player who is also the consummate teammate."
Dr. Michael Lee, Head Girls Varsity Soccer Coach, Fort Dodge Senior High School
 
Alison Walls
"Alison is the ultimate 'lead by example' type of player and teammate. She has great athleticism and technical ability to match her relentless work rate on the field. They're going to love her tenacity and knack for scoring big goals."
Brandt Bell, Head Girls Varsity Soccer Coach, Park Hill High School
 
Brynn Yoshinaga
"Brynn will be a fantastic addition to the Drake soccer program. Her positive attitude and work ethic is phenomenal and she always brings a spark and fast paced energy to our attack."
Gina Brewer, Head Coach, Leahi Soccer Club