DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's soccer program has added nine student-athletes for the 2019 season, head coach Lindsey Horner announced Friday, Nov. 16. Joining the Bulldogs next year are Meghan Brown (Chatfield, Minn.), Delaney Goertzen (Woodbury, Minn.), Chloe Jones (Overland Park, Kan.), Vianey Lopez (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), Rachel Panther, (Overland Park, Kan.), Eva Steckelberg (Ames, Iowa), Olivia Thoen (Ames, Iowa), Erika Townley (White Bear Lake, Minn.) and Audrey Vidmar (St. Paul, Minn.)
 
Brown is a forward from Chatfield, Minn., who is a member of the Minnesota Eclipse club. She is enrolled in Minnesota's Virtual Academy to be able to travel to the Twin Cities for club soccer, therefore she does not play high school soccer. Brown has played ODP and competed at the ECNL level in the past. She is the co-captain of her team, which is ranked 83rd in the country. The team has a 23-8-2 record, won three tournaments, placed in two other tournaments and are the second-best team for their age group in the state. Her father, Daniel, played football at Hamline University.   
 
Goertzen is another member of the Minnesota Eclipse club. She is a midfielder from Woodbury, Minn., who played four seasons for East Ridge High School. During her senior year, Goertzen was a team captain for East Ridge, which advanced to the sectional final. She was named East Suburban All-Conference as a junior when her team qualified for the state tournament. Her sister, Brenley, is a cross country and track and field student-athlete athlete at UC Berkley.
 
Jones is a defender from Overland Park, Kan., who is a member of the Puma Football Club. She has played three seasons for Olathe East High School with her senior campaign to come in the spring of 2019. Jones earned First Team All-Sunflower League as a junior and helped Olathe East win the Sunflower League as a sophomore.
 
Lopez, who is from Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., is the lone goalkeeper of the 2019 class. She is a member of the Legends Football Club and played two seasons of soccer for Los Osos High School. Lopez was a member of the U-15 Girls National Team Camp in 2015 and US Soccer Training Center invitee in 2016. In 2017, Lopez was named a girl's DA Standout.
 
Panther, a midfielder, is a teammate of Jones with the Puma Football Club and at Olathe East High School. She is a captain for Olathe East and been selected second team all-state and First-Team All-Sunflower League the past two seasons with her senior to come in the spring of 2019.
 
Steckelberg is a defender from Ames, Iowa, who is a member of the Iowa Rush club. She has earned back-to-back First Team All-State honors, including being named to multiple teams during her junior campaign, for Gilbert High School.
 
Thoen is another defender from Ames, Iowa, who is teammate of Steckelberg's with the Iowa Rush club. She has lettered three seasons for Ames High School and helped the Little Cyclones
qualify for the state tournament all three seasons, including winning a state title in 2017. Thoen has collected consecutive Central Iowa Metro League Honorable Mention honors the past two seasons. 
 
Townley, a defender, is a member of the Minnesota Eclipse club with Brown and Goertzen. She is from White Bear Lake, Minn. and earned four varsity letters for White Bear Lake Area High School and served as a team captain her senior season. Townley scored 16 goals her final two seasons and was picked to all-state and all-conference teams both seasons.
 
The final member of the 2019 class is from Vidmar, who is from St. Paul, Minn. A defender, she is a member of the Minnesota Thunder Academy club and was a three-year starter for De La Salle High School. Vidmar was a team captain her senior season when she helped De La Salle win their first-ever conference title behind an undefeated record in conference play. She was named first team all-state her final season and garnered all-conference honors all four years of high school.
 
2019 Drake University Women's Soccer Class on Why They Chose Drake
"I committed to Drake because of the outstanding academics and the standout soccer program. It was a great fit from the team and coaching staff, to the professors and classes. I know Drake will help me achieve my goals both on and off the soccer field." Meghan Brown
 
"I chose Drake because I wanted to attend a school with high academic standards as well as a program that allowed me to play high level soccer. I instantly fell in love with the team, coaching staff and the environment they have created. I could see myself as a Bulldog." Delaney Goertzen
 
 "I committed to Drake not only because of the size and location, but also the amazing coaching staff. It felt like the best school to further my soccer career and academics from the very start. When I came onto campus the first time, the atmosphere showed me that being a Bulldog would be the best fit for me." Chloe Jones
 
 "I committed to Drake because it has an amazing soccer program and education program as well. The atmosphere at Drake is very welcoming and makes me feel comfortable. Although it's far from home, I still feel part of a family. It is a very good fit for me." Vianey Lopez
 
 "I chose Drake because of the variety of opportunities and the supportive community. Along with the perfect size and amazing academics, Drake's exciting atmosphere was one that I knew I wanted to be a part of immediately after visiting campus. The team's chemistry and high intensity was exactly what I was looking for and it felt like the perfect environment to continue my soccer career." Rachel Panther
 
 "I chose Drake because I've been attending soccer camps at Drake with coach Horner since I was old enough to go. I fell in love with coach and the Drake soccer program. When it came time to decide where I wanted to play at the next level, Drake became a reality for me." Eva Steckleberg
 
"I chose Drake because of the positive atmosphere and it has a great program for my intended major. When I was on my visit, I witnessed a team that had tremendous chemistry and had the drive to win unlike others." Olivia Thoen

"I committed to Drake because I knew the camaraderie between the players and coaches was something special. The size of the school felt right to me and the team's drive to achieve was something I knew I wanted to experience." Erika Townley
 
 "I committed to Drake because of its strong academics, school size and the amazing soccer program. I immediately knew the team dynamics and high-level of play were a great fit for me. I am excited to become a Bulldog." Audrey Vidmar
 
What They Are Saying About the 2019 Drake University Women's Soccer Class
"Meghan has been a corner stone for building Eclipse Select Minnesota. She has shaped the culture on-and-of the field and set the standard for our younger players. Drake is getting a special player in Meghan Brown."
Andy Kaasa, Executive Director Eclipse Select Minnesota
 
"Delaney is an original member of Eclipse Select Minnesota and she embodies everything we stand for. She is a leader on and off the field. She will be a dynamic player whose ability to read the game allows her to make explosive plays."
Andy Kaasa, Executive Director Eclipse Select Minnesota
 
"If you are looking for a player that will grind every time she steps on the field in practice, and every game, you found it in Chloe! Chloe brings energy that will carry the team, and when you think she is done, she makes additional run to finish off the opponent! Drake family will be proud to have Chloe, and I'm looking forward to see her play collegiate level of soccer."
Vladimir Roganovic, Head Coach Puma Futbol Club
 
"Vianey brings a big presence with her size and strength, an important tool in the college game. She's a fantastic shot stopper in key moments of games, but ultimately, it's her work ethic to train hard day in, day out that sets her apart from the rest. As a reliable and dependable person and athlete her leadership that will bring comfort to her backline."
Taylar O'Sullivan, Head Coach Legends FC
 
"Rachel is a true leader, a player that will give her best every time she steps on the field. Get ready to see one very talented fast player that is confident when dribbling in order to create opportunities in the final third of the field. Drake community is getting a quality player, and I'm looking forward to follow her success with the team."
Vladimir Roganovic, Head Coach Puma Futbol Club
 
"Eva is a fierce competitor, hates to lose. She is a defensive mid that creative, flashy, soft attacking mids fear playing against. After you have played against Eva your shirt is probably ripped, you have a couple bruises, you will definitely look forward to an ice bath. She is a tenacious defender, but is also great on the attacking side of the ball. She plays well with her back to goal, is great at linking the back third with the attacking third. She will even get involved on corners and head in a couple of goals per season. One thing Drake fans can expect from Eva is she will give you 100 percent all the time."
Daryl Brazeau, Head Coach Iowa Rush
 
"Olivia is calm, composed defender whose left foot is similar to a sniper rifle. Her left foot has the power to strike from distance and the precision to hit a target the size of a dime. When Olivia gets the ball, opponents should be on high alert as all her teammates are viable options, no matter the distance or obstacles that are in her way. There is no doubt she is a threat when she has the ball, but she is also a very good defender. She has the athleticism to stay with fast, quick forwards while at the same time the size and strength to hold her own against big, post forwards. Drake fans you can always expect Olivia to have a positive attitude and a big smile on her face."
Daryl Brazeau, Head Coach Iowa Rush
 
"Bulldog women's soccer will love having Erika in the program. She brings a tremendous skill set, high soccer IQ, powerful shot, exceptional speed and athleticism, and a passion to compete hard every day. Erika loves the game, has a habit of making big plays, and she's an incredibly supportive teammate who will represent the best of Drake soccer both on-and-off the field."
Dave Ashley, Co Head Coach White Bear Lake High School
 
"Audrey is a phenomenal defender! She has all the qualities of a top defender; speed, size, excellent in 1v1s, excellent in the air. With the ball, she has excellent technique and has the ability to deliver pinpoint accurate passes over distance. She is a complete soccer player. But most importantly, she is a great person and a great teammate and Drake is lucky to have her."
Dave Alberti, Head Coach Minnesota Thunder Academy ECNL