DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's soccer team signed six high school student-athletes, Brooke Davies (Shakopee, Minn.), Haley Horman (Waukee, Iowa), Catie Johnson (West Des Moines, Iowa), Brynn Miracle (Edwardsville, Ill.), Avery Mertz (Weatherby Lake, Mo.) and Hallie Peak (Marion, Iowa) to National Letters of Intent for the 2021 season, Drake head coach Lindsey Horner announced Wednesday, Nov. 11.
 
Davies, a defender, earned second-team all-state and all-conference her senior season that recently concluded in Minnesota. She served as a team captain for Shakopee High School as a senior and scored seven goals and handed out one assist. Davies helped Shakopee advance to the Minnesota Class AA semifinals for the first time after the school moved up a class. She also served as a team captain for the Salvo Soccer Club and helped it be US-Club regional finalists in 2019.
 
Horman, a midfielder from Waukee High School, is one of two central Iowa signees joining the Bulldogs. She is a two-year starter for the Warriors who had her junior season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Horman helped lead Waukee to an appearance in the 2019 Iowa Class 3A State Tournament title game and the state semifinals in 2018. She is a member of the Iowa Rush Soccer Club, serving as a three-year team captain and helping the club win three Iowa club state championships.
 
Johnson, a midfielder, is the other central Iowa signee coming to Drake from West Des Moines Valley High School where she is a two-sport athlete in basketball and soccer. She is a co-captain of the Tigers' soccer squad and helped them qualify for two Iowa Class 3A state tournaments. Johnson has earned four academic letters and served as the student body vice president and on the Valley student council. Her grandmother is a Drake alumna. Johnson played much of her youth career with the Sporting Omaha Development Academy until recently rejoining her hometown club, Sporting Iowa.
 
Miracle, a forward, is awaiting her senior season at Edwardsville High School this spring. She also had her junior season canceled but as a sophomore, she scored four goals and handed out 11 assists to help Edwardsville be conference, regional and sectional champions and make the Illinois Class 3A super-sectional finals. She was awarded the team's Top Gun Award for dedication and hard work. Miracle is a member of the SLSG IL ECNL Club.
 
Mertz, a midfielder, will also play her final season in the spring for Park Hill High School. She also had her junior year canceled but led the team in goals as a sophomore. Following her sophomore season, Mertz was awarded all-conference and all-district honors and selected to the Elite 11 of Western Missouri. She is a member of the KC Athletics Academy Elite ECNL and helped the club win the 2017 Missouri State Cup Championship.
 
Rounding out the 2021 class is Peak, a forward at Linn-Mar High School, where is a multi-sport athlete in basketball and soccer. She had an outstanding sophomore campaign on the pitch for the Lions scoring 13 goals and recording 11 assists helping earn second-team all-state, all-district and all-conference honors. During her high school career Linn-Mar has qualified for two Iowa Class 3A state tournaments and win back-to-back sub-state and conference championships. On the basketball court, she has earned two varsity letters and was named the team's defensive player of the year as a sophomore. Peak led her club team, Sporting Iowa, to the State Cup championship game in 2019 and 2020.
 
Why They Chose Drake
"I have always been so excited while on Drake's campus! Coach Horner and Coach Brennan always made me feel so welcomed and after meeting the team I loved the atmosphere of the whole program. Drake's incredible athletics also made my decision that much easier. I know I'll learn a lot on-and-off the field in my four years at Drake. I can't wait to be a Bulldog!" – Brooke Davies
 
"I have a great connection with the coaching staff and love the competitive nature of the program. Once I visited campus, the decision was easy because it felt like home. I'm super excited to play for the Drake women's soccer program and attend a university with quality academics. Go Bulldogs!" – Haley Horman
 
"I have worked with Coach Horner and Coach Brennan since I was young. They have improved me as a player and as a person so the choice of Drake was easy. Along with Drake's great academics, the team atmosphere seems positive and like a family. I'm super excited to be a Bulldog!" – Catie Johnson
 
"I have always wanted to play soccer in college since I was little. When I first met the coaches and players, I instantly knew Drake would be a great fit for me. I chose Drake because of the outstanding academics and the opportunity to play at such a great university!" – Avery Mertz
 
"I committed to Drake because I wanted a school with excellent athletics as well as academics.   When I visited campus and met the team and coaches it felt like home. I can't imagine spending the next four years anywhere else!" – Brynn Miracle
 
"I chose Drake because of its strong science program and competitive soccer program. I felt so comfortable talking to the coaches, players and advisors. I loved the environment on-and-off the field. Both academics and athletics are very important to me so I knew Drake would be the perfect fit!" – Haley Peak
 
What Their Coaches Said
"Brooke Davies is a fantastic soccer player and a wonderful person. She competes with so much grit, passion and determination and always finds ways to dominate her defensive matchups as a wide back. Brooke's high soccer IQ, natural speed and ability to combine through the thirds also make her a very dangerous threat going forward. As a captain of her club team she led with humility and integrity and was well respected by her teammates and coaches. Drake fans will really enjoy watching Brooke compete as a Bulldog!" - Jesse Campos, Salvo Soccer Club
 
"Haley Horman is a fantastic soccer player and is going to be a great addition to the Drake women's soccer program. To truly appreciate Haley's greatness, you must watch her off the ball. Observe the way she slides in and out of space, the way she checks her surroundings, strategically plotting where she will go when she gets the ball. She plays like a ghost one minute she is there, the next she is gone. She drives defenders crazy. If that isn't enough Haley is uber-competitive. Hates to lose and is one of the scrappiest players I have coached. Bulldog family you are getting a cunning, fierce competitor who will do everything in her power to bring home that MVC Championship. Good luck Haley & Go Bulldogs!!!!" - Daryl Brazeau, Iowa Rush
 
"To summarize Catie Johnson's time with the club, I'm instantly struck with a strong sense of pride and admiration for her constant commitment to growth and development. No matter the occasion Catie has consistently looked for avenues and opportunities to step outside her comfort zone in her relentless pursuit of maximizing her potential. Catie has positively impacted the club, coaches and her teammates throughout her career. She is an individual that leads by example through her incredible work rate and competitive nature. Catie boasts a high tactical understanding of the game which allows her to dictate the tempo and pace of a game. We at Sporting are tremendously proud of Catie and we wish her all the best in her college career." - Rich Bywater, Sporting Iowa
 
"I have coached Avery Mertz since the age of nine years old. She has grown into a brilliant player that can play multiple positions but what I love most about her that a lot of players do not have is her beautiful touch and vision for the game! I am very proud of the soccer player she has become but most importantly is the person she has grown to be on-and-off the field!  Drake is lucky to have a player like Avery and I know she will make a difference and make me proud!" - Stefan Stokic, KC Athletics ECNL
 
"We are so excited for Brynn Miracle and her commitment to Drake. We are looking forward to seeing how Brynn's high work rate in and out of possession help make an impact with the team next year. Brynn is ultra-competitive and we can't wait to see her compete at the next level." - Laura Heffington, SLSG IL ECNL
 
"I had the pleasure of working with Hallie Peak this past season. It was instantly evident that Hallie possessed high levels of tactical and technical prowess. She has an uncanny ability to make complex actions look extremely easy. Hallie has the capability to lead by example and creates a sense of calm and composure that bleeds into the team. I've been increasingly impressed by the Peak family and their dedication and commitment to Hallie's soccer development. The training commute alone is testament to her relentless pursuit to challenge herself regardless of circumstance. The Drake women's soccer program isn't just acquiring a top soccer player but they're adding a tremendous young woman to the program. Hallie is just as impressive off the field. Hallie is a driven, humble and motivated individual who has been an absolute joy to coach and we wish her all the best at the next level." - Rich Bywater, Sporting Iowa