Bryan Chud, head coach of women’s soccer at Northwest University, announced the signing of seven student-athletes to attend the university and play for the Eagles in the fall.
Six high school graduates and one college transfer make up the list of players.
“I am extremely pleased with the level of players that we have been able to bring in this year,” Chud said. “I have no doubt that these recruits can not only play at the collegiate level, but that they will add to the strength and depth of the program we already have in place.”
Olivia Morris of Mercer Island will graduate from Mercer Island High School in the spring. Morris earned three varsity letters at MIHS and is a two-time honorable mention award winner in the KingCo Conference in her sophomore and junior seasons. Morris has been a key player for the Seattle Reign Academy and will be a psychology major at the university.
“Olivia is an exceptional talent that we are extremely excited about having as a part of our program,” Chud said. “We are fortunate to sign her as she was being highly recruited, including several NCAA Division I schools but chose to remain close to home and become an Eagle. She is a solid center midfielder who has fantastic technical ability, is strong on the ball, has great field vision and is a game changer. We are looking for her to make an immediate impact on our program and to continue to develop into the player we believe she has the potential to be.”
Emily LaRue of Graham, Washington will be a junior transfer from Alabama State, where she played in 19 games in 2017 and was a part of a Southwestern Athletic Conference championship. She graduated from Graham Kapowsin High School and earned four varsity letters in soccer and two varsity letters in track and field. LaRue earned 4A South Puget Sound all-league second team honors as a junior and was named to the first team all-league team in her senior year along with being named team captain. She plans to major in nursing at NU.
“We are excited to have Emily transferring to us from Alabama State,” Chud said. “She is a quick and skillful attacking midfielder who will make an immediate impact this year. Her experience and her skill make her a valuable acquisition for us and we are excited to see how she develops even further while a part of our program.”
Margaret Gunning, hailing from North Bend, will graduate from Mount Si High School, where she earned two varsity letters in soccer. In addition to competing in varsity soccer, Gunning was a member of the MSHS sports medicine executive board and was an athletic trainer for the Mount Si football team. She was also named to the honor roll every year of attendance at MSHS. She will major in nursing at NU.
Chud on Gunning: “Maggie is a tough tackling and intelligent centerback that is excited about coming in and developing her skills even further here at NU. We are very pleased to have her join the program and believe that she will play a large role in the years to come.”
Adele Gordon is from Lake Stevens and will graduate from Lake Stevens High School this spring. She was also part of the Running Start program at Everett Community College and will be a junior academically at Northwest when she enrolls in the fall. Gordon was a varsity letter winner in soccer at LSHS and played her club soccer for the Washington Rush Soccer Club. Gordon will major in nursing.
“Adele joins us as an intelligent center midfielder with great passing ability and will contribute to our already gifted midfield, both this year and in the future,” said Chud.
Taylor Brame calls Snohomish home and will graduate from Glacier Peak High School in the spring. She earned four varsity letters in soccer at Glacier Peak and was named 2nd team, All-WESCO 4A conference team member as a midfielder in 2017. Counseling psychology will be her major when she enrolls at NU.
Said Chud on Brame, “Taylor comes in as a center/outside midfield player. She has a great deal of potential and we’re anticipating big things from her in the coming years.”
Elizabeth Moretti comes to NU from Caldwell, Idaho and will graduate from the Vision Charter School this spring. She earned varsity letters in two sports: swimming and soccer at VCS and earned all-conference honors in 2017. Moretti is also a member of the National Honor Society and plans to major in biology when she enrolls at NU.
“Elizabeth is a talented left-sided player with great crossing ability and we are excited about how she will progress here at NU,” Chud stated.
Taylor Beardemphl is also from Graham and will graduate from Cascade Christian High School this spring. At CCHS, Beardemphl earned four varsity letters in soccer and four scholar-athlete awards. She earned all-league honors in three of the four years of soccer and All-state honorable mention honors as a defender in 2017. Taylor plans to be an English major at NU.
“We have signed Taylor as an outside back, although she has played several positions,” said Chud. “She is a gifted and tough fullback who is strong fundamentally and will continue to develop here at Northwest.”
