DEKALB - The NIU women's soccer team and Head Coach John Ross announced that they will be adding five to their 2017 signing class with four coming from the state of Illinois and one from Austin, Texas.
 
The four signees from Illinois include high school and club teammates, the younger sister of the current NIU men's soccer starting goalkeeper and members of Illinois' Olympic Development team.
 
"We are very excited about bringing in this group to help continue the progress that the current team has forged. These five players can have an immediate impact on the program with their athleticism, technical ability and decision-making," Ross said. "Their versatility in the number of positions each player can play will lend itself to strong and healthy competition in the fall. These are high character ladies on and off the field and can't wait to get them on campus."
 
A complete list of the entire signing class is listed below with biographical information included as well.
 
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Amanda Czerniak | F | 5-9 | South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North
Megan Donnally | GK | 5-11 | Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North
Allie Fullriede | M | 5-6 | Bolingbrook, Ill./Neuqua Valley
Haley Hoppe | D | 5-11 | Austin, Texas/Rouse
Madison Kaufmann | M | 5-4 | St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North
 
Amanda Czerniak
Forward, 5-9
South Elgin, Ill./St. Charles North
 
Played in all but three of St. Charles North's varsity soccer games in during her first three years in high school…the North Stars won 16 games in 2014 and 20 games in both 2015 and 2016…Upstate Eight Conference champions the last three years, advancing past the regional in the 3A state playoffs the last three seasons…scored the fifth penalty kick in the Conference Championship game to clinch the league title her sophomore year…also played for Kickers United Soccer Club where she was the leading scorer and averaged a goal and an assist per game…selected to play for the Illinois ODP team…also lettered in track and field…daughter of Pam and Jim…intends on majoring in accounting… was a high school teammate of fellow signee Madison Kaufmann and current Huskies Lauren Neslund.
 
Coach Ross on Czerniak: "Amanda is a strong and athletic player that can play multiple attacking positions. She has proven herself as a goal scorer at all levels. Amanda has the ability to create space to release a very strong and accurate shot with her speed, strength and willingness to get to the goal can create matchup problems. She does well keeping possession in the middle of the field and defends with a purpose making her an all-around asset at NIU."
 
Megan Donnally
Goalkeeper, 5-11
Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield North
 
Played for Sockers FC the last four years… led the ENCL Midwest Division in goals against average the last four years... as a freshman at Plainfield North, played in 15 games, giving up 10 goals for a 0.69 goals against average with six shutouts...helped the team finish with a 18-2-3 record and a flawless 7-0 record in the Southwest Prairie Conference…is the younger sister of Huskie men's soccer goalkeeper Drew Donnally…daughter of Janice and Howard…intends to major in education.
 
Coach Ross on Donnally: "Megan is an extremely talented Goalkeeper and has all the tools to reach her full potential. She is a strong shot stopper that brings confidence in goal. She is a polished player, able to start the attack from a long driven ball, long throw or confidently playing out of the back. Her passion for the position is shown in her willingness to sacrifice her body in keeping the ball out of the net. With her wealth of experience she will be prepared her future at NIU."

Allie Fullriede
Midfielder, 5-6
Bolingbrook, Ill./Neuqua Valley
 
Played midfielder for the Eclipse Select Soccer Club…teams advanced to the ECNL Finals and the ECN National Championships in her time with the club…lettered as a freshman at Neuqua Valley…named to the All-Conference and All-Area teams as a freshman…selected to play for Illinois' Olympic Development team…daughter of Kris and Rich…intends to major in nursing.
 
Coach Ross on Fullriede: "Allie is a highly skilled player that can create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. Her comfort level in the attacking third makes her a threat every time she touches the ball. She can shoot very well and has a knack to always create enough space to get her shot off. Her decision making will make her very effective at NIU."
 
Haley Hoppe
Defender, 5-11
Austin, Texas/Rouse
 
A two-year starting defender for Rouse High School…named the Hill Country News MVP, the team's defensive MVP and Second Team All-District for the 19-5A District as a sophomore…plays for Lonestar Soccer Club in Austin…daughter of Eureka and Brad…intends to major in electrical engineering.
 
Coach Ross on Hoppe: "Haley is a very talented and athletic player that can play multiple position, especially at her primary of Center Back. She is very composed when receiving the ball and makes strong decision in the defending third. She has the ability to put the defense on their heels with her attacking ability from the center back position. Making runs forward and her ability to be lethal on set pieces will make her an offensive threat, as well as a shutdown defender here at NIU."
 
Madison Kaufmann
Midfielder, 5-4
St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North
 
Played in all but three of St. Charles North's varsity soccer games in during her first three years in high school…the North Stars won 16 games in 2014 and 20 games in both 2015 and 2016…Upstate Eight Conference champions the last three years, advancing past the regional in the 3A state playoffs the last three seasons…as a sophomore, was fourth on the team in scoring with eight goals and seven assists…named to the Illinois Olympic Development team…played club soccer for Kickers United where she led the team in assists and was second in goals…three-time state qualifier in cross country, serving as team captain…also a two-time All-Upstate Eight Conference team honoree…daughter of Barbara and Richard…intends to major in business…was a high school teammate of fellow signee Amanda Czerniak and current Huskies Lauren Neslund.
 
Coach Ross on Kaufmann: "Madison is versatile player that always finds the ball. Her energy and work rate are two things you notice immediately. She is dynamic off the dribble and constantly creates scoring opportunities for herself and others. She is a two-way player, strong in one-on-one defending and has the ability to defend box to box. She loves to run, her speed, athleticism and grit will fuel her at NIU."
 
These five players will join the women's soccer team that finished the regular season 4-10-4 as the eighth seed in the Mid-American Conference and advancing to the MAC tournament finals.
 
"I am very pleased to announce this 2017 signing class," Ross said. "We will be adding five new members to the NIU family."