THIBODAUX, La. - Nicholls State University head women's soccer coach Robert Podeyn announced Friday the signing of 11 new players for 2022. 

"This class represents the next step in the process to bring Nicholls forward to be more competitive in the Southland Conference," Coach Podeyn said. "This class is very talented and very deep and will challenge our current players and the opposing players in our conference. We are excited about the future of women's soccer at Nicholls State University."  
 
The signing class for 2022 includes one Spring 2022 entry and 10 Fall 2022 entries.  The signings include the following:


Kinga Koronkiewicz (Poland) - 5'8"- Holding Central Midfielder

Kinga is one of the top players in Poland having played in the Polish First Division for five years before moving to England to join Motherwell WFC.  

"Kinga will bring a physical presence to our midfield.  She has the size and strength to battle and win balls in the middle.  She also has great vision and insight and will create scoring chances," said Coach Podeyn.  

Kinga will begin her first semester this coming Spring 2022.


Jemma Catherwood (New Zealand) - 5'8"- Defender


Jemma is one of the top defenders in New Zealand as she recently helped them qualify for the Olympics as a starting wing defender.  She is a Full u17 National Team Player for New Zealand and plays in the Women's League there.  

"Jemma is a very quick and very skillful wing defender who loves to get into the attack.  She is a strong and relentless 1v1 defender and attacker as she is proficient on both sides of the ball.  She will be a great addition to our program in 2022," said Coach Podeyn.  

Jemma will join Nicholls State University in the Fall of 2022.


Anna Madsen (Denmark) - 5'8"- Defender


Anna is a strong defender from Denmark playing for one of the top teams called Fortuna Hjorring 1.  Anna also played for the u15 National Team and is currently a u17 national team player.  

"Anna is a strong intelligent 1v1 player who likes to get forward and join the attack.  She is very technical and anticipates well when going forward with possession," said Coach Podeyn.  

Anna will join Nicholls State University in the Fall of 2022.


Jadzia Wollner (Germany) - 5'9"- Defender


Jadzia is a smart central defender from Swisttal, Germany.  She plays for her local team, Rot-Weis Merl.  Jadzia has also been on trial with the national teams at u15.  

"Jadzia is a strong central defender who can organize and lead.  She has pace, is strong in the challenge, and loves going forward with possession.  She will be a strong addition to our defense," said Coach Podeyn.  

Jadzia will join Nicholls State University in the Fall of 2022.


Hanna Kauffeldt (Sweden) - 5'6"- Attacking Central Midfielder


Hanna is from Skovde, Sweden where she plays 1^st Division Soccer for Lidkopings FK.  She has also been on trials with the u15 and u17 Swedish National Teams.  

"Hanna is a very exciting and dynamic attacking player.  She is quick and decisive in going forward, has strong technical skill, and is capable of finishing from outside the 18-yard box.  She also has great vision and playmaking abilities," said Coach Podeyn.  

Hanna will join Nicholls State University in the Fall of 2022.


Avery Mondoux (Grand Island, New York) - 5'3"- Attacker


Avery comes from upstate New York in a town called Grand Island.  Avery plays ECNL Soccer for Empire United and for one of the top high school programs at Grand Island Senior High School where she will be a two-time All-New York State Player, Frontier Conference Player of the Year, and is currently in consideration for High School All-American Honors.  She just came off of a high school season that saw her team finish 17-2-2 where she scored 31 goals and assisted on 20 more.  

"There aren't many players like Avery.  She is a very fast and technical player who is strong in 1v1 challenges.  He knows where the goal is and is very dangerous anywhere around the 18-yard box.  Avery will score goals for us here at Nicholls," said Coach Podeyn.  

Avery will join Nicholls State University in the Fall of 2022. 


Shelby Nickal (Winter Park, Florida) - 5'6"- Attacker


Shelby comes to Nicholls State University on a journey that took her through Kentucky, Tennessee, and Florida.  She is currently enrolled at school at Winter Park High School in Winter Park, Florida, but she has also had stops that put her in Tennessee and Kentucky where she was on both state teams and was a Region ODP Player.  Shelby currently plays soccer at Winter Park High School where she also is the Kicker on the Boys Varsity Football Team there kicking extra points, field goals, and kickoffs.  She also plays for Florida Krush Kraze in ECNL.  

"Shelby is definitely one of a kind in a good way.  She loves to play and is very passionate about the game.  She is a strong and physical player who loves scoring goals.  She also has very good pace and touch while also seeing the field well.  Shelby will be a great attacking addition to Nicholls," said Coach Podeyn.  

Shelby will join Nicholls State University in the Fall of 2022.


Sara Sigurdsson (Lake Mary, Florida) - 5'9"- Defender


Sara comes to Nicholls State University from Winter Park, Florida where she has played the last six years at the ECNL Level for Florida Krush Kraze ECNL and Orlando City ECNL.  Sara began playing for her club team in Iceland in Keflavik until she moved to Central Florida where she continued playing.  

"Sara is a natural leader and a strong and smart central defender.  She has the size, athleticism and insight to command and control the defensive back third.  She has pace and touch and will be an exciting addition to our team in 2022," said Coach Podeyn.  

Sara will join Nicholls State University in the Fall of 2022.  


Lillie Mazur (Houma, La.) - 5'5"- Attacking Central Midfielder


Lillie comes to Nicholls State University from down the road in Houma, Louisiana where she has attended Vandebilt Catholic High School and played on the Varsity Soccer Team there for five years.  A five-year starter, Lillie was first selected as an All-State Player in her freshman year in 2019.  She also plays her club soccer in Houma for Louisiana SC under Marty Bouquet.  

"Lillie is a very good attacking central midfielder who has strong technical skills, is smart, and can play physically.  She is one of the strongest players in the area and we are excited to have her coming here," said Coach Podeyn.  

Lillie will join Nicholls State University in the Fall of 2022.

Mia Gallina (Chesterfield, New Jersey) - 5'7"- Attacking Central Midfielder


Mia comes to Nicholls State University from Chesterfield, New Jersey.  She has an impressive resume that has taken her to two of the top soccer boarding schools in the country in Shattuck-St. Mary's and IMG Academy.  She has also traveled overseas as a NIKE ID PDP player where she played all throughout Europe.  

"Mia is an accomplished Attacking Central Midfielder who has excellent vision and a deadly shot from distance.  She moves well off of the ball and is exciting to watch," said Coach Podeyn.  

Mia will join Nicholls State University in the Fall of 2022.


Elizabeth Zepeda (Clovis, California) - 5'6"- Goalkeeper


Elizabeth comes to Nicholls State University from Clovis, California where she plays on one of the top teams in the country at her age level.  As a member of the Clovis Crossfire 2004 Girls Academy Team they won Champions League in 2018 and participated in the ECNL/DA/NPL National Tournament.  They finished as National Finalists losing the National Championship Game on penalty kicks where she saved two penalties in the game.  The following year her high school team (Clovis High School) won a CIF State Championship with her as the starting goalkeeper.  

"Elizabeth is a solid goalkeeper who knows how to command her area.  She has an excellent resume with a lot of high-level experience playing against the top players in the country.  She is a very good goalkeeper who will only become stronger in the next 1-2 years.  I am excited to have Elizabeth follow me here to Nicholls.  She will be an exciting player to watch over the next four years," said Coach Podeyn. 

Elizabeth will join Nicholls State University in the Fall of 2022.

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