IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa soccer team announced Tuesday that eight student-athlete have signed national letters of intent to join the Hawkeye program in 2022.
“We are very excited to welcome this group of future Hawkeyes to the program,” said Iowa head coach Dave DiIanni. “I believe every one of them can help our program for different reasons. They are a versatile, athletic, competitive group, that will have every opportunity to be successful on the field with hard work and time invested in the process.”
Three student-athletes — Kellen Fife, Cassidy Formanek and Brooklyn Woods — will enroll at Iowa and join the team in January. The others – Aubrey Hahn, Emma Kozicki, Halle Skibo, Makenna Vonderhaar and Camille Welker – will join the program this summer. Formanek is a graduate student from the University of Houston.
The 2022 recruiting class includes class includes one forward, one goalkeeper, two midfielders and four defenders. That class is represented by six states. They include Iowa (Vonderhaar and Woods), Michigan (Fife and Kozicki), Colorado (Formanek), Illinois (Hahn), North Carolina (Skibo) and Missouri (Welker).
Kellen Fife
5-6, Midfield
Bloomfield, Michigan
Bloomfield Hills High School (Alan Zakaria)
Vardar ECNL (Demir Muftari, Reid Friedrichs)
High School – Earned all-district honors as a freshman in 2018… earned six letters as a four-sport athlete (cross country, track, basketball, and soccer)… national honors society 2020-2022, Fellowship of Christian Athletes participant.
Personal – Born Oct. 20, 2003, in Carmel, Indiana… daughter Karen and Steve Fife… has one brother, Dugan… undecided major.
Why Iowa?
“I chose to continue my athletic and academic career at the University of Iowa because I knew that it would provide me with an environment and coaching staff that would push me to be a better person, athlete and student every day. It was important for me to choose a school and a program that felt like family, and the second I stepped onto campus I knew it was the school for me.”
Coach DiIanni on Fife:
“Kellen is a player that has continued to improve and develop as a soccer player the last few years. She is driven to succeed and motivated to spend the time necessary to drive her development. Kellen offers us the ability to use her amongst all three lines with her being left-footed and a versatile athlete.”
Cassidy Formanek
5-7, Defender
Evergreen, Colorado
Evergreen High School (Peter Jeans)
Colorado Rush (Peter May)
University of Houston – Led team in minutes (1,349) as a freshman, appearing in 19 games and making 15 starts… started all 20 games as a sophomore, leading the team in minutes (1,642) and scoring one goal on four shots… voted Team Defensive Player of the Year sophomore year… voted Team MVP as a junior, playing in every game (960 minutes) for a defense that allowed just eight goals… started every game as a team captain senior year, team finished second in the American Athletic Conference while posting nine regular season shutouts.
High School – First-team all-conference and all-state as a freshman in 2015, recording four goals and 10 points… earned second team all-state honors sophomore and junior seasons… did not compete in varsity soccer as a senior… earned eight goals and 24 points through three varsity seasons.
Personal – Born April 27, 2000, in Denver, Colorado… daughter of Bob and Cindy Formanek… has one sister, Cara… pursing master’s in business.
Why Iowa?
“I chose the University of Iowa because the Tippie College of business is top ranked and presented an amazing opportunity to grow my skills in the world of business analytics. I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to further my education at such an amazing school. In addition, Iowa provides excellent facilities and resources for their student athletes, and the Big Ten is a great soccer conference. The academic and athletic environment at Iowa seemed like a perfect fit for me to finish out my final year of eligibility as a graduate student.”
Coach DiIanni on Formanek:
“I am excited that we will have Cassidy join us this spring season. She brings with her invaluable experience playing almost every minute of every game during her four-year career at the University of Houston. She is an athletic, strong individual defender who has a great deal of composure on the ball in distribution out of the back. Cassidy will help us immediately as a defender all across the backline.”
Aubrey Hahn
5-7, Goalkeeper
Batavia, Illinois
Batavia High School
Eclipse Select Soccer Club (Rade Tanaskovic, Mike Nesci)
High School – Illinois all-state honoree, ECNL National Quarterfinalist, Eclipse Select Golden Glove Award as a freshman… all-state honors as a sophomore… made ENCL Midwest all-conference team as a junior… academic honor roll spring 2019 through spring 2022, earned “high honor roll” in spring of 2021.
Personal – Born Dec. 12, 2003, in Geneva, Illinois… daughter of Todd and Christy Hahn… has three siblings, Tyler, Noah, and Henry… business major.
Why Iowa?
“I chose the University of Iowa because it was the best overall fit for me and a place where I can succeed. I love the atmosphere and relationships on the team.”
Coach Quinn on Hahn:
“Aubrey caught our eye three years ago when she attended our February ID Camp. She’s a very athletic, brave goalkeeper, with good feet and a calming presence. Aubrey is characterized as a great teammate, and we are excited to add her talent and personality to our program.”
Emma Kozicki
5-7, Forward
Macomb, Michigan
L’Anse Creuse High School (Glen Ursak)
Nationals (David Robertson)
High School – Named all-conference, all-district and Team MVP as a freshman as L’Anse Creuse High School… was named MVP and led team to undefeated basketball season as shooting guard… member of the Nationals Honor Society and Celebration of Excellence.
Personal – Born Jan. 27, 2004 in Detroit, Michigan… daughter of Shawn Daly and Randy Kozicki… has two sisisters, Isabel and Ava… open major.
Why Iowa?
“The campus in Iowa City felt like home and the coaching staff really matched me and my personality. Iowa offers such a variety of majors that will allow me to explore what I want to continue in my career after soccer.”
Coach DiIanni on Kozicki:
“Emma is a versatile attacking player who can play all along the front line and drop into the #10 position as a withdrawn forward. She has a knack for scoring gritty goals and can help lead the press with her speed and hunting mentality. I look forward to watching Emma help stretch opponents back lines and create opportunities for her teammates.”
Halle Skibo
5-5, Defender
Asheville, North Carolina
A.C. Reynolds High School (Patrick Gladys)
Carolina Elite Soccer Academy (Andrew Hyslop)
High School – Freshman year earned all-region, all-conference, and Mountain Invitational MVP honors… sophomore year earned all-state, all-region, and all-conference honors… team reached 3A state tournament semifinals and were conference champions… selected for Asheville City SC USL-W team… named team captain senior season.
Personal – Born June 12, 2004, in New Haven, Connecticut, daughter of Scott and Kirsten Skibo… has three siblings, Kristoff, Jake, and Maija… environmental science major.
Why Iowa?
“The University of Iowa has everything I was looking for in a school and soccer program. Excellent academics, tremendous school spirit and the ability to compete for Big Ten championships on the soccer field. From the first time I saw Iowa play in person when they traveled to North Carolina for a game, I knew I wanted to ‘Fight for Iowa.’”
Coach DiIanni on Skibo:
“Hallie has a very high motor, great work rate and drive to improve as a soccer player. She will compete and fight for time as a left back or left forward. Her willingness do the little things to grow makes her a valuable Hawkeye teammate.”
Makenna Vonderhaar
5-7, Midfield
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City West High School (Dave Rosenthal)
Iowa Soccer Club (Jon Cook)
High School – Second team all-conference and all-academic honoree freshman year… sophomore season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic… second team all-state, first team all-district, first team all-conference, and all-academic honoree as a junior… recorded 21 goals and 10 assists for 52 points as a junior… named team captain senior season… National Honors Society 2021 and Dean’s List 2018-2022.
Personal – Born Oct. 3, 2003, in Iowa City, Iowa… daughter of Dan and Cindy Vonderhaar… has one sister, Marnie… human physiology on pre-medicine track.
Why Iowa?
“Growing up in Iowa City, I’ve been attending University of Iowa soccer camps and watching games since I was young. I love the team atmosphere and coaching staff, and I am very excited to be a student-athlete at the University of Iowa. In addition to the Iowa soccer team, there are many academic opportunities available for students to become involved. I am interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, and the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is unique in that it provides undergraduate students opportunities to volunteer in many clinics and interact with patients.”
Coach DiIanni on Vonderhaar
“I’ve had the pleasure of watching Makenna develop as a player in the shadows of the University of Iowa. Living in Iowa City, she has been around our camps and games for many years and understands what it takes to be a Hawkeye. She is a very technical, quick, attack-minded player who has the capability of competing in a few different positions.”
Camille Welker
5-7, Defender
St. Louis, Missouri
Cor Jesu Academy (Dave Guvain)
Sporting STL Red Devils (Bob Kittner)
High School – Team won Class 4 district championship junior year… named team captain as a senior… maintained 4.0 GPA throughout high school.
Personal – Born April 20, 2004 in St. Louis, Missouri… daughter of Kris and Joanne Welker… has one sister, Tori… uncle Zach Welker played soccer at Missouri State and UMSL… uncle Dan Pijut played soccer at Saint Mary’s… pre-med major.
Why Iowa?
“I chose Iowa because of the amazing atmosphere. Immediately after attending a recruitment camp my sophomore year of high school, I knew that Iowa would suit me best. The soccer program all together exhibits such a positive energy that I cannot wait to be a part of. Academically, I knew I wanted to go into a health-science profession and Iowa again met those needs. “
Coach DiIanni on Welker:
“Camille is a combative, athletic player who has the ability to be a very good defender at this level before she graduates. She is a natural leader who can play as a center back or outside back. Her strength is as an individual defender and attacking in the width giving support.”
Brooklyn Woods
5-6, Defender
Waukee, Iowa
Waukee High School (Tony Gabriel)
Iowa Rush (Daryl Brazaue)
High School – First-team all-conference and all-district, second-team all-state as a freshman in 2019… led Waukee to a state tournament runner-up, earning all-tournament honors…. Played for VSA in Waukee from 2007-18, winning one state title… won three state championships playing for Iowa Rush from 2018-2021… advanced to regional finals and competed at nationals… conference champion, district runner-up and Drake Relays and state qualifier in long jump.
Personal – Born Dec. 4, 2003 in Des Moines, Iowa… daughter of Heath and Lindsay Woods… has one sister, Emersyn… open major.
Why Iowa?
“I chose Iowa because of the connection I felt to the coaching staff, the team’s style of play and all of the academic opportunities the university provides.”
Coach DiIanni on Woods:
“Brooklyn is graduating early and will be joining the program this spring. She is a very versatile, left-footed player who we see being able to playing as a center back or midfield. She has a great range of pass, both in distance and accuracy and is a very good individual defender in space.”
