GRAND FORKS, N.D. --- University of North Dakota soccer head coach Kristen Gay announced today the addition of two student-athletes to play for the Fighting Sioux beginning in the 2012 season in Kirsten Olson and Andrea Hyduke.
A native of Normandy Park, Wash., Olson is a four-year letterwinner at John F. Kennedy High School where she tallied 68 goals throughout the seasons starting as a forward and midfielder. She led the Seamount League with 19 goals as senior and was named first team all-league her freshman through senior years
Olson also played with Eastside FC '93 Red which was ranked first in Washington and in the top 10 nationally from 2008-10 and competed in the Olympic Development Program since 2007 and made the Regional IV team as starting midfielder in 2011.
She is the daughter of Kevin and Maria Olson.
"Going to UND is fulfilling my dream of playing division I college soccer and going to a school where I can receive the education I need to become a commercial pilot," Olson said.
"Kirsten has the ability to become the game changer we need as we move to the Big Sky Conference," Gay said. "Her competitiveness and experience playing at the ODP Region IV team level is something we need as well as her knack for putting the ball in the back of the net. The dynamic of our team and program has certainly changed with the addition of Kirsten. She will be an exciting player to watch come August."
Making her way from Duluth, Minn., Hyduke is a four-year letterwinner at Duluth East High School where she was a two year captain of the Greyhounds.
The midfielder/forward led the Greyhounds the Minnesota 'AA' State Tournament where she was honored on the all-state tournament team and was an all-state honorable mention. Hyduke also received the Greyhounds' Senior Playmaker award.
She is the daughter of John Hyduke and Mia Valentini.
"I chose UND because I really liked the campus, I felt wanted by the coaching staff and it is a perfect distance from home," Hyduke said.
"Andrea's excitement to be a part of something special here and her work ethic is infectious," Gay said. "We've added some depth to our roster by bringing in Andrea and we are excited to see her make the jump to the collegiate level."
UND has now added nine freshmen for the 2012 season. Click here for the release on UND's other recruits.
~GO SIOUX~
