FARGO, N.D. – North Dakota State University head women's soccer coach Mark Cook announced Wednesday, Feb. 1, eight student-athletes will join the Bison soccer program beginning in the fall of 2017.

Danielle Algera, a midfielder from Winnipeg, Manitoba; Madison Burnstein, a defender from Burlington, Ontario; Brookelyn Dew, a forward/midfielder from Fargo, N.D.; Daniella Jasper, a forward/midfielder from Calgary, Alberta; Kennedi Keller, a defender from Sioux Falls, S.D.; Ellen Schneider, a defender/midfielder from Minnetonka, Minn.; Marian Taiwo, a forward from Monotick, Ontario; and Malana Vachon, a midfielder from Calgary, Alberta, will all play soccer and continue their education at NDSU.

"Today is another exciting day for the NDSU soccer program as we welcome eight new student-athletes to the Bison soccer family," Cook said. "This group brings a wealth of talent and experience to our program. Having graduated nine seniors from last year's Summit League regular season championship team, we knew this class would need to make an immediate impact, and it is our belief that we have a very talented group ready to fill the holes left by our recent graduates," Cook added. "Our staff is looking forward to working with this talented group of student-athletes, and we are expecting big things from this class."

Danielle Algera
MF | Winnipeg, Manitoba (Calvin Christian Collegiate)
High School: Played soccer at Calvin Christian Collegiate … Competed on the provincial team for four years … Was an all-star at provincials and during multiple tournaments … Also played volleyball, basketball, curling and badminton, and ran track and field and cross country … Club: Played for Winnipeg Phoenix FC, which placed second in the Western Canada Summer Games … Personal: Daughter of Ray and Marlene Algera.

Coach's Clipboard: "Dani is a technically gifted midfielder from Canada. She is also a very good defender who will fit very well into a defensive midfield role at NDSU. Dani attended our Elite ID camp in the summer, and we were able to challenge her and she responded very well. She is really someone we expect to compete for playing time and give us depth in the midfield."

Madison Burnstein
D | Burlington, Ontario (Notre Dame Catholic Secondary)
High School: Played soccer at Notre Dame Catholic Secondary where she was a starting defender on the Senior Team as a freshman … Was a member of the team that won the Ontario High School Championship in 2015 … Her team captured the Regional Conference Championship three consecutive years … Club: Played for the Saltfleet Explosion, the Ontario Youth Soccer League Champion in 2013 … The team also won the Ontario/Quebec Cup Championship in 2013 … Ontario Cup Champion in 2014 and three-time Ontario Cup finalist … Placed fourth in Canadian Nationals in 2016 … Personal: Played for the Ontario Women's Soccer League U21 Provincial Team as a 16-year-old … Daughter of Ron and Lori Burnstein.

Coach's Clipboard: "Maddie is a physical central defender who reads the game very well. She has a tremendous work rate and passion for the game. I am excited to see what she will bring to our program, as she is very versatile and can play both as a defender or play in the midfield. Maddie is someone we see competing for playing time the minute she steps on campus."

Brookelyn Dew
F/MF | Fargo, N.D. (Shanley HS)
High School: Was an all-state first team selection for Shanley High School in 2016 … Also named All-EDC and was selected to the all-tournament team as a senior … 2016-17 team captain … Club: Played for the Tri-City Storm … Personal: Daughter of Jim and Kari Dew.

Coach's Clipboard: "Brookelyn is an exceptional three sport athlete from Fargo Shanley and someone with tons of potential. We firmly believe that Brookelyn will do very well at NDSU as she focuses her athletic talent on one sport. She brings plenty of pace and has a nose for scoring goals."

Daniella Jasper
F/MF | Calgary, Alberta (St. Mary's HS)
High School: Helped lead St. Mary's High School to a Division I City Championship in 2015 and two silver medal showings in the city finals in 2014 and 2016 … Selected to the citywide all-star team and named a team captain in 2016 … Also played basketball and ran track and field … Club: Competed for South West United Napoli 99/Calgary Callies … Member of the 2015 provincial championship team and the team that earned a bronze medal at nationals in 2015 … Her team placed first in the citywide tournament in 2016 … Personal: Daughter of AK Jasper and Michael Harrison.

Coach's Clipboard: "Daniella is a very versatile player who can play multiple positions. Her biggest attributes are her speed and athleticism. Daniella is not only physically gifted; she is also very sound technically. I am very excited to work with Daniella, as her versatility will allow us to use her in different positions and see how she will fit best into our system."

Kennedi Keller
D | Sioux Falls, S.D. (Sioux Falls Lincoln HS)
High School: Named all-state in 2015 and was a two-time all-conference selection at Sioux Falls Lincoln High School … Was a member of the 2014 state championship team … Also ran track and field and powerlifted … Club: Played for the Dakota Alliance Soccer Club … Personal: Daughter of Darrin and Timberly Keller.

Coach's Clipboard: "Kennedi is a complete athlete who we are excited to get into a soccer specific environment. She has a high upside that will bring a competitive physical presence to our back line. Her affinity for physical preparation will translate very well to our culture at NDSU."

Ellen Schneider
D/MF | Minnetonka, Minn. (Providence Academy)
High School: Two-time all-state and all-conference honoree at Providence Academy … All-conference honorable mention as an eighth-grader … Named Rookie of the Year in eighth-grade … Three-year team captain … Won the Coaches Award as a senior … Also was an all-conference hockey player as a freshman … Club: Played for Maplebrook U19 Premier, where she was team captain the past five years … Member of the Olympic Development Program from 2011-13 and 2105 … Her team was the United States Club Regional Champion and national runner-up in 2014 … Personal: Daughter of Mark and Susan Schneider.

Coach's Clipboard: "Ellie is a strong central defender who brings a solid technical base and also a physical presence to the game. She reads the game very well and is a good ball striker, which will enable us to change the point of attack and counter out of the back."

Marian Taiwo
F | Monotick, Ontario (St. Mark HS)
High School: 2016 Senior Girls Soccer MVP at St. Mark High School … Her team was the 2016 Senior Girls Tier 2 runner-up … Also played volleyball and ran track and field … Club: Played for the Ottawa South United 99' Girls Force Black … 2012-13 Region 5 select player … Team was the 2016 OYSL Eastern Division second-place team … Club team claimed a silver medal at the 2014 Disney Showcase and participated in the 2014 Ontario Summer Games … Personal: Daughter of Alice and Emmanuel Taiwo.

Coach's Clipboard: "Marion is a very dynamic, athletic forward that will bring lots of pace and work rate to our program. She is comfortable in front of goal and we believe that will translate very well to the collegiate game. Her style of play will create problems for the defenders she will face."

Malana Vachon
MF | Calgary, Alberta (Springbank Community HS)
High School: Named Rockyview District MVP in 2014-15 … Her team claimed one gold and three silver medals … Made the district newspaper as a freshman on high school soccer team … Club: Played for South West United, Napoli '99 (2010-16) and the Women's Major League (2016-17) on Rapids FC Premier and Rapids FC Major … 2016 U18 CMSA Outdoor Season Champions, 2015 U16 Canadian National Club Championship bronze medalist, Won a gold medal at the 2015 U16 Alberta Provincial Championship, 2014 U16 Western Canada Showcase Champions, 2013-16 indoor and outdoor league champions … 2013 Western Canada Showcase … Personal: Daughter of Melinda and Denis Vachon.

Coach's Clipboard: "Malana is your prototypical midfielder; she sees the game very well and is gifted technically. She is the type of player we can build our midfield around both defensively and in attack. Malana will play box to box and will bring a tremendous work rate and positive attitude to our program."

North Dakota State finished the 2016 season with an overall record of 10-8-1 and won The Summit League regular season title for the second consecutive season.