SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State women's soccer coach Kirk Nelson announced Wednesday the signing of five student-athletes for the 2024 season.
 
Joining the Bears are:

• Jane Hansen – 5-9 – Def. – Overland Park, Kan. – Saint Thomas Aquinas High (Sporting Blue Valley)
• Brianna Kappeler – 5-8 – Def. – Chesterfield, Mo. – Marquette High (St. Louis Scott Gallagher)
• Maggie O'Keefe – 5-5 – For. – Overland Park, Kan. – Saint Thomas Aquinas High (KS Rush)
• Kendall Petoskey – 5-5 – Def. – Hamilton, Mich. – Hamilton High (Michigan Rangers FC)
• Victoria Spahn – 5-9 – GK – Waukee, Iowa – Northwest High (Sporting Iowa ECNL)

 
"We are extremely excited about this 2024 class. They are quality people, students and athletes that will fit in perfectly with our program's core values and style of play," Nelson said. "Leading into the next cycle, they help us create more depth in some key areas. We are proud that they have chosen to be a Bear and can't wait to get going in 2024!"
 
Jane Hansen
Hansen played 11 seasons for Sporting Blue Valley under coach Colin Bulwich. During that time, she won the USYS Kansas State championship, a USYS Regional Championship and led her team to the USYS National Championship Final Four. SBV also made a run to the ECNL Champions League Final Four under Hansen's leadership. She was named to the Best XI list at the National Championship Final Four Tournament and is in the 2020 and 2021 SoccerWire Top 50 InStat Scores lists for GA and ECNL players.
In high school, Hansen has led her team to three straight state championships (2021-23), as well as back-to-back conference championships for St. Thomas Aquinas High School (2022-23). Last season, she was Kansas' 5A Defender of the Year and an all-state first-team selection. Hansen will be joining her sister, Abby, on the team.

Associate Head Coach Cory Herchenroeder on Hansen:
"Jane is someone that we believe can come in and make an immediate impact in our program.  She is someone that brings a strong presence defensively, whether she's playing in the back line or in the midfield.  Jane is a true ball winner out of the air and her composure on the ball makes her a threat going forward.  We are extremely excited to add Jane to our 2024 class."
 
Brianna Kappeler
Kappeler played seven seasons for St. Louis Scott Gallagher. She competed in both the 2021 and 2022 ECNL National Championships and has been a part of the ECNL team for four straight years (2021-24).
At Marquette High School, Kappeler led the team to the Mustangs' first conference championship in program history and tied the record for best season record in program history. A starter since her freshman season, she was an all-conference first team selection as a junior. Each season, Kappeler has recorded over 1,500 minutes spent on the pitch.

Coach Nelson on Kappeler:
"Brianna is a relentless outside back. She executes well in all four phases of the game. She stands out in her 1v1 defending ability to shut down opponents. She is a gamer and will come in and compete in this environment. Her courageous mentality will be a great fit here, and we look forward to seeing her next fall."
 
Maggie O'Keefe
O'Keefe played eight years for the KS Rush under coach Daouda Kane. In that time, the team has won the state cup twice and made an appearance in the GA playoffs.
In her high school career, O'Keefe has helped lead St. Thomas Aquinas to three state championships (2021-23) and a pair of conference championships (2022-23). She has recorded 14 goals and 14 assists for the Saints and helped the team go undefeated her sophomore season. O'Keefe will be joining her sister, Grace, on the team.

Coach Herchenroeder on O'Keefe:
"Maggie is a player that will spark our team offensively and is a pure athlete.  Maggie is someone that uses her athleticism to get in behind or take people on 1v1, and once she gets by a defender no one is catching her.  With her athleticism, she brings a work rate that is unmatched, which is a deadly combination.  We can't wait to add Maggie to our 2024 class."
 
Kendall Petoskey
Petoskey played for the Michigan Rangers FC (formerly Michigan Fire Juniors) for six years under coach Dean Muckle. During her tenure, she led her team to two state championships (2021-22) and three additional appearances in the finals (2019-20, 2023). Petoskey qualified for the 17U National Championship in 2023.
She attended the Emerging Talent Program Camp hosted by the Chicago Fire Juniors where she was selected to compete in the Las Vegas Cup as a starting center back and helped lead the team to a championship. She was named to the Best XI list in the Midwest region.

Coach Nelson on Petoskey:
"Kendall will help solidify our backline, as she mainly plays in the 4/5 spot. She has a high-level defensive awareness which makes her extremely sharp in dispossessing and disrupting opponents. She is also strong in the attacking phase, with her passing range, quick speed of play and keeping possession. Her joining the team helps us continue to evolve."
 
Victoria Spahn
Spahn played for Sporting Iowa ENCL for five years, the last three under coach Daryl Brazeau. During her time with the team, Spahn led them to back-to-back-to-back state championships in Iowa (2019-22).
During her tenure at Northwest High School, Spahn has recorded over 120 saves and averaged a save percentage over 90%. The Wolves have reached the state quarterfinals once and state semifinals twice during Spahn's time with the team. As a junior, she was named to both the All-District First Team and All-State First Team.

Assistant Coach Sara Halilhodzic on Spahn:
"Victoria joins us as a goalkeeper. She has a big presence in front of the net and is confident and protective. She is quality both vertically and horizontally, as well as accurate in her distribution with both her hands and feet. We are excited to have her come in and be a part of the Bears family."