SIOUX FALLS -- In what University of Sioux Falls Soccer head coach
Brittany Domino calls "one of the best classes ever," six student-athletes signed with the Cougars on Wednesday (Nov. 13) as the NCAA signing period for recruits opened.
Described by Domino as one of the most athletic and accomplished signing classes, the 2020 group includes Molly Coverly, midfielder, Minden, Nev.; Zhanna Dunagan, center-midfielder, St. Paul, Minn.; Lauren Johnson, center back, Apple Valley, Minn.; Sarah Miller, forward, Monument, Colo.; Haley Nelson, center/defender, Stillwater, Minn.; Kelsey Oswald, outside back, Yankton, S.D.; who have signed with USF and will continue their academic and athletic careers at USF.
"This 2020 recruiting class is one of the best classes we have had here at Sioux Falls. All six of our recruits could fight for a starting position on day one," said Domino, whose program won four games or more for the third straight year, which is a first in program history. "Our current team is really balanced and therefore this class we were able to look for players that can bring something special to each position. We have recruits who excel technically and others who will be work forces for us. Each one of these recruits will bring a new dynamic to our team. I am really excited to get this class here next fall and watch all the special things they are going to do at USF," said Domino.
Molly Coverley, Midfielder, 5-6, Minden, Nevada/Douglas
Molly Coverley
A standout from Douglas High School in Minden, Nevada, Molly Coverley is a midfielder who was honorable mention all conference as a sophomore and first team all-league as a midfielder during her junior and senior seasons. The daughter of Dan and Sarah Coverley, she is a member of the National Honor Society. Coverley, who has two siblings, Hannah and Payson, plans to major in pre-law and psychology as USF.
Zhanna Dunagan, Center-Mid, 5-10, St. Paul, Minn./St. Paul Central
Zhanna Dunagan
A standout from St. Paul (Minn.) Central, Zhanna Dunagan was named All-St. Paul City Conference as both a junior and senior. A team captain, she was selected the team MVP. She was part of the U13 US Youth Futsal National Team, -U14 US Youth Futsal National Team captain. At St. Paul Central, she was a volunteer soccer coach and member of the National Honor Society. The daughter of Jane and Patrick Dunagan she plans to major in biology at USF.
Lauren Johnson, Center-Back, 5-9, Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview
Lauren Johnson
Lauren Johnson was a two-sport standout at Eastview High School where she started in hockey and soccer. The daughter of Kyle and Kris Johnson, she has two siblings, Evan and Olivia. At Eastview she played center-back and was a goalie in hockey.She also played for the Eclipse Select club team. She was an academic award recipient three straight years from 2016-2019.
Sarah Miller, Forward, 5-4, Monument, Colorado/Palmer Ridge
Sarah Miller
Sarah Miller, the daughter of William and Anne Miller, starred at Palmer Ridge High School as a forward. As a freshman, sophomore and junior, she was named second team All-Pikes Peak Athletic Conference. She has scored 29 goals with 17 assists in 42 games. She had five goals and four assists as a freshman, 10 goals and seven assists as a sophomore and 14 goals and six assists as a junior. Miller has played for the Rapid City Rock Select 01 club team. In high school, she has been involved in DECA and plans to major in business at USF.
Haley Nelson, Center-Defender, 5-10, Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater Area
Haley Nelson
Haley Nelson, who is the daughter of Shawn and Julie Nelson, starred in soccer, hockey and lacrosse at Stillwater Area High School. In 2019, she was named to the Section 6A East Suburban All-Conference team as a center/defender. In 2017, she was the team's "Defender of the Year" and earned honorable mention all conference. Nelson, who has siblings Kayla, Brooke, and Grace, was named the Stillwater HS Hockey Team Offensive Player of the Year and served as captain. Nelson played for the St. Croix Academy Soccer Club. She volunteers at Feed My Starving Children and making blankets for Project Linus. She plans to major in exercise science at USF.
Kelsey Oswald, Outside Back, 5-6, Yankton, S.D./Yankton
Kelsey Oswald
A three-sport standout at Yankton, S.D., Kelsey Oswald was highly decorated in track, basketball and soccer. The daughter of Jason and Sherri Oswald, she was part of the unbeaten 2019 state champion Yankton High School soccer team, which had 12 shutouts and allowed just five goals. In both 2018 and 2019 she was named second team all-state for the second straight year. An Academic All-American, she was a two-time All-ESD selection who helped Yankton win the ESD in 2018 and 2019. As a junior she scored one goal with five assists and then added three goals and an assist as a senior. She finished sixth in the 300 hurdles, fifth on the 4x200 relay and second on the 4x400 relay at the 2018 South Dakota State Track Championships. In 2019, she moved up to fourth in the 300 hurdles and was sixth in the 100 hurdles. She also helped Yankton to third in the 4x200 relay and seventh place in the 4x400 relay at the South Dakota State Track Championship. A Yankton Gazelles Club team member, she is a member of the Student Council, HOSA, Humanitarian Club, serves as President of Y-Club and in the National Honor Society. She Is also part of FCA, youth group leader and involved in her church youth group. Her service work includes youth group community service projects, Roger Haas Tournament, Young Gazelles Basketball Camp, Elk Hoop Shoot, Humanitarian Club community service projects and Young Gazelles soccer camps and tournaments volunteer. Oswald, who has two siblings Emily and Cody, plans to major in nursing at USF.