SALEM, Ore. – Corban University head women's soccer coach Marty Ziesemer announced his 2016 recruiting class on Thursday, naming the first seven players that would be joining the tradition that is Warrior women's soccer.
During his time at Corban, Ziesemer has racked up a 222-178-23 career record at the helm of the Warriors, making him the ninth winningest active coach all time in NAIA Women's Soccer. He is also currently the all-time active leader in CCC wins with 141. Additionally, the Warriors have clinched a CCC Tournament berth in 18 of their 20 years, winning two regular season titles along the way. Moreover, Ziesemer has been named the CCC Coach of the Year three times, including most recently in 2013.
"These seven young ladies will continue to strengthen the foundation of our program and contribute to our program with their talents and abilities," said Ziesemer. "Not only are they great as soccer players, but they are quality people who will fit right in with their attitude and character. Best of all, they are excited not just about playing soccer, but about taking advantage and growing as Christians in Corban's environment both on and off the field."
Mia Fornelius – 5' 9" – Forward – Enumclaw HS – Washington
Following an accomplished high school career, Fornelius comes to Corban with hopes of adding to the attack right away. While lettering all four years of high school with the soccer team, she was named to the 3A Second-Team All-League in the SPSL in 2012, 2013 and 2015. She was also voted the Team and Offensive MVP in 2012 and 2013. During her high school career, she scored 35 total goals.
"I toured Corban before I committed and it is full of friendly faces that were welcoming wherever I went," said Fornelius. "The class sizes are ideal and the campus is beautiful, especially in the spring. I also have never come across as friendly and caring of a coach as Marty, so that was an important factor in my decision. The team chemistry is lovely and easy to get along with, thus making it a priority to choose Corban."
Fornelius also played club ball for Marauders Navy (2013-15) and PSPL Surf Academy (2013-2016). She also currently competes on Mt. Rainier FC.
"Mia is a quality player that has excellent vision and makes good decisions from what she sees developing on the field," said Ziesemer. "She is a strong player who doesn't get pushed off the ball and will find a way to score goals in a variety of ways."
Heidi Moore – 5' 5" – Midfielder – Silverton HS – Oregon
Hailing from Silverton, Ore., Moore joins the Warrior women's soccer team with the hopes of making a difference right away. As an Honorable-Mention All-Conference honoree during her junior year and a Second-Team All-Conference award-winner during her senior year, she is set to continue with the upward trend.
"Choosing Corban was easy for me," said Moore. "The Christian environment removed a great deal of anxiety about going to college. I know I will grow in my spiritual life as well as academically meeting my goals. I have followed the Warrior women for years, and I am excited to be a part of such an extraordinary program."
Moore was a member of the CFC Fusion Club Team that placed second overall in the 2015 State Cup. She plans to major in Exercise Science with the hopes of becoming a Physical Therapist.
"Heidi brings a confident presence in the midfield," said Ziesemer. "Her ability and vision to find penetrating passes behind the defense will provide our forwards with excellent opportunities to put the ball in the net."
Holly Moorman – 5' 5" – Forward – South Salem HS – Chemeketa CC – Oregon
Moorman joins the Warriors after collecting NWAACC All-Star honors during each of the last two years. While leading Chemeketa CC for two-straight years with 26 goals and 12 assists, she was named to the All-Star Team twice. In high school at South Salem, she was named to the Second Team All-League in the CVC, and was honored with the Marine Corp Distinguished Athlete Award.
"Ultimately my decision came down to the talent that the Corban women's soccer team has and the potential I can see with the players," said Moorman. "There is depth on the team which I really appreciate. I knew it would be a good fit when the team was so welcoming, and I like the dedication the girls and the coaching staff have for the program and to one another."
A well-rounded athlete, she also played four years of basketball in high school, three years of softball, and one year of track & field. In addition, Moorman has club experience with the Capital Timbers Soccer Club.
She plans to major in Exercise Science at Corban with the intent of becoming a Physical Therapist Assistant.
"Holly is a speedy, strong forward who plays well with her back to the goal," said Ziesemer. "She has the ability to get in dangerous positions up front that help her find the back of the net. Her prior college experience will benefit her and the Warriors as she contributes to our program."
Ali Oatridge – 5' 2" – Forward – Gig Harbor HS – Tacoma CC – Washington
Oatridge transfers to Corban following a successful career at Tacoma CC. During each of her two years there, she garnered All-Region honors and served as a team captain during her second year while scoring nine goals. In high school, she led her team to a fourth-place finish in the state tournament while losing in the Round of 16 in her junior and senior seasons.
"I committed to Corban because the community atmosphere was unlike any other school," said Oatridge. "Also, when I trained with the team, I really liked the way they played and felt that I would fit into that well. In addition, I really appreciated the way Marty ran the program."
Outside of high school, she played for Harbor FC and WPFC Fury for club. She plans on majoring in Business with the intent of going into an Accounting career.
"Ali was able to transfer in at the semester and is getting the opportunity to train all spring with the team," said Ziesemer. "Her speed and her ability to get behind defenses are talents we look forward to using as she impacts the Warriors."
Nicolle Ohama – 5' 10" – Defender – Columbia River HS – Washington
Ohama comes to Corban after a successful high school career at Columbia River. She led her team to a third-place finish in State in 2014 and collected Second-Team All-League plaudits in 2015 as a co-captain. On top of her high school accolades, she was voted one of the best 11 players in the 2013 State Cup and was a co-captain of the Washington Timbers for four years, leading the team to three State Cup Titles. In her last year, she led the Team to the Presidents Cup Regionals and Nationals.
"The reason I chose Corban was because I enjoyed how small the school is and liked the teacher-to-student ratio," said Ohama. "The campus was beautiful, and I knew it was a place that I could succeed at. When I went to visit Corban for my first time, everyone on campus was very friendly, including the soccer team."
Ohama plans to major in Health Science with the hopes of becoming a Physical Therapist.
"Nicolle is an extremely hard worker who is strong and not afraid to be aggressive," said Ziesemer. "She uses her strength to win the ball and find the penetrating long passes from a defensive side of the field."
Sarah Parkinson – 5' 10" – Midfielder – South Kitsap HS – Washington
Parkinson, who hails from Port Orchard, Wash., is set to become a part of the Corban women's soccer team in 2016. As four-year dual-sport athlete at South Kitsap High School, she competed for four years in both soccer and track & field.
"I chose to commit to Corban University over a bigger University where I was also offered a soccer position on their team," said Parkinson. "I made the decision because of Corban's commitment to Christian Biblical principles, and I had the opportunity to play for the Warriors with a scholarship that was closer to home."
Parkinson competed for South Kitsap United for club ball. She plans to major in Business.
"Sarah comes from a quality high school program where that experience will help her develop into a quality player at Corban," said Ziesemer. "She has excellent vision on the field and is able to use her size to be a dominant force in winning the balls in the midfield."
Madison Veltkamp – 5' 6" – Midfielder – Kings Way Christian HS – Washington
Veltkamp, a talented midfielder joins the Warriors after an award-winning high school career. After receiving Second-Team All-League honors during her freshman and sophomore seasons, she collected First-Team All-League and All-Region honors during her junior and senior campaigns.
"God is the one who led me to choose Corban University," said Veltkamp. "I was there visiting a friend and hadn't really considered it, but God showed me how kind everyone is and how much I could truly love being there."
On top of her high school accolades, she was a standout player for the FC Vipers and the Washington Timbers for club, while also captaining the Chinook Ice and Salmon Creek teams. Veltkamp plans to major in Psychology at Corban.
"Madison will be a strong presence in the midfield with her style of play," said Ziesemer. "She has the ability to win the ball and then get forward with it to support the attack. Her understanding of the game will be an asset to the program as she develops into an impact player at Corban."