COLUMBIA, Mo. – Mizzou soccer Head Coach Bryan Blitz announced the addition of eight new Tigers on Friday (Feb. 3). Momola Adesanmi (Sugar Land, Texas), Bella Alessi (Fort Collins, Colorado), Cassidy Nurnberger (New Haven, Missouri), Morcquess Oliphant (Frisco, Texas), Brynne Polivka (Chesterfield, Missouri), Tess Rellihan (Kansas City, Missouri), Macy Trujillo (Kansas City, Missouri) and Lindsey Whitmore (Henderson, Nevada) all signed National Letters of Intent to attend Missouri and compete for the Mizzou soccer team in the fall. The signees will be joined by early enrollees Zoe Cross (Pease Pottage, England) and Peyton Bauman (Flower Mound, Texas), who will take part in the 2017 spring season.
"This is one of the most balanced classes we've ever had, every need we had we filled with this class," Blitz said. "They are not only skilled on the soccer field but are also incredible students academically. I believe they'll make a big impact during their time here at Mizzou."
| 2017 MIZZOU SOCCER SIGNING CLASS | |||
| Name | Pos. | Hometown | Club Team |
| Momola Adesanmi | D | Sugar Land, Texas | Challenge SC |
| Bella Alessi | M/F | Fort Collins, Colo. | Colorado Rush |
| Cassidy Nurnberger | M | New Haven, Mo. | St. Louis Scott Gallagher |
| Morcquess Oliphant | M/F | Frisco, Texas | Dallas Texans |
| Brynne Polivka | D | Chesterfield, Mo. | St. Louis Scott Gallagher |
| Tess Rellihan | F | Kansas City, Mo. | FC Kansas City Juniors |
| Macy Trujillo | F | Kansas City, Mo. | Sporting Blue Valley |
| Lindsey Whitmore | M/F | Henderson, Nev. | Heat FC |
MOMOLA ADESANMI
Defender | 5-6 | Sugar Land, Texas (Travis) | Challenge SC
Accolades
- Claimed District 23-5A first team honors as a junior in 2016
- Also earned district second team accolades as a sophomore
- Named District 23-5A Newcomer of the Year as a freshman
- Played club soccer for Challenge SC ECNL
Parents: Banji and Shade
Club Coach: Chris Maravalli
High School Coach: Kristin Roden
Why Momola chose Mizzou:
"I choose Mizzou because I absolutely love the soccer program, and I am strong believer in what it stands for. It's the best fit for me both athletically and academically. I believe I will be equipped with the skill set that will greatly benefit me in the future. From the coaches, to players, to the college town itself I feel welcome and at home."
Club coach Chris Maravalli on Momola:
"Over the past 5 years, Mo has established herself as one of the best outside backs in the country. Her unmatched pace and quickness make her a shutdown defender while also allowing her to be a consistent attacking threat out of the back. She comes from wonderful family and her commitment to both academics and soccer have helped her develop into a positive leader within her team who is loved by her teammates and coaches. Mizzou is getting not only a dynamic player who will flourish in the SEC, but also a first rate young lady who will represent the Tigers with a humble, positive, and very hard working demeanor. Without a doubt, Mo will help Missouri continue to compete at the highest level in the country!"
Chose Mizzou over:
Vanderbilt, Northwestern, Auburn
BELLA ALESSI
Midfielder/Forward | 5-6 | Fort Collins, Colo. (Fossil Ridge) | Colorado Rush
Accolades
- Tallied eight goals as a sophomore for Fossil Ridge
- Named to the 2014 state and regional ODP travel teams
- Played club soccer for Colorado Rush
- Also an all-conference for Fossil Ridge's track and field team
Parents: Richard and Grace
Club Coach: Erik Bushey
High School Coach: Ian Wale
Why Bella chose Mizzou:
"I was filled with an elated feeling as I walked the campus and visited the facilities. As a player, I could see myself fitting in perfectly with the way Missouri presses the ball and attacks the net. I couldn't see myself at a different place or wearing a different uniform."
Club coach Erik Bushey on Bella:
"Athleticism, work rate and versatility are all strengths of Bella's. Each of these areas, matched with her desire to achieve, create a valuable foundation for success at the collegiate level. I wish her well in her endeavors."
Chose Mizzou over:
No other schools
CASSIDY NURNBERGER
Midfielder | 5-6 | New Haven, Mo. (Washington) | St. Louis Scott Gallagher
Accolades
- Totaled 36 points on 11 goals and 14 assists during her junior season at Washington
- Named the Gateway Athletics Conference Central Division Player of the Year in 2016
- Three-time first team all-conference selection
- Helped St. Louis Scott Gallagher to the 2016 ECNL North American Championship
- Also part of club team that finished third at ECNL North American Nationals in 2014
Parents: Kurt and Lisa
Club Coach: Ralph Richards
High School Coach: Adam Fischer
Why Cassidy chose Mizzou:
"I chose Mizzou because I wanted an atmosphere that would challenge me and present me with numerous opportunities for growth, and I immediately experienced that at Mizzou. I know that the staff and players will be able to push me to play at the next level."
Club coach Ralph Richards on Cassidy:
"Cassidy joined the SLSG MO ECNL 98 team at U14. It was in that moment when I knew nothing was going to stop Cass from her goal of playing at the highest collegiate level. Cass has always been determined, honest and worked extremely hard but in the past three years, I have seen her level of play climb to heights equal to the best central midfielders in the country. Cass will be a huge contributor to the Mizzou women's soccer program success both on and off the field."
Chose Mizzou over:
Purdue, Xavier, Saint Louis, Butler
MORCQUESS OLIPHANT
Midfielder / Forward | 5-8 | Frisco, Texas (Frisco) | Dallas Texans
Accolades
- Scored 21 goals as a junior for Frisco High School in 2016
- Named first team all-area and all-district honors as a sophomore and junior
- Helped Frisco to four district championships
- Helped Dallas Texans ECNL to the Texas Conference Championships in 2015 (U16) and 2014 (U15)
Parents: Marcus and Donella
Club Coach: Leo Maric
High School Coach: Jaime Leraas
Why Morcquess chose Mizzou:
"I chose Mizzou because of its academic reputation. I love the atmosphere of the University, Columbia and the coaches. I also wanted the opportunity to play soccer in the SEC."
Club coach Leo Maric on Morcquess:
"Morcquess is one of the most committed players that I know. Always the first to arrive at practice and the last to leave. She is a very hard worker and wants to get better every practice. She gives 100 percent all the time. She's a very important player for our team, and she has a bright future in soccer."
Chose Mizzou over:
Kansas, LSU
BRYNNE POLIVKA
Defender | 5-10 | Chesterfield, Mo. (Visitation Academy) | St. Louis Scott Gallagher
Accolades
- Two-time Missouri Class 3 All-State first team selection
- Also a two-time region defensive player of the year honoree
- Part of Visitation's 2014 Class 3 State Championship squad
- Helped St. Louis Scott Gallagher to the 2016 ECNL North American Championship
Parents: Mark and Christine
Club Coach: Ralph Richards
High School Coach: Bill Daues
Why Brynne chose Mizzou:
I chose Missouri because it simply felt right. I watched my sister attend Mizzou and I was familiar with the great things it had to offer. Mizzou has the people, resources and facilities
I need in order to succeed not only on the soccer field but in my studies as well."
Club coach Ralph Richards on Brynne:
"Brynne has been a member of the SLSG MO ECNL 98 team for over six years. She has been at the heart of the defense because of her ability to dominate in the air, compete in physical 1v1 battles and show composure in the build up from the back. It is these qualities that will make her a leader at the heart of an SEC defensive back line."
Chose Mizzou over:
Vanderbilt, Purdue
TESS RELLIHAN
Forward | 5-7 | Kansas City, Mo. (St. Teresa's Academy) | FC Kansas City Juniors
Accolades
- Compiled 30 goals and 11 assists for 71 points in her high school career
- Part of two Missouri State Championships squads at St. Teresa's
- Also earned all-district honors in basketball for St. Teresa's
Parents: John and Theresa
Club Coach: Goran Karadzov
High School Coach: Jeremy McElduff
Why Tess chose Mizzou:
"I chose Mizzou because I've grown up loving Mizzou and when I went to visit I got a feeling of home. I loved the campus, what the team was all about, and all the things the school had to offer, both academically and athletically."
Club coach Goran Karadzov on Tess:
"I coach a lot of kids in my coaching career but Tess was a really special player for me. Her ability to make a difference in the game, her passion, her understanding of the game makes her an amazing player."
Chose Mizzou over:
Arkansas, Texas Tech, Saint Louis, Virginia Tech
MACY TRUJILLO
Forward | 5-5 | Kansas City, Mo. (St. Teresa's Academy) | Sporting Blue Valley
Accolades
- Tallied 17 points on four goals and nine assists as a junior at St. Teresa's
- Earned all-state second team honors in 2016
- Part of two Missouri State Championships squads at St. Teresa's
- Sister, Savannah, is a rising senior on the Mizzou soccer team
Parents: Mark and Stephanie
Club Coach: Gags Pitchard
High School Coach: Jeremy McElduff
Why Macy chose Mizzou:
"My two older siblings, Chaz and Savannah, attend classes here and they absolutely love it. Savannah is on the soccer team and she tells me all about the team. She told me, 'You're with these people every day, they are your family,' which makes me super excited to be a part of something that relates so much back to family."
Club coach Doug McLagan on Macy:
"Macy's great work ethic and her bubbly personality can light up a game at any time. Her ability to run at defenders is a joy to watch and a major problem for defenders."
Chose Mizzou over:
Kansas State, UMKC, Denver
LINDSEY WHITMORE
Midfielder / Forward | 5-1 | Henderson, Nev. (Coronado) | Heat FC
Accolades
- Named to the 2017 Girls IMG Academy 150 Player Pool
- Played club soccer for Heat FC ECNL
- Also named a 2015 and 2016 ECNL Player to Watch
- Helped Heat FC to the 2015 Surf Cup Championship
Parents: Brooks and Kristine
Club Coaches: Key Reid, Tom Amick
Why Lindsey chose Mizzou:
"When I arrived on campus, I was blown away by the beauty of the grounds and the architecture of the buildings. The coaches and staff stressed a feeling of unity with the idea we win and succeed together as a team. Missouri offers me a well-rounded university experience with exceptional athletics and high level academics."
Club coach Tom Amick on Lindsey:
"Lindsey is an extremely talented attacking central midfielder. She is so talented at breaking down a backline running out of the midfield. She is a very potent goal scorer with a terrific finishing quality in and around the box. Lindsey is a great leader and a fantastic teammate. I know she is looking forward to joining Coach Blitz, Coach Trentham and Coach Schneider at the University of Missouri. Lindsey will be a tremendous asset to the Missouri program."
Chose Mizzou over:
Minnesota, Loyola Marymount, DePaul, George Washington, St. Mary's, UNLV, NYU, Carnegie Mellon