Women's Soccer | November 8

DEKALB, Ill. -- Northern Illinois University women's soccer head coach Michael O'Neill announced on Wednesday, November 8, the addition of seven players who will join the Huskies for the 2024 season. The seven additions to the Huskies roster are: Cydnie Bayless (Aurora, Ill. / Matea Valley), McKenna Campbell-Turkalj (Kitchener, Ontario) Abi Dolding (Hastings, England) Juliana Hill (Burlington, Iowa / West Burlington), Lauren Mrugala (Plainfield, Ill. / Plainfield North), Lauren Pearson (Muskego, Wis. / Muskego) and Alyssa Stephenson (Oakville, Ontario)
 
The Huskies are adding three midfielders, two goalkeepers, one forward and one defender. The seven recruits include two international players (England and Canada) as well as two from Illinois and one recruit from both Iowa and Wisconsin.
 
"We are thrilled with the addition of so many high-quality players," O'Neill said. "My staff has worked tirelessly to get some of the best local, regional, and international talent here to NIU and we are excited to see them impact this program as we continue to build a highly competitive MAC program."
 
Bayless attended Matea Valley High School and won the 2022 IHSA 3A State Title. Bayless played with current Huskie All-MAC Freshman honoree Tyra King in high school at Matea Valley and has also played with Galaxy SC club team. Bayless recorded five goals and seven assists in her 2023 junior season.
 
"Cyd is a midfielder by trade and her athleticism and toughness will allow her to a be a contributor right from the get-go," O'Neill said. "We also know Cyd embodies everything we want in a student-athlete here at NIU and I'm excited about the opportunity of working with her."
 
Campbell-Turkalj is from Kitchener, Ontario and played with the Burlington Force. She has also competed with Borussia Dortmund's Waterloo, Ontario International Academy. Campbell-Turkalj has been ranked 20th in Canada in the Class of 2024 by First Touch Football Canada.
 
"McKenna is a very technical and creative player that will be a great addition to our program," O'Neill said. "Her varied skillset combined with her game intelligence allow her to play a multitude of positions and we are delighted to have her join the program."
 
Dolding is a goalkeeper from England. She is currently a member of Worthing FC and has also spent time with Lewes FC as well as in the academy at Brighton and Hove Albion.
 
"Abi is a technical goalkeeper that has played at a high level back in the UK," O'Neill said. "Her size and ability with her feet are features that will allow her to make an instant impact. We are excited to have Abi join the program next Fall."
 
Hill plays for West Burlington High School in Iowa after starting her career at Notre Dame-West Burlington/Danville. She helped lead her team to an 11-9 record as a senior, scoring 38 goals with 18 assists and 94 points in 20 matches. Hill ranked in the top eight in Iowa in all three of those statistical categories, she also played club soccer with VSA Rush.
 
"Julianna is an intelligent and tough tackling defender and someone that will add great quality to our defensive unit next year," O'Neill said. "She has played at an extremely high level with her club team so she will be more than prepared to jump in at the D1 environment. Julianna is also someone that will make a positive impact off the field, and we can't wait for her to get started."
 
Mrugala is a midfielder from Plainfield North High School in Plainfield, Ill. In her junior season this past spring, she helped lead the Tigers to a 23-2-2 record and multiple postseason wins. Mrugala has played for club team Eclipse Select SC, in 2022 she was named to the Elite Clubs National League's (ECNL) Phoenix National Team.
 
"Lauren is a very technical and intelligent player that will be a great addition to our program," O'Neill said. "Lauren has competed and excelled at the highest youth soccer level, and we are excited to see the impact she makes here at NIU."
 
Pearson plays goalkeeper for Muskego (Wis.) High School and North Shore United. Muskego has won back-to-back Wisconsin Division 1 high school state championships and Pearson is the number one ranked goalie in Wisconsin according to MaxPreps. Muskego recorded 15 shutouts in the spring of 2023 while winning its second-straight state title.
 
"Lauren is a technical and athletic goalkeeper that excels in the shot stopping department," O'Neill said. "Lauren has had a fantastic youth soccer career, and she will be a great addition to our program both on and off the field."
 
Stephenson is a forward from Oakville, Ontario and has had great success at the club level. She scored ten goals in ten matches with Rush Canada in 2023, recording a hat-trick and a pair of two-goal games in those 10 matches. Stephenson was named a TOPP Elite Camp All-Star on December 13, 2022, picked by a group of collegiate coaches from the United States and Canada.
 
"Alyssa is a dynamic and strong forward with an eye for goal," O'Neill said. "We are excited to bring Alyssa in this season as she is renowned for being one of the top young forwards in the Toronto area. Her strong work ethic and coachable nature will allow her to make an immediate impact."
 
The Huskies finished 2023 with an 8-8-3 overall record and a 6-4-1 record in MAC play. NIU's eight overall victories were its most since 2017 and its six conference wins are the most for the program since 2007. O'Neill will enter his third season in 2024.
 
-- NIU --