BISMARCK, ND – Fresh off a trip to the Northern Sun tournament semifinals for the first time in nine seasons and the program's most wins in ten, the University of Mary women's soccer team has gained the commitments of four student-athletes for 2018. Head coach Sarah Cook announced  Rebekah Bittner, Malia Brudvik, Maureen Sullivan and Madisyn Waltman will continue their education at UMary and compete for the Marauders.
 
"We are very excited to announce these four student-athletes to start the growing of our roster for 2018-2019," said Cook. "As a team we only graduated four players from the 2017 season, so we really look forward to building on that success with our returners as well as our new additions. Madisyn, Malia, Maureen and Rebekah will all help contribute to that continued success, and we look forward to adding more to the squad for 2018 as the signing period has now officially opened up. 
 
"This year's recruiting class is taking great shape for us to continue the success we found on and off the pitch and roll into the 2018 season.  I'm very excited to add Madisyn, Malia, Maureen, and Rebekah to our roster. All four ladies exemplify great character and values and really fit the Mission of the University of Mary and our Women's Soccer Team while also showcasing tremendous academic and soccer success."
 
The Marauders finished the 2017 season with a record of 12-5-2 overall and 9-4-2 in league play to finish 5th in the Northern Sun. UMary defeated Minot State in the opening round of the NSIC playoffs.
 
2018 UNIVERSITY OF MARY WOMEN'S SOCCER COMMITMENTS
 

Rebekah Bittner (MF, Fr., Burnsville, MN / Trinity School at River Ridge)

Rebekah Bittner, a Burnsville, MN native, plays midfield for the Burnsville Fire Soccer Club and her high school, Trinity School at River Ridge. Bittner earned All-Conference accolades (2017) and All-Conference Honorable Mention accolades (2014, 2015) in her time on the field. She was also a team captain for two years. In addition to her time playing soccer, Rebekah also enjoys playing badminton and is heavily involved in various programs at her high school and church. She is a member of her school's chamber choir and Pro-Life club and is a student ambassador at her school. With her church, Rebekah is a teen minister, teaches religious education, sings, is a lector, and is also involved in youth group. In her free time, Rebekah enjoys teaching swimming lessons and being a summer camp counselor. Rebekah's favorite sports team is the United States Women's National Soccer Team and her favorite athlete is Tobin Heath.
 
When asked why she chose the University of Mary, Rebekah said:  "I love the community the school has; it feels like a home away from home. I love its Catholic Christian values and that I can be nurtured in my faith as well as in my major of choice." Rebekah is the daughter of Jim and Christine Bittner. She also has four siblings:  Tommy, Catie, Josh and Annemarie. At the University of Mary, Rebekah plans to study Elementary Education.
 
"Rebekah will fill the versatility niche on our team," said Marauders head coach Sarah Cook. "She will find time on the pitch both as a midfielder and forward for us next season. I love this quote from Rebekah's High School Coach, John Seipp, about her: 'Mentally she is strong.  Her competitiveness is off the charts. She does not accept less than 100% effort from herself or her teammates.' This is the exact mentality we focus on for our team to #BeYourBestYou. Rebekah will fit in great, and we can't wait to have her here!"
 






Malia Brudvik (D, Jr., Auburn, WA / Mountainview HS / Peninsula College)

Malia Brudvik, an Auburn, WA native, played outside defender for Peninsula College in Port Angeles, WA. During her time at Peninsula, she tallied four assists in 2016 and five assists in 2017. As a freshman, in 2016, Malia helped the team make it to the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Championships, where they ended up winning the final. In 2017, Malia helped the team make it to the Northwest Athletic Conference Championships again, where they placed second. Malia was also on the Fall 2017 Academic Honor Roll. Prior to her time at Peninsula, Malia played for Auburn Mountainview High School and the Rainier Valley Slammers. At Auburn Mountainview, Malia was her team's captain. She was also elected to the Top IX during President's Cup in 2015. Malia's favorite sports team is the United States Women's National Soccer Team and her favorite athlete is Julie Ertz.
 
When asked why she chose the University of Mary, Malia said:  "I chose UMary because of how welcoming each person was towards me and because of the work rate of the soccer team." Malia is the daughter of Len and Kim Brudvik.  She also has two siblings:  Kelly and Lauren. At the University of Mary, Malia plans to study Athletic Training.
 
"Malia will provide versatility in our backline and be able to come in and provide an immediate impact to our roster with her experience playing collegiately at Peninsula College," said Marauders head coach Sarah Cook. "Malia adds both pace and has a high technical ability that will help us control possession of the ball out of the backline transitioning into the attack. She is also very soccer savvy with a great feel and knowledge for the game. We can't wait to get her on the pitch!"
 







Maureen Sullivan (F/MF, Fr., Chisago City, MN / St. Agnes)

Maureen Sullivan, a Chisago City, MN native, plays striker for her high school Saint Agnes in St. Paul, MN. Maureen has earned All-Conference accolades all four years she has played for the Aggies. She was also voted team MVP as a junior and again as a senior (2016, 2017).  She holds the record for assists in a single season (2014) and is the second-leading goal scorer in Aggies history. Her senior year she was also voted team captain. Along with soccer, she played basketball her senior year and ran track and field as a freshman for Saint Agnes. Maureen has been on the Dean's list all four years at Saint Agnes and is also a member of the National Honor Society. Through school, she is involved in the Pro-Life club. In her free time, Maureen enjoys playing guitar, snowboarding, wakeboarding, and camping. Maureen's favorite sports team is the Minnesota Wild or the United States Women's National Soccer Team and her favorite athlete is Zach Parise, a Minnesota Wild hockey player, or Carli Lloyd.
When asked why she chose the University of Mary, Maureen said:  "The University of Mary meet all of my expectations;  faith, desired major, and a terrific soccer program." Maureen is the daughter of Shawn and Shelly Sullivan.  She also has three siblings:  Shannon, Sheamus, and Patrick. At the University of Mary, Maureen plans to study Exercise Science and Physical Therapy.
 
"Maureen brings versatility and depth to our roster," said Marauders head coach Sarah Cook. "She too will be a student-athlete with passion and drive in all that she does both on and off the pitch. Maureen will play a midfielder and forward role for us next year. Also a multisport athlete she brings a tremendous amount of athleticism to our team. We are excited to have Maureen join the Marauders family, and can't wait to have her here!"
 







Madisyn Waltman (GK, Fr., Sioux Falls, SD / Roosevelt HS)

Madisyn Waltman, a Sioux Falls, SD, native, plays goalkeeper for Dakota Alliance Soccer Club and her high school, Roosevelt High School. At her high school, Madisyn named to the Metro Athletic All-Conference team twice (2016, 2015). She was voted Roosevelt Girls Soccer MVP by her teammates in 2016 and 2015. She was also awarded the Rider Woman Award which is given to an athlete who represents leadership, responsibility, and integrity within the school and on the field. In addition to playing soccer for her high school, she also plays basketball and golf. Madisyn has been on the Academic Honor Role all four years of high school and she is also in the National Honor Society. She is a member of the school's Cancer Awareness Club, Serve and Learn Student Association (SALSA) and Harry Potter Club.  Also a student ambassador, a senior class officer, and works as a Rider Reading Buddy, Madisyn's favorite sports team is the Minnesota Vikings and her favorite athlete is Carli Lloyd. 
 
When asked why she chose the University of Mary, Madisyn said:  "I really liked the student enrollment size and the growing campus, as well as the opportunity to play soccer for a great program. Bismarck is also a very similar community to my hometown, but I like that I will be able to explore somewhere new during my college experience." Madisyn is the daughter of Ron and Pat Waltman and has two siblings,   Zach and Jordan. At the University of Mary, Madisyn plans to study Education.
 
"Madisyn will be a great addition to our goalkeepers for next year," said Marauders head coach Sarah Cook. "She has outstanding shot stopping ability, is extremely athletic being a multi-sport athlete, and has a tremendous drive and passion for the game. Madisyn has been the backbone of her high school team and has excelled with a very good Dakota Alliance Club Soccer Team as well. We are very happy to have Madisyn join the team, and can't wait to have her here!"
 
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