POCATELLO, Idaho- Idaho State Head Soccer Coach Debs Brereton announced the signing of eight players for the 2021 fall season.
 
"Overall our 2021 class brings so much versatility and depth to our team," Brereton said. "Each player has been hand-picked to help take our program to the next level. Our staff has worked tirelessly to expand our recruiting network and we are very proud to welcome players from California, Utah, Washington, and Oregon. It is also wonderful to have half of our 2021 class made up of homegrown Idahoans from top clubs in our state. Throughout the recruiting process with each player, it was very clear that they are all committed to excellence. Their individual strengths and character skills will improve our team immediately."  
 
Morgen Fried, a Sherwood Ore., native, will join the Bengals following her graduation from Sherwood High School in 2021. The 5'3 outside back earned first team Pacific Conference, second team 6A Oregon All-State in 2019, and helped her team to a NW Conference ECNL Championship in 2019. 
 
"Morgen is a top quality left-footed player with so much athleticism and experience playing at a top club level," Brereton said. "She is a set piece specialist who can strike the ball with so much accuracy and pace. Her overall understanding of the game is very impressive and her vision allows her to impact the game from deep positions on the pitch. Her passing range and ability to defend 1v1 are top attributes that will most definitely strengthen our team." 
 
Fried will major in Health Sciences at Idaho State.
 
"I enjoy the college town of Pocatello," said Fried. "I love the coaching staff at ISU. Everyone is so warm and welcoming and the university has so much to offer!"


 
Maddie Bean will join the Bengal family from her home town of Boise, Idaho. The outside back will graduate from Timberline High School in 2021 as a first team All-Conference member, Rush National Select Team, two-time State Cup Champion, President Cup Champion, and Gutenberg Cup participant. 
 
"Maddie is a gritty fullback with a great attitude," Brereton said. "Her ability to support attacks and deliver an array of crosses will enhance our brand of soccer. Maddie is a competitor and loves 1v1 challenges, her athleticism gives her an edge and she relishes 50/50 tackles.  She has a relentless work rate and will strengthen our back line."  
 
Bean will major in Nursing at Idaho State. 
 
"I chose Idaho State for their broad variety of academic choices and my desire to play college soccer for Idaho State University," said Bean.


 
Gabby Warta joins the Bengal family from Vancouver, Washington. The midfielder will graduate from La Salle Catholic College Prepatory in 2021 with academic honors. Warta was unable to play high school soccer due to DA regulations. 
 
"Gabby is a brilliant box to box midfield player," said Brereton. "In and out of possession, Gabby makes her presence known and possesses the attributes that allow her to dominate the game in central areas. She reads the game very well, intercepting and breaking down attacks and initiating counter attacks frequently. Her strength on the ball and ability to pass will be much welcomed by our attacking players who will benefit from her top notch deliveries." 
 
Warta will be majoring in Environmental Science. 
 
"The coaching staff was amazing," said Warta. "I love the small-town feel and it's a very central location to a lot of cool things like Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons."


 
Peyton Dion comes to Idaho State from her hometown of Nampa, Idaho. After graduating from Columbia High School in 2021, Dion will join the Bengal's as a SIC All Conference Player of the Year, two-time first team member and honorable mention member. The center midfielder was also a three-time State Cup winner and President's Cup winner as well as placed second in Districts and third at State in 2020. 
 
"Peyton is technically sound and so smooth on the ball," said Brereton. "Her composure and tactical understanding allows her to control the game from central areas. She is physically very fit and meets the physical demands of the holding midfield role brilliantly. She will bring so much quality to our program and will be a stellar student-athlete." 
 
Dion will be studying Communications and Idaho State University. 
 
"I chose Idaho State because I loved the Campus and how close it is to my hometown," Dion said. "I also really love the coaching staff and how welcoming they were." 


 
Taylin Butterbaugh comes from Ventura, California to join the Bengal family. The center midfielder will graduate from Buena High School in 2021 with athletic honors including being named Rookie of the Year and a member of first team all-conference. Butterbaugh was also nominated for first team all-conference twice. 
 
"Taylin is an exciting player to watch," Brereton said. "Her ability to dribble and take players on is magic and she has a quality first touch. Her creativity and well weighted through passes will provide our forwards with some excellent service. She can also strike the ball from distance and regularly scores some absolute screamers. Her club experience at the top level has prepared her very well to come in and compete right away." 
 
Butterbaugh will be studying Education at Idaho State University.
 
"I chose Idaho State so I could future my education in the educational major that I have always dreamed of pursuing," said Butterbaugh. "I love the community feel and I love how supportive everyone is at Idaho State. Everyone is so kind and supportive to one another!"


 
Virginia Wallace, a West Point, Utah native, joins the Bengal family following her graduation from Syracuse High School in 2021. Wallace comes to Idaho State with Academic Honors including Utah Academic All-State, four-year High School Honor Roll and Seal of Biliteracy (Spanish). 
 
"Virginia is a wonderful versatile player," said Brereton. "She came to our ID Camps and stood out as a top person and player who would improve our team. She has a first class attitude and is extremely coachable. Technically Virginia is very skillful and combines very well and is also excellent 1v1. She will be able to play in several positions for us." 
 
The outside midfielder also was a part of the Utah ODP Championship Team, FarWest Region ODP Players' Pool, and a four-year varsity letterer. In 2020, she helped lead her team to the 6A quarterfinals.
 
"Everything about the University felt right to me and when I met Coach Debs I knew I wanted to play for her," said Wallace.


 
Kelsey Jargstorf will join the program from her hometown of Meridian, Idaho. The 5'7 goalkeeper will graduate from Rocky Mountain High School in 2021 where she was a member of the National Honor Society, a 3x Southern Idaho Academic Award recipient, and will graduate with an associates degree in science from BSU and a certificate in intermediate ASL. She was a member of the Key Club and has earned over 200 hours of community service since 2017.
 
"Kelsey is a brilliant goalkeeper," said Brereton. "She commands her box with confidence and posie. Her handling and distribution are solid and her athleticism allows her to pull off world class saves regularly! She is fun to watch and she will come in and compete for the #1 spot immediately." 
 
During her soccer career, she was an Idaho State Cup Champion (2019), a 3x IHSAA 5A State Champion (2018-20), a 2x Boise Thorns Top Eleven for Utah ECNL games, and a member of the Idaho ODP while receiving four invites to region IV camps.
 
Jargstorf will major in nursing at ISU.
 
"I chose Idaho State because it felt like home," Jargstorf said. "It's a school that I feel I can develop academically while playing the sport I love. It is close to my hometown and has one of the best nursing programs in Idaho. I love the coaches and am super excited to be a part of the program!"


 
Deborah Pond, a Eagle, Idaho, native, will join the Bengals after graduating from Rocky Mountain High School in 2021.
 
"Deb is a force to be reckoned with as a center forward," Brereton said. "She can hold up the ball, take defenders on 1v1 and shoot from in and around the 18 yard box with accuracy and power. She is a threat in the air and never shies away from 50/50 challenges. Her robust personality and ruthless work ethic will strengthen our squad immensely." 
 
Pond will major in mechanical engineering at ISU.
 
"My goal was to play soccer in college and Deb gave me the opportunity to do so," said Pond. "I love the coaches and Holt Arena and overall just the environment at ISU."