Women's Soccer | 03/24/23 | 3:54 PM

HELENA, Mont. - Head Coach David Thorvilson has announced the signings of eight student-athletes to join the Carroll College Women's Soccer program this fall.
 
Maria Ackerman (Billings, Mont. / Billings West HS)
Ackerman was a member of the Montana AA State Soccer Champions in 2021 and 2022. She was named Academic All-State for 3 years in both basketball and soccer. Ackerman was named AA Eastern All-Conference in 2022. In club ball, her team was a Far West Regional Qualifier two times. She plans to pursue a degree in Health Sciences and will look to begin a path towards a career in physical therapy. Ackerman will graduate this spring with a 4.44 GPA.
"I chose Carroll because I'm Catholic, love Montana, and can't wait to keep playing soccer!" Said Ackerman. Maria is the daughter of Chris and Kim Ackerman.
 
"As a multi sport athlete Maria has found success at West High in both the soccer field and the basketball court." Said Thorvilson. "Her athleticism and hand eye coordination will be benefit that will add to our goal keeping core this next fall."
 
Avery Lambourne (Billings, Mont. / Billings West HS)
Lambourne is a two-time Montana High School State Champion 2019, 2021
She was named All-State in 2022, All-Conference in 2021, and Honorable Mention All-Conference in 2020. Twice she was named team defensive MVP, and four times was an Academic All-State selection. Lambourne was named captain of both her club and high school teams. Her club team was a Far West Regionals qualifier, and Montana State Cup Champions.
Lambourne plans on beginning her pre-med track, majoring in Biochemistry. She will graduate with a 4.43 GPA later this spring. Avery is the daughter of Jennifer and Chad Lambourne.
"I chose Carroll because of their amazing pre-med program and the opportunity to continue my soccer career." Said Lambourne. "I like that I get to stay close to home and see my family more often. I think that the campus is a perfect size because it is big enough for me to branch out but small enough for me to be in a more personalized learning environment. I've heard only great things about Carroll and the soccer program and I couldn't be more excited to join such an amazing team. When I went on my visit, I got that feeling where it just feels right. Being able to play soccer at a school where I could study pre-med was my goal, and Carroll meets all these expectations and more!"
 
"Avery has been a player that we have had our eye on for a long time." Said Thorvilson. "She is a very strong defender that can play in multiple positions and has found success at every level."
 
Brynn Johnson (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho / Coeur d'Alene HS)
 Brynn has played for her local club soccer team (Timbers North Thorns FC) in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho since the 3rd grade. For the past two seasons she has served as team captain.  Johnson played two years of varsity soccer at Coeurd'Alene High School, and was named team MVP her senior year. In addition, she was named team MVP and Defender of the Year during her JV seasons. Brynn's accomplishments off the field are exceptional.  She was named a top scholar in her region and served in the National Honor Society for two years.  Brynn helped bring the US Soccer Foundation's Soccer for Success program to her area as Lead Coach to serve low-income children during the summer of 2022 and she has worked as a soccer referee since the age of 12. Brynn plans on enrolling in the pre-medicine program at Carroll, a dream she has had since the 1st grade. Brynn will graduate this spring with a 4.49 GPA. Brynn is the daughter of Shelly and Jeff Johnson 
 "The list of why I chose Carroll College is extensive." Said Johnson. "I attended the week-long ID camp offered by Carroll during the summer of 2022 and immediately felt at home in the environment Coach Thorvilson and Coach O'Connell created. I was able to practice with athletes from the current roster and I cannot thank them enough for being so welcoming. It will be an honor and privilege to play with such hard-working and accomplished athletes. I am really looking forward to playing at the next level. Furthermore, the reputation of Carroll's pre-medicine program is outstanding. It will be an amazing opportunity to study under the accomplished faculty at Carroll. Carroll College has created an environment in which I feel at home, one in which I can grow in my academic achievements while playing the sport that I love."
 
"Brynn has impressed us from the first day we watched her play." Said Thorvilson. "Her vision on the field combined with her competitiveness and ability to play multiple positions makes her a great fit with our team."
 
Addy Litscher (Spokane, Wash. / Gonzaga Prep)
Litscher was part of a Gonzaga Prep squad that was named GSL Conference Champs in 2020, 2021, and 2022. In 2022, they advanced to the State tournament quarterfinals 
Litscher was named 2022 Second Team All-GSL, as well as the 2022 Gonzaga Prep Defensive MVP. In 2021 she was given the Gonzaga Prep Most-Improved Award.
She was a member of the Spokane Sounders club team and was also on the EWA Elite Player Development team from 2108-2020. Her club team attended the West ern ODP Championships in 2020. Litscher plans on joining the Carroll Nursing program and will graduate this spring with a 3.9 GPA. Addy is the daughter of Travis and Nicolle Litscher.
"I chose Carroll College because of the excellent academic and athletic programs." Said Litscher. "I am able to study in a highly respected nursing program and be part of a successful soccer program. After attending a soccer camp and visit day, I knew right away that Carroll is a special place. I am so blessed and excited to be part of both programs!"

"Addy showed up at our camp last summer and impressed the coaching staff with her hard-nosed, strong, defensive-minded play." Said Thorvilson. "She found tremendous success this last high school season and will be a great addition to the team."
 
Katie Gilb (Spokane, Wash. / Mead HS)
Gilb played for Mead High School in Spokane, Wash. Playing at goalkeeper, her team made it to  the Washington state tournament, and finished second in the Greater Spokane League (GSL) in 2022. Gilb's planned area of study is Nursing and she will graduate this spring with a 4.0 GPA. Katie is the daughter of Mark and Danielle Gilb
"I chose Carroll because I felt like I would thrive in the smaller class sizes and connected lifestyle, as well as be successful in the future with the education and lessons I would receive over the course of four years." Said Gilb. "Additionally, when I had attended a soccer camp held in 2022, I loved the dynamic between players and coaches, and I felt as though it was the right fit."
 
"We had the opportunity to evaluate Katie with both her club team and at our camp last summer." Said Thorvilson. "Her work rate, technical ability and communication from the goal keeper position will give us much needed depth."

Michenna George (Missoula, Mont. / Big Sky HS)
George will join the Carroll program after finishing as one of the leading scorers on her Big Sky High School team. George likely will slot into the Carroll lineup as a winger. In addition to soccer, she was a member of the health science academy, key club and lettered in basketball and track. George plans to study psychology, in hopes of becoming a forensic psychologist, and will graduate this spring with a 3.68 GPA. Michenna is the daughter of Michael and Ashleigh George.
"Carroll is close to home along with great academic opportunities." Said George. "It has a small community feel and lots of outdoor opportunities." 
 
"Michenna will give us some depth in our front line." Said Thorvilson. "She is a creative player that you can move around and she can score goals and has good pace."
 
Delaney Moczan (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho / Lake City HS)
Moczan was a three-time State Champion in Nevada before moving to Idaho after her junior year. Moczan was named Attacking Player of the Year for her high school team, as well as New Comer of the Year in 2022. Her planned area of study is psychology and she will graduate this spring with a 3.5 GPA. Delaney is the daughter of Michael and Jennie Moczan.
"I chose Carroll because of the religious beliefs, small town, great soccer team and coach, and psychology program." Said Moczan.
 
"Delaney can play in multiple spots on the field." Said Thorvilson. "She is strong on the ball, has good vision, and scores goals. She will be a great fit with the departure of seniors in those spots."
 
Hayley Smith (Woods Cross, Utah / Bountiful HS)
Smith had an impressive prep career. She was named BHS team MVP in 2023, rookie of the year in 2019, player of the year in 2020, and multiple times was named the team's defensive MVP. Her 2022 team took second place at the state tournament, and twice she was selected to the All-Region team. In addition to soccer, she was a key player on the basketball team, as well as involved with the hope squad, school senate, and DECA. Smith's planed area of study is nursing, and she will graduate this spring with an overall 3.8 GPA. Hayley is the daughter of Julia and Adam Smith. 
"I chose Carroll for all of the recreation in the area as well as how focused the school is on academics." Said Smith
 
"Hayley is an amazing athlete." Said Thorvilson. "She just finished a state title with her high school basketball team and helped lead her soccer team to state 2nd place."  She can play as a center back or you can put her up top to score goals and anywhere in between."
 
 "These eight players should come in and have the chance to make an immediate impact this fall to our team." Said Thorvilson. "We have added to our depth in all aspects of the field."
 
Carroll, who began spring practices this week, hopes to still add an additional one to two more players before the start of the 2023 season.