Soccer Inks Five-Member Signing Class

NORMAN — Five student-athletes became the newest members of the Oklahoma soccer family as head coach Matt Potter announced the program's most recent signing class on Tuesday. Lauren Haivala, Madissen Lewis, Kristina O'Donnell, Ivanna Rivas and Madison Verge will join the Sooners for the 2016 season as they become a part of the continued growth of the program under Potter.

"We are pleased to announce the addition of five players to our program," Potter said. "Losing only two seniors to graduation and with our recruiting having evolved, we feel we have added quality to a group that has had back-to-back 10 win seasons. We have added depth in important positions and created more competition for playing time. All come from highly-regarded club environments and are a reflection of the type of student-athletes we feel can succeed in our program."

Lauren Haivala

Edmond, Okla.
Deer Creek High School
Oklahoma FC (Club)
Midfielder

A native of Edmond, Okla., Lauren Haivala has helped Deer Creek High School to four consecutive state championships in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 under the direction of head coach Jake Curry. Haivala is one of three Oklahomans in this year's signing class.

Haivala plays club soccer for OFC 98, along with fellow signing class member Ivanna Rivas. The team has won three straight state championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015 under head coach Alexis Vizarelis.

Playing honors for Haivala include All-City First Team (2013, 2015), All-Vype Soccer Spring Team (2013) and All-Edmond Team (2013). She is also the team captain for both her club and high school teams and is a member of the National Honor Society.

Haivala's parents are Jennifer and Darin Haivala, and she has two younger siblings: a sister named Morgan and a brother named Lucas.

HEAD COACH MATT POTTER ON HAIVALA:

“Lauren is a player we have admired for a long time now. A local Oklahoma City product, Lauren is technically a very good player both in solving pressure and decision making. Lauren has a wonderful enthusiasm for the game and is industrious for her team and we hope those skills translate to college. Lauren also has leadership qualities and a combativeness that drives her team forward."

HAIVALA ON WHY SHE CHOSE OU:

“It has been my dream to play college soccer since I was a little girl. The moment I stepped on campus I knew it was the perfect fit for me.”

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MADISSEN LEWIS

McKinney, Texas
McKinney Boyd High School
Dallas Texans (Club)
Midfielder

A three-star Top Drawer soccer recruit, Madissen Lewis hails from McKinney, Texas. Lewis is a three-year varsity letterwinner at McKinney Boyd High School, where she is coached by Meagan Wilson. Lewis helped the team to a 6A Bi-District Championship, 6A Area Championship and 6A Regional quarterfinalist appearance in the 2015 season. In 2014, the team finished as the runner-up in District 10-5A, was the Bi-District Champion, claimed the 5A Area Championship and was a 5A Regional quarterfinalist. In the 2013 season, Lewis tallied six goals and three assists.

Currently, Lewis plays club soccer for Dallas Texas U18 ECNL under head coach Leo Maric. In 2015, she aided the Dallas Texas 98 ECNL to the Dallas International Girls Cup Championship title, and her Dallas Sting 98 ECNL squad finished fourth in the nation at the 2014 National Finals. Lewis has also played for FC Dallas 98 ECNL, which finished third in the national finals in 2012-13 and 10th in 2011-12 and claimed first place in the Texas Conference in 2011-12.

Lewis is the daughter of Scott and Kathryn Lewis and has two younger siblings, Conner and Aiden.

HEAD COACH MATT POTTER ON LEWIS:

“Madissen first impressed us at camp. With a good technical base and as another player with versatility, Madissen has earned the opportunity to be part of our program. Recovering from injury, we will have to wait and see what Madissen is able to contribute next fall. Coming from a proven club environment, I'm sure she will be ready to go."

LEWIS ON WHY SHE CHOSE OU:

“When I stepped on campus for the first time I knew OU was the place for me. The people and the atmosphere were unlike any other university I attended. At my first ID camp I couldn't believe how encouraging the staff and team were. On my way home I told my parents, 'No matter what I have to do, I'm going to play soccer at OU!' Now in just a few months my dreams will come true!”

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KRISTINA O'DONNELL

El Dorado Hills, Calif.
Oak Ridge High School
San Juan Soccer Club (Club)
Midfielder

Hailing from El Dorado Hills, Calif., O'Donnell plays for Oak Ridge High School under the direction of Dave Warren and has served as a team captain since the 2012 season. She has participated in a variety of player development programs, including ECNL PDP Northwest Region (2014) and the ECNL PDP Northwest Region (2015). She was also part of the National Market Training Center (MTC) in 2011-12 and the Portland, Oregon, 2014 Nike ECNL National Training Camp.

Coached by Erin Sharpe, Zeca Neto and Tony Perez, O'Donnell is a member of the San Juan Soccer Club. O'Donnell has aided her team to a variety of championship appearances, including the 2013 Summer Surf Cup as a finalist, the 2013 ECNL National Playoff Champions Bracket, the ECNL National North-American League Championships, the 2014 ECNL Playoffs Seattle and the 2014 ECNL National Finals Virginia.

O'Donnell also excels on her high school's varsity track team, winning the All-League Championship in the 300 meter hurdles in 2015 and earning the Oak Ridge High School track team's most valuable sprinter honors in 2012 and 2013.

Academically, O'Donnell was a member of Oak Ridge High School ASB Leadership from 2012-2014, served as her freshman and sophomore classes' Vice President, earned the San Juan Premier Student-Athlete Award from 2011-2013, is on the Academic Honor Roll and was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Program in 2015.

O'Donnell's parents are Brian and Sharon O'Donnell, and she has two older siblings, Kelsey and Sean.

HEAD COACH MATT POTTER ON O'DONNELL:

“Kristina has a wonderful attitude and competitive nature about her. A player who is clever and decisive with the ball, she compliments her great athleticism well. Kristina is another player that has the ability to compete from day one due to the great physical condition she keeps herself in."

O'DONNELL ON WHY SHE CHOSE OU:

“There are endless reasons why I chose OU to be my home for the next four years, but when I first stepped on campus, I knew OU was the place for me because of the big college atmosphere, the competitive athletic and academic environment and the outstanding community support. The first time I visited OU, it felt like home and now I can't wait to rock the Crimson and Cream."

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Ivanna Rivas

Edmond, Okla.
Edmond Santa Fe High School
Oklahoma FC (Club)
Forward

A four-year varsity member and 2015 team captain at Edmond Santa Fe High School in Edmond, Okla., Ivanna Rivas consistently contributed offensively, scoring 16 goals in 2015, nine in 2014 and six in 2013. Coached by Larry Truesdall, Rivas has earned ODP Team honors three times (2010, 2011, 2012). In 2014 and 2015, Rivas was selected as First-Team Metro Conference and First-Team 6A-1 All-District. She was also Honorable Mention All-City in 2015 and Honorable Mention All-District in 2013.

Rivas plays club soccer at OFC 98 with future Sooner teammate Lauren Haivala under head coach Alexis Vizarelis. The team has won three straight Oklahoma State Cup Championships (2013, 2014, 2015) and was the Southern Regional Premier League Champion in 2015.

Rivas is the daughter of Hugo and Gabriela Rivas. She is a National Honor Society member at her high school.

HEAD COACH MATT POTTER ON RIVAS:

“Ivanna is another local product from Oklahoma City. As a forward she loves to link up and combine with teammates and has a fondness to be on the ball and create. Watching her we have been pleased with her physical development and in turn the bonus is that she has become a threat in front of goal. We look forward to seeing her score for us!"

RIVAS ON WHY SHE CHOSE OU:

“I was raised an OU fan, and I grew up wanting to attend the University of Oklahoma. I went to my first soccer camp at OU when I was 14 and I knew that I wanted to play soccer here. I love the atmosphere, the campus and everything that OU has to offer.”

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Madison Verge

MADISON VERGE

Broken Arrow, Okla.
Union High School
TSC Hurricane (Club)
Forward

Ranked as the No. 11 player in the South Region according to Top Drawer Soccer, Verge is a three-star player and a member of the Top Drawer Soccer 2016 IMG 150 Player Pool. Verge is from Broken Arrow, Okla., and attended Union High School in Tulsa.

In two years of high school soccer, she helped her team become a state quarterfinalist twice. Verge was a varsity starter as both a freshman and sophomore and led Union High School in goals as a freshman. She was named Tulsa World All-Metro and All-Conference in both 2013 and 2014. Verge was also recognized as Academic All-Conference in both of those years.

Verge plays club soccer for TSC Hurricane 98 ECNL under the direction of Donivan Bradshaw. The team finished the 2013 regular season ranked in eighth place in ECNL and was a two-time-qualifier for the Champions League playoffs. Verge led the squad in goals scored and was second on the team in assists for two seasons before making a position switch to being primarily a midfielder/defender.

Verge graduated high school a semester early and is enrolled at Oklahoma. She was ranked in the top 25 percent of her class of more than 1,000 students. Verge is the daughter of Richard Verge and Melanie Clark. Her older sister, Megan, is currently a junior studying public relations at OU.

HEAD COACH MATT POTTER ON VERGE:

“Madison's intent to make an impression is clear for all to see. Madison has enrolled for the spring in order to transition into college life and immerse herself in our program philosophy. Madison has versatility and great athleticism. We hope she will provide competition for playing time in positions where we continue to ask a lot out of our student-athletes."

VERGE ON WHY SHE CHOSE OU:

“I chose OU for many reasons. My dream has always been to play soccer at a large Division I University. Being close to home was also important so my family could see me play. From my first visit as a freshman, I really liked the family atmosphere and I felt right at home. As I got to know the coaches through the recruiting process, I really like their coaching style and the direction they are leading the team. The beautiful campus, facilities and athletic tradition at OU were the icing on the cake. I knew OU was the right choice for me, and I'm so excited to be a Sooner!”

Lauren Haivala