The University of Minnesota Crookston soccer team announced the signing of six student-athletes to begin playing for the Golden Eagles during the 2025 season. Minnesota Crookston signed: Aleisha Cortez (MF, 5-1, South St. Paul, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels), Phoenix Debrusk (Thunder Bay, Ontario/Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute), Riley Edemann (D, 5-8, Santa Clarita, Calif./Hart H.S.), Lilly Goehring (MF, 5-2, Hartford, S.D./West Central H.S.), Payton King (GK, 5-5, Fairfield, Calif./Rodriguez H.S.), and Maeva Lucas (MF, 5-3, Delano, Minn./Delano H.S.).
UMC signed two student-athletes from Minnesota, one from South Dakota, one from Ontario, and two from California. The Golden Eagles have tried to focus on the region, while also adding talented players from across the nation and internationally. On the 2024 roster, the Golden Eagles had 11 student-athletes from Minnesota, four from South Dakota, two from North Dakota, one from Wisconsin, one from Michigan, two from Canada, three from California, one from West Virginia, and one from Ukraine.
It was Head Coach Neil Mancktelow’s second season. It was also Assistant Coach Morgan Philliber’s second season for the Golden Eagles.
Aleisha Cortez (MF, 5-1, South St. Paul, Minn./Academy of Holy Angels)
Cortez helped the Academy of Holy Angels to a Conference Championship, and helped the team finish second in the state. She has earned high honors academically, and is an Honor Roll student. Cortez had five goals, and three assists in 20 games in 2024 for Academy of Holy Angels. Plays club soccer for the Minnesota Thunder Academy.
She is the daughter of Lisa Cortez. She plans to major in biology (pre-med) at Minnesota Crookston. Her cousin Antonio Cortez wrestled and served as a student assistant coach for St. Cloud State University. Her other cousin Roman Cortez played football at Bemidji State University. She loves snowboarding.
“Aleisha is a creative attacking player who will be a great addition to what we are trying to do here at U of M Crookston, we look forward to working with her,” Mancktelow said.
Phoenix DeBrusk (GK, Thunder Bay, Ontario/Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute)
DeBrusk has been an Honor Roll student throughout her time at Westgate Collegiate and Vocational Institute. She played club soccer for the Thunder Bay Chill.
She is the daughter of Cori and Sherry DeBrusk.
“Phoenix has shown great enthusiasm for all that we are doing at U of M Crookston, she is a technical Goalkeeper, and we look forward to working with her,” Mancktelow remarked.
Riley Edemann (D, 5-8, Santa Clarita, Calif./Hart H.S.)
Edemann helped Hart High School to the 2023 CIF Division II Regional Championship. She aided Hart High School to the 2023-24 Foothill League Championship. Edemann guided Legends FC-Santa Clarita Valley to the E64 National Championship. She plays as a center back.
She is the daughter of Craig and Sadie Edemann. Edemann plans to major in exercise science and wellness at Minnesota Crookston. Her sister Macey Edemann played soccer for Cal State San Marcos. Her cousin Amber Edemann played soccer for the University of New Mexico, and Cal State University Northridge. She is a fraternal twin. Her twin sister is Samantha. She enjoys wakeboarding, motorcycle riding, and watching sports. She has participated in a Sports Med internship for the past three years.
“Riley is a good soccer player and an experienced defender,” Mancktelow said. “We look forward to seeing her bring her club soccer experience to the team here at U of M Crookston.”
Lilly Goehring (MF, 5-2, Hartford, S.D./West Central H.S.)
Goehring was part of State Championships in 2020, and 2021. She helped West Central High School to a State Runner-Up finish in 2022. Goehring earned South Dakota Class A Honorable Mention in 2023. She attended the same high school as current Golden Eagles Tessa VanOverbeke, and Jada VanOverbeke. Goehring played club soccer for the Tempo Soccer Club.
She is the daughter of Kim and Tim Goehring. Goehring plans to major in biology, and exercise science. She is an A Honor Roll student. Goehring is a 4.0 student, and a National Honor Society member.
“Lilly is a hardworking player coming from a good high school and club program,” Mancktelow remarked. “She will be a great addition to the team, and we are excited to work with her”.
Payton King (GK, 5-5, Fairfield, Calif./Rodriguez H.S.)
King was named All-Monticello Empire League in 2022, 2023, and 2024. She was her team’s Defensive MVP in 2023, and 2024. King was the Team MVP in 2022. She served as team captain in 2024, and will be team captain in 2025. King played club soccer for the Davis Legacy.
She is the daughter of Jennifer Lindeman and Kevin King. King plans to major in ag business at Minnesota Crookston.
“Payton is an athletic Goalkeeper, who has shown a great deal of interest in how U of M Crookston can meet her soccer and academic goals,” Mancktelow said. “We are looking forward to working with her”.
Maeva Lucas (MF, 5-3, Delano, Minn./Delano H.S.)
Lucas has been an All-Wright County Conference selection as a junior, and senior. She had five goals, and 10 assists in 14 games in 2024 for Delano High School. In 2023, Lucas notched one goal, and 15 assists in 17 games. She plays club soccer for Boreal FC.
She is the daughter of Heidi and Brad Lucas. Lucas plans to major in exercise science and wellness at Minnesota Crookston. Her father Brad Lucas played soccer for Saint John’s University. Her second cousin Kary Sheppard played soccer for the Golden Eagles.
“Maeva is a competitive person and soccer player; she will be a great addition to the team, and we are excited to work with her,” Mancktelow stated.
