BEMIDJI, Minn. – Bemidji State University Women's Soccer head coach Jim Stone announced the signing of eight student-athletes during the NCAA Division II early signing period. Molly Burkstrand (St. Cloud, Minn.), Tessa Czajkowski Higgins (Prairie du Chien, Wis.), Maya Johnson (Chanhassen, Minn.), Payton Kropp (Lakeville, Minn.), Claire Kvant (St. Michael, Minn.), Olivia Seurer (St. Michael, Minn.), Gabrielle Verke (Forest Lake, Minn.) and Gracie Waters (Littleton, Colo.) have each signed institutional athletics aid agreements from Bemidji State to attend and play soccer during the fall of 2025.
 
"The character and competitiveness of this group is what really stands out to me," said head coach Jim Stone. "It's what makes me excited and what we want. I think we've signed a group that wants to compete from the first minute of the match all the way through 90^th and they want to do it in the right way. I'm looking forward to working with all of them and welcoming them into our Beaver Family."
 
*Molly Burkstrand – Forward – 5-4 – St. Cloud, Minn. – St. Cloud Tech/NOSC Blast
St. Cloud Tech: Five-year letterwinner for the St. Cloud Tech High School girls soccer program as well as its girls hockey program… Named 2024 Minnesota Class 2A Ms. Soccer by the Minnesota State High School Soccer Coaches Association… Broke the Minnesota state record scoring 62 goals during the 2024 season… Helped the Tigers to their first Minnesota State Tournament appearance since 2001 in 2024… First Team All-State selection in 2024 and Second Team All-State selection in 2023… Member of St. Cloud Tech's National Honor Society and Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll… Helped the North Oaks Soccer Club (NOSC Blast) to a USYS National Championship.
 
Personal: Daughter of Peter and Kristina Burkstrand… Born on May 9, 2007… Plans to major in Biology when attending Bemidji State… Enjoys hockey, shopping, cleaning, hanging out with friends and family and traveling when not on the pitch… Father, Peter, played Baseball at St. Cloud State from 2001-02.
 
Coach Stone on Burkstrand: "I could see at our camp that Molly possessed a very strong attacking and goal scoring mentality. She has the confidence, technical ability and athleticism to make that goal scoring mentality into something special. She fits the mold of how we want to play and attack and we are very excited to have her in our program."
 
*Tessa Czajkowski Higgins – Defender – 5-9 – Prairie du Chien, Wis. -  Prairie du Chien HS/Rush Wisconsin West
Prairie du Chien HS: Three-year letterwinner for the Prairie du Chien High School girls soccer, girls basketball and girls golf programs… All-time leading scorer for the Blackhawks girls soccer program… Two-time South West Conference Co-Player of the Year (2023 & 2024)… Wisconsin ODP Regional Team selection in 2023 and two-time All-State Team selection (2023 & 2024)… Three-time All-Conference selection… All-State Honorable Mention… All-Conference selection in basketball and golf…Member of the National Honor Society, High Honor Roll Achievements and Academic All-State selection… Captain of the Rush Wisconsin West club soccer team from 2017-2024 and was a multiple all-region selection.
 
Personal: Daughter of Michael Higgins and Lara Czajkowski Higgins… Born on July 26, 2007… Plans to major in Education or Athletic Training when attending Bemidji State… Enjoys basketball, golf, boating, campfires and hanging out with friends and family when not on the pitch.
 
Coach Stone on Czajkowski Higgins: "Tessa is a throw-back. She's the player that does all the work that nobody else wants to do which is why every coach wants this player on their team. She plays with a great confidence, can head the ball, defend and she's mentally tough. She is a leader by example."
 
*Maya Johnson – Forward – 5-7 – Chanhassen, Minn. – Southwest Christian HS/Legacy FC
Southwest Christian HS: Letterwinner for the Southwest Christian High School girls soccer and track programs… Two-time All-State, All-State Tournament Team selection and three-time All-Wright County Conference selection… Helped the Stars to a runner-up finish at the 2024 Class A Minnesota State Tournament… Scored 26 goals and added 15 assists for the Stars in 2024… Scored 36 goals and 18 assists during the 2023 season… National Honor Society member, Academic All-State Team in 2023 and 2024… Played for the Legacy FC in club soccer.
 
Personal: Daughter of Michael Johnson and Shana Bloodsaw… Born on Dec. 12, 2006… Plans to major in Biology or Chemistry while attending Bemidji State… Enjoys lifting, running, being with family and friends and watching football when not on the pitch.
 
Coach Stone on Johnson: "Maya is a great fit for our program. She is a tireless worker who plays with a competitive edge and is a great teammate. She's always looking to get better and has a growth mentality that is necessary at this level. Maya is very athletic and fast, she will add both talent and depth to our attacking group."
 
*Payton Kropp – Goalkeeper – 5-8 – Lakeville, Minn. – Lakeville North HS/Lakeville Soccer Club
Lakeville North HS: Four-year letterwinner for the Lakeville North High School girls soccer program… Captain of the Panthers girls soccer team during the 2024 season… Named to the Minnesota State All-Tournament Team in 2023… Helped the Panthers to a Minnesota Class 3A State Tournament appearance… Two-year captain of the Lakeville Soccer Club… Helped the team to a National Tournament appearance.
 
Personal: Daughter of Steve and Leah Kropp… Born on July 6, 2007… Plans to major in Business Management while attending Bemidji State… Enjoys reading, spending time on the lake and hanging out with friends and family when not on the pitch.
 
Coach Stone on Kropp: "Payton is a special talent. She has the ability to make the big save, to take away a certain goal and the personality to lead and organize. She values friendship and really fits into our culture, she cares about being a great teammate. We are excited that she's a Beaver!"
 
*Claire Kvant – Defender – 5-6 – St. Michael, Minn. – St. Michael-Albertville HS/NOSC Blast
St. Michael-Albertville HS: Three-year letterwinner for the St. Michael-Albertville High School girls soccer, wrestling and track and field programs… Team captain in 2024… Helped the Knights to three Minnesota Class 3A State Tournament appearances… Honorable Mention selection for the All-Lake Conference… Captain of the Knights wrestling team… Placed third in the State Tournament and voted All-State Most Improved… Two-time Class AAA State wrestling participant… Two-time captain of the Knights' track and field team… Voted hardest worker.. Placed first in state in the 4x200... EXCEL State Award winner, STMA Student-Athlete of the Year… Three-time Academic Letter winner… Helped the NOSC Blast to a third place finish at nationals.
 
Personal: Daughter of Jeff and Ann Kvant… Born on Feb. 27, 2007… Plans to major in Pre-Medicine with an emphasis in Biochemistry, molecular and cellular Biology… Enjoys reading, bible study, sewing, working out, coaching and volunteering when not on the pitch… Sister Hannah Kvant plays soccer at Bethel College.
 
Coach Stone on Kvant: "Claire has the ability to brighten up anyone's day. She's a positive thinker and tireless worker. She's a strong defender with the ability to not only defend but distribute long. She has a great upside and we are blessed to sign her."
 
*Olivia Seurer – Midfielder – 5-7 – St. Michael, Minn. – St. Michael-Albertville HS/Boreal FC
St. Michael-Albertville HS: Four-year letterwinner for the St. Michael-Albertville High School girls soccer program… Helped the Knights to three Minnesota Class 3A State Tournament appearances… Helped Boreal FC to USYS National League Premier 1 appearance... USYS Region Group semifinalist… MYSA Premier 1 League Champions.
 
Personal: Daughter of Travis and Beth Seurer… Born on Nov. 27, 2006.. Plans to major in Exercise Science while attending Bemidji State… Father Travis played baseball at NDSU… Enjoys hanging out with friends and shopping when not on the pitch.
 
Coach Stone on Seurer: "Olivia brings a lot of positive energy into a room, onto a field and into our program. We are so happy that she has chosen to come here. On the field she has a soft touch, great movement and the ability to keep possession and attack in the right moments."
 
*Gabby Verke – Defender – 5-4 – Forest Lake, Minn. – Centennial HS/Salvo
Centennial HS: Two-year letterwinner for the Centennial High School girls soccer program… All-Northwest Suburban Conference Honorable Mention her first year of varsity soccer… All-Conference selection in 2024… National Honors Society member and Honor Roll selection.
 
Personal: Daughter of Justin and Sara Verke… Born on January 17, 2007… Plans to major in Pre-Med while attending Bemidji State… Enjoys hanging out with friends, reading and watching sports when not on the pitch.
 
Coach Stone on Verke: "Gabby is quiet but confident, kind and measured. She reads the field very well and is one of the most efficient players out there. She plays with a great simplicity and rarely makes defensive or positional mistakes. She is a defender's defender who will be able to give us some real quality and depth at our outside back or even center back position."
 
*Gracie Waters – D/M – 5-5 – Littleton, Colo. – Columbine HS/Colorado Real
Columbine HS: Three-year letterwinner for Columbine High School's girls soccer program and letterwinner for the school's track, flag football and Decathalon… Played club soccer with the Colorado Real and was named the Summit Dallas Best Offensive Player.
 
Personal: Daughter of Billy and Janna Waters… Born on Dec. 18, 2006… Plans to major in Art Education while attending Bemidji State… Sister of junior Sylve Waters on the Beaver Soccer team… Enjoys designing art projects, working with kids and shopping when not on the pitch.
 
Coach Stone on Waters: "Gracie is as tough as they come. She has a real love for the game and is a great competitor and communicator on the field. She is as versatile as she is tough and could play multiple positions. Underneath that tough exterior is a gentle loving spirit who will bring a lot of excitement and fun into our soccer family."
 
For more information on the Bemidji State soccer program, follow the Beavers on X (@BSUBeaverSoccer), like them on Facebook (facebook.com/BSUBeavers) and follow them on Instagram (@BSUBeaversSoccer)
 
Located on the shore of Lake Bemidji, Bemidji State University sponsors 15 varsity athletic programs with NCAA Division I men's hockey membership in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and women's hockey membership in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, while its 13 NCAA Division II programs hold membership in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).
 
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