Valpo soccer head coach John Marovich announced today that six high school seniors have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the Beacons’ program as freshmen in the fall of 2023.

Tatum Coleman – 5’5” – Wing/Forward – Fishers, Ind. – Hamilton Southeastern H.S. – FC Pride

Coleman was a Second Team All-State and First Team All-District honoree for Hamilton Southeastern and has earned Academic All-State honors as well. In the club game, she was named ECNL First Team Ohio Valley Conference.

Coleman on why she chose Valpo: “When I took my tour of Valpo, I noticed how friendly everyone was on campus. I liked the smaller class sizes and I was impressed with the academics. The soccer coaches and players made me feel welcomed and the soccer environment was so positive — I knew, at that moment, I found my fit. I am excited to be a part of the Valparaiso Women’s Soccer Team in 2023.”

Marovich on Coleman: “Tatum has pace and explosive movements in flank positions in the attack. She is dangerous in taking on players 1-v-1 to win the endline or to drag centrally to find a shot. Her work ethic in her attacking and defensive responsibilities makes her a great fit in our brand of soccer. Tatum provides our midfield and defensive units the outlets in the attack and the cover needed in transitional moments to maintain a strong defensive shape.”

Anna Cup – 5’9” – Center Back – Bartlett, Ill. – South Elgin H.S. – Sockers FC

Cup has consistently played above her age level at Sockers FC, where she has been in first their Development Academy and then their Girls Academy since 2016. She played up as a U16 with the U17 DA, and then played with the U19 GA as a U17. Cup was part of a U19 squad which was ranked second in the nation in the 2021 Girls Academy League and won the Mid-America Conference championship. She also spent time at ODP training clinics from 2014-2016 and USYNT training centers from 2016-2019.

Cup on why she chose Valpo: “Valparaiso University’s dedication to each student’s individual experience, both academically and athletically, drove my decision to commit. My goals to pursue a science-based career and compete in Division I soccer have been both met and exceeded by Valpo’s extensive science departments and personally involved coaching staff. I am inspired by everything Valpo has to offer and I cannot wait to get started. Go Beacs!!!”

Marovich on Cup: “Anna brings a calm on the ball presence as a center back. She has outstanding passing range and vision to help connect passes while building out of the back. Her skill set and experience winning a national championship with her club team fits perfectly into our brand of soccer. Anna has versatility to also step into the midfield to provide a strong holding midfield presence in front of the back four. We are excited to add her to our defensive group next fall.”

Julianna De Simone – 5’1” – Forward – Elmhurst, Ill. – York Community H.S. – Sockers FC Chicago

De Simone started out with the Sockers FC Chicago Development Academy in 2018 and later moved to the club’s Girls Academy team. Also a standout in the classroom, De Simone — who intends to major in engineering — is a member of National Honor Society and World Language National Honor Society (Italian).

De Simone on why she chose Valpo: “The more I learned about the university, the clearer it became that Valpo is a great fit for me! Its nationally renowned engineering program, strong history of success in women's soccer and the positive team culture Coach Marovich and staff inspire makes Valpo the right place to learn, play and grow.”

Marovich on De Simone: “Julianna brings a hard-nosed work ethic to the front line. She does the hard running to create defensive pressure to turn the ball over. This work puts her in great spaces to capitalize on winning the ball, creating a goal-scoring chance or helping her team keep possession. Julianna finds ways to score in and around the box with her movements and runs into dangerous spaces. She fits well into the attacking mindset.”

Hannah Gabriel – 5’4” – Midfielder – Northville, Mich. – Northville H.S. – Michigan Jaguars

Gabriel has been a key part of the Michigan Jaguars 2004/05 Girls Academy squad and served as the team representative to the Girls Academy advisory board. Also strong in the classroom, Gabriel is a National Honor Society member and is planning to major in nursing.

Gabriel on why she chose Valpo: “I chose Valpo because I knew I would be challenged in the classroom and on the field. When on campus, I immediately felt welcomed and part of the Beacon family. The relationship between coaches, players, and the team is strong! I’m looking forward to being a part of that environment.”

Marovich on Gabriel: “Hannah consistently moves into pockets of space to find the ball in the midfield. Her vision on and off the ball helps her find the penetrating passes that breaks down a back line. She has a discipline in her positioning defensively to maintain midfield shape, which provides stability in transitional moments. We are excited to add her to our midfield group because her possession-focused personality fits with our current players.”

Helen Stegner – 5’10” – Goalkeeper – Denver, Colo. – Jefferson Academy H.S. – Broomfield Soccer Club

Stegner was a First Team All-State selection for her work in goal as a sophomore and earned Honorable Mention All-State notice as a junior. A two-time First Team All-Conference honoree as well, Stegner received Honorable Mention All-Conference recognition as a basketball player as well. She has been a regular member of her high school’s platinum honor roll.

Stegner on why she chose Valpo: “After stepping on campus and meeting the team and coaches, I knew right away that Valpo was my home. I look forward to the next four years!”

Marovich on Stegner: “Helen has solid hands and really good positioning in goal. She manages flighted balls into the box well. Her determined attitude to learn and grow will add competition in the training environment. She continues the positive, supportive and competitive culture that we have built within our goalkeeper unit. That, combined with her D-I size and length, provides an outstanding foundation to develop in our system.”

Carly Stewart – 5’6” – Midfielder – Granite Bay, Calif. – Granite Bay H.S. – San Juan Soccer Club

Stewart has been a Second Team All-Conference selection playing in the Sierra Foothill League. She competes in ECNL action for San Juan Soccer Club on the club circuit.

Stewart on why she chose Valpo: “After visiting Valpo, it instantly became my number one choice. The coaching staff and team created such a welcoming environment for me that felt like a second home. I realized that by being at Valpo, I would have a new everlasting family while being able to learn at a high level. I knew that by coming to Valpo, the personal environment and schooling would help me succeed in academics as well as in athletics.”

Marovich on Stewart: “Carly is a traditional box to box center midfielder. Her attack-minded personality creates a great deal of pressure on the opposition. She loves to run with the ball at the back line, but also finds moments to slow down and maintain attacking possession to pin a team in. When Carly has the ball in the space between lines, it’s when she is at her most dangerous in finding goal-scoring chances for her teammates and creating moments to score herself. We are excited to see her grow in our brand of soccer because it fits her style of play.”