Pair of Palmer players commit to college programs

PALMER — The Palmer Moose saw their season come to an end during the first day of the Northern Lights Conference Championships last week, but a pair of Palmer players are preparing for the next step in their soccer careers.

Krysta Theisen and Tess Anderson, who both graduated as part of Palmer’s class of 2009 earlier this month, have committed with schools to play college soccer in the fall.

Theisen, an outside midfielder, will take the field for Eastern Oregon University, while Anderson, a forward, is bound for the University of Great Falls in Great Falls, Mont.

“I just want to keep continuing to play,” Theisen said.

Theisen could have potentially joined her prep teammate in Great Falls, but chose Eastern Oregon for both its athletics and academics. Theisen said Great Falls offered her a substantial scholarship package, but the school didn’t have nursing, the program she intends to enroll in at EOU.

While Eastern Oregon fit her needs, she also fit in Eastern Oregon’s plans.

“They saw me play with the North Stars and they really liked me,” Theisen said. “They said they really needed outside mids, and that’s my main position.”

Theisen has played nearly everywhere on the field during her prep career with the Moose, but said it’s in the outside midfield where she’s the most comfortable.

“The outside is kind of a play making position. I’m not so much on taking the shots on goal. I love crossing it, dropping back to help,” Theisen said. “I’m pretty comfortable everywhere, except in the net.”

Like Theisen, Anderson also had the chance to be seen by college coaches while playing with the Alaska North Stars, a select team that travels to tournaments outside the 49th state.

Anderson said there was interest from a number of schools, but took time to sort through the possibilities.

Finally, she chose Great Falls, not only for the soccer, but her familiarity with the area.

“It’s kind of like my second home,” Anderson said. “I kind of waited it out. I’m really excited about having family in Great Falls.

“I really liked the fact I have family there. That was really comforting.”

Anderson is also hoping to provide some punch to the Great Falls offense.

“They didn’t have a really strong offense, so I’m hoping to bring something to the program,” Anderson said.

This marks the second straight season that a pair of Palmer girls soccer players have moved on to the college level.

Chelsea Beetch played her first season at Coker College in South Carolina and Jessica Wyckoff completed her first year at Ottawa University in Kansas.

Contact Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.