BILLINGS, Mont. – Following the opening of the signing period, the Montana State University Billings women's soccer program and head coach Abiye Jack announced the addition of 11 new recruits, set to join the Yellowjackets as part of the team's 2025 recruiting class.
 
"This is a talented group of student-athletes, and we are excited to welcome all 11 to MSUB," stated coach Jack. "This group provides an injection of athleticism, technical ability, and a competitive drive. Each one values the team dynamic and will also be a great addition to the culture we strive to build."
 
The incoming group of Yellowjackets features three Montana natives, including a pair of Billings locals, along with three signees from Washington and Colorado each, and one pick up from Nevada and California.
 
Sara Ackerman
Forward
Billings, Montana
Billings West High School
Intended Major: Elementary Education
 
Ackerman is set to become a Yellowjacket after spending the past four seasons playing soccer at Billings West, where she lettered each year under coach Rob Zimmerman. A 5'4" forward, Ackerman was an academic all-state selection in each of her four seasons with the Golden Bears, and was named a team captain, helping to lead her team to a 9-3-1 record this past season, and a trip to the Class AA State Semifinals.
 
Coach Jack on Ackerman: "Sara plays with awesome intensity and determination. She has that competitive mentality that helps her win those 1v1 battles and an infectious personality."
 
Ackerman on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB for the team chemistry, the coaching staff and the girls on the team. My family is close by where I can watch my little siblings grow up and always have them around."
 
Alaina Asan
Midfielder
Spokane, Washington
Ferris High School
Intended Major: Undecided
 
Asan joins the Yellowjackets from Ferris High School, where she has earned three letters so far heading into her fourth season of high school soccer this spring. A holding midfielder, Asan helped Ferris this past season qualify for the team's first regional tournament in nine seasons, proving to be an integral piece of her team's success. Asan also plays at the club level for Spokane Shadow, helping guide her team to a trip to the Elite 8 in the Girls Academy League Championship Cup Tournament.
 
Coach Jack on Asan: "Alaina is one of those players who can be a center piece in the attacking and defensive phase. She makes excellent decisions in possession and is a ball winner who puts in some of the hardest tackles I have ever seen."
 
Asan on choosing MSUB: "I choose MSUB because of the competitive and family like culture the coaches and players have created. The team atmosphere they have created is truly something special and I'm excited that I get to join this talented group of girls.  I believe I can continue to grow as a soccer player at MSUB and be an impactful player.  I really enjoyed my campus visit and am excited to be attending a school with the energy and scenery of Montana."
 
Kanyon Bahmiller
Defender
Great Falls, Montana
Charles M. Russel High School
Intended Major: Nursing
 
Bahmiller joins the 'Jackets after lettering in four consecutive seasons of high school soccer at CMR under head coach Steve Skaer. A four-year varsity starter, Bahmiller was chosen as the team's Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, also picking up an all-state nomination that season. Bahmiller was selected as a team captain this past season, and was also selected to the Rush National Select Team. In addition to her soccer accomplishments, Bahmiller has also participated in two seasons of swimming, and has earned both academic letters and National Honor Society recognition.
 
Coach Jack on Bahmiller: "Kanyon is a physical defender with speed and quickness. We ask our defenders to handle 1v1 situations often and she will be one who is capable of handling that task."
 
Bahmiller on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because it offers a great balance between academics and athletics. It has the nursing program I was looking for and the smaller class sizes are definitely a plus.  The soccer program is competitive, and I knew it would push me to grow as a player. When I visited the campus, I loved the tight-knit community and how supportive everyone was.  Right away, I knew right away that MSUB was where I wanted to continue my education and soccer career!"
 
Kelsie Cox
Midfielder/Defender
Fredrick, Colorado
Erie High School
Intended Major: Biology
 
Cox has spent the past three seasons playing for Erie High School, and is set to collect her fourth letter this upcoming season. Through three seasons of her high school career, Cox has helped her team collect a 27-16-5 record, spending time in both defense and midfield. Cox has earned academic honors in each season she has competed in so far, earning her team's Newcomer of the Year as a freshman, before earning Defender of the Year as a sophomore, and Midfielder of the Year as a junior. Cox has earned a pair of all-conference second team awards for soccer. She has also lettered in two seasons of basketball.
 
Coach Jack on Cox: "Kelsie is such a well-rounded player and will help this team play an expansive playstyle. She is fast and strong enough to win most physical duals but also technical enough to pick out any pass on the field."
 
Cox on choosing MSUB: "The reason behind why I chose to continue my academic and athletic career at MSUB was based on a couple of things. I really enjoyed the campus and loved how small it is. Not only did it feel like home on campus, but it felt like home in the church that we went to the next day. Honestly, I think going to the church really solidified my answer because I felt like God was telling me that I belong at MSUB. Another huge reason why I chose MSUB was not only because of the coach, but because of the team and style of play. The girls on the team were also really nice and welcoming, while the speed of play looked like a perfect pace for me to play at. To me, Coach Abiye seems like a really good coach that knows when to be serious and coach hard, but also when to have fun. In conclusion I chose to continue my athletic and Academic career at MSUB because I know I will be coached hard, I will be able to play the sport I love while also getting better at it, I will be able to continue my academic goals and career in hopes of becoming a doctor, I will be able to create new friendships, and last but not least, I will be able to grow not only as a person, but a player. I am looking forward to playing college soccer and learning at MSUB!"
 
Kennedy Craig
Forward
Reno, Nevada
Damonte Ranch High School
Intended Major: Mathematics
 
Craig is set to continue her soccer career at MSUB following four seasons at Damonte Ranch High School, featuring in a variety of positions around the field. A team captain this past season, Craig earned all-league honorable mention as a midfielder her sophomore year, before being named to the second team as a forward in 2023 along with a certificate of excellence, and was most recently named All-League Co-Defender of the Year in 2024. Craig has also been a standout lacrosse player for the past three seasons, earning 2023 Rookie of the Year honors, and was voted as Offensive Player of the Year this past season.
 
Coach Jack on Craig: "Kennedy is versatile and can make things happen out of nothing. She is very fast, great with both feet, and can score goals from anywhere on the field."
 
Mckenzie Enright
Defender
Battle Ground, Washington
Battle Ground High School
Intended Major: Undecided
 
With her final season of high school soccer still left to be played, Enright joins her sister Madison Enright, a MSUB commit from last season, in joining the Yellowjacket soccer program. A three-time letter winner at Battle Ground High School as a defender, Enright appeared primarily as a center back in her high school career. Enright has been a multi-year honor roll recipient, and was also selected as a team captain. She also has participated in two seasons of track, where she competes as a sprinter.
 
Coach Jack on Enright: "Mckenzie is a powerful athlete who will be a great addition to the backline. She is fast, strong, and comfortable with the ball at her feet."
 
Enright on choosing MSUB: "I choose MSUB because when I went to the ID camp I like the way Abiye coached and how he treated the players."
 
Maggie James
Midfielder
Reading, California
Shasta High School
Intended Major: Biology
 
James is set to join MSUB following three seasons of high school soccer at Shasta High School, with her fourth set to kick off this winter. With two varsity letters so far, James has helped to lead Shasta to a 19-7-2 record in her time on varsity, appearing in the midfield or in an attacking role. James has been selected to the Superintendents High Honor Roll in her high school career, while also competing in one year of swim.
 
Coach Jack on James: "Maggie is a sharp player and creative with the ball. She is an effective dribbler, she sees the field incredibly well, and has the quality on the ball to deliver a pass in the way a teammate needs it."
 
James on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB for the impressive biology program, welcoming soccer program, and beauty of the campus/surrounding area. I love nature and exploring the outdoors, being so close to Yellowstone and other beautiful areas is very exciting!
 
Cianna Sexton
Midfielder
Broomfield, Colorado
Broomfield High School
Intended Major: Health & Human Performance
 
Sexton heads to MSUB after four seasons of play, collecting a pair of varsity letters at Broomfield High School, with her final season set to be played in the spring. An Academic All-State First Team selection, Sexton has been on her school's honor roll every quarter of her high school career, earning National Honor Society recognition. She scored three goals and totaled one assist in her previous season in spring of 2024, helping Broomfield to win a Metro South League Championship, and into the final 16 of the playoffs. Sexton is a team captain for her club team as well, helping her squad win multiple trophies over the past few seasons. Sexton is also an accomplished cross-country runner, competing in four seasons and earning three letters.
 
Coach Jack on Sexton: "Cianna is going to be an awesome addition to the midfield. She can connect passes all over the field, stays engaged defensively, and has the fitness to play box to box."
 
Sexton on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because of the beautiful campus and small-town vibe of Billings. Coach Abiye made me feel so welcome and the Health and Human Performance facilities really stood out. When visiting the campus, it just felt like where God was calling me to be."
 
Kambryn Smith
Forward
Parker, Colorado
Ponderosa High School
Intended Major: Nursing
 
A forward at Ponderosa High School, Smith will join MSUB after lettering in four seasons of high school soccer. After beginning her career as the only starting freshman on varsity, Smith broke out as the team's leading goal scorer as a sophomore, earning Offensive Player of the Year honors. She followed that up with a coach's award as a junior, and her first all-state recognition, being selected to the second team. Smith helped her Ponderosa High School side through the first two rounds of playoffs last season, and will look to find similar success as a senior this year as a team captain. She has also helped her club team win the state cup, and is set to compete at the regional tournament this upcoming summer. Smith also has two varsity letters in flag football, playing safety and wide receiver, where she was also selected as a team captain.
 
Coach Jack on Smith: "Kambryn will impact our attack right away. She has pace to stretch the field, can link up in combination play, and knows how to put the ball in the net. She also brings a level of toughness to the game and a desire to engage in the physical aspects."
 
Smith on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because of the opportunity I was given from Coach Abiye to continue my soccer career. When I came to visit MSUB I was surprised with how much I enjoyed my time on campus and with the team. MSUB has a very good nursing program, and I plan to direct my studies towards becoming a pediatric nurse. Keeping in mind that I will have the priority of soccer, I greatly appreciate the lecture sized classrooms, making it so each professor knows you individually and can make it easy to reach out to. In addition to the campus, Montana is beautiful with so many things to do and so many places to see. I am looking forward to representing the Yellowjackets out on the field and I plan on helping bring the team to many successful games and seasons."
 
Peyton Tarabokija
Defender
Bellevue, Washington
Sammamish High School
Intended Major: Health & Human Performance
 
Tarabokija is set to become a Yellowjacket after participating in two seasons of soccer at Sammamish High School, set to conclude her high school career this spring. Tarabokija received Second Team-All-Conference honors in 2022 as a varsity starter, before improving to earn a First Team All-Conference nod, along with her team's Most Inspirational Player Award, leading to her being selected as a 2024 team captain. Tarabokija also competes for Crossfire Premier at the club level, where she is also a starter and high impact player.
 
Coach Jack on Tarabokija: "Peyton will add so much to this team both in and out of possession. She is a great passer of the ball, a smart defender, and her height allows her to dominate any aerial situation."
 
Tarabokija on choosing MSUB: "MSUB has the tight knit community feeling that I was looking for and the Coach and Director of Admissions made me and my family feel so welcome at MSUB as did the players I had the opportunity to meet.  The Health and Human Performance major and facilities at MSUB have further captured my interest.  As an athlete, I am excited by the challenge that playing in the competitive GNAC conference presents and I feel I can make a strong contribution to the success of the MSUB Women's Soccer team.  Also, attending MSUB is a family tradition that I am pleased to continue since my Great Grandmother (Dorothy Olsen) and her 2 sisters also went to MSUB and graduated from the teaching program.  Also, my Grandpa (Terry Olsen) attended MSUB for a short time before joining the Navy.  I still have family in the area and attending school in Billings will give me the opportunity to connect with them."
 
Maddie Tracy
Defender
Billings, Montana
Billings Central Catholic High School
Intended Major: Undecided
 
Tracy stays in Billings to continue her soccer career as a Yellowjacket, following four seasons as a varsity starter at Billings Central Catholic High School. A two-year team captain, Tracy helped guide the Rams to three conference titles over four seasons, along with a pair of State Championships, most recently to close out her senior season. She received the team's Newcomer of the Year award as a freshman, before earning First Team All-Conference and All-State selections in both her junior and senior seasons, along with the team's Defensive Player of the Year award. Tracy has been a National Honor Society honoree. She also completes at the club level for Billings United, and was a part of the U19 team that won the 2023 National Presidents Cup.
 
Coach Jack on Tracy: "Maddie is a very intelligent player. She knows how to organize a defense, she is calm on the ball, and is great at timing tackles in 1-vs-1's.
 
Tracy on choosing MSUB: "I chose MSUB because I think it will be the best place for me to grow as a player and as a person. I've had Abiye as a coach at the club level, and am excited to take the next step in my career with him as my head coach at MSUB. My goal was always to become a college soccer player, and MSUB provides me with the opportunity to play at a high level, and continue my career in front of my family and friends."