Joern signs with MSU-B

The Daily Inter Lake

The Montana State University-Billings women's soccer team welcomed a state champion to its fold Nov. 21 with the verbal commitment of Whitefish High School senior Jen Joern.

Primarily a center midfielder, Joern was a co-captain for the Lady Bulldogs, who went 13-2 last season en route to a Class A state championship. Joern earned all-state honors and will likely play in the midfield at Billings.

"It's definitely very exciting," Joern said. "It's a load off - I found the college I wanted to go to. I've wanted to play college soccer for a long time now and it's exciting."

Joern considered playing for the University of Montana, Carroll College and Western Oregon University before selecting Billings.

"I really liked the campus, I liked the team, the atmosphere and the coach at Billings - that's what drew me to it," Joern said.

Joern will reunite with former Whitefish teammate Emily English, who is a freshman forward with the Yellowjackets.

"We're good friends and it will be fun to go back and play with her again," Joern said.

Former Flathead High School standout Jelisa Guy is a freshman at Billings as well, meaning the Yellowjackets will boast a trio of Flathead Valley products next fall.

"Yeah, that's nice," Joern said. "I know Jelisa, and it's cool to have a couple Flathead (Valley) players on the team."

Whitefish coach Lini Reading met Joern two years ago when Joern arrived at the school and told her she wanted to try out for soccer.

"I remember her telling me 'I'm not very good,' and she was an immediate starter for us, an all-conference selection and all-state her junior and seniors years," Reading said.

Joern registered five goals and two assists as a sophomore, eight goals and three assists as a junior, and seven goals and six assists as a senior.

"She's quick and crafty in tight spaces, really comfortable with the ball," Reading said.

Along with Amy Wright, Joern was also a co-captain as a junior.

"She's an absolute team player," Reading said. "She is absolutely loved by her teammates, she loves her team and each and every player, she includes every one, and you just can't have a better team player.

"She's not a screamer. She just goes out and quietly and lovingly gets the job done, and she motives her teammates by her love for them and her love for the game."

Coached by Don Trentham, the Yellowjackets went 13-6-1 this fall, finishing second to St. Edward's University (17-2-1) in the NCAA Division II Heartland Conference.

Joern plans to officially sign with MSU-Billings on Feb. 7, the first day allowed by the NCAA.

"It will just be nice to stay in Montana and play soccer, and it's an exciting thing," Joern said.