Rochester, Mich. - The Golden Grizzlies Women's Soccer Program is getting stronger, faster, and bigger as they announced four new signees in the recruiting class of 2023.

Head Coach Juan Pablo Favero is very excited for the new additions to the team. "While this is a smaller class in numbers, the overall quality of this group of incoming players is outstanding.  They each bring strengths and skills that are perfectly suited to our program's established style of play. Overall, this is an outstanding group of soccer players in the technical, physical, and tactical aspects of the game, and we can't wait to have them join our ranks and to see them don the black and gold next Fall," said Favero.

Brooke Blackstock | DEF | Lake Orion, Mich. | Lake Orion HS / Michigan Hawks

The Michigan Native is already a well decorated player ahead of her arrival in Rochester. Blackstock was named to the OAA All-League team in 2022, All-District team honors in three years from 2021 to 2023, All-Region in 2022-23, and Second Team All-State in 2022-23 as well. She led Lake Orion to District Championships in 2021 and 2022. She has had success at the club level as well, leading the U18/U19 Michigan Hawks to the ENCL National Championship game, while being named to the ENCL Midwest All-Conference Second Team. She is the latest of many successful athletes in her family, as her Father and Grandfather played football at Central Michigan University.

"Brooke is an excellent central defender with great technical ability and a commanding presence. Her ball-winning ability and distribution are elements that make her a great fit for our team," said Favero on Blackstock.

Lyndsay Borcherdt | DEF / MF | Waterville, Ohio | Anthony Wayne HS / Michigan Jaguars

Borcherdt is no stranger to Oakland, with family ties to the university as her father, Bryan Borcherdt, played basketball for the Golden Grizzlies. Lyndsay has earned three district championships, two Northern League Championships, and two Ohio High School Regional Championships. She also brings excellence off the field, having been named to the 2023 All-League, All-District, and All-State  academic teams in Ohio to go along with the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Leadership Award. She was captain of the Anthony Wayne Girls Soccer Team for her final three years, averaging 0.6 goals per game and anchoring a defense that achieved 42 shutouts in 65 total games.

"Lyndsay is a very versatile player whom we project being able to play as a center back, holding mid, or even an outside back. Her physicality, work rate, and ability to play on both the left and right side make her a welcome addition to our roster," said Favero on one of his newest defensive signees.

Kimee Liu | MF / FWD | London, Ontario, Canada | Oakridge Secondary School / Whitecaps London

Liu brings an offensive ability that can make a big impact. Liu scored 17 goals in 21 games played and was named 2023 Winter FTF Toronto Girls Soccer Combine MVP and a 2023 FTF Montreal combine All-Star. Liu was also a two-sport athlete, adding basketball skills to her repertoire, earning a selection to her High School All-Star game in 2023.

"Kimee is a very dynamic attacking player who can play in any of our attacking mid roles and who can play as a forward as well. Her ability on the ball and vision give her a set of skills ideally suited for an attacking player," said Favero.

Isabella Bierod | FWD | Chesterfield, Mich. | L'Anse Creuse High School North / Nationals Girls Academy

One of two Michigan natives to recently join Oakland, Bierod was a star at L'Anse Creuse High School, earning MAC All-Conference and MHSSCA All-District honors. They say you can't teach speed, and Bierod is an aggressive speedster who used her quickness and craftiness to create big-time opportunities for her previous teams, and brings a much needed element to Oakland.

Favero is excited to have Isabella as part of the Golden Grizzly family, saying, "Bella is a dynamic, dangerous forward who uses her speed and assertiveness to constantly put opposing defenders in uncomfortable positions. We believe she will give us a different attacking dimension".