Maria, born in St. Paul and raised in Maple Grove, Minnesota, spent most of her childhood playing sports and spending time outdoors. In 8th grade, she played football for the middle school team and fell in love with the sport. In college, she was a team manager for the Augsburg Football team for four years. Her journey with the Vixen began in 2008 during her freshman year of college, marking the start of an unwavering commitment. Maria briefly paused her active playing career but remained devoted to the team while pursuing graduate studies at Weber State University, where she served as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach for two years.
Having spent 14 seasons on the field, Maria’s versatility as a player saw her evolve from an inside linebacker to various offensive positions, including all positions along the offensive line and tight end. Her achievements include being a 6-time All-American and a 2-time offensive MVP, recognized through team awards. Additionally, Maria’s leadership qualities earned her nine nominations as a team captain.
Professionally, Maria channels her passion for sports into her work as an athletic trainer at a local suburban high school. She also dedicates part of her time to serving as a firefighter/EMT. She currently resides in Minneapolis with her husband and their four pets.
Maria is eagerly looking forward to rejoining her team in 2024 and taking on a fresh role as a offensive assistant. She is dedicated to ensuring the Vixen perform at their highest level every week on the field.