A defender from Glenview, Illinois, Natalie Thurston was a student at Glenbrook South. She played for Chicago FC United Academy and coach Fabrice Guatrat, where she wasa team captain in 2021-22. Thurston also was a captain in 2016-17 for the 03 Illinois Olympic Development Team, where she earned all-region and all-state team honors. A two-time 3v3 national champion in 2014, Thurston earned a top-25 ranking in the Midwest by Top Drawer Soccer.
Thurston is the No. 25-ranked recruit in the Midwest region by Top Drawer Soccer.
Academically, she is a National Honor Society member and an Illinois State Scholar.
Thurston aspires to major in finance and is interested in a career in business after graduating from Purdue and concluding her playing career. Her parents are Camille Khodadad and James Thurston, and she has two sisters.
Natalie Thurston on Purdue: “I chose Purdue because of its great academics and prestigious soccer program. Academically, Purdue has excellent opportunities that really cater to the student-athlete. From the soccer prospective, the program is representative of everything I wanted, from the coaching staff, culture and high level of play. Growing up outside Chicago, competing on the Big Ten stage has always been a dream of mine. I am so excited and humbled for this opportunity.”
Coach Drew Roff on Thurston: “Natalie is an outside back that has all the qualities you look for in that position. She has very good pace, a great engine, and is a very good defender. She also is good on the ball and has a great attacking mentality when in possession. As a team that likes to utilize our outside backs in the attack, Natalie is an outstanding fit for how we play. I look forward to Natalie being a tremendous asset to our program on and off the field.”
Thurston is the No. 25-ranked recruit in the Midwest region by Top Drawer Soccer.
Academically, she is a National Honor Society member and an Illinois State Scholar.
Thurston aspires to major in finance and is interested in a career in business after graduating from Purdue and concluding her playing career. Her parents are Camille Khodadad and James Thurston, and she has two sisters.
Natalie Thurston on Purdue: “I chose Purdue because of its great academics and prestigious soccer program. Academically, Purdue has excellent opportunities that really cater to the student-athlete. From the soccer prospective, the program is representative of everything I wanted, from the coaching staff, culture and high level of play. Growing up outside Chicago, competing on the Big Ten stage has always been a dream of mine. I am so excited and humbled for this opportunity.”
Coach Drew Roff on Thurston: “Natalie is an outside back that has all the qualities you look for in that position. She has very good pace, a great engine, and is a very good defender. She also is good on the ball and has a great attacking mentality when in possession. As a team that likes to utilize our outside backs in the attack, Natalie is an outstanding fit for how we play. I look forward to Natalie being a tremendous asset to our program on and off the field.”