Feb. 2, 2012
LEXINGTON, Ky. — On the heels of one of the most successful years in program history in which the University of Kentucky women’s soccer team hosted an NCAA Tournament game for the first time since 1999, head coach Jon Lipsitz and his staff announced the 2012 incoming recruiting class Thursday.
One of the most decorated groups in program history, the 2012 class is ranked in the top five nationally by Allwhitekit.com.
“It’s been a long time coming waiting for this class to come on campus,” UK head coach Jon Lipsitz said of his highly ranked class. “It’s a class that obviously on paper looks like they will have a huge impact on the future of this program. We also know that is only on paper, and what really matters is what happens when they all get here. I am very confident in the impact they will have on and off the field.”
“They are not only tremendous soccer players with a huge amount of success as youth players, but also they are tremendous students and people,” Lipsitz said. “We are extremely selective in recruiting and being a great soccer player is only the beginning. With the great benefit we have of CATS, which I truly believe is the best academic center for athletes in the entire country, and Mike Haley as our advisor, we know we have all the resources here for our student-athletes to be successful.
“These are players that have all decided with us that this is a great fit and we are excited for them to get here. I am very proud of the work that they have done, and I look for it to continue.”
| Name | Pos. | Hometown | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kennedy Collier | F | Danville, Ky. | Central Kentucky Soccer Club |
| Jackie Dallaire | M | Sterling, Va. | McLean MPS Strikers |
| Danielle Fitzgerald | F |
Fairfax, Va. |
Herndon Firecats |
| Allie Gorgol | M | Fishers, Ind. | CUSC ’94 Elite |
| Cailin Harris | M | Hendersonville, Tenn. | Brentwood Soccer Club |
| Haleigh Hoff | D | Winfield, W. Va. | W.Va. Chaos |
| Kelli Hubly | F | Elk Grove, Ill. | Sockers F.C. Chicago |
| Olivia Jester | D | Cincinnati, Ohio | Ohio Elite |
| Courtney Kobashigawa | D | Dublin, Ohio | Ohio Elite |
| Cara Ledman | F | Franklin, Tenn. | Brentwood Soccer Club |
| Maddie Lockridge | F | Nicholasville, Ky. | Lexington FC |
| Kylie Morgan | GK | Aurora, Ill. | Sockers F.C. Chicago |
| Elaina Musleh | M | Carmel, Ind. | NSA Fury ’94 |
| Courtney Raetzman | M | Elk Grove Village, Ill. | Sockers F.C. Chicago |
| Cailey Warfel | D | Kingwood, Texas |
Challenge ’94 |
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Kennedy Collier, a native of Danville, Ky., played her club soccer for Central Kentucky Soccer Club under the direction of her father, Danny Collier. Collier is a senior at Boyle County High School where she helped lead her team to an Elite Eight appearance in three of her four years. While playing for CKSC, her club team was crowned Kentucky State Champions in 2008 and 2010, while finishing runners-up in 2011. The speedy forward was Academic all-state all four years of high school, as well as part of the 2010 Youth Salute and Environmental Club. During her time at Boyle County, Collier racked up many accolades, including all-region, all-district, and all-state in 2011, which served as her senior season. The daughter of Danny and Scottie Collier, Kennedy is undecided on her major. |
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Sterling, Va., native Jackie Dallaire is one of the most versatile members of the class, having experience in the midfield, forward, and backline throughout her lifelong soccer career. Dallaire played her club soccer for the McLean MPS Strikers under the direction of Clyde Watson. While playing with the Strikers, Dallaire won the National Championship in the 2010 Super-Y, as well as a member of the Super-Y ODP National Select Team in 2009 and 2010. A senior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, Dallaire is an AP scholar with honors, as well as a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. While at Thomas Jefferson, Dallaire was named second-team all-district, and served as the captain of the freshman basketball team. She is the daughter of Mike and Kyle Dallaire, and plans to major in social work with a concentration in pre-medicine. |
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Forward and outside defender Danielle Fitzgerald is a native of Fairfax, Va. Fitzgerald played her high school soccer at Oakton High School, while playing for the Herndon Firecats in the club season under the direction of Nadir Moumen. Fitzgerald’s club was part of the Virginia State Cup Champions in 2010 and 2011, as well as Virginia Runners-up in 2006 and 2008. Fitzgerald led Oakton to the Virginia state semifinals in her freshman and sophomore years, while advancing to the district championships in 2010. Fitzgerald was named all-district in 2009 and 2010, while also being tabbed as a Washington Post All-Met honorable mention in 2010, and a member of the Region I Team in 2010. Off the field, Fitzgerald was an all-state track athlete in 2009 and all-district in 2010. Fitzgerald is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is the daughter of Daryl and Cheryl Fitzgerald. She plans to major in kinesiology. |
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Allie Gorgol from Fishers, Ind., will be a nice addition to the Wildcats’ attack for the 2012 season. Gorgol is attending Fishers High School, while playing her club soccer for Ralph Richards at CUSC ’94 Elite. Gorgol earned the Flight B ENCL National Championship while with CUSC. While playing at Fishers High School, Gorgol was named all-state, all-district, all-conference and twice won the Offensive MVP Award. In addition, Gorgol was given the Tiger Pride Award, which serves as an award for excellent leadership. Gorgol is a member of the Key Club, and was tabbed as U.S. History Student of the Year for her high school. The daughter of Tom and Mary Ann Gorgol, she plans to major in physical therapy. |
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Henderson, Tenn., native Cailin Harris played her club soccer for Sandy Pollack and Brandy Gagliano at Brentwood Soccer Club. While there, Harris led Brentwood to six state championships, a regional final, quarterfinal and semi-final. Harris was a Region III pool member, as well as a Premier League member. Harris played her high school soccer at Pope John Paul II High School, earning trips to the state semifinals in her freshman, sophomore and junior years, while achieving the quarterfinals in the fall of 2011. Harris was named All-State four years, County MVP three years in a row, and Mid-State all four years as well. Harris has recorded over 160 hours of community service, including work with Relay for Life. She is a member of the National Honor Society, National Leadership Society, as well as spending her time tutoring students with disabilities, writing for her school newspaper and a National French Scholar. The daughter of Dyra and Amy Harris, Cailin plans to major in biology with an emphasis on pre-pharmacy. |
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Kelli Hubly from Elk Grove, Ill., signed with Kentucky as one of the most highly recruited players in the country. Hubly has experience on the highest of playing levels, as she was a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team for the U-15, U-17 and U-18 levels, and has been invited to the January 2012 U-18 National Team camp. Hubly played her club soccer for Oleg Vatchev at Sockers F.C. in Chicago with fellow newcomers Courtney Raetzman and Kylie Morgan. While with the Sockers F.C., Hubly led her team to the 2010 and 2011 Illinois Cup Championship, as well as the U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Championship in 2011. Hubly also was a Region II team member. In her time spent at Elk Grove High School, Hubly was named all-conference in 2010 and 2011, as well as making the honor roll. Kelli is the daughter of William and Jodi Hubly and plans to major in pre-medicine, with a career aspiration to be an orthopedic surgeon. |
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Cincinnati, Ohio native Olivia Jester played her club soccer for Tim Lesiak at the Ohio Elite Soccer Academy. Jester is a versatile player on the pitch, having played forward, center mid, and on the back line. In her time at Ohio Elite, Jester was named to the Ohio South State Team for six-consecutive years from 2006-11. Also, Jester was a part of the OSYSA State Cup in 2010, before lifting the trophy in 2011. Jester was named to the ODP Region II Team from 2008-11. At McAuley High School in the Queen City, Jester was named all-conference 1st-team in 2009, 2010, and 2011 while also SWOSSCA division one first team from 2009-11. Jester also lettered in basketball her freshman year. Off the field, Jester is extremely involved in the community, serving as an honor-roll student, as well as a Ronald McDonald House volunteer. Olivia is the daughter of Dan and Danielle, and is undecided on her major. |
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Like future teammate Olivia Jester, Courtney Kobashigawa played her club soccer for Tim Lesiak at the Ohio Elite Soccer Academy. Kobashigawa was born in the Aloha State of Hawaii, but calls Dublin, Ohio home. Kobashigawa was a member of the U.S. Soccer National Team for the U-14 and U-15 teams, playing consistently at the highest level. While with the Ohio Elite, Kobashigawa led them to the 2011 State Cup Championship, was named ODP State Team member from 2008-12, and the ODP Regional Team from 2008-12 as well. Kobashigawa played high school soccer at Dublin Jerome High School where the team was Ohio Division I state finalists. The highly touted midfielder and defender was named to the honor roll 13 straight times, as well as helping at the Dublin Methodist Hospital, Coral Springs Nursing Home, and Guarderia el Manandial Costa Rica. Kobashigawa is the daughter of Kelley and Mickey Kobashigawa and is currently undecided on a major. |
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Cara Ledman played her club soccer for Brentwood Soccer Club under the leadership of Ajit Korgauor in Brentwood, Tenn., where she calls home. Ledman led Brentwood Premier to three state championships, second place in the Disney Showcase in 2010, and successful runs in the Las Vegas Showcase Tournament two times. Ledman attended Battle Ground Academy, where she led her team to the state quarterfinals in her freshman and sophomore years, while advancing to the semifinals her final two years. She was named captain by her team for her junior and senior year of high school, as well as all-state in those years as well. In addition, in her senior year, she tallied 21 goals, leading her team in scoring in addition to being selected to play in the Tennessee All-Star game. Ledman is a member of the Digamma, which is an academic specialty group for those with an 87 or above in every class. Ledman is a National Honor Society student, which has led to her contributing over 150 hours of community service hours. Cara is the daughter of Timothy and Barbra Ledman and is deciding between education and nutrition as a major. |
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Maddie Lockridge of Nicholasville, Ky., is one of the two native Kentuckians in the 2012 recruiting class. Lockridge played club soccer for Lexington Futbol Club ’94 Premier. While at LFC, Lockridge earned the title for all-time leading scorer, and all-time leader in assists. LFC was a state semifinalist in 2011, and a participant in the Region II Championships. Lockridge played high school soccer for West Jessamine High School, where she led her team to the state Final Four. She was named to the 2010 and 2011 all-state team. She led her team in scoring for 2011 and was first-team all-academic from 2009-11. Off the field, Lockridge racked up many academic accolades including AP Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club, DAR Scholarship winner, and served as a teaching assistant to students with cognitive disabilities. The daughter of Tom and Jennie Lockridge, she is undecided on her major. |
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Courtney Raetzman played her club soccer with Kylie Morgan, and Kelli Hubly for Sockers F.C. in Chicago. Raetzman is a native of Elk Grove Village, Ill., and comes to Kentucky specializing in attacking midfield. Raetzman was a member of the U-15 and U-18 U.S. Women’s National Team, and was invited to the U-18 camp, which was held in January of 2012. Raetzman was named to the NSCAA Youth All-America team in 2011, while leading the Sockers to the Illinois State Cup in 2011 and 2010. Individually, she was named USYS National Champion Best 11. At James B. Conant High School, Raetzman was a state finalist in 2011 as well as 2009, and will play her senior season in the spring. Raetzman is a member of the National Honor Society. She is the daughter of Jim and Paula Raetzman, and plans to major in physical therapy in the fall semester. |
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Defender and attacking-center midfielder Cailey Warfel of Kingwood, Texas played her club soccer for Challenge ’94 under the coaching of Pat O’Toole. While with Challenge, Warfel participated in the ENCL National Championship, Las Vegas Shootout, and Texas Shootout. Challenge was a southern regional semifinalist in 2009, and quarterfinalist in 2011. Warfel also led the team to the South Texas State Classic League championship in 2009, and 2010. While at Kingwood High School, Warfel played varsity soccer for three years, and was ranked No. 1 nationally her freshman year by ESPN Rise. Off the field, Warfel was a member of the National Honor Society, and received the National Honor Society Leadership Award. Warfel is the daughter of Steve and Lacinda Warfel and plans to major in physical therapy. |
In addition to the 12 newcomers, UK also welcomed three new members in the spring who enrolled early in the spring to help get a jump start with the Wildcats. Haleigh Hoff, Kylie Morgan and Elaina Musleh have enrolled at UK, and will participate this spring with the team,
“Obviously, we are excited to get back out on the field and to get going again, and to have three members arrive after early graduation from high school is a great start for them,” Lipsitz said. “It is good for them to get involved as early as possible.
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A forward/midfielder from Winfield, W.Va., Hoff graduated from Winfield High School. She is a four-time West Virginia High School Soccer Coaches Association (WVHSSCA) All-State selection and was named this year’s WVHSSCA Player of the Year. She was named the 2010 WVHSSCA Forward of the Year. Hoff played club soccer for the WV Chaos and coach Kernel Borneo. Most recently, Hoff was named the 2011 National Soccer Coaches’ Association of America (NSCAA) All-America Scholar Athlete of the Year. She is the daughter of Marshall and Stacy Hoff and plans to major in Agricultural Biotechnology. |
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A spring semester enrollee, goalkeeper Kylie Morgan of Aurora, Ill., played her club soccer for the Sockers F.C. in Chicago with fellow incoming freshmen Kelli Hubly and Courtney Raetzman. Morgan was part of the team that won the 2010 and 2011 Illinois Cup Championship, as well as the U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Championship in 2011. Morgan received the 2009 Golden Glove Award, given to the best goalie in Region II of Illinois. She was also named ODP ’94 Region II team member in 2008-10. Morgan has volunteered at the Special Olympics, as well as the retirement home. Morgan’s older sister Jessie is on the soccer team at Eastern Illinois. Morgan is the daughter of Russ and Michelle Morgan, and plans to major in nursing in the fall. |
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A forward from Carmel, Ind., Musleh attended and graduated from Carmel High School. A member of the United States U-14 National Team, Musleh played her club ball for the NSA Fury `94 under Rade Martinovic where they claimed four state titles. She also played with the Ohio Elite, whom she helped win nationals last season. Musleh was named all-state and all-region in 2012. Musleh plans to major in either pre-medicine, or business and is the daughter of Edward and Stacia Musleh. |
