Women's Soccer Introduces 2018 Freshman Class
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky women’s soccer team has signed one of the best classes in program history and now it’s time for Big Blue Nation to meet them. This class has been ranked as high as any UK class by recruiting services around the country that specialize in soccer recruiting. Players from multiple different states have come to play college soccer at the best stadium in the country, and in front of the best fans in the nation.
The first chance Big Blue Nation will have to see them play is on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET against SIUE. Tickets are on sale through the UK Athletics ticket office or can be purchased at the game.
| Cami Dade | |
|---|---|
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Jacksonville, Fla. |
Pre-College: Her father, Eric, played soccer in college at VCU … Was a three-time state champion with her club team, Jacksonville Armada FC … With The Bolles School, they won the state championship er freshman, junior and senior seasons, where in her senior year – she was named MVP of the team.
Ian Carry on Dade: “A daughter of Eric Dade, Cami brings in a wealth of experience and depth to our MF from a very successful club career at Jacksonville Armada FC. We are looking forward to watching her development over the next four years.” |
| Camille Downing | |
|
Lexington, Ky. |
Pre-College: Member of Lexington FC, where they were the state runner’s up in 2017 and Jefferson Cup Champions in 2017 … Was all-city in 2015, 2016 and 2017 as well as All-Region, All-District for the tournament team … With her HS team, she led them to All “A” State runner’s up in 2015 and the Purple Classic Championship in 2016.
Ian Carry on Downing: “Camille’s athleticism and willingness to play in multiple positions will help us on a daily basis as she works towards her individual goals here at the University of Kentucky.” |
| Hannah Leonard | |
|
Greeneville, Tennessee |
Pre-College: Played her club soccer for Greeneville Galaxy under the direction of Matty McKeever … Two-time Tennessee DII State champion … Two-time Tennessee Regional President’s Cup champion … Individually, was national President’s Cup U-16 most outstanding goalkeeper … With Greeneville HS, she was state champion in her sophomore and junior campaigns and AA State runner’s up in her senior year … Two-time all-state player, all-district, all-region and was region co-defensive player of the year … Graduated with honors, a 4.0 GPA and a member of the National Honor Society.
Ian Carry on Leonard: “Through the recruiting process and since arriving a semester early, Hannah has developed under the tutelage of former UK standout Evangeline Soucie. A Tennessee native with Kentucky roots, she has shown that she has the ability to push for the No. 1 GK spot. A huge personality off the field translates onto the practice and game fields.” |
| Tamaki Machi | |
|
Tokyo, Japan |
Pre-College: One of the best and most athletic goalkeepers in the class of 2018 … Was on the Japanese National Team at the U-17 Women’s World Cup … Played her high school soccer back home in Japan for Sfida Setagaya High School
Ian Carry on Machi: “Another addition to the team from Japan, Tamaki brings a sophistication to the GK unit which will push each and every one of them each day at practice. Her distribution and shot-stopping are two strengths are things that will help us to be successful in the SEC.” |
| Gretchen Mills | |
|
Fishers, Indiana |
Pre-College: Played club soccer for the Indiana Fire under Mark Castro … Was a member of the team when they won a conference championship and was named as an All-State player two times … In her freshman year, they won the state championship … With Fishers HS, she was named All-State twice and won the state championship in her freshman season … She graduated from HS Magna Cum Laude.
Ian Carry on Gretchen Mills: “Being able to recruit one of the best left-sided players in the Midwest was key. Finding a player with the ability of Gretchen who can come in and make an immediate impact offensively and defensively was important for our progression as a program.” |
| Hannah Potter | |
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|
Williamsburg, Va. |
Pre-College: Was a member of the Richmond United, who competed in the 2015 and 2016 ECNL Nationals … Made nationals in 2017 for ODP, as well as winning the regionals in 2017 … Was a member of the 2016 and 2017 team which won the State Cup … In HS, she was first team all-conference in 2016 and 2017 as well as All-Region in 2017 … She attended Lafayette HS.
Ian Carry on Potter: “Hannah’s quickness and technical abilities will surely cause defender’s problems in the SEC. She is another left-footed player who can play on either side of the field, she will add to our attacking prowess.” |
| Emma Shields | |
|
Houston, Texas |
Pre-College: With her club team, Albion Hurricanes FC- she helped lead the team to a State Cup and the ECNL Champions league playoffs and was a Texas ECNL PDP invite. Her father, David Shields, played college hockey at the University of Denver. At Houston’s Memorial HS she lettered in basketball for two years and was district champion both years….She was Biology Student of the year and had a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Ian Carry on Shields: “The identification of Emma through the recruiting of Melissa Charloe was a key find in the recruiting process and was one of the highlights of the 2018 spring recruiting calendar. Being in a position to bring in someone of her quality to our midfield this late in the game is a significant find and I’m looking forward to watching her grow and mature in our midfield.” |
| Abby Steiner | |
|
Columbus, Ohio |
Pre-College: Played under Willie Gage at Ohio Premier for one of the best clubs in the nation … Steiner placed second at Nationals and was an All-American in 2015 … She was a state runner up in 2014 with Dublin-Coffman High School and was named a 2015 All-American … She is a dual-scholarship player and will also run track at Kentucky for Ronnie Greene … As a track athlete, she set numerous school and state records at the Ohio State meet less than a year removed from a torn ACL.
Ian Carry on Steiner: “One of the fastest and most athletic players in America, Abby was highly recruited by every school in the country. For us to be able to bring her to the University of Kentucky shows the direction we are going. Not only is she going to be an offensive threat against any back line that we face, but also will help us as a defender in transition. I am looking forward to watching her develop as a soccer player and as a track athlete under the tutelage of Lonnie Green and his staff.” |
| Payton Woodward | |
|
Fayetteville, Ark. |
Pre-College: Played her club soccer for the Arkansas Comets under the direction of Bill Bernie … Her team was a 2017 state champion and 2016, as well … With Fayetteville HS, she was 2015 state runner’s up and conference runner’s up … In 2016 she was part of a team that was conference champions and in her junior year, she helped lead the team to a state semifinal finish and conference runner’s up … Individually in HS, she was part of the All-State, All-Conference and All-Star teams, as well as the NWA Democrat-Gazette Team … She is a great student, who graduated with honors and a member of the Science National Honor Society.
Ian Carry on Woodward: “Another late addition to our goalkeeping staff, Payton is a young lady who has drive and aggression which not only will push her for a No. 1 spot, but also help her achieve her goals within the SEC. Agile and brave are two qualities which she has an abundance of which will help make her a successful Kentucky Wildcat.” |
| Hikari Yamada | |
|
Shizuoka, Japan |
Pre-College: One of the best midfielders from Japan, decided to come to the United States to further her educational background and play soccer … Has spent time in the Japanese National Team youth team player pool, as well as the full team Japanese Team player pool.
Ian Carry on Yamada: “A player with World Cup experience for the Japanese National Team, Hikari adds another dimension to our midfield. An intelligent player with bags of technical ability, her tactical awareness allows her to see the field, link with her front line and create chances in front of goal.” |
| Allie Zerr | |
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|
Aurora, Colorado |
Pre-College: Played her club soccer for Real Colorado under the direction of coach Lorne Donaldson … She led her team to national runner-up finishes two times … The freshman and sophomore seasons of her time at Grandview HS, she was state champion – and then lost in the semifinals her junior year … She was First Team All-League in her senior year and was also on the All-Academic Team and honor roll all four years.
Ian Carry on Zerr: “Allie is a player we recruited due to her calmness and maturity on the ball as a centerback. To have someone who demonstrates high leadership skills at such a young age is a huge benefit to our locker room and we believe she will be a very successful player here at the University of Kentucky.” |
