UK Athletics

Lipsitz Announces Ten 2016 Commitments for Women’s Soccer

LEXINGTON, Ky. - University of Kentucky head women's soccer coach Jon Lipsitz has announced his 2016 signing class, which consists of 10 new players who will be added to the roster. "This is by far the most athletic class that we have ever brought in, said Lipsitz. "That should help us in playing an exciting, attacking brand of soccer. We expect a huge impact from this class, and the fact that the class is being recognized nationally already isn't surprising considering what are expecting going forward."   Tate Barney

Tate Barney is a Plainfield, Ill. native currently finishing her senior season at Plainfield North High School. Barney played her club soccer under the direction of Trey Bradberry at Sockers F.C. The Sockers participated in the ECNL playoffs in 2013 and 2015. Barney participated in the ECNL PDP and was a member of the ODP state team. Barney's high school, Plainfield North, has been crowned conference champs the past seven years. Barney is a member of the National Honor Society and has maintained at least a 5.0 GPA while in high school, as well as leading P.E. for special-needs students. The daughter of Matt and Tricia Barney, Tate plans to major in biology. "Tate is a player that a very technical from the Sockers FC who is from the same club as Courtney Raetzman. Tate fell in love with Kentucky on her visit and has bled blue ever since. She is a very technical midfielder that is going to bring great things to the table." - Jon Lipsitz Marissa Bosco

Marissa Bosco from St. Charles, Mo., joins the Wildcats from the Eclipse Select under the direction of Rory Dames. With Eclipse Select who is also led by Chris King in addition to Dames - Bosco led the team to 4 MRL Division titles, 2 National League titles, a USYA National Championship in 2013, and ECNL National Championships in 2013 and 2014. Individually, Bosco was a member of U-15 GNT in 2013 and the WNT for U-18 and U-20 in 2015. Off the field, Bosco was a member of the A/B honor roll. The daughter of Michael and Kathy Bosco, Marissa plans to major in business. "Marissa's national and international soccer experience playing with the USWNT has prepared her to excel at this level. She comes from the tutelage of Rory Dames and the Chicago Red Stars and we have a great relationship with him and the club to work together in the development of players, and she is no exception." - Jon Lipsitz Gina Crosetti

Gina Crosetti joins the Wildcats from De Anza Force ECNL soccer club in Oakland Calif., after a wildly successful stint with the Force. With the Force, she was part of a 2014 American Championship team, as well as the 2015 National Championship qualifying round. Crosetti was First Team All-League her sophomore and junior years with her high school, Miramonte HS. She was additionally named a captain in her senior season and was All Northern California Honorable Mention. Her sister, Marissa Crosetti played soccer for Santa Clara University at the collegiate level. She plans on majoring in marketing. "Gina is as quick, dynamic playmaker which is obviously very important to our attacking soccer. She is another of our recruits from the west coast, which is important to our success to keep recruiting not only the best in our region, but the best players nationally." - Jon Lipsitz Danielle Hayden

Danielle Hayden from Indianapolis, In., played her club soccer for Mark Castro and Indiana Fire ECNL. Hayden's club team were crowned conference champions in 2014 and 2015. Individually, Hayden was a member of the varsity team for her high school, Pike High School, all four years. Named a leading scorer her junior year, Hayden received all-conference honors as a junior and senior, as well as all-state senior year. The daughter of Albert and Marlo Hayden, Danielle plans to major in chemistry or biology. "Danielle is an extremely quick and dynamic frontrunner for her club. We're excited to see her potential as an attacking wideback, which is something that we are known for here and take pride in developing." - Jon Lipsitz Jada Holmes

Jada Holmes comes to Lexington from McKinney, Texas, where she played club soccer for FC Dallas 98' ECNL under the direction of Matt Grubb. Holmes' club team reached the National playoffs (2012-2015), including a third place finish at the National Finals in 2013. In addition to her club team, Holmes is a member of the McKinney High School team. As a junior, Holmes led her team to a District 10-5A championship. Individually, Holmes was named first-team all-district and all-region in 2013, district defensive player of the year, first-team all-district and second-team all-area in 2015. Off the field, Holmes was awarded McKinney High School's academic excellence award from 2013-2015 as well as Rotary Student of the Month in September 2015. Holmes is also a member of the National Honors Society. The daughter of Amili and Candise Holmes, Jada plans to major in neuroscience. "Jada is a centerback from Dallas who Alex Carter was able to play with on the U-23's this summer. Jada has been able to generate great experience playing with older teams on her club, which will help her adjust to the faster speed of the college game and aid her in making an impact right away." - Jon Lipsitz Jordan Holt

Jordan Holt joins the Wildcats as a center back out of Granite Bay, Calif. Holt played on the varsity soccer team at Granite Bay High School her freshman and sophomore year. She was also named First Team All-League her sophomore year. While playing for the San Juan Soccer Club, where she was the team captain from U14 to U18, a five-year stretch of time. San Juan won the ECNL champions bracket in 2013 and advanced to the Surf Cup finals in 2013 and semi-finals in 2015. Holt also competed on the varsity track team, where she broke school records in the 4x100 and 4x400 meter races. She plans to major in marketing. "Jordan is another of our west coast players that we are lucky to have. Her size, athleticism, and passion for the game will help her be prepared early to help us with the back line to help us with our challenging schedule for this upcoming season." - Jon Lipsitz Foster Ignoffo

Foster Ignoffo from Geneva, Ill., will be a major part of the 2016 class as a forward. Ignoffo played her club soccer under the direction of Rory Dames at Eclipse Select. While with Eclipse Select, Ignoffo led the team to ECNL Nationals two consecutive years (2013, 14), as well as USYSA Nationals in 2013 and multiple State Cups throughout her career under Dames and Chris King. Individually, Ignoffo was named Best 11 at USYSA Nationals in 2013. Ignoffo also was a member of Geneva High School's track and field team where she received all-conference awards each year, including all-state sophomore year. Ignoffo holds the record for 400m at Geneva High School. The daughter of Michael and Renee Ignoffo, Foster plans to major in elementary education. "Foster is an extremely gifted goal scorer and we are excited to have her because she gives us something that we are missing up top with yet another dimension. With the development given by Rory Dames, we know that she will be able to come in and add firepower to our attack right away and give us a boost offensively." - Jon Lipsitz Evangeline Soucie

Evangeline Soucie joins the Wildcats as a goalkeeper out of Milford, N.J. She played high school soccer for Delaware Valley, where she was named to the Skyland Conference First Team, First Team All-County, First Team All-Area and First Team All-Group. Her club team, PDA O'Reilly, made it to the National Finals in 2013 and 14 and won three state championships in 2010, 11 and 12. She also made the U14, U15 and U18 National Team. Soucie competed in the Puma Women's showcase and ID2 Nike National Training camp in 2013 and 14. She plans to major in Kinesiology. "Evangeline is a nationally-established goalkeeper from the many youth national team camps that's she participated in. She will be in a battle for playing time immediately." - Jon Lipsitz Kalli Vogel

Kalli Vogel comes to Lexington from Marietta, Ga., where she played club soccer for Concorde Fire U18 ECNL under the direction of Gregg Blasingame. While with Concorde Fire, Vogel led her team to ECNL Champions League National Finals in 2014, as well as play-offs in 2014 and 2015. The Fire received the ECNL conference record in 2013 and 2014 and events record in 2012 and 2013. Individually, Vogel reached the Puma Women's Elite Showcase in 2014, Region III ODP International trips to Costa Rica in 2013 and England in 2014, and was named to the U14 US national pool and team camp in 2012. Vogel trained at the US Soccer training centers from 2012-2015. With Lassiter High School, Vogel led her team to region championships and state semi-finalists in 2015. Off the field, Vogel was named a dual enrollment honors student with Kennesaw State University in 2015 and 2016, as well as awarded the principal's award for AP language in 2014 and 2015 and scholar athlete award 2013-2015. Vogel comes from a soccer family, as both her mother and father played collegiate soccer. The daughter of Kathleen and Scott Vogel, Kalli has not decided on a major to study in the fall. "She is a great possession midfielder and a very technical player from Concord (GA) which is really known for its possession style. Grabbing a midfielder with her skills is huge for our ability to possess the ball." - Jon Lipsitz LaMaya Williams

LaMaya Williams from Gilbert, Az., played her club soccer for the Scottsdale Blackhawks 98 under the direction of Chris Brown. Under the Santan Legacy 97, Williams led her team to back-to-back state championships in 2014 and 2015, as well as National League in 2015. With Chandler High School, Williams was also a member of the track and field team, winning state championships in 2013 and 2014. Off the field, Williams was a member of the honor roll and National Honors Society. The daughter of Dereck and Pamela Williams, LaMaya plans to major in engineering or business. "It's very rare in the days of recruiting in women's soccer to have a late commitment that can impact your program so greatly. Her athleticism, toughness and nose for the goal is an incredible late grab thanks to our recruiting coordinator, Jason Goodson. We couldn't be more excited that she chose Kentucky." - Jon Lipsitz For the latest on the Kentucky women's soccer team, follow @UKWomensSoccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, as well as on the web at UKathletics.com.