JMU women’s soccer signing class highlighted by five in-state recruits
HARRISONBURG, Va. – Seven student-athletes will be a part of the James Madison University women’s soccer freshman class for the 2023 season, as announced by head coach Joshua Walters, Sr.
“I am excited to welcome this tremendous class to JMU,” said Walters. “They have proven themselves great student-athletes in high school and are ready for the challenge to come. Positionally this class offers depth to every line and is full of our type of hybrid players that can play multiple positions. In modern college soccer it is important to bring in players that have great cognitive ability, technical ability and character like these young women have. We cannot wait for them to begin their Duke Dog journey.”
The seven incoming freshmen will join three newcomers who joined the team for the spring.
The Dukes step back on the pitch on Thursday, Aug. 17 to open up the season against Charlotte at Sentara Park. All four All-Sun Belt Conference selections return for the Dukes in goalkeeper Alexandra Blom, defenders Brittany Munson and Soleil Flores and midfielder Lexi Vanderlinden.
See below for a look at each of the new Dukes:
Hometown: Beaverdam, Va.
High School/Club Team: Patrick Henry/Richmond United
Coach Walters’ thoughts: An absolute press breaker in the back with her clever dribbling and play making ability. Ella is a polished player that has a lot of upside and confidence in her game. She has been one of the best players in Virginia and is rated #112 nationally by Top Drawer Soccer.
Hometown: Midlothian, Va.
High School: Midlothian/Richmond United
Coach Walters’ thoughts: Unfortunately, Sophie tore her ACL and will redshirt this fall, but I expect a full recovery from her. In the future, you will see the intelligent wide back that plays it like a center mid in her ability to make the game with the ball.
Hometown: Central Valley, N.Y.
High School/Club Team: Monroe Woodbury/Force FC NL
Coach Walters’ thoughts: Frannie is a fast-attacking minded player that loves to be on the dribble attacking the back line. She can slot into the front line or the midfield line interchangeably because she has a versed tactical mind.
Hometown: Mount Sidney, Va.
High School/Club Team: Fort Defiance/Shenandoah Valley United, VBR Star and Skyline Elite
Coach Walters’ thoughts: Ellie comes from JMU royalty with her mom and dad as JMU legend Lacrosse and baseball players. However, I believe she is ready to blaze her own trail as a forward and goal scorer at JMU. She is extremely athletic and explosive which we plan to use in front of goal.
Hometown: Manassas, Va.
High School/Club Team: Charles J. Colgan Sr./Virginia Development Academy
Coach Walters’ thoughts: Mia reminds me of that energizer bunny commercial but on the field, she just never stops going. She works hard to be on the ball and link play in the midfield. She is a different kind of creative player with international experience for the El Salvador youth national teams. Mia is rated as the #16 prospect from the Mid-Atlantic region by Top Drawer Soccer.
Hometown: Greensburg, Pa.
High School/Club Team: Greater Latrobe/Pittsburgh Hotspurs
Coach Walters’ thoughts: Sofia exhibits all of the traits you want in a modern goalkeeper. Great with her feet, long frame to cover more of the goal, good organizer in the back and a person her teammates love to fight for. She a great fit in goal for our game model.
Hometown: Aldie, Va.
High School/Club Team: Independence/FC Virginia
Coach Walters’ thoughts: Jordan is a high IQ wideback or midfielder and loves to attack on the dribble or thread a pass. She is relentless in her drive to get forward and be part of the attack both with or without the ball. She has worked extremely hard to recover from an ACL injury and will be back to full strength this summer in preparation for preseason in August.
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