Centre women’s soccer head coach Jay Hoffman today announced the Colonels’ 2017 recruiting class. The Centre women’s soccer class of 2021features 12 student-athletes from eight different states.
“I couldn’t be happier about this class,” Hoffman said. “When someone asked me how recruiting went, I told them, I thought we hit the Powerball. The players are talented, athletic, fast, and most importantly, awesome ladies to be around. They mirror the energy and passion this program is built on.”
The Colonels are coming off yet another successful season, capturing their fifth straight Southern Athletic Association (SAA) tournament title and their sixth consecutive NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Tournament appearance. Centre finished with a 19-1-3 overall ledger with a perfect 7-0-0 mark in SAA play. The Colonels have posted a 40-3-4 record over the past two seasons.
“This class will have an immediate impact on the future of Centre Soccer,” Hoffman said. “It would not surprise me that several of them find themselves in the starting lineup.”
Meet the future Colonels:
Rachael Boule | West Barnstable, Mass.
Rachael Boule (West Barnstable, Mass.) is the daughter of Michael and Laura Boule. Boule will graduate this spring from St. George Preparatory School in Middletown, Rhode Island. Boule is a four-year starter for St. George and was awarded the golden boot for leading her team in goals scored. She has played in major showcases across the country with both her ECNL team the Boston Breakers and her current club team the Bayside FC Bolts. This past fall she was a member of the St. George Honor Roll.
Rachael chose Centre because when she visited she felt the sense of a tight knit community and loved how friendly and helpful everyone was that she met. The campus is beautiful and its size seems to really allow everyone to get to know each other. Also, she loved the competitiveness of the women’s soccer program and that the sporting events seem to be a huge part of the social life on campus. She can’t wait to go to Centre and be a Colonel.
Maddie Covey | Lexington, Ky.
Maddie Covey from (Lexington, Ky.) is the daughter of Cary and Meredith Covey. Covey will graduate from Tates Creek with a chance of being the school’s valedictorian. During her career at Tates Creek, Covey has been named to the All-City and All-Region teams, in addition to garnering 1st Team Academic All-State honors for four years, and was a 2016 Wendy’s Heisman State Finalist. Her club team, Lexington Football Club has been finalists at the Disney Showcase as well as state runners up in Kentucky. Off the field, Covey has accumulated many honors, including being a member of the Governor’s Scholar Program, a junior class president as well as having outstanding honors in art, architecture, Spanish, science, and English.
On her first visit to Centre, she was continually impressed by the wide range of opportunities that set it apart from other schools. She believes Centre is the best place for her growth as an athlete, a scholar, and an individual- and she is thrilled for the endeavors ahead.
Kristin Dean | Liberty Township, Ohio
Kristin Dean (Liberty Township, Ohio) is the daughter of Jim and Teri Dean. Dean will graduate this spring from Mount Notre Dame High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. While attending Mount Notre Dame, Dean has been named on the National Honor Society, the Spanish Honor Society, is a member of Rho Kappa while also being named to the honor roll all semesters. This past season, she was named to the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association for Academic Excellence as well as being named to the Southwest All-Academic team. When she is not playing high school soccer, Dean has grown up as a part of the Cincinnati United Premier (CUP) Soccer Program and plays for the CUP Gold Team.
Kristin chose Centre because she firmly believes that it is the right choice for the development of both her academic career as well as her soccer capabilities. The challenging academic path laid out for her as a student at Centre will undoubtedly set her in the direction of success in her chosen career field. Additionally, she will get the chance to be part of the CWS family into which she already feels so welcome. She is very excited to see where the program will take her future teammates and herself.
Madeleine Espy | San Antonio, Texas
Madeleine Espy (San Antonio, Texas) is the daughter of Shannon and Benjamin Espy. Espy will graduate this spring from St. Mary’s Hall. While attending St. Mary’s, Madeleine has been named a two-time Most Valuable Player and has started every game since her freshmen year. She has also been a two-time SPC Conference Division Selection and has been named to the All-South Zone. Espy is a member of the Classics Elite Soccer Club. In 2016, her team finished in fifth place at the Premier League National Championships. The Classics Elite Soccer Club has also won the Texas State Premier League Championship in 2014, ‘15, and ‘16. Off the field, Madeleine is a member of the National Art Honor Society, has received the Silver Key Award for her artwork and is a member of many honor societies including Spanish and chemistry.
Madeleine Chose Centre because she wanted a small private liberal arts school far away from her familiar hometown of San Antonio, TX. She wanted a campus that had a comforting and welcoming feel with a lot of history behind it. She has always loved the rolling green hills of Kentucky and the old red brick that you see all over Centre’s Campus. She also fell in love with the team and all of its quirky uniqueness. Centre’s rigorous academic environment is something she values as well. Centre is a school that embodies all of what she has been searching for; student body size, the close-knit soccer team, demanding academics, and welcoming campus.
Averi Faulk | Crestwood, Ky.
Averi Faulk (Crestwood, Ky.) is the daughter of Denny and Andrea Faulk. Faulk attends South Oldham and will graduate this spring with honors. In high school, she was a varsity captain, a member of the 2016 Metro Louisville All Area Team, 2nd Team All-State and was named the Region Eight Player of the Year. Faulk’s high school team also won the state championship in 2014. During the spring, Faulk plays club soccer for the Derby City Rovers. In the classroom, she has been on the Honor Roll, a member of the National Beta Club and a member of the National Honor Society.
Averi chose Centre because of its uniqueness. At no other school could she find such a perfect fit for her: one that offers small class sizes, a great study abroad program, and a high level of student involvement, all on such a beautiful campus. She feels Centre allows her the opportunities to prosper both academically and athletically. She is very excited to see what the next 4 years has in store for her.
Gracie Fitzgerald | Georgetown, Ind.
Gracie Fitzgerald (Georgetown, Ind.) is the daughter of Mark and Beth Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald will graduate this spring from Floyd Central. Gracie is a three-time First Team All-Conference selection. She was also named the Most Valuable midfielder for her team and named to the 2016 Indiana Soccer Coaches Association High School Top Ten. Fitzgerald plays club soccer for the Javanon Soccer Club where she has helped the team win multiple state championships. Perhaps her most memorable soccer accomplishment came this past summer when she was named to the U.S. Deaf Women’s National Team. She had the chance to represent the country this past summer and won the World Cup. Because of her strong play during the tournament, she was awarded the Best 11 Award. Off the field, Fitzgerald has been named to the National Honor Society, received the Indiana Academic Honors Diploma, was a student council president and the 2016 Fall Homecoming Queen.
Gracie wanted to find a school that met all of her criteria. She wanted a school with a strong academic reputation, a school where she could be recognized for her individual strengths and the challenges that her hearing impairment creates, and a school with a competitive soccer program. Centre exceeded all of these! She also felt very welcomed by the coaches and believes that they will help her achieve her potential on the field while respecting her academic priorities.
Abby Hegarty | Farmington, Hills, Mich.
Abby Hegarty (Farmington Hills, Mich.) is the daughter of Mike and Sharon Hegarty. Hegarty will graduate this spring from North Farmington. She plays club soccer for the Michigan Jaguar Soccer Club. This past summer she attended the Region 2 Championships as her club team qualified for the National League. Hegarty also helped captain her club team this winter to the semifinals of the Disney Showcase Soccer Tournament. Off the field, Hegarty is an AP Scholar and a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Chapter. She is an Oakland Athletic Association Scholar Athlete and plays the viola in the orchestra.
Abby Chose Centre because of its history on and off the field as well as the feeling of community on campus.
Skylar Hargrove | Mayfield, Ky.
Skylar Hargrove from Mayfield, Ky. is the daughter of David and Tracy Hargrove. She will graduate this spring from Graves County. Hargrove has spent a lot of time in the car trying to play for the best club teams she can in the region. She has played for the Birmingham United ECNL Team, the Panathinaikos Soccer Schools, and currently plays on the Indiana Fire Soccer Club. She has captained her high school team and was named to All-Conference and All Region Teams. Hargrove has also been named the most valuable player both the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Off the field, Hargrove has been on the All “A” Honor Roll all four years and she is an AP Scholar. She has also been recognized as a Kentucky Governor Scholar, the Mayfield Graves County Chamber of Commerce Star Student and the Ronald Reagan Foundation Student Leader Award.
Skylar chose Centre because she was looking for two things when she chose a college-a great education and a great soccer program. Centre provides both. She will have the opportunity to prepare for medical school and get a chance to play in the NCAA’s.
Harper Lamb | Union, Ky.
Harper Lamb (Union, Ky.) is the daughter of Kevin and Laura Lamb. She will graduate this spring from Notre Dame Academy. In high school, Lamb earned All-Region honors as well as being named to the Academic All-State team. Her club team, Kings Hammer Red Academy has had many accolades including multiple regional and state cup championships as well as a national championship appearance. Off the field Lamb is a Paul Harris Fellow, a Navigo Scholar, the Girl Up Club President. In addition, she is an honor student as well as a member of the Student Working to Advance Technology Team Member. Finally, she is also a volunteer for the Special Olympics and a Reach and Teach student mentor.
Harper chose Centre because she would be pushed both academically and athletically. The opportunities that she would have as a student athlete would allow her to excel and achieve her goals. Centre is the perfect fit for her.
Elizabeth (Audrey) Nienaber | Fort Wright, Ky.
Elizabeth (Audrey) Nienaber from (Fort Wright, Ky.) is the daughter of Peter and Katherine Nienaber. Nienaber will graduate from Notre Dame Academy this spring. In high school, she was named the 2016 Defensive Most Valuable Player along with several other honors including being named to the Lady Knights Challenge Cup All-Tournament Team, the Centre College Most Outstanding Goalkeeper while also earning a spot on the All-Region Nine Team. She is the starting goalkeeper for the Kings Hammer Red Academy in Cincinnati, Ohio. Off the field Nienaber has been named to the All-State Academic Team as well as earning many honors at Notre Dame, including being named a Silver Medalist in the National Spanish Exam, a member of the Student Working to Advance Technology and a representative for the Collaborative Learning Committee.
Audrey chose Centre for the same reasons everyone else chooses Centre. They want a home away from home. They want to be challenged academically, and they want to be a part of a family. An opportunity to represent the school by playing on the soccer team is always a bonus!
Sarah Sirkin | Alexander, N.C.
Sarah Sirkin (Alexander, N.C.) is the daughter of Scott and Marcy Sirkin. She plays club soccer for the Highland Football Club and will graduate from Ashville this spring. Sirkin has been a member of the All-Mountain Conference Team, recognized as the Offensive Player of the Year and has been a member of the North Carolina All-Region Team. Off the field she is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, the Cougar Nation Spirit Club, as well as a community service club member. Sirkin’s older sister Hannah is a sophomore on the Centre women’s soccer team.
Sarah became familiar with this school through her numerous visits staying with her sister who plays soccer for Centre and watching many of her games. One of the first things she noticed about Centre was how welcoming and friendly the staff, the students, even the town people were. With each return to campus she began to feel more and more at home. The team appears to be an awesome group of girls, always laughing and having fun while working hard as a team. She can’t wait to be a part of the Centre Soccer family!
Clarity Voy | Knoxville, Tenn.
Clarity Voy (Knoxville, Tenn.) is the daughter of Richard and Brynn Voy. She will graduate this spring from Bearden with many accomplishments. Voy has been named to the All-Region team multiple times while receiving several team honors including Most Valuable Player, Best Defender, and Rookie of the Year. Her club team FC Alliance is a very competitive squad that regularly competes for the state cup championship. Off the field, Voy has excelled in the classroom. She is a member the National Honor Society, a National Merit Commended Scholar, while earning honors in many subjects including French, math and art. In fact, some of her artwork has been selected for exhibition in the East Tennessee Regional Art Exhibit and the Knoxville Museum of Art. Finally, her work has helped place her in the National Art Honor Society.
Clarity chose Centre because she wants to be challenged in the classroom and on the field. Centre blends strong academics with high-level soccer, with a coaching staff that makes it feel like family.
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by Liam P. Halferty
