ELON, N.C. – Elon University women’s soccer announced eight student-athlete additions for the 2018 season during National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 7. The class includes players from six different states, which includes Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia.
The Phoenix welcomes Jasmine Bryant (Woodbridge, Va.), Makenzie DePriest-Kessler (La Plata, Md.), Sam Dominguez (Keller, Texas), Abby Fusca (Vienna, Va.), Lily Harkes (Fairfax, Va.), Grace Kiser (Richmond Hill, Ga.), Kate McKay (Scottsdale, Ariz.), and Jessica Wilhelm (Pittsburgh, Pa.) to its eight-member class. Read below for more details on each signee.
Jasmine Bryant | Woodbridge, Va. | C.D. Hylton High School | Midfielder/Defender | 5-9
Prep: Played soccer at C.D. High School under head coach Daniel Carroll • First Team All-Conference selection as a senior • Earned the Varsity Girls Soccer MVP award as a team captain • Was the second leading scorer in the conference during her senior season.
Club: Played for McLean ECNL under the direction of head coach Nadir Moumen • Helped her club to an undefeated season and a Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship in 2016 and 2017 as her team was ranked No. 1 in the state of Virginia.
Personal: Born on March 3, 2000 • The daughter of Gordon and Kiki Bryant • Her father Gordon played college basketball at Webber International University in Babson Park, Fla. • Is currently undecided on a major.
Makenzie DePriest-Kessler | La Plata, Md. | La Plata HS | Midfielder/Forward | 5-3
Prep: Played at La Plata High School under head coach Kevin Barry • Named the Charles County Girls Soccer Athlete of the Year as a senior in 2017-18 • Added to her 2017-18 senior season accolades earning an SMAC All-Conference First Team selection • Named the La Plata High School’s Most Outstanding Player as a senior • Earned Rookie of the Year honors as a freshman • Led her team a Potomac Division Championship • Vice President of her High School Senior Class • Academically earned Principals Honors and received Academic Letter three times • Member of Key Club, Student Government and National Honor Society.
Club: Played for McLean ECNL under the direction of head coach Nadir Moumen • Guided her team to a Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship in 2017.
Personal: Born on April 21, 2000 • The daughter of Kirk Kessler and Christine DePriest • Her twin brother Seth DePriest-Kessler will play soccer for High Point University starting in the fall of 2018 • She is intending to major in Pre-Law and/or Political Science at Elon.
Sam Dominguez | Keller, Texas | Keller High School | Midfielder/Defender | 5-8
Prep: Was a First Team All-District selection at Keller High School under head coach Billy Griffiths • Named Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2016 and was an All-State Tournament Team selection (2017) • Led her team to a 2017 6A Region I Championship • The team finished undefeated in the district to win the title 2017 • Keller High School finished as 6A State Semifinalists during her senior season • Named to the All-Academic Honor Roll in each of the last three years (2015-17).
Club: Played for F.C. Dallas ECNL under the direction of head coach Matt Grubb • Guided her squad to the ECNL Playoffs in 2016 and 2017.
Personal: Born on February 14, 2000 • The daughter of Phillip and Rhonda Dominguez • Her father Phillip played basketball at Husson University • Is intending on majoring in Biomedical Engineering.
Abby Fusca | Vienna, Va. | James Madison High School | Midfielder/Forward | 5-5
Prep: Was a four-year letterman and played defender at James Madison High School under head coach Devon Dowell • Was a two-time selection for First Team All-District, First Team All-Region, First Team All-State, and Second Team All-Met • Named the District Player of the Year as a junior • Guided her team to the 2017 Virginia 6A North Region Championship and the Virginia 6A State Tournament Semifinals • Was also a four-year letter winner in field hockey, earning First Team All-District, First Team All-Region, First Team All-State, and Second Team All-Met honors • Lettered for two years of Varsity Basketball • A member of National Honor Society and was a National English Honor Society officer.
Club: Played for VYS Phoenix under the direction of head coach Michel Vanderhart • Was a three-time Virginia State Cup Champion (2018, 2017, 2015) • Guided her team to the 2016 U-18 Disney Showcase Championship • Led her team to the NPL Finals in 2016 and 2017 • Was a 2016 U-18 Virginia State finalist in 2016.
Personal: Born on August 10, 2000 • The daughter of Albert Fusca and Betsy Boswell • Is intending on majoring in Elementary Education.
Lily Harkes | Fairfax, Va. | Bishop O’Connell High School | Midfielder | 5-7
Prep: Played at Bishop O’Connell High School under head coach Alberto Starace • Selected as the Most Outstanding Player twice (2015, 2017) • Team captain from 2016-18 • Named an Esmark All-American (2017) • An All-Conference Selection (2014-18) • Her team was a WCAC Finalist in 2015 • Member of National Honor Society • AP Scholar • Member of Science, History and Englsih National Honor Societies.
Club: Played for McLean ECNL under the direction of head coach Nadir Moumen • Guided her team to the ECNL National Playoffs • Her squad also finished as V23 PDL Finalists.
Personal: Born on March 12, 2000 • The daughter of John and Cindi Harkes • Father John Harkes played at Virginia (1985-88) before playing in the English Premier League from 1990-96 for Sheffield Wednesday, Derby County, West Ham United and Nottingham Forest • Also played for DC United, New England Revolution and Columbus Crew in the MLS from 1996-2003 • Mother, Cindi, also played at Virginia (1987-91), played in the W-League for the Maryland Pride and played internationally for the Sheffield Wednesday Ladies and Stanton Rangers • Uncle, Tim (soccer) Kunihiro, and aunt, Amy Kunihiro (lacrosse & field hockey), were both athletes at Virginia as well from 1989-93 • Brother Ian Harkes played collegiately at Wake Forest (2013-16) and won the MAC Hermann Trophy in 2017, given to the best college soccer player in the country • Ian Harkes currently plays professionally for D.C. United in the MLS • Sister Lauren Harkes currently plays soccer at Clemson • Is intending on majoring in English.
Grace Kiser | Richmond Hill, Ga. | Richmond Hill High School | Forward | 5-7
Prep: Played at Richmond Hill High School under the direction of Rusty Heintz and Steve Kollman • Was a First Team All-Region selection (2015-17) • Most Assists 2016-2017 • A two time member of the All-Greater Savannah First Team (2016-2017) • Earned Savannah Best of Preps honors in 2017 • Selected as a team captain in 2018 • Guided the team to the Elite 8 in State Playoffs (2015-17) • Helped the team to Region Championships from 2015-2017.
Club: Played for Jacksonville Armada FC under coaches Mike Walker and Daniel Villarreal • Named to the ODP Region III Pool (2012-15) • Earned a spot in the 2014 ODP National Camp • U16 ECNL Leading Goal Scorer (2015-16) • National Training Centers (2012-15) • TopDrawerSoccer.com ECNL Player to watch in June 2016 • Ranked #16 on TopDrawerSoccer.com regional rankings for Florida • Led her team to U16 SE Champs (2015-16).
Personal: Born on July 17, 2000 • The daughter of Sean and Lois Kiser • Is currently undecided on a major.
Kate McKay | Scottsdale, Ariz. | Desert Mountain High School | Defender | 5-10
Prep: Played defender at Desert Mountain High School under the direction of head coach Brad Keller • Named to the 2016 All-Region Team • Two-time Scholastic Player Award winner (2013, 2014) • Earned 2015 Arizona All-Academic Team honors • Led her team to tournament titles in 2013 and 2014 • Guided her squad to State Championship semifinals appearances (2014-16).
Club: Played for SC del Sol 99 DA under head coach Les Armstrong • Was the team captain for three seasons (2014-16).
Personal: Born on November 1, 1999 • The daughter of Lorne and Edwina McKay • Brother Sam McKay played golf for Regis University • Intending on majoring in Biology.
Jessica Wilhelm | Pittsburgh, Pa. | Mount Lebanon High School | Defender | 5-5
Prep: Was a two-year team captain (2016-17) and a four-year letter winner at Mount Lebanon High School under the direction of head coach Cara Senger • Was a two-time All-WPIAL selection and All-Section honoree (2016, 2017) • Named to the 2017 First Team for the Big 56 Conference.
Club: Played for Century under head coach Randi Rohm • Led her team to a Pennsylvania West State Cup title in 2017 and guided the team to a second-place finish in National League in 2017.
Personal: Born on March 12, 2000 • The daughter of Tony and Amy Wilhelm • Mother Amy was a swimmer at Ohio University • Is currently undecided on a major.