HPU WSOC Signs Eight To 2019 Class

HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point University women’s soccer will welcome eight newcomers in the 2019 season, signing eight graduating high school seniors early this signing period.

“We are very excited about this incoming class.” said Head Coach Brandi Fontaine, “They will be a great addition to the program and have the potential to provide some key pieces to our future success. they bring lots of heart and talent and we are excited to see them put in the hard work and do amazing things here at High Point University”

Three of the Panthers’ eight commits have spent time playing for a United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA), while two others have competed for nationally ranked high school teams. This year’s signees come from as far west as California and as far north as Pennsylvania, as five states represent the High Point recruiting pipeline in this current class.

Freshmen made a large impact in all three sections of the field during Head Coach Brandi Fontaine’s first year at the Panther helm, with forward Skyler Prillaman earning HPU’s first Big South Freshman of the Year honor. Fontaine’s 2019 commits include five midfielders, a single defender, one forward and a goalkeeper, as the Panthers’ staff continues to add depth to an already high number of returning starters.

2019 Signing Class Overview

Kaitlyn Bouck | Midfield | Raleigh, N.C. (Wakefield HS)
• First-Team All-Conference, First-Team All-Region and First Team-All Metro her sophomore and junior seasons
• First-Team ‘TopDrawer Soccer’ All-State as a sophomore and Co-Player of the Year (NAC6 Conference) her junior season
• Helped lead Wakefield to the state quarterfinals in 2018, a team which ranked as high as No. 1 in the state in 2017

Mikelle Claussen | Midfield/Defense | Danville, Calif. (Lamorinda Soccer Club, USSDA)
• U.S. Soccer National Training Center monthly invitee from 2013-16
• Led her ECNL team to three championships from 2014-2016
• Played for Norcal Premier Player Development Program, earning a spot on state selection roster

Reaching all the way to the west coast for this one. Welcome to High Point @mikelleclaussen! #GoHPU #OnPoint pic.twitter.com/qRkaU3iXsG
— HPU Women’s Soccer (@HPUWSoccer1999) November 14, 2018

Sam Gerhart | Forward | Lebanon, Pa. (Cedar Crest HS; PA Classics, USSDA)
• Has scored 13 goals in three years playing at Cedar Crest
• Attended PA Classics USSDA during her junior year, where she played up an age group and tied for a team-high in goals (10)
• Was a Lancaster-Lebanon League All-Star and Lebanon County All-Star her senior year

The commits keep rolling in. Welcome to High Point Sam Gerhart! #GoHPU #OnPoint pic.twitter.com/T6rNzfpOjL
— HPU Women’s Soccer (@HPUWSoccer1999) November 14, 2018

Dani Peay | Midfield | Clarksville, Md. (McDonogh HS)
• Region 1 ODP, Maryland State ODP “A” team and U.S. Soccer Training Center participant
• ‘TopDrawer Soccer’ All American Watch List in fall of 2018, playing for a McDonogh side ranked third in the nation
• Niece to former U.S. Olympian and DC United defender Clint Peay

Connor Pratt | Defense | Oak Ridge, N.C. (Northwest Guilford HS)
• First-Team All-Conference and All-Region past two seasons at Northwest Guilford High School
• Named First-Team All-State and team MVP as a junior
• Won state championship 5 years in a row with Piedmont Triad Football Club team

Sofia Roberts | Goalkeeper | Ellicott City, Md. (Washington Spirit, USSDA)
• Starting goalkeeper for Washington Spirit USSDA, in lieu of high school soccer
• Varsity keeper and field player for Marriotts Ridge HS in her sophomore year
• Outstanding Student-Athlete Grade Achievement award recipient

Our first keeper of the signing period. Welcome to High Point Sofia Roberts! #GoHPU #OnPoint pic.twitter.com/R2rO0K5VjH
— HPU Women’s Soccer (@HPUWSoccer1999) November 30, 2018

Emma Schossler | Midfield | Hilliard, Ohio (Bishop Watterson HS)
• Scored 22 goals her senior season, on the way to earning First-Team All-Ohio honors
• Also collected First-Team All-Central Catholic League and First-Team All-Central District honors
• Led Bishop Watterson to the Ohio state semifinals, finishing with an 18-2-2 record overall

Rachel Senyk | Midfield | Newton, Pa. (Villa Joseph Marie HS)
• High School team was four-year Catholic Academies League Champions, PIAA District 1 Champions and PIAA State Finalists
• Captained a 2018 Villa Joseph Marie side that had won three straight PA East State Champions, and was ranked as high as eighth in the country by ‘GotSoccer’
• Eight goals and 25 assists over her high school career in all