ELON, N.C. – Elon University head women’s soccer coach Chris Neal announced eight student-athlete additions for the 2017 season today, Feb. 1. The class includes players from six different states, which includes North Carolina, South Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington.
“First, I would like to thank John Pardini, Sammy Scofield, and all of our team members for their determined recruiting efforts in securing this talented group of players,” said Neal. “These newcomers will be joining a team that is full of positive energy, determination, and focus. Since joining the new league a few years ago, we have worked incredibly hard and our team has evolved tremendously. Our veteran players are aware of the investment and sacrifice that is needed to be CAA champions. Part of our positive evolution has been the recruitment of elite level players like the freshman class of 2017. This class will compliment our existing team in many ways. With discipline and hard work over the next six months, I expect all of them to immediately compete for playing time.”
Here’s information about each 2017 signee.
Meredith Christopher
5-9 • Forward • Fort Mill, S.C./Fort Mill/Charlotte Soccer Academy ECNL
Prep: Earned All-Region and All-Area selections in 2016 • Named team MVP in 2016 • Guided Fort Mill High School to regional soccer championships in 2014, 2015 and 2016 • Helped her squad finished runner-up in 4A Upperstate and a top-five High School Massy Ranking in 2016 •Fort Mill High School earned a No. 4 ranking in the Preseason 5A rankings in 2017.
Club: Plays for Charlotte Soccer Academy ECNL • Finished with 14 goals in all ECNL competitions • Led her team to the 2015 ECNL National Championships in Seattle • Was a member of South Carolina ODP from 2013-15.
Personal: Born September 24, 1998 • The daughter of Dee and Julie Christopher • Father Dee was a football player at Furman University • Intends on majoring in exercise science.
Avery Gardner
5-11 • Midfielder • Raleigh, N.C./Leesville Road/99 CASL Red Ladies
Prep: Was a team captain and an All-Conference CAP 8 selection from 2015-16 • Helped Leesville Road to 2015-16 CAP 8 Conference Championship and a 2015-16 quarterfinals finish • Was a two-time member of the All-Academic Team in 2016 and 2015.
Club: Plays for 99 CASL Red Ladies under head coach Tim Evans • Was a two-time recipient of the CASL Hamilton Sportsmanship Award in 2014 and 2013 • Participated in the ID2 Training Camp in Zarephath, N.J. in 2013 • Trained with her club at the U.S. Soccer Training Center in Greensboro, N.C.
Personal: Born September 18, 1999 • The daughter of Rick and Jen Gardner • Father Rick Gardner played football at Wake Forest and grandfather Richard Gardner was a football player at Georgia Tech • Intends on majoring in business.
Carson Jones
5-5 • Midfielder/Forward • Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day/Lake Norman 98 Eclipse
Prep: Was a three-time All-Conference selection in 2016, 2015, and 2014 • Also earned All-Region honors in 2016 and was a two-time All-State selection in 2016 and 2015 • Guided her Providence Day School to a 2015 NCISA 3A-Private State runner-up finish • Helped her team earn a NCISA 3A-Private State Championship in 2014.
Club: Plays for Lake Norman Soccer Club 98 Eclipse under head coach Chad Metzler • Helped her club reach the NCYSA State Cup Final Four in 2016, 2014 and 2013 • Led her team to NCYSA Premier League Championships in 2016, 2014 and 2012 • Guided Lake Norman Soccer Club 98 Eclipse to 2015 and 2013 Dana Cup Championships in Denmark.
Personal: Born July 10, 1999 • The daughter of Rowdy and Dana Jones • Is currently undecided on a major.
Kara Kimberl
5-4 • Midfielder • Ashburn, Va./ Broad Run/ Vienna Youth Soccer Thunder Black ’98
Prep: Was an All-Conference selection at Broad Run High School • Guided her team to a state championship in 2015 • Finished in the top-five percent of her graduating class • Recipient of Academic Letter, an AP Scholar and National Merit Scholarship Commendation.
Club: Plays for Vienna Youth Soccer Thunder Black ’98 under head coach Nadir Moumen •Guided her club to Virginia State Final Four in 2016 and 2015 • Led Thunder Black ’98 to a third place finish in Regional I Champions League • Her teams earned a semifinals finish at Jefferson Cup (2016), first place at Bethesda in 2014 and 2015 and second place in 2016 •Helped her teams earn top-three finishes at WAGS (2015-16), PDA (2015-16), Disney Showcase (2014-15) and CASL (2015).
Personal: Born April 16, 1999 • The daughter of John and Anna Kimberl • Intending to major in economics.
Olivia Kraebel
5-10 • Midfielder • Wyckoff, N.J./Ramapo/New Jersey Crush Charge
Prep: Was named a 2016 Regional All-American and was recognized by NJGSCA as a top-20 player in the state of New Jersey at Ramapo High School • Earned All-State selections in 2016, 2015 and 2014 • Was a four-time All-Bergen County Player and All-Conference selection from 2013-16 • Helped her team win a 2015 Group II State Championship • Guided Ramapo to a Group II state runner-up finish in 2014, a sectional championship in 2014 and 2015, and helped her squad earn Bergen County semifinalist finishes four times from 2013-16 • A member of the National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society and academic honor roll.
Club: Plays for New Jersey Crush Charge under head coach Lee Glover • Was an eight-year team captain for her team.
Personal: Born November 11, 1997 • The daughter of Jeff and Robin Kraebel • Her mother Robin played soccer at the University of Delaware • Is currently undecided on a major.
Caylin Meikrantz
5-7 • Midfielder/Forward • Allentown, Pa./ Salisbury/ Vincent United F.C. Crush
Prep: Was a four-year letter winner and a 2016 team captain • Named to the Morning Call All-Area team three times and was a two-time Colonial All-League selection • Earned Offensive MVP twice during her career • Holds the school assist record (50) and is sixth all-time in school history with 43 goals • Guided Salisbury to a 2016 District XI 2A and Colonial League runner-up finishes • Her team finished second in the Lehigh Valley final team rankings • Was a member of the National Honor Society from 2015-17 and the Distinguished Honor Roll from 2013-17.
Club: Plays for Vincent United F.C. Crush under head coach Craig Reed • Helped her team to a EPYSA State Cup runner-up finish in 2015.
Personal: Born January 5, 1999 • The daughter of Tom and Peggy Meikrantz • Intending to major in marketing.
Ashley Rumley
5-6 • Midfielder • Greensboro, N.C./Northern Guilford/99 PTFC Lady Black
Prep: Was a All-Conference and All-Region selection at Northern Guilford High School • A four-year letterman and an Academic All-Conference honoree • Led Northern Guilford to conference championships all four years • Member of the National Honors Society • Awarded bronze, silver, gold certificates and a bronze medal for the Congressional award.
Club: Plays for 99 PTFC Lady Black under head coach Brandi Fontaine • Helped guide her team to a North Carolina State Championship.
Personal: Born January 26, 1999 • The daughter of Duke and Diane Rumley • Intending to major in pre-dentistry or psychology.
Hailey Tucker
5-7 • Midfielder • Spokane, Wash./Central Valley/Spokane Sounders F.C./ Women’s Premier Soccer League ISC Gunnar’s
Prep: Led Central Valley High School to district and regional championships in 2014 and 2013 •Guided her team to 4A Washington State Championships in 2013 and 2014 • Her team were ranked 12th nationally in 2014 • Received the PACE Award and was a national honor scholar • DECA area, state and national qualifier • Earned a Central Valley High School Student-Athlete of the Month award.
Club: She plays for Spokane Sounders F.C. and ISC Gunnar’s WPSL • Led the Sounders to a second place finish in RCL Bracket and in State Cup • Guided the Sounders to Nike Crossfire Challenge and Pleasanton Cup championships • Helped ISC Gunnar’s WPSL to a 2015 Northwest Championship.
Personal: Born July 14, 1999 • The daughter of Todd and Christian Tucker • Intending to major in sport and event management.