Temple University Athletics
Photo by: Mitchell Leff
Fourteen Commit to Join Women’s Soccer Class of 2016
2.9.12 | Women's Soccer
PHILADELPHIA – Head coach Matt Gwilliam has announced his first recruiting class since taking over the reins of the women's soccer program at Temple University. During the National Signing period, Gwilliam and his staff have received 14 commitments, all of whom plan to compete for a spot on the team this fall to make up the class of 2016.
The Owls will welcome Rachel Barbella, Lauren Berry, Katie Burgess, Lexi Crocker, Brendi Ernst, Kaylee Harner, Kylie Hoang, Paula Jurewicz, Shauni Kerkhoff, Erin Lafferty, Paige Rachel, Sarah Scheidell, Shannon Senour and Jordyn Richman.
"We are excited to be welcoming this exceptional group of young women to Temple University and the Owl Soccer Program,” Gwilliam said. “Each player is special and dynamic in their own way and will fight to compete right from the time they enter campus. It's a group built on balance, depth, skill and exceptional character. They all come from top clubs, who have competed at the highest level in the US. We look forward to them integrating into our existing core of Owls and to help elevate the program in the Atlantic 10."
Rachel Barbella - Defender
Hometown: West Chester, Pa.
High School: Rustin
Club Team: Penn Fusion
Barbella arrives to Temple as a member of last fall's All-Ches-Mont first team and All-Southeastern Pennsylvania team. Aiding her team to a 13-3-2 season, Barbella played defense on the wings and in the middle. Her efforts helped Rustin claim the Ches-Mont division title. Barbella was the runner up MVP for her high school league.
Lauren Berry- Forward
Hometown: Dillsburg, Pa.
High School: Northern York County
Club: PA Classics
A member of the 2011 Mid-Penn Colonial Division Champions, Berry scored 21 goals and dished out nine assists during Northern York County's 13-2-1 campaign last season. In her club league, she was named to the PA State Select ODP team three times and was selected as the Youth Premier Soccer League's All-Conference Forward in 2009.
Katie Burgess-Defense/Midfield
Hometown: Huntington, W.V.
High School: Huntington
Club Team: WVSC Rowdies
Burgess is a dynamic player that will be looked to help lead the offense at Temple. During her fall season as a midfielder, she exploded for 28 goals to lead her team. Her efforts helped her be recognized as the MSAC Conference's Player of the year. Burgess, who makes her way from Huntington, W.V., played a major part in her team's success over the last two seasons, as it won the conference championship in back-to-backs seasons. Burgess was also elected to first team All-State and first team All-Conference. For the last seven years, Burgess has played her club soccer for the WVSC Rowdies. While playing at the club level, she had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica with Rhode Island ODP, where she was named MVP of one of the games.
Lexi Crocker - Midfielder
Hometown: Levittown, Pa.
High School: Council Rock North
Club: YMS
Crocker started all four years as a high school outside midfielder at Council Rock North. During her senior season, she was part of a team that went 17-4. The Levittown, Pa. native received SOL All-League Honorable Mention. Crocker's big moment came last fall when she broke a scoreless tie against Council Rock South, to help her team nab a win against their arch rival for the first time in five years. Crocker intends to major in Biology.
Brendi Ernst- Forward
Hometown: Etters, Pa.
High School: Red Land
Club Team: FC Pennsylvania Strikers
Ernst signs her letter of intent to play at Temple after pelting seven goals last season for Red Land High School. Playing for the FC Pennsylvania Strikers, she was a starting forward. While on the team, her team won four State Championships, one Region One Championship, which she was the second leading scorer in the whol tournament. Also as a member of the Strikers, her team won the US National League, the Disney Showcase tournament and Region One Premier League. Ernst also reached nationals with her club team, where they were semi-finalists. FC Penn is consistently ranked one of the top 5 teams in the country.
Kaylee Harner- Defender
Hometown: Washington Crossing, Pa.
High School: Red Land
Club Team: FC Delco
Harner has started every game since playing for Redford High School. Last spring, she was named first team All-Conference after tallied 17 points, including seven goals. With F.C. Delco, she was part of a team that was semifinalists for the EPYSA State Cup.
Kylie Hoang- Midfield
Hometown: West Hartford, Conn.
High School: Conard
Club Team: FSA Soccerplus
Hoang joins the Owls after being a part of a Conrad High School squad that qualified for Class LL State Tournament the last two seasons. As her team's captain this fall, she led the team in assists. At the conclusion of the season, she was a Senior Bowl Invitee, while being garnered with Class LL All-State and All-Conference-Central Connecticut. Hoang also showed her abilities to excel in the classroom, as she was named to the All-Conference Academic team.
Paula Jurewicz-Defense
Hometown: Holland, Pa.
High School: Council Rock Sout
Club: FC Bucks Xtreme
Jurewicz, a defender from Council Rock South, will don the Cherry and White after tallying nine goals and 13 assists last fall. Her offensive production helped her be named a first team All-Suburban One League selection. As a junior, she scored a game-winning goal in the district final, helping Council Rock South claim the district title. While playing for her club team, she served as the team captain for the last two years.
Shauni Kerkhoff - Goalkeeper
Hometown: Westerville, Ohio
High School: Olentangy Orange
Club Team: Blast F.C. of Columbus (2006-present)
Kerkhoff will join the Owls after having a very solid senior season in between the posts while playing for Olentangy Orange High School. Last fall, Kerkhoff recorded 10 shutouts, while totaling 54 saves and allowing 12 goals. The Westerville, Ohio native was garnered with several postseason accolades, as she was named to first team All-Conference and first team All-District. While starting all four years in net for her high school team, she played her club soccer for Blast F.C. of Columbus, where she built up a resume of several big wins. Over the course of her six years involved with Blast F.C., Kerkhoff guarded the net in 10 championship victories.
Erin Lafferty-Defense
Hometown: Willow Grove, Pa.
High School: Upper Dublin
Club Team: FC Bucks Xtreme
Lafferty comes to Temple after serving as the captain of her club squad F.C. Bucks Xtreme for the last four years. Helping Upper Dublin High School secure a 13-5-0 campaign last fall, the Willow Grove, Pa. resident was honored as the Times Herald Player of the Year. In each of her four years playing as a defender for Upper Dublin, she was named to the conference's firs team. As a freshman, Lafferty was selected to the ESPN Rise all-area soccer team and to the NSCAA regional All-Star team.
Paige Rachel- Midfield
Hometown: Manchester, N.H.
High School: Central High School
Club Team: Seacoast United
Rachel was a Division I All-State Honorable Mention this fall after completing her senior season for Central High School (N.H.). Over the course of her club soccer career, she's been a six-time New Hampshire ODP starting midfielder. During that time she has won six Region 1 Championships and three Super Y National Championships. Rachel, a former USL Super Y-League ODP National Select Player, has also won six New Hampshire State Cup Championships with Seacoast United.
Jordyn Richman - Midfielder
Hometown: Boca Raton, Fla.
High School: West Boca
Club Team: Team Boca
Richman is coming off her first season as a midfielder. Last fall, she totaled 27 points, including a team-high 19 assists, which helped her team become regional finalists and district champions for the third straight year. Richman has played most of her career as a defender. As a junior, she was named “Most Dependable Player”, for her contributions to a defensive unit that helped the team go undefeated. Richman has served as team captain for her club squad, Team Boca for the last eight years.
Sarah Scheidell- Forward
Hometown: Richboro, Pa.
High School: Council Rock North
Club Team: F.C. Bucks Prowlers
Joining her high school teammate Alexa Crocker, Scheidell showed her ability to lead an offensive attack while playing as a forward at Council Rock North and for club team F.C. Bucks Prowlers. The incoming freshman who makes her way from Richboro, Pa. has been listed as one of the Top 20 players to watch in Pennsylvania. Scheidell led her team with 15 goals and 12 assists. For her career, she tallied 43 goals and 44 assists. Over the course of her four years, she was recognized over and over, earning a spot on the Surburban One League's first team multiple times. Scheidell was an essential piece in Council Rock North's 20-4 campaign and bid at becoming Suburban One Champions. As a member of the F.C. Bucks Prowlers, she led her team to four consecutive State Cup finals.
Shannon Senour- Midfielder/Forward
Hometown: Chalfont, Pa.
High School: Central Bucks South
Club Team: Montgomery United
Senour comes to Temple as Central Bucks South's fifth all-time leader in assists. The midfielder/forward from Chalfont, Pa. won a lot of games with C.B. South, as they went 64-16-10 over the course of her four years on the team, including a 25-2 campaign her freshman year, which had team ranked No. 4 in the nation according to ESPN. With her club team, PA Rush, she won the Virginian Tournament and made the ODP regional pool.
The Owls will welcome Rachel Barbella, Lauren Berry, Katie Burgess, Lexi Crocker, Brendi Ernst, Kaylee Harner, Kylie Hoang, Paula Jurewicz, Shauni Kerkhoff, Erin Lafferty, Paige Rachel, Sarah Scheidell, Shannon Senour and Jordyn Richman.
"We are excited to be welcoming this exceptional group of young women to Temple University and the Owl Soccer Program,” Gwilliam said. “Each player is special and dynamic in their own way and will fight to compete right from the time they enter campus. It's a group built on balance, depth, skill and exceptional character. They all come from top clubs, who have competed at the highest level in the US. We look forward to them integrating into our existing core of Owls and to help elevate the program in the Atlantic 10."
Rachel Barbella - Defender
Hometown: West Chester, Pa.
High School: Rustin
Club Team: Penn Fusion
Barbella arrives to Temple as a member of last fall's All-Ches-Mont first team and All-Southeastern Pennsylvania team. Aiding her team to a 13-3-2 season, Barbella played defense on the wings and in the middle. Her efforts helped Rustin claim the Ches-Mont division title. Barbella was the runner up MVP for her high school league.
Lauren Berry- Forward
Hometown: Dillsburg, Pa.
High School: Northern York County
Club: PA Classics
A member of the 2011 Mid-Penn Colonial Division Champions, Berry scored 21 goals and dished out nine assists during Northern York County's 13-2-1 campaign last season. In her club league, she was named to the PA State Select ODP team three times and was selected as the Youth Premier Soccer League's All-Conference Forward in 2009.
Katie Burgess-Defense/Midfield
Hometown: Huntington, W.V.
High School: Huntington
Club Team: WVSC Rowdies
Burgess is a dynamic player that will be looked to help lead the offense at Temple. During her fall season as a midfielder, she exploded for 28 goals to lead her team. Her efforts helped her be recognized as the MSAC Conference's Player of the year. Burgess, who makes her way from Huntington, W.V., played a major part in her team's success over the last two seasons, as it won the conference championship in back-to-backs seasons. Burgess was also elected to first team All-State and first team All-Conference. For the last seven years, Burgess has played her club soccer for the WVSC Rowdies. While playing at the club level, she had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica with Rhode Island ODP, where she was named MVP of one of the games.
Lexi Crocker - Midfielder
Hometown: Levittown, Pa.
High School: Council Rock North
Club: YMS
Crocker started all four years as a high school outside midfielder at Council Rock North. During her senior season, she was part of a team that went 17-4. The Levittown, Pa. native received SOL All-League Honorable Mention. Crocker's big moment came last fall when she broke a scoreless tie against Council Rock South, to help her team nab a win against their arch rival for the first time in five years. Crocker intends to major in Biology.
Brendi Ernst- Forward
Hometown: Etters, Pa.
High School: Red Land
Club Team: FC Pennsylvania Strikers
Ernst signs her letter of intent to play at Temple after pelting seven goals last season for Red Land High School. Playing for the FC Pennsylvania Strikers, she was a starting forward. While on the team, her team won four State Championships, one Region One Championship, which she was the second leading scorer in the whol tournament. Also as a member of the Strikers, her team won the US National League, the Disney Showcase tournament and Region One Premier League. Ernst also reached nationals with her club team, where they were semi-finalists. FC Penn is consistently ranked one of the top 5 teams in the country.
Kaylee Harner- Defender
Hometown: Washington Crossing, Pa.
High School: Red Land
Club Team: FC Delco
Harner has started every game since playing for Redford High School. Last spring, she was named first team All-Conference after tallied 17 points, including seven goals. With F.C. Delco, she was part of a team that was semifinalists for the EPYSA State Cup.
Kylie Hoang- Midfield
Hometown: West Hartford, Conn.
High School: Conard
Club Team: FSA Soccerplus
Hoang joins the Owls after being a part of a Conrad High School squad that qualified for Class LL State Tournament the last two seasons. As her team's captain this fall, she led the team in assists. At the conclusion of the season, she was a Senior Bowl Invitee, while being garnered with Class LL All-State and All-Conference-Central Connecticut. Hoang also showed her abilities to excel in the classroom, as she was named to the All-Conference Academic team.
Paula Jurewicz-Defense
Hometown: Holland, Pa.
High School: Council Rock Sout
Club: FC Bucks Xtreme
Jurewicz, a defender from Council Rock South, will don the Cherry and White after tallying nine goals and 13 assists last fall. Her offensive production helped her be named a first team All-Suburban One League selection. As a junior, she scored a game-winning goal in the district final, helping Council Rock South claim the district title. While playing for her club team, she served as the team captain for the last two years.
Shauni Kerkhoff - Goalkeeper
Hometown: Westerville, Ohio
High School: Olentangy Orange
Club Team: Blast F.C. of Columbus (2006-present)
Kerkhoff will join the Owls after having a very solid senior season in between the posts while playing for Olentangy Orange High School. Last fall, Kerkhoff recorded 10 shutouts, while totaling 54 saves and allowing 12 goals. The Westerville, Ohio native was garnered with several postseason accolades, as she was named to first team All-Conference and first team All-District. While starting all four years in net for her high school team, she played her club soccer for Blast F.C. of Columbus, where she built up a resume of several big wins. Over the course of her six years involved with Blast F.C., Kerkhoff guarded the net in 10 championship victories.
Erin Lafferty-Defense
Hometown: Willow Grove, Pa.
High School: Upper Dublin
Club Team: FC Bucks Xtreme
Lafferty comes to Temple after serving as the captain of her club squad F.C. Bucks Xtreme for the last four years. Helping Upper Dublin High School secure a 13-5-0 campaign last fall, the Willow Grove, Pa. resident was honored as the Times Herald Player of the Year. In each of her four years playing as a defender for Upper Dublin, she was named to the conference's firs team. As a freshman, Lafferty was selected to the ESPN Rise all-area soccer team and to the NSCAA regional All-Star team.
Paige Rachel- Midfield
Hometown: Manchester, N.H.
High School: Central High School
Club Team: Seacoast United
Rachel was a Division I All-State Honorable Mention this fall after completing her senior season for Central High School (N.H.). Over the course of her club soccer career, she's been a six-time New Hampshire ODP starting midfielder. During that time she has won six Region 1 Championships and three Super Y National Championships. Rachel, a former USL Super Y-League ODP National Select Player, has also won six New Hampshire State Cup Championships with Seacoast United.
Jordyn Richman - Midfielder
Hometown: Boca Raton, Fla.
High School: West Boca
Club Team: Team Boca
Richman is coming off her first season as a midfielder. Last fall, she totaled 27 points, including a team-high 19 assists, which helped her team become regional finalists and district champions for the third straight year. Richman has played most of her career as a defender. As a junior, she was named “Most Dependable Player”, for her contributions to a defensive unit that helped the team go undefeated. Richman has served as team captain for her club squad, Team Boca for the last eight years.
Sarah Scheidell- Forward
Hometown: Richboro, Pa.
High School: Council Rock North
Club Team: F.C. Bucks Prowlers
Joining her high school teammate Alexa Crocker, Scheidell showed her ability to lead an offensive attack while playing as a forward at Council Rock North and for club team F.C. Bucks Prowlers. The incoming freshman who makes her way from Richboro, Pa. has been listed as one of the Top 20 players to watch in Pennsylvania. Scheidell led her team with 15 goals and 12 assists. For her career, she tallied 43 goals and 44 assists. Over the course of her four years, she was recognized over and over, earning a spot on the Surburban One League's first team multiple times. Scheidell was an essential piece in Council Rock North's 20-4 campaign and bid at becoming Suburban One Champions. As a member of the F.C. Bucks Prowlers, she led her team to four consecutive State Cup finals.
Shannon Senour- Midfielder/Forward
Hometown: Chalfont, Pa.
High School: Central Bucks South
Club Team: Montgomery United
Senour comes to Temple as Central Bucks South's fifth all-time leader in assists. The midfielder/forward from Chalfont, Pa. won a lot of games with C.B. South, as they went 64-16-10 over the course of her four years on the team, including a 25-2 campaign her freshman year, which had team ranked No. 4 in the nation according to ESPN. With her club team, PA Rush, she won the Virginian Tournament and made the ODP regional pool.
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