Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Soccer Signs Six to National Letters of Intent
2/12/2014 11:16:00 AM | Women's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. � Bucknell head women's soccer coach Ben Landis has announced that six student-athletes have signed the National Letter of Intent and will play for the Bison beginning in the fall of 2014. Next season's first-year class will bring talent at forward, midfield and back, and it includes the younger sister of a former Bison soccer star, the daughter of a World Cup champion, a set of speedy twins from New Hampshire, and promising student-athletes from New York and Illinois.
Joining the Bison in 2014 will be midfielder Carolyn Casey from Shenorock, N.Y.; back Karli Cirovski from Highland, Md.; twin sisters Jackie and Kendall Ham from Stratham, N.H.; back Meghan Holtz from Freehold, N.J.; and forward Maddie Mulford from Winnetka, Ill.
"We are very excited about this class,” said Landis. “We've been able to utilize our resources to bring additional great talent and character to our roster as we continue to attract the best and the brightest to proudly represent Bucknell University.�In addition to talent, which each of these student-athletes have, it is crucial that we also find people who will work hard to succeed within our scholar-athlete model, are curious in their academic and athletic pursuits, maintain the highest character, and are competitive people in all facets.�We believe that each individual within this class meets all of these characteristics and more.�Our year has already begun strongly, and now signing this class takes us to the next level as we are excited to move forward."
Bucknell will graduate five seniors from a team that finished 7-9-2 overall and 4-4-1 in the Patriot League last season. The Bison qualified for the Patriot League Tournament and fell in penalty kicks at Colgate in the quarterfinals.
Below is more on each of Bucknell's members of the Class of 2018.
Carolyn Casey
Midfielder
Shenorock, N.Y./Somers High School � �
ISA Sting 95/Quickstrike FC
Born Jan. 23, 1996 in Portchester, N.Y. ... daughter of Jim and Carol Casey ... one of five siblings, including a twin brother Craig ... other siblings are Lauren, Jimmy and Kelly ... played varsity soccer and basketball at Somers High School ... four-time all-league and three-time all-section selection in soccer ... part of teams that captured two sectional titles and a regional title and also advanced to a state final ... two-year team captain ... two-time Journal-News first team all-star ... starting center midfielder for ISA Sting club team, which won regional titles ... two-year state ODP participant. �
Ben Landis on Carolyn Casey: “Carolyn is a tough, blue-collar midfielder who loves to compete. �Her vision and technical abilities, in combination with her competitive nature, make her an ideal two-way midfielder for us. �We are probably deepest and most talented in our midfield and Carolyn will not shy away from those opportunities as she is very comfortable being a positive presence on the field.”
Karli Cirovski
Fullback � �
Highland, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel High School �
Maryland United FC ECNL
Born Aug. 11, 1996 in Washington, D.C. ... parents are Sasho and Shannon Cirovski ... has two sisters, Hailey and Ellie ... father has been the head men's soccer coach at Maryland since 1993 and has led the Terrapins to two national championships ... mother, Shannon (Higgins) Cirovski, was a two-time national player of the year at North Carolina and earned 51 caps for the U.S. National Team ... she was a part of the American World Cup championship team in 1991 and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2002 ... as a senior earned First Team All-State, First Team All-Met and Regional All-America honors ... nominated for Maryland Player of the Year ... four-time All-WCAC, including first team as a senior ... First Team All-Gazette ... also earned Second Team All-State recognition as a junior ... four-year starting defender ... led team in assists as a junior ... played club soccer for Maryland United FC ... team placed fourth at ECNL Nationals in 2013 and ninth in 2012 ... USYSA national runner-up in 2011 and third-place finisher in 2010.
Ben Landis on Karli Cirovski: “Karli is big and strong and a player who can play several positions, but we'll look at her mostly as a center back. Her ability to read the game and organize will be crucial as a center back within our zonal back system, as she is a very intelligent player with strong communication skills. She'll thrive on the competition she'll see each day, which will help push her development and our team as a whole.”
Jackie Ham
Fullback/Midfielder
Stratham, N.H./The Governor's Academy (Mass.)
Seacoast United
Born Dec. 3, 1995 in Portsmouth, N.H. ... parents are F. Giles and Lissa Ham ... has three siblings: Jake, Sydney and twin sister Kendall, who will be her teammate at Bucknell ... earned four letters each in soccer, basketball and track and field at The Governor's Academy in Byfield, Mass. ... in soccer was a three-time Independent School League all-star, including a first team honoree in 2012 and 2013 ... helped lead team to 2011 and 2012 New England Prep School championships and the 2012 ISL title ... captained the basketball team and was an Honorable Mention All-ISL pick in 2012 ... part of the school-record-setting 4x100-meter relay ... earned all-league honors in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and high jump ... played club soccer for Seacoast United ... won five New Hampshire state titles and captured the 2011 Super Y North American Championship ... named to 2011 Super Y All-Tournament Team.
Ben Landis on Jackie Ham: “Though Jackie and Kendall are identical twins with some similar traits, they have distinct personalities, and that is evident in their play too. Jackie's pace, athleticism and strength really allow her to play in the back, midfield or up top. She'll feel most comfortable and be at her best in space and on the flank where she can showcase her speed.”
Kendall Ham
Forward � �
Stratham, N.H./The Governor's Academy (Mass.)
Seacoast United
Born Dec. 3, 1995 in Portsmouth, N.H. ... parents are F. Giles and Lissa Ham ... has three siblings: Jake, Sydney and twin sister Jackie, who will be her teammate at Bucknell ... earned four letters each in soccer, basketball and track and field at The Governor's Academy in Byfield, Mass. ... in soccer scored 59 career goals, including 19 as a senior and 17 as a junior ... 2013 Independent School League MVP and team MVP ... also earned All-State and All-New England honors ... three-time Boston Globe All-Scholastic Team selection ... helped lead team to 2011 and 2012 New England Prep School championships and the 2012 ISL title ... captain of the basketball team in 2014 ... Honorable Mention All-New England in hoops in 2013 ... in track has broken school records in the 100-meter dash (12.45), 200-meter dash (25.60) and 4x100 relay (50.19) ... 2013 ISL Track MVP ... also a Boston Globe All-Scholastic pick in track in 2013 ... two-time All-New England and two-time team captain in track ... played club soccer for Seacoast United ... won five New Hampshire state titles and captured the 2011 Super Y North American Championship ... named to 2011 Super Y All-Tournament Team and won the Golden Boot Award.
Ben Landis on Kendall Ham: “Kendall is also fast, strong and athletic. Seeing her and Jackie focus on soccer after being three-sport athletes in high school is going to be a lot of fun. We'll look at Kendall as a forward who can run at defenders and showcase her pace and scoring abilities. She will be counted on to be a consistent scoring threat who can handle the big moments well.”
Meghan Holtz
Fullback � �
Freehold, N.J. /Freehold Regional High School � �
PDA Slammers ECNL
Born Dec. 30, 1995 in Red Bank, N.J. ... daughter of Jim and Kay Holtz ... has four siblings: Caitlin, Kelsey, Matthew and Emily ... Caitlin is a 2011 Bucknell graduate and was a three-time All-Patriot League selection for the Bison women's soccer squad ... Kelsey was an all-conference back at Bloomsburg in 2013 under former Bucknell assistant coach Stephanie Anderson ... four-year letterwinner at Freehold High School ... captained the team as a junior and senior ... Star-Ledger and MSG Second Team All-New Jersey selection ... First Team All-Shore, All-Monmouth County and All-District ... logged five goals and 18 assists as a senior ... played club soccer for PDA Slammers ... part of 2011 USYS and 2013 ECNL national championship teams.
Ben Landis on Meghan Holtz: “Meghan is a phenomenal addition to our class and team. �Her combination of technique, tactical understanding and competitive greatness will allow her to make an impact straight away. Meghan can play anywhere in the midfield or in the back line, but I think her abilities on the ball and incorporation of her teammates make her a great option at outside back.”
Maddie Mulford
Forward � �
Winnetka, Ill./New Trier High School���
FC United
Born Jan. 16, 1996 in Winnetka, Ill. ... parents are Ian and Kathy Mulford ... has one brother, David ... four-year varsity starter at New Trier High School ... broke school records with 42 goals, 15 assists and 57 points ... named a Top-50 Player in Illinois by the Chicago Sun-Times in 2013 ... 2013 All-State selection ... Sun-Times All-Area Team ... Pepsi Showdown First Team all-star in 2013 ... named to 22nd Century Media All-Area Team as a senior ... Central Suburban League all-star ... Pioneer Press NorthStars First Team selection in 2012 ... two-time team MVP ... member of Illinois ODP State Team ... won a State Cup championship with club side FC United ... team won Midwest Regional League title in 2013 and was a regional semifinalist in 2012.
Ben Landis on Maddie Mulford: “Maddie is a tough-nosed, hard-working forward who does some things really well that we love to see at the forward position. First and foremost, she scores goals with both feet, from multiple depths and angles, and in big moments. She is a solid target forward, she is active in her runs off the ball, and she defends relentlessly.”�
