Bucknell University Athletics
Women’s Soccer Signs Six to National Letters of Intent
2/16/2017 9:54:00 AM | Women's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Head coach Kelly Cook and the Patriot League champion Bucknell women's soccer team will be welcoming six new recruits this fall. The Bison are graduating six seniors, including starters Kelsey Witt, Jessica Ratner, Alexis Gannon and Cora Climo, but Cook feels that she has brought in capable replacements.
Joining the Bison in 2017 will be Alexandra Catanzarite (Fayetteville, N.Y./Jamesville-DeWitt), Chloe Christakos (Scottsdale, Ariz./Chaparral), Sarah Hazard (Flemington, N.J./Hunterdon Central), Brianna Kropinack (Swansboro, N.C./Swansboro), Jenna Marek (Orlando, Fla./The Master's Academy) and Tia Zajec (Westport, Conn./Staples).
"We are very excited to welcome the Bucknell Women's Soccer Class of 2021 to our Bison family,” said Cook, the two-time Patriot League Coach of the Year. “The six individuals are terrific student-athletes that will positively impact our soccer program as well as the greater Bucknell community. Each student-athlete has the potential to make an immediate impact next fall. The class possesses a great combination of skill, speed, athleticism, and tactical knowledge that will be very valuable to our program. We are looking forward to the group joining us on campus in August for the 2017 season!"
Here is a closer look at the 2017 incoming recruits:
Alexandra Catanzarite | Fayetteville, N.Y. | SDA | Midfield
High School: Set to graduate from Jamesville DeWitt high school this spring … National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) High School All- American … NSCAA New York State Player of the Year recipient … Central New York Player of the Year as a senior … three-time NSCAA All-Region honoree … three-time all-state selection … earned first team recognition as a senior … three-time All-CNY Team honoree … helped team reach the state finals in 2015 and 2016, earning MVP honors on both occasions … led team in scoring in each of her final three seasons … finished high school career with 85 goals and 47 assists, including 35 goals and 12 assists as a senior … placed club soccer for Syracuse Development Academy (SDA) … leading scorer for the SDA in 2016 … 2017 Disney Showcase Champion … helped U18 club team win the 2016 U.S. Youth Soccer Region 1 Championship … ODP Inter-Regional selection … selected to ODP International Team that played matches in Italy and Spain … guided club team to a ODP Regional Championship in 2014 … played in the 2014 ODP National Championship Final Four … also lettered in golf.
Personal: Alexandra Catanzarite … born May 18, 1999 … daughter of Fran and Cathy Catanzarite … sister of Gracie and Michael.
Chloe Christakos | Scottsdale, Ariz. | SC Del Sol | Defense
High School: Four-year varsity starter … team captain her senior season … two-time first team all-division and all-section honoree … earned Athlete of the Month and Academic Athlete of the Month accolades from the Arizona Republic … All-City Academic Team selection … regionally ranked by TopDrawerSoccer … SC Del Sol President's Cup Champion … participated in the PDP Southwest Region … academically, ranked third of 539 students at her high school … member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society.
Personal: Chloe Christakos … born March 2, 1998 in Gaithersburg, Md. … daughter of George and Dani Christakos … sister of Tommy and Paige.
Sarah Hazard | Flemington, N.J. | PDA | Midfield/Defense
High School: Will graduate from Hunterdon Regional High School this coming spring … four-year varsity starter … First Team All-Skyland Conference selection … first team all-area honoree … third team all-state honors as a senior … posted the team's highest grade-point average in her junior and senior seasons … played on the PDA club team.
Personal: Sarah Hazard … born December 1, 1998 … daughter of Gary and Paula Hazard … sister of Patrick and Daniel.
Brianna Kropinack | Swansboro, N.C. | Triangle United Soccer Association | Midfield
High School: Set to graduate from Swansboro High School … earned all- conference, all-region and all-state accolades … helped high school and club team reach the state finals … participated in the ODP Regional 3 pool … team captain … traveled to India in Dec. of 2015 in efforts of spreading women's rights … named a School Marshall, given to a student ranked in the top five percent of their class … received the County Youth in Action Award, given to someone for work with exceptional needs children … member of the Health Occupations Students of America and the Ainsley's Angels of America.
Personal: Brianna Kropinack … born February 4, 1999 … daughter of Kirk and Donna Kropinack … sister of Dustin.
Jenna Marek | Orlando, Fla. | Florida Kraze Krush | Forward
High School: Will be graduating from The Master's Academy this spring … four-time First Team All-District selection … three-time offensive player of the year … two-time all-district player of the year … two-time all-area third team honoree … holds the all-time records in goals (152) and points (374) … a Spectrum Sports News Network athlete of the week selection … played club soccer for the Florida Kraze Krush … helped team win the Jefferson Cup, Florida Premiere League and was crowned Disney Champions … made an appearance in the National Premier League Finals … also competed in track and was a two-time district champion in the 400-meter dash and the 4x4 relay … academically was a three-time Gold Scholar Recipient, given to a student with the top class grade-point average.
Personal: Jenna Marek … born May 13, 1999 … daughter of Joe and Paula Marek … sister of Joshua, who played men's soccer at Georgia Military College.
Tia Zajec | Westport, Conn. | Connecticut Football Club (CFC) & Beachside Soccer Club | Midfield
High School: Will graduate from Staples High School in the spring … four-year varsity starter … two-time All-Fairfield County Interscholastic Conference (FCIAC) First Team selection … earned the team's most valuable player award … helped team claim a share of the FCIAC title as a sophomore … played for the Connecticut Football and Beachside Soccer clubs … helped Beachside squad win the Massapequa Winter Showcase in 2015 … won the National Elite Women's Soccer Showcase (NEWSS) championship in 2014-15.
Personal: Tia Zajec … born July 31, 1999 … daughter of Rok and Kokoro Zajec … father, Rok, was a member of Colby's ski and men's soccer teams … sister of Kyle … brother, Kyle, plays soccer at Georgetown.
