Bucknell Women’s Soccer Adds Six in 2022 Recruiting Class

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell's Patriot League champion women's soccer team is set to add six newcomers next fall. Head coach Kelly Cook has announced that Henna Andican, Jess Benattar, Ally Flaherty, Sydney Hess, Reilly Traynor, and Meghan White have signed National Letters of Intent and will join the squad in 2022.

For the second year in a row, Bucknell's recruiting class will have some local flavor with the addition of Hess, a native of nearby Benton. She will join rising sophomore Paige Temple of Bloomsburg, who started every game this past fall and scored four goals. The remainder of the class features two players each from New York and New Jersey and one from Massachusetts.

Bucknell is looking to replace six seniors from the 2021 championship team, including co-captains Holly Burns and Claire Mensi, and Cook is excited about the collective energy of the incoming group.

"This is shaping up to be a real workhorse class," said Cook. "These six are all scrappy, hard-working athletes who are going to be great contributors to our team culture. Each of them seems to be willing to do what it takes to help the team win, and I can envision this class elevating our training by coming in and really pushing the veterans."

Here is a closer look at Bucknell's six 2022 newcomers:

Henna Andican Personal/High School: Born July 27, 2004 … daughter of Ozzie and Sonia Andican … has a brother, Emre, who plays lacrosse at Bowdoin … competes in soccer and lacrosse at Mountain Lakes High School … prolific goal-scorer who finished her high school soccer career with 91 goals and 46 assists, both school records … 2021 NJAC Conference Player of the Year and Morris County Player of the Year … named one of the top 20 players in the state of New Jersey … three-time First Team All-State, All-County and All-Conference selection … named to State Player of the Year watch list … 2021 team captain … was a top-five goal-scorer in the state in 2020 and 2021 … helped her team to the 2021 state championship as well as three sectional titles and two conference titles … team was ranked in the national top-25 for the first time ever.

Kelly Cook Says: "Henna is a dynamic forward with a knack for scoring goals. She brings incredible heart, energy, and tenacity. Her work rate and relentless pressure make her a huge problem for opposing teams."

Jess Benattar Personal/High School: Born Nov. 8, 2003 in Princeton, N.J. … daughter of Benjamin and Denise Benattar … has an older brother, Ryan, and a younger sister, Alyssa … attends Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, N.J. … member of the varsity soccer and volleyball teams … in soccer was named a New Jersey state tournament X-Factor … earned a Colonial Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week award … plays club soccer with FC Bucks ECNL … goalkeeper with FC Bucks and primarily a field player for her high school team … helped lead club side to Northeast Conference ECNL championship in 2021 … team represented the Northeast Conference in the ECNL Championships in Florida.

Kelly Cook Says: "Jess is a strong goalkeeper with good size and good shot-stopping ability. She has a vocal presence in the back, which you love to see from that position. She will be a nice addition to our goalkeeper unit."

Ally Flaherty Personal/High School: Born March 12, 2004 in Weymouth, Mass. … daughter of Kevin Flaherty and Maureen Crowley … has an older sister, Laurel … father played baseball at Babson … competes in soccer and indoor and outdoor track and field at Pembroke High School … team captain in all three sports … helped the soccer team reach the Patriot Cup finals in 2020 … team's leading goal-scorer as a sophomore (15) and junior (10) … 6-time Patriot League All-Star in track and field … part of the D3 Massachusetts state-champion 4x400-meter relay … plays club soccer for Seacoast United 04 GA.

Kelly Cook Says: "Ally is very athletic and capable of playing multiple positions. She can play on the outside in the back or play up top on the wing. Ally has a strong work ethic and loves to compete. She is a three-sport athlete in high school with some outstanding performances in track and will also be a member of the Bucknell track team."

Sydney Hess Personal/High School: Born May 9, 2004 in Bloomsburg, Pa. … daughter of Shane and Suzanne Hess … has two siblings, Eric and Brynn … Eric was a wrestler at Lehigh, and Brynn plays soccer at Holy Family … mother played field hockey at Misericordia … team captain and four-time All-Conference selection at Benton Area High School … is the first Benton girls soccer player to go on to Division I college soccer … team was 17-0 during her junior year … plays club soccer for MatchFit Academy … two-time First Team All-Conference selection … 2020-21 MatchFit Team of the Year selection.

Kelly Cook Says: "Sydney is a versatile midfielder who brings a great defensive presence. She is a ball-winner, both in the air and on the ground. She has great vision and is capable of being the engine in the midfield unit."

Reilly Traynor Personal/High School: Born June 12, 2004 in Rye, N.Y. … parents are Sean and Michelle Traynor … has three brothers: Sean, Michael and Kieran … father played soccer at Villanova, and older brothers Sean and Michael play at Tufts and Trinity, respectively … 4-year soccer letterwinner at Rye High School … First Team All-State selection as a senior … 4-time All-League and 3-time All-Section honoree … 2021 Westchester/Putnam Player of the Year … team finished the 2021 season on a 19-game winning streak and was Class A section champs … played center back but also had eight goals as a senior and seven as a junior … led team to two undefeated league titles and a Southern Westchester County Large School championship … plays club soccer for Connecticut Football Club.

Kelly Cook Says: "Reilly is a center back with very good defensive instincts. She has a great ability to read the game and win balls in the air and on the ground. She is also very good at starting the attack with her distribution."

Meghan White Personal/High School: Born Sept. 17, 2004 in West Islip, N.Y. … parents are Sean and Hiiaka White … has two older brothers, Tyler and Sean … Tyler plays baseball at Hofstra, and father Sean played football at Hofstra … three-sport athlete in soccer, basketball and lacrosse at St. John the Baptist … two-year captain in all three sports … in soccer was a three-time all-league pick and a two-time team MVP … also a two-time all-league selection in basketball and lacrosse … helped the basketball squad to the 2019 state finals and a league title … plays club soccer for SUSA and has been part of three league championship teams.

Kelly Cook Says: "Meghan is a terrific athlete with the ability to contribute on the back line or in the midfield. She is very fit and has the ability to get up and down the field for 90 minutes. She is equally strong defensively and with her attacking ability, which allows her to make an impact in whatever role she's needed."

Bucknell Women’s Soccer Adds Six in 2022 Recruiting Class

Players Mentioned

Holly Burns

Claire Mensi

Paige Temple

Related Videos