Bucknell University Athletics
Women’s Soccer Adds Seven Newcomers to 2023 Squad
6/12/2023 2:18:00 PM | Women's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Coming off back-to-back Patriot League championships, the Bucknell women's soccer team will welcome seven first-year players this fall. Ninth-year head coach Kelly Cook has announced the signing of Riley Hayes, Ashley Kozlowski, Lily Moraller, Julia Palitti, Carleigh Robertson, Caitlyn Scott, and Dylan Zednik, a talented class that will help offset the loss of seven seniors from last year's title-winning squad.
From forward to goalkeeper, the incoming class covers every position, with several players bringing the versatility to slot into multiple spots on the field.
"I am very excited to welcome these seven individuals to our program," said Cook. "There is a strong mix of athleticism and technical ability, and that is going to be important for us going into the fall. Each of these newcomers understands the championship standards that have been established in our program, and I can't wait to see them compete for spots in August."
Below is a closer look at Bucknell's seven 2023 newcomers:
Riley Hayes Personal/High School: Born May 1, 2005 in Princeton, N.J. … parents are William and Meghan Hayes … has two younger brothers, William III and Jack … mother played soccer at Iona and father played football at Towson … 2023 graduate of The Hun School of Princeton … two-year captain of the Hun soccer team … 2021 Prep Player of the Year and 2022 All-State, All-County, and All-MAPL selection … helped lead team to a Prep A state championship in 2021 … scored 38 career goals … played club soccer for PDA along with future Bucknell teammate Caitlyn Scott … part of 2019 ECNL national championship squad and 2021 ECNL national finalist team … team was also an ICC Futures Tournament finalist in 2019 … club captured multiple North Atlantic Conference titles.
Kelly Cook on Riley Hayes: "Riley is a creative midfielder who is strong both offensively and defensively. She will bring imagination and good vision to our midfield unit."
Ashley Kozlowski Personal/High School: Born Sept. 13, 2005 in Huntington, N.Y. … daughter of John and Linda Kozlowski … has two older brothers, John and Michael … 2023 graduate of St. Anthony's High School in Melville, N.Y., where she captained the soccer team … First Team All-State and All-Long Island section as a senior … team's leading scorer and MVP in 2022 … selected to play in the 2022 All-American Game … named to Newsday Top 100 players list … two-time member of the All-Academic Team … helped St. Anthony's to three straight CHSAA Class AA titles and two straight New York state championships … team posted a 42-2-2 record from 2020-22 and was ranked as high as second in the nation in 2021 … played club soccer for SUSA ECNL on Long Island.
Kelly Cook on Ashley Kozlowski: "Ashley is a player who we believe can come in and make an impact right away in our forward group. She is big and strong and a very technical striker. She has shown the ability to find the back of the net throughout her high school and club career while playing for high-quality teams."
Lily Moraller Personal/High School: Born Feb. 7, 2005 in Long Branch, N.J. … parents are James and Kelly Moraller … attended Red Bank Regional High School, where she competed in soccer, lacrosse, and track and field … two-year captain of the soccer team, which became the first in school history to win a league title in 2022 … as a senior was named Third Team All-Monmouth County and Third Team All-Shore Conference … invited to Senior All-Star Game … in 2020 was named to All-Shore Sophomore Team and Second Team All-Division … named to Asbury Park Press Players to Watch list … Shore Conference B-North Player of the Week in 2021 … played club soccer for Match Fit Academy ECNL … 2022 ECNL New Jersey Top 50 Standouts watch list … played in 2022 Tennessee ECNL Selection game … Jefferson Cup U17 ECNL Standouts in 2022.
Kelly Cook on Lily Moraller: "Lily brings a great deal of pace to the defensive unit. She has the ability to play outside back or centrally, and she is a tenacious 1v1 defender."
Julia Palitti Personal/High School: Born Feb. 14, 2005 in Nyack, N.Y. … parents are Carl and Nicole Palitti … has two sisters, Sophia and Anna … four-year member of the soccer team at Tappan Zee High School in Orangeburg, N.Y … captained the team as a senior, when she was named to Elite 12 squad … four-time all-league and three-time all-section and team MVP … helped lead her team to the sectional semifinals in 2019 … played multiple positions in high school and scored 11 goals as a junior in an attacking role and eight as a senior playing on the back line … played club soccer for World Class FC … ECNL National Tournament No. 1 seed in 2021 and 2022 … team advanced to the ECNL national quarterfinals and was the top side in the ECNL Northeast Conference from 2019-22 … also spent the 2018-19 season with the NYCFC Development Academy.
Kelly Cook on Julia Palitti: "Julia can play anywhere in the back line and brings good size and great ability to strike a ball. She brings great speed and athleticism to our defensive unit."
Carleigh Robertson Personal/High School: Born May 24, 2005 in Summit, N.J. … daughter of John '83 and Meri-Beth '89 Robertson … has two older brothers, Jack '21 and Christopher … brother Jack and both parents are Bucknell graduates … competed in soccer and lacrosse at New Providence High School in New Jersey … captained the soccer team a senior and was named Pioneer Conference MVP … four-time All-Union County Mountain Division selection (First Team 2020-22; Third Team 2019) … 2020 and 2022 Union County All-Conference honoree … NJ.com Third Team All-State Group One … helped lead the 2021 squad to a 14-5-2 record and a conference title … posted 14 shutouts that season … in club soccer won Elite 8 ECNL national championship.
Kelly Cook on Carleigh Robertson: "Carleigh will be a strong addition to our goalkeeper position. She is an extremely hard worker who has a solid technical foundation and good hands."
Caitlyn Scott Personal/High School: Born Jan. 4, 2005 in Somerville, N.J. … daughter of Bill and Janet Scott … has two older brothers, Preston and Shawn … four-year member of the soccer team at Somerville High School … three-year team captain … was injured during her junior season but led the team in goals in the other three years and was a three-time First Team All-Skyland Conference selection … team went 15-5-1 in 2022 and won its fourth straight Skyland Conference title … recorded 47 goals and 16 assists in three seasons, including 18 goals and seen assists as a senior … played club soccer for PDA along with future Bucknell classmate Riley Hayes … part of 2019 ECNL national championship squad and 2021 ECNL national finalist team … team was also an ICC Futures Tournament finalist in 2019 … club captured multiple North Atlantic Conference titles.
Kelly Cook on Caitlyn Scott: "Caitlyn can play on the back line, centrally, or in the midfield. She brings a great work rate. She is a tenacious player who is also a great 1v1 defender."
Dylan Zednik Personal/High School: Born Sept. 8, 2005 in White Plains, N.Y. … parents are Ralph Zednik and Stefanie Bartell … has two older siblings, Bailey and Jacob … father played football at Rhode Island … brother Jacob throws the javelin for the Wisconsin track and field team … competed in soccer and basketball at Briarcliff High School … team captain in both sports … battled through ACL tears in both her junior and senior years … two-time all-section honoree as a goalkeeper in soccer … posted a 10-2 record with seven shutouts in 2020 and a 15-1-2 record with 15 shutouts and only one goal against in the regular season in 2021 … team was a sectional finalist in 2020 (championship game canceled due to COVID) and 2021 … team captured Mount Pleasant Cup and league championships in both 2021 and 2022 … played club soccer for New York Soccer Club G05 Academy, winning state titles in 2018 and 2019 … played with Connecticut FC G05 and won another state title in 2021.
Kelly Cook on Dylan Zednik: "Dylan is a very athletic goalkeeper who has a great presence in net with her communication and size. She is very confident with the ball at her feet and is going to be a nice addition to our goalkeeper unit."
From forward to goalkeeper, the incoming class covers every position, with several players bringing the versatility to slot into multiple spots on the field.
"I am very excited to welcome these seven individuals to our program," said Cook. "There is a strong mix of athleticism and technical ability, and that is going to be important for us going into the fall. Each of these newcomers understands the championship standards that have been established in our program, and I can't wait to see them compete for spots in August."
Below is a closer look at Bucknell's seven 2023 newcomers:
Riley Hayes Personal/High School: Born May 1, 2005 in Princeton, N.J. … parents are William and Meghan Hayes … has two younger brothers, William III and Jack … mother played soccer at Iona and father played football at Towson … 2023 graduate of The Hun School of Princeton … two-year captain of the Hun soccer team … 2021 Prep Player of the Year and 2022 All-State, All-County, and All-MAPL selection … helped lead team to a Prep A state championship in 2021 … scored 38 career goals … played club soccer for PDA along with future Bucknell teammate Caitlyn Scott … part of 2019 ECNL national championship squad and 2021 ECNL national finalist team … team was also an ICC Futures Tournament finalist in 2019 … club captured multiple North Atlantic Conference titles.
Kelly Cook on Riley Hayes: "Riley is a creative midfielder who is strong both offensively and defensively. She will bring imagination and good vision to our midfield unit."
Ashley Kozlowski Personal/High School: Born Sept. 13, 2005 in Huntington, N.Y. … daughter of John and Linda Kozlowski … has two older brothers, John and Michael … 2023 graduate of St. Anthony's High School in Melville, N.Y., where she captained the soccer team … First Team All-State and All-Long Island section as a senior … team's leading scorer and MVP in 2022 … selected to play in the 2022 All-American Game … named to Newsday Top 100 players list … two-time member of the All-Academic Team … helped St. Anthony's to three straight CHSAA Class AA titles and two straight New York state championships … team posted a 42-2-2 record from 2020-22 and was ranked as high as second in the nation in 2021 … played club soccer for SUSA ECNL on Long Island.
Kelly Cook on Ashley Kozlowski: "Ashley is a player who we believe can come in and make an impact right away in our forward group. She is big and strong and a very technical striker. She has shown the ability to find the back of the net throughout her high school and club career while playing for high-quality teams."
Lily Moraller Personal/High School: Born Feb. 7, 2005 in Long Branch, N.J. … parents are James and Kelly Moraller … attended Red Bank Regional High School, where she competed in soccer, lacrosse, and track and field … two-year captain of the soccer team, which became the first in school history to win a league title in 2022 … as a senior was named Third Team All-Monmouth County and Third Team All-Shore Conference … invited to Senior All-Star Game … in 2020 was named to All-Shore Sophomore Team and Second Team All-Division … named to Asbury Park Press Players to Watch list … Shore Conference B-North Player of the Week in 2021 … played club soccer for Match Fit Academy ECNL … 2022 ECNL New Jersey Top 50 Standouts watch list … played in 2022 Tennessee ECNL Selection game … Jefferson Cup U17 ECNL Standouts in 2022.
Kelly Cook on Lily Moraller: "Lily brings a great deal of pace to the defensive unit. She has the ability to play outside back or centrally, and she is a tenacious 1v1 defender."
Julia Palitti Personal/High School: Born Feb. 14, 2005 in Nyack, N.Y. … parents are Carl and Nicole Palitti … has two sisters, Sophia and Anna … four-year member of the soccer team at Tappan Zee High School in Orangeburg, N.Y … captained the team as a senior, when she was named to Elite 12 squad … four-time all-league and three-time all-section and team MVP … helped lead her team to the sectional semifinals in 2019 … played multiple positions in high school and scored 11 goals as a junior in an attacking role and eight as a senior playing on the back line … played club soccer for World Class FC … ECNL National Tournament No. 1 seed in 2021 and 2022 … team advanced to the ECNL national quarterfinals and was the top side in the ECNL Northeast Conference from 2019-22 … also spent the 2018-19 season with the NYCFC Development Academy.
Kelly Cook on Julia Palitti: "Julia can play anywhere in the back line and brings good size and great ability to strike a ball. She brings great speed and athleticism to our defensive unit."
Carleigh Robertson Personal/High School: Born May 24, 2005 in Summit, N.J. … daughter of John '83 and Meri-Beth '89 Robertson … has two older brothers, Jack '21 and Christopher … brother Jack and both parents are Bucknell graduates … competed in soccer and lacrosse at New Providence High School in New Jersey … captained the soccer team a senior and was named Pioneer Conference MVP … four-time All-Union County Mountain Division selection (First Team 2020-22; Third Team 2019) … 2020 and 2022 Union County All-Conference honoree … NJ.com Third Team All-State Group One … helped lead the 2021 squad to a 14-5-2 record and a conference title … posted 14 shutouts that season … in club soccer won Elite 8 ECNL national championship.
Kelly Cook on Carleigh Robertson: "Carleigh will be a strong addition to our goalkeeper position. She is an extremely hard worker who has a solid technical foundation and good hands."
Caitlyn Scott Personal/High School: Born Jan. 4, 2005 in Somerville, N.J. … daughter of Bill and Janet Scott … has two older brothers, Preston and Shawn … four-year member of the soccer team at Somerville High School … three-year team captain … was injured during her junior season but led the team in goals in the other three years and was a three-time First Team All-Skyland Conference selection … team went 15-5-1 in 2022 and won its fourth straight Skyland Conference title … recorded 47 goals and 16 assists in three seasons, including 18 goals and seen assists as a senior … played club soccer for PDA along with future Bucknell classmate Riley Hayes … part of 2019 ECNL national championship squad and 2021 ECNL national finalist team … team was also an ICC Futures Tournament finalist in 2019 … club captured multiple North Atlantic Conference titles.
Kelly Cook on Caitlyn Scott: "Caitlyn can play on the back line, centrally, or in the midfield. She brings a great work rate. She is a tenacious player who is also a great 1v1 defender."
Dylan Zednik Personal/High School: Born Sept. 8, 2005 in White Plains, N.Y. … parents are Ralph Zednik and Stefanie Bartell … has two older siblings, Bailey and Jacob … father played football at Rhode Island … brother Jacob throws the javelin for the Wisconsin track and field team … competed in soccer and basketball at Briarcliff High School … team captain in both sports … battled through ACL tears in both her junior and senior years … two-time all-section honoree as a goalkeeper in soccer … posted a 10-2 record with seven shutouts in 2020 and a 15-1-2 record with 15 shutouts and only one goal against in the regular season in 2021 … team was a sectional finalist in 2020 (championship game canceled due to COVID) and 2021 … team captured Mount Pleasant Cup and league championships in both 2021 and 2022 … played club soccer for New York Soccer Club G05 Academy, winning state titles in 2018 and 2019 … played with Connecticut FC G05 and won another state title in 2021.
Kelly Cook on Dylan Zednik: "Dylan is a very athletic goalkeeper who has a great presence in net with her communication and size. She is very confident with the ball at her feet and is going to be a nice addition to our goalkeeper unit."
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