Florida head coach Samantha Bohon solidifies signing class, adding 8 new Gators

Pictured Above (from left): Paloma Peña, Lena Bailey, Amelia Malkin, Megan Hinnenkamp, Avery Upton, Sami Fisher, Elyse Campbell and Paris Bice.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – University of Florida Head Soccer Coach Samantha Bohon has announced her first signing class with the Gators.

The eight-member class includes signees from three who have success with their teams in Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), high school and with their national team.

“We are so thrilled to welcome this 2023 class,” Bohon said. “They all have very different stories and journeys of how they’ve ended up here at University of Florida.”

“But I think what you’ll find in each of them, they have a competitive spirit,” Bohon continued. “They’re really excited to help rebuild this program back to championship level. They’re excited about the top five public academic institution here. And then they’ve been able to see the value of our culture and what we’re trying to bring to Florida soccer. The whole student person player package is a pretty consistent thread between all of these young women and we’re just so thrilled to have them come join us. ”

Welcoming 8⃣ to ?⚽️ 2023 freshmen class!

More on newest ? – ? https://t.co/YYJjrUAcSy

Student – Person – Player#GoGators | ?⚽️ | #NSD23 | @sambagg pic.twitter.com/F74v6Md5Ny

— Gators Soccer (@GatorsSoccer) November 10, 2022

See below for a look at each member of the Gators’ signing class.

Florida Soccer Signees

Enrolling for 2023 season

Lena Bailey

IG: @lenabailey_

• Position: Forward
• High School: Tampa Catholic (Coaches: Marco Salazar & Jason Nicolette)
• Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
• Club Team: Tampa Bay United 05/04 ECNL (Coaches: Kareem Escayg, Melissa Grether, Denise Brown, Lindsay Brauer, Tricia Taliaferro & James Harris)

Club

• Participated in ODP 2018 and 2019
• ECNL team made it to the National Final Four in 2021

High School

• Scored 31 goals as a freshman, 10 as a sophomore and 23 as a junior
• In addition to playing soccer at Tampa Catholic for four season (captain as a senior), also competed in basketball (three seasons), volleyball & lacrosse (two seasons), flag football & track (one season).

Bailey Said:

“The University of Florida has always been my dream school, I knew that setting foot on campus would be a memory I would cherish forever. My ambition became a reality thanks to soccer. Since my initial visit to UF, I have felt at home there and have longed to return every waking hour.”

DYK:

Dream job is to play professional soccer

Paris Bice

IG: @paris.bice

• Position: Goalkeeper
• High School: Alachua eSchool
  • Also attended Fleming Island High School (2021-22) and Allen D. Nease High School (2019-21)
• Hometown: Gainesville, Fla.
• Club Team: Charlotte Soccer Academy 04/05 ECNL (Coaches: Brian Moore (head) and Ian Carry (GK))

Club

• 2022 ECNL National Playoffs with Charlotte Soccer Academy
• 2022-2023 Charlotte Soccer Academy ECNL
• 2019-2022 United Soccer Alliance DA
• 2018-2019 Jacksonville FC ECNL
• 2017-2018 Orlando City ECNL
• 2015 NC 3v3 State Champions, top 5 at World Championships

High School

• Fleming Island advanced to 2022 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) regional final
• Varsity letterwinner as a sophomore at Nease High School. Did not play high school soccer as a freshman due to  due to U.S. Soccer Development Academy conflict

Bice Said:

“I chose the University of Florida for several reasons which include the competitive atmosphere for both academics and athletics, the culture created by the coaches and their plan for the growing program. The coaching staff are people I am excited to work hard for each day and their vision for the program inspires me daily. I am beyond excited to officially become a Gator and see more of God’s plan unfold. Go Gators!”

DYK:

Older brother, Bodie, is a sophomore defender at Liberty University

Elyse Campbell

IG: elyse.campbell

• Position: Midfielder
• High School: Olympia High School (Coach: (different each year, listed 9^th-12^th) Ahmad Brown, Bryan Hantak, Brian Sherman, Ray Bornacelli)
• Hometown: Windermere, Fla.
• Club Team: Florida Krush ECNL (Coach: Hue Menzies)

Club

• ECNL National Playoffs 2022
• Rush Select 2018
• United Soccer Alliance DA U16
• US Soccer YNT IDs 2017, 2021
• ODP South Region Camp 2017, 2018, 2021

High School

• Sun All Area Second Team 2019-20
• Varsity Rookie of the Year 2019
• Played for Buchholz H.S. as a freshman and sophomore, then Olympia H.S. for final two seasons
• Buchholz advanced to 2020 FHSAA 6A Regional Quarterfinals

Campbell Said:

“I chose the University of Florida because of the family environment and the team made me feel at home. I am so excited to be a part of a program that values student, person and player.”

DYK:

Mother, Kerri Doran Campbell, was a starting midfielder on Florida’s 1998 NCAA Championship team.

Sami Fisher

IG: @samifisherrr  Twitter: @samifisherr  TikTok: @sami.fisherr

• Position: Forward/Midfield
• High School: Chaparral High School (Coach: Robin Carlson)
• Hometown: Scottsdale, Ariz.
• Club Team: Phoenix Rising ECNL (Coaches: Paul Taylor and Kelly Cagel)

Club

• 2017-2019 (U14-16) US Soccer Girls YNT Identification Center Phoenix
• Top Drawer/IMG Academy – Ranked 4 Star Recruit #140
• Nationally/ #13 Southwest-Rocky Mountain region
• 2021 ECNL National Selection Game (San Diego National Event)
• 2021/2021 ECNL U16 All-Southwest Conference team
• 2021 July Girls ECNL Playoffs Standout
• Best XI: ECNL Phoenix Showcase event-Nov 2020
• Leading goal scorer on Phoenix Rising (U17-19) ECNL team

High School

• 2020-21 6A Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) State Player of the Year
  • Gatorade Player of the Year finalist 2020-21
  • 2020 AIA 6A State champions; 2021 runner-up 
  • Junior year: 41 goals/21 assists

Fisher Said:

“I chose Florida because of the opportunity to have a world-class experience in athletics and in the classroom. I love the team, coaching staff and the whole program’s desire to build something special. Go Gators!”

DYK

Fourth of five children, with each older sibling playing collegiate soccer: Kylie Fisher (Northwestern ’21), Cameron Fisher (North Carolina ’23), Sophia Fisher (Notre Dame ’25) –fourth sibling is younger

Megan Hinnenkamp

IG: @meganhinnenkamp Twitter: @HinnenkampMegan  TikTok: @megan._riley

• Position: Defender (Outside Back)/ Forward
• High School: Liberty North High School (Coach: Steve Person)
• Hometown: Kearney, Mo.
• Club Team: KC Athletics U19 Girls ECNL (Coach: Vasil Ristov)

Club

• ECNL Midwest Conference First Team
• KC Athletics Academy Elite 05 ECNL won Midwest Conference and advanced to 2022 Champions League Playoffs
• 2021-22 GU17 Midwest Conference champions
  • Trained with Kansas City Current reserves in August 2022

High School

• 2021-22 Winter/Spring United Soccer Coaches Association All America selection
• 2022 Missouri Soccer Coaches Association Class 4A Co-Offensive Player of the Year and All-State first team
• 2022 Region 4 Player of the Year and Kansas City Metro First Team
• 2022 Greater KC Suburban Conference Gold Division Player of the Year
  • 2022 Liberty North Athlete of the Year selection by Courier-Tribune
  • North Liberty advanced to 2021 Missouri State High School 4A semifinal; rose to No. 6 in national rankings
  • Led North Liberty H.S. with 32 goals and 14 assists as a junior

Hinnenkamp Said:

“I am excited to be a Gator because the University of Florida strives for greatness through developing us as a student, person and player. The resources and facilities for both athletics and academics are amazing. I love the culture of the team and the support of the coaching staff. I can’t wait to be a part of it!”

DYK:

Older sister, Lauren, is a sophomore on Central Oklahoma’s soccer team.

Amelia Malkin

IG: @ameliamalkin Twitter: @AmeliaMalkin18  TikTok: @ameliamalkin

• Position: Forward
• High School: IMG Academy (Coach: Don Cameron & Sam Blackburn (21-22), Miguel Rodrigues (22-23))
  • Previously attended Riverview High School (2019-21 – Coach: Edgar Marquez)
• Hometown: Sarasota, Fla.
• Club Team: IMG Academy (Coach: Don Cameron & Sam Blackburn (21-22), Miguel Rodrigues (22-23))

Club

• Member of IMG U17 Elite
• 2022 Girls Academy League Southeast Talent ID Showcase invitee
• Led previous club team (Braden River Soccer Club 2019/20) with 37 goals and 82 total points

High School

• Played with Riverview High School varsity soccer team in 2019-20 and 2020-21
• Herald Tribune 2020-21 All-Area Team Selection (Manatee/Sarasota/Charlotte Counties) after 19 goals and eight assists
• 2020-21 Florida Athletic Coaches Association All-State team
• 2021 All-Star nominee
• 2020/21 Riverview H.S. Golden Boot award (Most goals and most points)
• 2019/2021 & 2020/2021 Riverview High School Scholar Athlete Award (Soccer)
• 2020/21 Girls Varsity Soccer Team had the Highest Woman’s Soccer Team GPA in FL (3.873)
• 2019/20 Riverview H.S. Freshman of the Year after leading team with 23 goals and 50 points
  • Also played lacrosse at Riverview H.S., earning team’s Scholar-Athlete Award as a freshman and sophomore

Malkin Said:

“My parents met at UF so I have been cheering for the Gators my entire life. Being in Gainesville is like being at home. I am excited to be a part of the program Coach Bohan is building and cannot wait to wear Orange and Blue!”

DYK:

Played quarterback for two HS Powderpuff games- both teams won and she was awarded MVP.

Paloma Peña

IG: @paloma.pena1 TikTok: @paloma_pena

• Position: Goalkeeper
• High School: Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy High School (Coach: Mike Sica)
• Hometown: Miramar, Fla.
• Club Team: Tampa Bay United ECNL (2022-current – Coach: Tricia Taliaferro)

Club

• Part of 2022 ECNL U16/17 New Jersey National Selection Games
• ODP State and Region Team 2018-2020
• 2021 Youth National Team (YNT) Regional ID camp attendee in Bradenton, Fla.
• Dominican Republic National Team, playing in 2022 CONCACAF U-20 & U-17 Championships; trained with DR Senior National Team

High School

• 2019-20 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) 5A State champions; 2020-21 FHSAA 5A runner-up
• Regional and District champions in 2019-20 and 2020-21
• McCarthy H.S. Rookie of the Year 2019-20 and 2020-21 Defensive MVP

Peña Said:

“Although I didn’t have a “dream school”, being welcomed into the Gator community was an environment I couldn’t get away from. I fell in love not only with the awesome facilities and Gainesville in general, but the people and atmosphere really made me feel at home. I cannot wait to start my new journey as a Gator and I’m ready to make history along the way.”

DYK:

Played in 10 matches for either Dominican Republic U17 or U20 teams in 2022.

Avery Upton

IG: @averyupton_ Twitter: @AveryUpton1

• Position: Defender (fullback, center back)
• High School: Creekside High School (Coach: Joe Soto)
• Hometown: St. Johns, Fla.
• Club Team: Florida Elite Soccer Academy ECNL (Coaches: Sean Bubb, John McClellan)

Club

• Florida Elite SA 05 qualified for ECNL Champions league national playoffs in 2021 & 2022
• Runner up in 2021 and 2022 ECNL Southeast standings

High School

• 2022 Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) 7A champion
• 2021 & 2022 St. Johns-Flagler-Volusia All-Area First Team
• 2021 & 2022 St. Johns All County First Team
• Nominee for 2022 FHSAA 7A Girls Soccer Player of the Year
• Creekside H.S. reach 2020 FHSAA 6A semifinals
• 2022 All News4Jax honorable mention
• Varsity letter winner throughout high school
• 2022 Team captain

Upton Said:

“I chose Florida because both academically and athletically, it has the best opportunities for me to succeed. I wanted a top academic education while being a part of a program with a rich history of success.”

DYK:

The 2022 7A FHSAA win was the first team ball state title for Creekside High School.