JMU women’s soccer program solidifies 2024 recruiting class with U.S. and global talent

HARRISONBURG, Va. – For the third consecutive season, James Madison University women’s soccer will be joined this fall by a ranked recruiting class, head coach Joshua Walters, Sr. announced.

TopDrawerSoccer currently has the incoming class ranked as the 40th best in the country.

“This is a powerhouse class and I am very excited to see them in our environment,” said Walters. “They provide competition to every position and line on the field. Also, a great depth of experience from all over the world. We want players from different backgrounds because they all bring their own experience to the group which strengthens our team with this diversity. We have some impactful players to replace from last season and this class’ talent is up for the challenge!”

Avery Bracher
Hometown: Oakton, Va.
Position: F/CM
High School/Club Team: Oakton/VA Union 06

Coach Walters’ thoughts: Avery is a smooth attacking player that plays a great final pass. She wants to be on the ball whether that is in the midfield or on the front line. Her vision is different than others as she can see the game and passes that others don’t see. The type of player that you simple keep your movement going because she can find you.

Abby Davis
Hometown: Washingtonville, N.Y.
Position: CM
High School/Club Team: Washingtonville/NY Fury

Coach Walters’ thoughts: A dynamo midfielder that can play in all three midfield positions. She has a huge engine and covers every blade of grass on the field. Her start will be delayed as she suffered a season-ending injury this summer.

Ella Holmberg
Hometown: Umeaa, Sweden
Position: GK
High School/Club Team: Maja Beskowgymnasiet/Swedish Division I

Coach Walters’ thoughts: We have gone back to the Swedish well to look for another goalkeeper. Ella is a good shot stopper and loves to have the ball at her feet. Prerequisites for our style of play. She comes highly recommended and has experience in a few different types of teams. We are excited to continue with our Swedish pipeline.

Makenna Kirk
Hometown: Harrisburg, Pa.
Position: WB/CB/CM
High School/Club Team: Central Dauphin/Keystone FC

Coach Walters’ thoughts: Makenna comes from the Southwest Pa. area that has produced other JMU talents, Shea Collins and Jamie Swartz. And like those two, she possesses a different level of athleticism along with the ability to play multiple positions. We expect Makenna to play as a defender for us. She has that blend of calmness on the ball and aggressiveness off the ball to help us play our style.

Ginny Lackey
Hometown: Bolton, Manchester, England
Position: F
High School/Club Team: Rivington and Blackrod/Man City

Coach Walters’ thoughts: Ginny is an elite forward at her age in the world. She comes to us from Man City where she grew up in their youth teams progressing to their first team. She also has youth international experience with England. Her size at six feet, cultured left foot and technique finishing around the goal separate her as a top finisher.

Ashley McMahon
Hometown: New City, N.Y.
Position: F
High School/Club Team: Albertus Magnus/World Class

Coach Walters’ thoughts: A New York native that has plenty of caps with the Puerto Rico Women’s National Team. You can see the sophistication in her game having played at a full international level. She is a forward that uses her dribble to exploit space and create space. She can create for herself but still has an eye to thread the needle for others. This makes her difficult to handle for defenders.

Tali Rovner
Hometown: Santiago, Chile
Position: LB/CM
High School/Club Team: Instituto Hebreo/Chile U17 National Team

Coach Walters’ thoughts: Another national team player, Tali hails from Chile. She has loads of quality on the ball. I expect her experience at a high level to make her transition into our team easier. She has played in games at a U17 World Cup on the highest stage. She will allow us to consider a few different options in buildup play and overloads in the attacking half.

Maronne Suzuki
Hometown: Seattle, Wash.
Position: CM
High School/Previous School: Ingraham/San Diego

Coach Walters’ thoughts: The captain for the University of San Diego comes to us with one semester of soccer left. She was attracted to JMU for our use of positional play and TOVO principles. She grew up in youth soccer in Seattle Wash. but traveled to Spain and Japan to expand her soccer IQ and depth of experience. She will play in the midfield and help us create our attack from the build through the final third.

Avery White
Hometown: Fredericksburg, Va.
Position: F/CM
High School/Club Team: Massaponax/VDA

Coach Walters’ thoughts: Avery is an attacking player with a serious competitive streak. She loves to score goals and can play in a variety of positions. She is best in a free role between the lines causing havoc. Her club team was one of the best in the country and she often led them in goals and assists on the season. Every game we watched her she was dangerous.

Lili White
Hometown: Norfolk, Va.
Position: GK
High School/Club Team: Maury/Beach FC

Coach Walters’ thoughts: Lili makes her way to Harrisonburg from the beach. She has loads of personality and leadership which are characteristics needed to be a great goalkeeper. On top of that she is a good shot stopper and super competitive. She will make everyone around her better when she is in goal.

The nine incoming freshmen and one transfer will join a group of transfers that came to campus in the spring to round out the full recruiting class.

JMU will begin its season on the road with a match at Villanova on Thursday, Aug 15, as it looks to build off an NCAA appearance in 2023.