Kent State women’s soccer team welcoming eight-member recruiting class

KENT, Ohio – The Kent State soccer team will welcome eight incoming freshmen for the upcoming 2023 season as the Golden Flashes look to return to the top of the Mid-American Conference standings.

The new batch of recruits is made up of one forward, one midfielder, five defenders, and one goalkeeper. The Flashes return solid depth across the field, but the newcomers will strive to make an immediate impact and lead the Flashes back to a MAC Championship appearance.

“We are incredibly excited for this new class to join us,” head coach Rob Marinaro said. “This is a wonderful group of student-athletes that know how to be successful on and off the field, and we cannot wait to welcome them to campus.”

Emma Barnett • Forward • Sunbury, Ohio

Barnett played three seasons at Big Walnut High School, totaling 29 goals for the Eagles. A two-time Golden Boot recipient, Barnett was named the Ohio Capital Conference Player of the Year in 2022 and earned Ohio Capital Conference First Team and All-Ohio Second Team honors during her senior campaign. She played her club ball with Ohio Premier, scoring 26 goals in her four-year ECNL career. Barnett will look to bolster the Flashes’ offensive attack as the lone forward in the 2023 class while pursuing her degree in Nursing.

Allison Burkey • Defender/Midfielder • Lebanon, Ohio

Burkey led Mount Notre Dame High School to a state championship in 2022, earning MVP, First Team GGCL, and All-Southwest honors. Prior to her illustrious senior campaign, Burkey earned Second Team GGCL honors following both the 2020 and 2021 season. Splitting time between midfield and defense, Burkey totaled 10 goals and 13 assists in her career with the Cougars. She played her club soccer for Ohio Elite alongside fellow Flashes signee Savannah Holmes, qualifying for the ECNL National Playoffs in 2022. Burkey plans on studying Interior Design.

Savannah Holmes • Defender • Ross, Ohio

A four-year starter at Ross High School, Holmes was a two-time First Team SWOC All-Conference award winner. She anchored a defense in 2022 that set school records for the fewest number of goals allowed and most shutouts in a single season and was named the Defensive Player of the Year. A three-time SWOC Conference Champion, Holmes was named a 2022 Fall All-Star by the Cincinnati Inquirer. Holmes played her club soccer for and was named team captain of Ohio Elite Soccer Academy, winning the Ohio Valley Conference and qualifying for the ECNL National Playoffs in 2022 playing alongside Burkey. A four-time Academic All-Conference and Academic All-Southwest award recipient, Holmes will study Nursing and Healthcare System Management while at Kent State.

Cece Leffler • Defender • Carmel, Ind.

A product of Bishop Chatard High School, Leffler helped lead the Trojans to both a regional and city championship in 2022, earning ICGSA Second Team All-State honors along the way. She also earned All-Conference and All-City honors during her senior season after being voted team captain. Leffler was a vital piece of Indy Premier Soccer Club, earning a spot in the Girls Academy Playoffs in both 2021 and 2022 and winning the State Cup Championship in 2019 and 2020. Leffler plans to study Fashion Merchandising at Kent State.

Alanna Raimondo • Midfielder • Vaughan, Ontario

Raimondo brings both top-level club and international experience to Kent State and will look to bolster an experienced midfield. A three-year member of the Ontario Provincial Team, Raimondo won the gold medal at the 2022 Canada Summer Games with Team Ontario. The same year, she attended camps in both Mexico and Spain as part of the u17 Canadian National Team. She played four years of club soccer with NDC-Ontario, leading the club to a League 1 Ontario Premier Division Championship in 2022 with a team-high nine goals. She earned League 1 Women’s Premier Division Second Team All-Star recognition and a spot on the league’s Team of the Year.

Leah Shaffer • Goalkeeper • Pittsford, N.Y.

Shaffer posted a .899 save percentage in net during her career at Pittsford Mendon High School, earning First Team All-County honors and being named to the All-Tournament Team in both 2021 and 2022, earning Second Team All-State and Team MVP recognition in her senior season. Shaffer also played club for Rochester New York FC, showing her prowess inside the 18 on a consistent basis. A four-year High Honor Roll student in high school, Shaffer will major in Architecture.

Karsyn Teffner • Defender • Linden, Mich.

Teffner was elected captain of her Nationals Girls Academy club team, helping lead the back line of one of Michigan’s elite club programs. Her play earned her an invitation to the National GA Talent ID Camp. Teffner also excelled in the classroom at Linden High School, earning a spot on the school’s honor roll all four years. At Kent State, she plans to study Nursing.

Ava Todd • Defender • Castle Pines, Colo.

As a four-year letter winner at Rock Canyon High School, Todd was team captain of the Jaguars in her senior season and earned Highest Honors all four years. A vocal leader on the backline, Todd played centerback for Real Colorado for four years, serving as team captain for three seasons. Todd earned First Team All-Northwest Region honors in 2020 and 2021 and was named to the ODP Regional Team twice. Todd plans on majoring in Architecture and minoring in Business while on campus.