Marquette University women’s soccer unveils 7-player recruiting class

MILWAUKEE – Head coach Frank Pelaez has officially announced the addition of seven freshmen to the Marquette University women’s soccer team for the 2020 fall campaign.

Grace Allen, Caitlin Cunningham, Aeryn Kennedy, Alexa Maletis, Lauren Schill, Mae Sinclair and Elsi Twombly will all have four years of eligibility remaining when they arrive on campus.

“All seven incoming freshmen come from high-level club programs and are eager to begin their careers at Marquette,” Pelaez said. “We’re eager to strengthen our relationships with each as we get to know them and they get to know us.”

The class includes a pair of forwards, two midfielders, two defenders and one goalkeeper. There are three Wisconsinites while California, Missouri, New York and Virginia are also represented.

Schill and Sinclair both played together on North Shore United.

Keep up with the Marquette University women’s soccer program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteWSOC) and Instagram (@MarquetteWSOC) and ‘liking’ on Facebook (/MarquetteWSOC).

Grace Allen | 5-6 | MF/D | Pittsford, N.Y. | Pittsford Sutherland H.S. | WNY Flash

Prior to Marquette: Allen played four years of varsity soccer at Pittsford Sutherland High School as an eighth grader, freshman, junior and senior … Played development academy as a sophomore and did not play on high school team … Named a team captain as a senior in 2019 under head coach Adam Palumbo … Led the Knights to Monroe County Division 3 championships in 2016 and 2018 and earned player of the year honors in the division as a junior in 2018 … First team all-county as a freshman and junior … All-Greater Rochester Second Team as a freshman in 2016 … All-Greater Rochester First Team as a junior (2018) … Traveled to England in April 2017 with Region I ODP and to France to play at the Olympique Lyonais Academy in August 2017 … Traveled to Costa Rica in February 2018 with Region I ODP … Boca Raton Region I Team 2015/16 and ODP National Camp 2015/16 … Played club soccer under Eric Dade and Aaran Lines.

Personal: Allen was born in Pittsford, New York and is the middle child to Scott and Rhonda Allen … Has an older brother, Neil, and a younger sister, Ava … Brother played soccer at Geneseo … Both parents grew up in Wisconsin … Plans to major in criminal justice and will participate in the pre-law scholars program.

Why Marquette? “As soon as I stepped foot on campus I felt like I was part of the family. I loved the girls on the team and felt like I fit in really well with them. I also love the setting of the campus and the pre-law scholars program was very attractive to me since I want to pursue a law degree.”

Caitlin Cunningham | 5-6 | MF | Arlington, Va. | Washington-Liberty H.S. | BRYC Elite Academy ECNL

Prior to Marquette: Cunningham played two years of soccer at Washington-Liberty high school as a freshman and senior in 2017 and 2020, respectively … Earned Liberty District All-Conference honorable mention as a freshman … Played for head coach Richard Ptakowski with the Generals … Played club soccer for BRYC Elite Academy in the ECNL … Named to the U17 ECNL Mid-Atlantic All-Conference Team while playing under Michael Welsh and Tyler Mishalow … Earned four letters in cross country as a high school student-athlete.

Personal: Cunningham was born in Arlington, Virginia and is the oldest of three children to Kristen and John Cunningham … Has younger twin siblings, Emily and Mason … Mother played soccer at William & Mary … Plans to major in psychology.

Why Marquette? “I chose Marquette because of its welcoming environment. It was obvious to me that the team was like a family and was dedicated to competing at a high level. I know that Marquette will challenge me every day both academically and athletically and enable me to pursue my goals.”

Aeryn Kennedy | 5-8 | D/MF | Camdenton, Mo. | Camdenton H.S. | Sporting Springfield

Prior to Marquette: Kennedy played soccer for four years at Camdenton High School under head coach Chris Byington … Served as team captain her final three years in high school … Earned first team all-conference honors in each of her three full high school seasons – senior year was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic in spring of 2020 … First team all-region and second team all-state as both a sophomore and junior … Conference offensive player of the year as a sophomore … As a junior was district offensive player of the year, region co-offensive player of the year and conference all-star game MVP … Led the Lakers in goals as a freshman, sophomore and junior and paced the squad in assists as a sophomore and junior … Holds high school record with 41 goals scored as a freshman … Scored a total of 103 goals as a freshman, sophomore and junior … Played for Sporting Springfield, ODP Midwest Region team and ODP National soccer team .. Captured 2017 Missouri state championship, a Disney Showcase title and was a state finalist in 2019 playing for head coach Ryan Otten … Also was co-captain of the wrestling team as a senior in high school.

Personal: Kennedy was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma and is the youngest of three children to Chris and Sherrie Kennedy … Has two older sisters, Karissa and Cassie … Plans to major in mechanical engineering … Will be part of the U.S. Navy ROTC program at MU.

Why Marquette? “I chose Marquette because not only does it check all of my boxes, but when I stepped on campus it felt right. I loved everyone I met and talked to and I feel like it is somewhere I can challenge myself, grow and just learn in every aspect of my life.”

Alexa Maletis | 5-5 | F | Sunnyvale, Calif. | Homestead H.S. | Mountain View Los Altos SC

Prior to Marquette: Maletis played four years of soccer at Homestead High School and served as team co-captain as a senior under head coach John Luotto … First team all-league as a senior and second team all-league as a junior … Earned student-athlete award all four seasons … Team’s leading scorer as a senior … Played club soccer with Mountain View Los Altos Soccer Club for head coach Seth Alberico.

Personal: Maletis was born in Palo Alto, California … Daughter of Pete and Joelle Maletis … Has an older brother, Marco, and younger stepsiblings, Trent and Savannah … Plans to major in exercise physiology.

Why Marquette? “I love the community and he atmosphere on campus. Everyone I met are genuinely kind people. The school prides itself on being a family, and you can really tell that this is a family community, right when you walk onto campus.”

Lauren Schill | 5-9 | GK | Pewaukee, Wis. | Pewaukee H.S. | North Shore United

Prior to Marquette: Played one season of soccer at Pewaukee High School as a freshman in 2017 … Only played club soccer as a sophomore and junior, while intending to play in high school as a senior before the season was wiped out with the coronavirus pandemic … Played for North Shore United under Joe Hammes and Sinisa Angelovski … 2017, 2018 and 2019 USYS Wisconsin State Cup Champions … 2017 and 2018 USYS Midwest Regional League Champion … 2019 and 2020 USYS National League Champion … 2018 and 2019 USYS Midwest Regional Champions … 2018, 2019 and 2029 USYS National Tournament qualifier … North Shore United to third place at the USYS National Tournament … Club teammate of fellow signee Mae Sinclair … One of the most accomplished girls basketball players in Pewaukee High School history … Scored 1,382 career points (second all-time) and was a four-time all-conference selection (three times on the first team) … Two-time WBCA Division II and Associated Press All-State honorable mention on the basketball court after helping squad to regional championships as a junior and senior … Three-time basketball team captain … Selected to play on the WBCA Division II South Team … Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel All-Area Second Team.

Personal: Schill was born in Waukesha, Wisconsin and is the middle child of Dave and Jodie Schill … Older sister MacKenzie Schill enters her senior year on the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women’s soccer team in 2020 … Plans to major in health sciences.

Why Marquette? “I chose Marquette University because of the family‐friendly atmosphere of the team, soccer and training facilities at MU, and they are part of the competitive and powerful BIG EAST Conference. Plus, I really like the size and feel of the campus. Marquette’s academic strength in health sciences, close‐knit community, and networking attracted me from an academic standpoint. Being close to home, my family will be able to watch me play more often.”

Mae Sinclair | 5-7 | MF/F | Rubicon, Wis. | Arrowhead H.S. | North Shore United

Prior to Marquette: Sinclair was a member of the soccer team for four years in high school, three at Arrowhead High School and one at Canyon Del Oro High School in Arizona … Helped lead Arrowhead to conference and regional championships as a sophomore and junior under head coach Scott Asher, earning all-conference honors both years … Conference co-freshman of the year at Canyon Del Oro … Broke the single-season scoring record at Arrowhead with 40 goals as a junior … Also owns the Arrowhead record for most goals in a game (seven) and points in a career (in just two seasons) … Played club soccer with North Shore United and fellow 2020 MU signee Lauren Schill under Sinisa Angelovski … North Shore United is the first Wisconsin team to win both Midwest Regionals and National League in one year … Back-to-back Midwest Regional champion and National League champion … Also ran track and a freshman at Canyon Del Oro.

Personal: Sinclair was born in Tucson, Arizona … The youngest of nine children to Lynda and Lance Sinclair … Older brother, Tanner, played baseball at Phoenix College … Plans to major in education.

Why Marquette? “I felt like it was my home from the start. The facilities and the faculty are amazing. I can see my future when I look at Marquette and I know that’s where I need and want to be.”

Elsi Twombly | 5-10 | F/MF | Appleton, Wis. | Kimberly H.S. | SC Wave

Prior to Marquette: Twombly was a member of the Kimberly High School girls soccer team every year of her prep career … Senior season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic in the spring of 2020  … Three-time team captain helped the Papermakers to conference and regional championships in both 2018 and 2019 as a sophomore and junior … First team all-conference as freshman, sophomore and junior …Appleton Post-Crescent Girls Soccer Player of the year as a junior in 2019 … Earned first team all-state honors as a junior, second team all-state as a sophomore and was honorable mention all-state as a freshman … Ended high school career with 99 goals and 56 assists in three seasons of action … Played club soccer for SC Wave (Waukesha) Blue 01  and captured 2018 and 2018 state championships under head coach Marcio Leite.

Personal: Twombly was born in Appleton, Wisconsin and is the middle child of Todd and Stephanie Twombly … Has an older (Teagan) and younger (Kale) sibling … Undecided on a major.

Why Marquette? “I chose to attend Marquette University because it’s a good distance from home, it offers what I am looking for education wise, the facilities are amazing and offer many opportunities to get better, and because I have the opportunity to continue my athletic career.”