Princeton women’s soccer team reveals 7-player recruiting class

(Via Princeton University) – The back-to-back reigning Ivy League champion Princeton women’s soccer program has announced its Class of 2023.

Here’s head coach Sean Driscoll on the class:

“For the past three years, our staff has worked diligently to find student-athletes that we feel will best represent our university and program. I would like to thank former assistant coaches Kelly Boudreau and Jami Kranich for their help with securing this wonderful group of people. A special thanks goes to Mike Poller, who, since my arrival, has been a major asset in the identification and recruitment of every student-athlete we have brought to Princeton. We are excited to welcome seven student-athletes that we feel will enhance the program in a multitude of ways. First, they are ambitious learners and truly embrace the opportunity to immerse themselves around some of the brightest minds in the world. Second, they are tremendous people that will add to the culture of our team and, most importantly, the Princeton University community. Finally, each of them boasts a pedigree of tremendous quality from years of playing soccer with and against some of the finest players in the country. Our staff feels we have addressed our positional needs, as well as added character and drive to an already talented and determined group of current student-athletes. We are ecstatic to welcome Morgan, Madi, Marissa, Grace, Gracyn, Ella and Kamy to our Princeton Women’s Soccer family.”

Madison Curry

5’6″ Defender
Coto de Caza, California
High School: Santa Margarita Catholic
Club Team: LAFC Slammers ECNL
Club Coach: George Larsen

• ECNL National Champion in 2016
• US Soccer Development Academy Champion in 2018
• Selected MVP for US Soccer Development Academy National Championship Game
• Selected to US Youth Soccer Region 4 ODP Team in 2014, 2015, and 2016
• US Youth Soccer ODP National Champion in 2016
• Ranked #46 in TopDrawer Soccer Class of 2019 National Rankings
• California High School Interscholastic Federation Champion in 2016
• Selected to the Southern California High School All Star Team in 2019
• Selected High School Team Captain in 2019

Curry on Princeton:
“When I first started the process of finding a university, I wanted a school that would challenge me academically and I wanted a soccer program to push me to be better. I believe Princeton is that institution. I first met with Sean when I was a sophomore in high school and I knew pretty quickly that it is where I wanted to go to school. I feel very blessed that I have been given the opportunity to be part of an amazing University.”

Driscoll on Curry:
“Madi is a fierce competitor and one of the best defenders our staff has seen. She is both an exceptional covering defender and a ‘lights out’ individual defender. We have not witnessed many players at the youth level that can change the complexion of a game like her. She prides herself on shutting down the most prolific goal scorers in the country and you cannot help but admire a player that asks her club coach for that opportunity weekly. Beyond her defensive prowess, she also offers a fantastic skill set with the ball.  As a result, she is equally effective as a possession-minded center back or a wide back with great attacking ambition.”

Ella Gantman

5’10” Goalkeeper
Washington, DC
High School: Woodrow Wilson Sr. HS
Club Team: McLean YSA ECNL
Club Coach: Brent Leiba

• US Youth Soccer Virginia State and Region 1 ODP Player
• ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference Champion in 2016 and 2018
• ECNL National Championship Quarter-finalist in 2018
• Starting Goalkeeper for High School’s First Ever Undefeated Season in 2015 and First Ever DC State Championship

Gantman on Princeton:
“Ever since I first visited campus in seventh grade, Princeton has always been a place I have hoped to call home. While the world-class academics combined with the top Division I athletics was obviously attractive, for me, the most important part was the people. The coaching staff were both friendly and inviting and I knew they were the right people to push me to become the best player I could. Also, on my visit, I met some of the most driven and fascinating women in the country, and I knew I wanted to be part of that team. I know Princeton is the perfect place for me and it will give me keys to doors I don’t even know exist yet. Go Tigers!”

Driscoll on Gantman:
“Ella has made incredible strides over the two years we tracked her and jumped to the forefront due to her determination and desire to improve all aspects of her game. Her passion to be a Tiger was evident from day one. In addition to her commanding presence in the goal, she is an outstanding shot stopper and excellent dealing with crosses. Her fearlessness in traffic and in breakaway situations also impressed our staff. In addition, Ella’s awareness with distribution is tremendous, which allows for critical counter attacking opportunities for her teammates.”

Marissa Hart

5’8″ Midfielder
Charlotte, North Carolina
High School: Providence Day School
Club Team: Charlotte Soccer Academy
Club Coach: Philip Poole

• North Carolina High School All-State Selection in 2017 and 2018
• Selected High School Team Captain in 2018
• A 2018 MaxPreps High School Student-Athlete Honor Roll Selection
• Selected to participate in several ECNL, ID2, and US Soccer Training Centers
• Ranked #20 in TopDrawer Soccer Class of 2019 Southeast Regional Rankings

Hart on Princeton:
“During my visit at Princeton, I fell in love with the school. As I walked around the beautiful campus and spoke with the welcoming coaching staff, I knew it was the right fit for me. I loved the idea of being challenged at such a competitive school not only athletically, but also academically. The combination of being a highly-ranked women’s soccer program and the No. 1 school in the nation academically made it the perfect school. I’m so excited to attend Princeton, and I can’t wait to be a part of such a family-oriented program.”

Driscoll on Hart:
“Marissa is the quintessential box-to-box midfielder. She covers ground effortlessly and impacts every game as a result. In the attack, her combination of speed and control of the ball allows her to break down midfield and back lines off of the dribble. She also has a unique ability to make quality final passes that put her teammates in great positions to score. The combination of those traits makes her very difficult for defenses to shut down. Because of her consistent work rate and relentless nature, Marissa is equally impactful defensively and takes pride in limiting the effectiveness of opposing midfielders. We look forward to adding Marissa’s nonstop engine to our midfield.”

Kamryn Loustau

5’4″ Forward/Midfielder
Orange Park, Florida
High School: St. Johns Country Day School
Club Team: Florida Elite SA ECNL
Club Coach: Mike Pickett

• Florida State High School 1A State Champion in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019
• Florida State High School Region and District Champion 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019
• Selected High School Team Captain in 2018 and 2019
• Top 10 in school history having scored 100 goals in High School

Loustau on Princeton:
“I chose Princeton because as soon as I walked through the front gate I felt like I was home. From on the soccer field to inside the classroom, Princeton is a place where everyone is always striving for greatness, not only individually but also collectively. I loved that! As someone who thrives in an atmosphere of always striving to push limits, I was caught by this part of the university, hook, line, and sinker. Princeton is a place filled with students, faculty, and athletes who work harder than they even thought possible to achieve their goals (no pun intended). It’s a place I would be honored to join, and by the grace of God am blessed and extremely excited to attend.”

Driscoll on Loustau:
“Kamy has an unbelievable passion for the game and brings that same quality to everything she does. Her upbeat personality is infectious and her willingness to do whatever it takes for the betterment of the team inspired our staff. She is explosive and has great balance, which enables her to create space where none appears to exist. Kamy’s technical level is exceptional with both feet. She has the ability to play as a physical back to pressure target or as a dynamic winger. Her comfort running at players 1-v-1 or shooting with accuracy and power from distance are the same. In addition, she is an excellent passer of the ball and gets as much satisfaction recording assists as she does from scoring goals.”

Gracyn Kuerner

5’9″ Defender
Issaquah, Washington
High School: Eastside Catholic High School
Club Team: Crossfire Premier Development Academy
Club Coach: Justi Baumgardt

• Under 17 Costa Rican National Team Selection
• US Soccer Development Academy Conference Champion in 2018
• ECNL Mountain Division Champion in 2015 and 2017
• US Soccer National Training Center Participant
• Ranked #10 in TopDrawer Soccer Class of 2019 Pacific Northwest Regional Rankings
• Eastside Catholic High School Scholar Athlete Award

Kuerner on Princeton:
“I immediately knew I wanted to go to Princeton following my first visit on campus. The combination of athletic and academic excellence at Princeton was an important part of my decision as I knew I would be challenged in all aspects of school forcing me to grow as a person and athlete. The beautiful campus, fantastic coaching staff, and welcoming team all finalized my decision to choose Princeton.”

Driscoll on Kuerner:
“Gracyn is an outstanding athlete. We were blown away the first time we saw her play a couple of years ago. Her speed and power are unmissable, as is her enormous appetite to get forward into the attack. When identifying players for our system, we need student-athletes that understand the value we place in our backs getting into the final third. Gracyn does so naturally, consistently and impactfully. She is also a physical and tenacious individual defender and has a clear positional awareness of weak-side defending.  Her mindset and competitive fire will be a terrific addition to our back line.”

Grace Sherman

5’9″ Midfielder/Forward
Potomac, Maryland
High School: The Potomac School
Club Team: Bethesda SC ECNL
Club Coaches: Trey Livingston

• All ECNL Team Selection for the 2017-2018 Season
• ECNL PDP Mid-Atlantic Selection in 2016 and 2017
• US Soccer National Training Center Participant
• Ranked #121 in TopDrawer Soccer Class of 2019 National Rankings
• Maryland High School All-Independent School League Honoree in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018
• Maryland High School All-Met Selection in 2016, 2017, and 2018
• Selected High School Team Captain in 2018

Sherman on Princeton:
“Princeton is simply the culmination of everything I was looking for in a college. The mix of strong academics and the achievements of the women’s soccer team, along with the school’s spirit and culture attracted me to this prestigious university. The reputable Woodrow Wilson School of International and Public Affairs was also a key factor to my decision, as I am extremely interested in following the path of foreign affairs and law in the future. Although I only ever thought that going to Princeton was an unlikely dream, once it had the potential to become reality, there was absolutely no chance that I could ever pass up the amazing opportunity. I am so excited to spend the next four years of my life as a member of the diverse and distinct Princeton community.”

Driscoll on Sherman:
“Grace possesses the ability to change games. Her exceptional technique and creativity coupled with her awareness in the final third will be a wonderful complement to our other offensive-minded personalities. She boasts an outstanding work rate to go along with an array of attacking qualities. Grace can beat players 1-v-1, has accuracy shooting from distance, uses both feet effectively and is unpredictable near goal. Most importantly, she knows how to find the back of the net. Her work rate defensively is another trait we admire and know will bring her success during her career.”

Morgan Wiese

5’8″ Defender
Bethesda, Maryland
High School: Walt Whitman High School
Club Team: Bethesda SA ECNL
Club Coach: Trey Livingston

• Maryland High School All-State First Team in 2018
• Maryland High School All-Met 2nd Team 2018
• Selected High School Team Captain in 2017 and 2018
• ECNL PDP Mid-Atlantic Selection in 2017 and 2018
• Selected Club Team Captain in 2016, 2017 and 2018

Wiese on Princeton:
“I chose Princeton for its combination of a successful soccer program and an amazing education. As soon as I stepped on campus for the first time I fell in love with the school and knew it was where I wanted to go. Princeton truly offers the best academics in the country and it allows me to get the best possible education in the field I want to study. The soccer program has been so successful within the Ivy League and against non-Ivy opponents and I knew Princeton offered the perfect opportunity to join a competitive team that has the potential to continue growing and being successful. The coaching staff has always been so friendly and open with me and I felt like they really knew what they were doing and I respected the style of soccer they wanted to play. The amazing soccer program paired with a world class education made Princeton an easy choice for me when it came time to make a decision and I couldn’t be more excited to be a Tiger in the fall!”

Driscoll on Wiese:
“Morgan will be a great addition to our defensive group. The daughter of one of the finest coaches in the country [Georgetown men’s coach Brian Wiese], she has been exposed to high level soccer her entire life. She has clearly embraced that opportunity and developed a soccer IQ and awareness that is among the best we have seen. Her love of this sport is indisputable and inspiring. Morgan is an extremely smart center back that organizes her defense effectively and efficiently. What we value most is her ability to transition from her defensive responsibilities into quarterbacking the attack with her composure and exceptional range of passing.”