Purdue Soccer signs 8 class of 2020 recruits to National Letters of Intent

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue women’s soccer head coach Drew Roff welcomed eight signees to the Boilermaker family: Kelsi Carrico, Callie Ingram, Nicole Kevdzija, Victoria Kevdzija, Hannah Martin, Emily Mathews, Hanna Reid and Samantha Wong.

The incoming class includes three ranked among the top 15 in the Great Lakes Region (No. 1 Mathews, No. 11 V. Kevdzjia and No. 15 N. Kevdzija). Additionally, the Boilermakers hail from seven states including California, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas Michigan, Ohio and Utah and cover the positions of forward, midfield and defense.

“Our 2020 class is a special group and I am very excited to officially welcome them to Purdue,” says Roff. “On the field they bring a great deal of soccer savvy, along with a competitive edge that stands out. Off the field, they are outstanding students that fit in very well with our strong team culture. Their club team environments have done a fantastic job of preparing them for the next step, and I look forward to helping them do big things in 2020 and beyond.”

Welcome to the ??????, @carricoKelsi!

? Defender
? Mishawaka, Ind.
? https://t.co/CJNEJfo3Zx

?⚽️ #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/S6rTVi43n2

— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 13, 2019

KELSI CARRICO
Position: Defender
Hometown: Mishawaka, Ind.
High School: Penn
Intended Major: Exploratory Studies
Club Team: Indiana Fire Juniors

During her senior campaign, Carrico was selected for to play in the Girls High School All-American game as a member of the West team roster (held Dec. 7 in Orland, Fla.). Additionally, Carrico was recognized by TopDrawerSoccer as one of Indiana’s a Fall State Stars following her junior season and was a member of the NIC All-Conference and All-District team for both her junior and senior seasons. The Indiana native helped her team to two State championship titles during her high school campaign, in addition to the 2017 National Champion status. In 2018, Carrico was awarded Indiana All-State Team and All-State All-America recognition.

Carrico on who inspires her to play: “I play the sport that I love for someone I love, my father. He never got to live out his dream of playing a collegiate sport so, I want to live that dream for him.”

Coach Roff on Carrico: “Kelsi is an outside back that uses her athleticism and tenacity to be an excellent 1v1 defender. She also has a great engine and takes pride in shutting people down. Her ability to win the ball and get forward in the attack from a wide position is a great fit for how we play.”

Welcome to the ??????, @callieingram_!

? Forward
? Kansas
? https://t.co/CJNEJfo3Zx

?⚽️ #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/QtcN6gTVrE

— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 13, 2019

CALLIE INGRAM
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Hometown: Overland Park, Kan.
High School: Saint Thomas Aquinas
Intended Major: Health Science Pre-Professional
Club Team: Sporting Blue Valley

Playing in the Development Academy for her final three years in high school, Ingram scored 13 goals last season to lead the team. Entering postseason as a junior, the Kansas native ranked seventh in the Development Academy with the most goals scored. Through her first three games of the 2019 season, Ingram has already notched two goals. A two-time Kansas State Cup Champion with her club team, Ingram more than doubled her goal scoring from her sophomore to junior season.

Ingram on her style of play: “Creativity in the final third is vital to get opportunities to score and it is one of my favorite parts about playing forward. I always try to find those spaces where a ball can be played to feet or space.”

Coach Roff on Ingram: “Callie is a physically strong attacking player, that brings quickness and very good composure on the ball. Her ability to hold the ball up top, play out of pressure, and combine are strengths of her game. She also brings a nice finishing touch around goal which will help her be an immediate asset to our team.”

Welcome to the ??????, @nicolekevdzija!

? Ranked No. 15 in the Great Lakes Region
? Strongsville, Ohio
? https://t.co/CJNEJfo3Zx

?⚽️ #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/wmLHKBlU6S

— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 13, 2019

NICOLE KEVDZIJA
Position: Forward/Midfield
Hometown: Strongsville, Ohio
High School: Strongsville
Intended Major: Chemical or Electrical Engineering
Club Team: Internationals Soccer Club

Ranked No. 15 in the Great Lakes Region by TopDrawerSoccer, Nicole (Nikki) Kevdzija was named an ECNL Ohio Valley “Player to Watch” during her senior season and was invited to the U.S. Soccer Girls Identification Center. In the spring of 2019, Kevdzija was named to the ECNL All-Conference team and advanced to the ECNL Champions League Playoffs. Registering 2017-18 North American Cup Champion status, the newcomer is set to graduate in the top 2% of her class.

N. Kevdzija on her style of play:  “I would describe my style of play as ultra-competitive, aggressive and eagerness to combine and attack the goal.

Coach Roff on Nicole: “Nikki is a dynamic attacking player that can play as a target or out wide. She is good with her back to goal and she can also face up and take players on. Her aggressive mindset, ability to combine and her finishing touch around goal will make us a more dangerous team in the attack.”

Welcome to the ??????, @torikevdzija!

? Ranked No. 11 in the Great Lakes Region
? Strongsville, Ohio
? https://t.co/CJNEJfo3Zx

?⚽️ #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/GdUeB6WsNJ

— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 13, 2019

VICTORIA KEVDZIJA
Position: Midfield/Forward
Hometown: Strongsville, Ohio
High School: Strongsville High
Intended Major: Engineering
Club Team: Internationals Soccer Club

Ranked No. 11 in the Great Lakes Region by TopDrawerSoccer, V. Kevdzija was named an ECNL Ohio Valley “Player to Watch” for the 2019 season. Additionally, the Strongsville, Ohio, product was a U.S. Soccer Girls Identification Center Invitee (2019). During her junior campaign, V. Kevdzija helped her club team advance to the ECNL Champions League Playoffs and was invited to the ECNL Ohio Valley Combine. A member of the 2017-18 ECNL North American Cup Championship team, the signee is on schedule to graduate in the National Honors Society while in the top 2% of her graduating class.

V. Kevdzija on Purdue: “I was drawn by Purdue’s family-like atmosphere, Big-Ten play, great coaching staff, and impressive academic opportunities.”

Coach Roff on Victoria: “Tori is a creative play-maker that can play anywhere up top or in the midfield. She is very comfortable on the ball and does a great job finding space in between the lines. Her ability to play the final pass that unlocks a defense is a special quality she brings to our program.”

Welcome to the ??????, @Hannahmartin17!

? Forward
? Naperville, Ill.
? https://t.co/CJNEJfo3Zx

?⚽️ #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/2QQ43KWwnU

— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 14, 2019

HANNAH MARTIN
Position: Forward
Hometown: Naperville, Ill.
High School: Naperville North
Intended Major: Financing or Accounting
Club Team: Galaxy Soccer

Martin helped her team to a state championship title (Class 3A) last year, marking the second consecutive season Martin and Naperville North placed in the top three in the state of Illinois (first: sophomore year). In the past two seasons, Martin secured 33 goals and 74 total points, including 17 goals during her junior season. Martin is a two-time All-Sectional, All-Area and All-Conference honoree, who also advanced to the state cup finals with the Galaxy Soccer Club during her senior year.

Martin on Purdue: “What attracted me to this team in the beginning was the unbelievably great coaching staff, the top notch practice facilities, the girls I got to meet and will be future teammates, and also the beautiful campus and the great academic opportunities it offers.”

Coach Roff on Martin: “Hannah is a forward that can play very effectively as a target or as a wide player. She brings a great deal of athleticism to the role, as well as a fantastic work rate. With her ability to stretch our opponent’s back line, she will help create scoring chances for herself as well as for her teammates.”

Welcome to the ??????, @emily_mathews44!

? Ranks No. 15 in the nation by IMG Academy
? Michigan
? https://t.co/CJNEJfo3Zx

?⚽️ #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/S6XLPOcZn1

— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 13, 2019

EMILY MATHEWS
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Macomb, Mich.
High School: Lutheran High North
Intended Major: Engineering
Club Team: Nationals DA

Mathews received 10 call-ups to train and play with the U.S. national team since 2016 and ranks as the No. 1 recruit in the TopDrawerSoccer Great Lakes Region. Currently training with the U-20 United States National Team, Mathews also ranks No. 15 for the Class of 2020 in IMG Academy Club Player National Rankings. Honing international experience, Mathews played friendlies with the U-20 WNT team against Japan in August 2019 and traveled to South Korea (U-17) and England (U-18) during the 2018-19 season. In July 2019, Mathews was named to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Central Division Best XI.

Mathews on her inspiration to play: “I am constantly inspired by the people in my life who have put their effort and time into making me a better soccer player. This includes my coaches, teammates, family and friends. I play for those who have always believed in and supported me.”

Coach Roff on Mathews: “Emily is a special player that has consistently proven to be one of the top midfielders in the country. She brings tremendous technical skill to the game, as well as the rare ability to see the game one or two steps ahead. Those qualities, combined with a fierce competitive spirit, help make Emily a difference maker.”

Welcome to the ??????, Hanna!

? Defender
? Utah
? https://t.co/CJNEJfo3Zx

?⚽️ #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/D2TtinaF0P

— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 13, 2019

HANNA REID
Position: Defender
Hometown: Eagle Mountain, Utah
High School: Real Salt Lake Academy
Intended Major: Political Science or Law & Society
Club Team: La Roca Futbol Club U19

Recruited by multiple teams during her high school career, Reid most recently played on the La Roca Futbol Club team in the US Development Academy. Despite playing the center-back position, Reid was the second-highest leading scorer her senior season. Prior to her senior year, Reid spent two seasons with the Shattuck St. Mary’s club team, where as junior, Reid placed second in the US Development Academy Showcase. Reid began her high school career as the only freshman in the state of Utah to play every minute of every varsity game and propelled the team to a state championship title.

Reid on choosing Purdue: “I chose Purdue because I was very impressed with the coaching staff and soccer program. Before I had verbally committed I had just recently torn my ACL. Coach Drew Roff had shown me that even through my injuries and trials that him and the coaching staff trusted and believed that I would be at my 100% soon enough. I wanted to play for a coaching staff that would help develop my soccer ability as well as support me in my dream of being a professional soccer player.”

Coach Roff on Reid: “Hanna is a versatile defensive player that can play any position in the back line, as well as the holding midfielder role.  She is comfortable on the ball in the build-up, and she is very good at playing entry passes into the forwards, as well as hitting the big switch.  Hanna also takes a lot of pride in her defending, and her willingness to be vocal and organize those around her is a special quality that she brings.”

Welcome to the ??????, Sammy Wong!

? Forward/Defender
? Danville, Calif.
? https://t.co/CJNEJfo3Zx

?⚽️ #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/GlqvM8nqsh

— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 14, 2019

SAMANTHA WONG
Position: Forward/Defender
Hometown: Danville, Calif.
High School: Monte Vista
Intended Major: Kinesiology
Club Team: Mustang ECNL 02 Legends

Wong, who hails for Danville, California, is a three-time ECNL champion in the Bay Area Division (U17, U16, U15). In addition, Wong helped her club team to the national quarterfinals in the 2018-19 season and was an ECNL national third-place finisher in 2017-18. Moreover, she led Monte Vista to two consecutive years as the California Interscholastic Federation State Champions (2018-19 and 2017-18). Wong has played for the Mustang ECNL 02 Legends all four years of high school.

Wong on Purdue: “The coaching staff and their style of play was what attracted to me the most. I am all for the possession style of play and using the flanks to attack. In relation to the coaching staff, I have never met coaches like the ones at Purdue, putting hours of work into the program and being so welcoming to incoming players.”

Coach Roff on Wong: “Sammy is an attacking player that plays out wide and uses her pace and 1v1 abilities to run past players and create scoring chances.  She also is willing to cover a lot of ground defensively and has a high work rate.  Her ability to unbalance the opponent’s back line, and serve in accurate crosses, will be a welcome addition to our attack.”