University of Pennsylvania women’s soccer 2022 recruiting class revealed

PHILADELPHIA – University of Pennsylvania‘s Douglas N. Brush Head Coach of Women’s Soccer, Casey Brown, has announced her program’s Class of 2026 recruiting class.

Eight young women — Annabel Austen, Kaia Chambers, Rachel Herman, Mallory Lucas, Anuli Okafor, Clare Robke, Chloe Skipper and Sarah Sullivan — will join the program in the fall of 2022 as freshmen.

“We are so excited to welcome these eight terrific student-athletes to Penn Women’s Soccer,” said Brown. “The combination of character, talent and commitment to excellence this group shares is evident and something we look forward to welcoming this fall. Our program has high aspirations, and we feel these young women will be a great addition to help us achieve new heights during their time here.”

Annabel Austen
Goalkeeper
Concord, Mass. | Middlesex School
CLUB: New England FC

High School: Was a four-year member of the varsity soccer and lacrosse teams as well as a three-year member of the varsity basketball team … was named ISL All League honorable mention (2021) … Posted seven clean sheets over 15 matches … Awarded high honors for all eight semesters … AP Scholar with honor … On the board of a non-profit, Amigas Por Siempre, an organization that runs service trips to Costa Rica each summer.

Personal: Daughter of Penny and Christopher Austen … Twin brother, Cooper, will run cross country and track & field at Princeton … Will enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Why Penn? “I chose Penn because of the competitive sports combined with the numerous academic opportunities. I love the team’s supportive but very competitive environment, and I cannot wait to compete at the next level.”

KAIA CHAMBERS
Forward
Houston, Texas | Episcopal
CLUB:  Albion Hurricanes ECNL

High School: US Soccer Development Academy player (2016-2020), preventing her from playing high school soccer … Played high school soccer for the 2021-22 season and was a team captain … Led the team in goals and was named team MVP (2021)… Named All Zone SPC Soccer player (2021) … 2021 Chevy Spotlight recipient by Houston Inside High School Sports.

Personal: Daughter of Lui and Matt Chambers … Will enroll in the Wharton School of Business.

Why Penn? “The opportunity to combine playing in a competitive soccer environment with the best academics in the country and an inspiring all-female soccer coaching staff.”

RACHEL HERMAN
Defender
Dover, Mass. | Dover-Sherborn
CLUB: FC Stars ECNL

High School: Played varsity soccer and was named team captain her senior season … Earned honor roll every term throughout her high school career … Earned first-team all-state, first-team Eastern Mass All-Start and first-team Tri-Valley League All-Star as a senior … Named team MVP and team leadership award as a senior… Recorded 10 goals and 16 assists as her team went 12-4-3 her senior year … National Honor Society member … Featured soloist in Open Fields Community Theatre Group … Served as a physics tutor and a counselor in training at Brave Arts Theatre camp … Worked as a private soccer trainer for young girls and boys … Sang the national anthem at high school sporting events.

Personal: Daughter of Stacey and Dimitry Herman … Mother played college softball at Colgate and was a captain … Older brother, William, played soccer at Bowdoin College … Will enroll in the Wharton School of Business.

Why Penn? “I chose Penn because it provided the perfect combination of both strong athletics and academics. I also always wanted to be part of a supportive but competitive program that pushes me to be my best on and off the field, which I believe Coach Casey Brown facilitates. I also fell in love with the city of Philadelphia right when I stepped on campus. Penn provides an amazing opportunity to feel the college experience while having the city as an outlet to explore some of my favorite interests (food, visual arts, and performing). Also, I have always been passionate about starting my own business and Wharton has one of the best entrepreneurial programs to support me in reaching that goal.”

MALLORY LUCAS
Midfielder
Whitman, Mass. | Dexter Southfield
CLUB: Scorpions SC ECNL

High School: Played varsity soccer for five years (2017-21) … Two-year team captain … Ran track and field for her senior year … Named to the Fall High School All-America Watchlist in 2018 … Three-time New England Prep School Athletic Council (NESPAC) All-Star (2018, 2019, 2021) … Four-time team MVP … Three-time Boston Globe All-Scholastic … Two-time Massachusetts All-State … TopDrawerSoccer.com State Star (2020) … Named to the All-American High School Game Watchlist (2021) … All-New England as a senior … During her high school career, recorded 75 goals and 33 assists and is Dexter Southfield’s all-time leading goal scorer.

Personal: Daughter of Lisa and Matthew Lucas … Mother ran track & field collegiately at La Salle … Will enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Why Penn? “Penn will provide me with the opportunity to challenge myself by pursuing a world-class education while playing soccer in the highly competitive Ivy League. I have always dreamt of going to college in the city, and the moment I stepped onto Penn’s campus the welcoming atmosphere made me feel that this was the perfect place for me and my future. I am beyond excited to call Penn my new home!”

ANULI OKAFOR
Forward
Phoenix, Ariz. | Pinnacle High School
CLUB: Phoenix Rising ECNL

High School: Played soccer and ran track at Pinnacle … On the pitch, her team made it to state quarterfinals her freshman and sophomore seasons … Advanced to the semifinals during her senior season with a 13-1 record, allowing just two goals during the regular season … She recorded 36 goals and 24 assists … Offensive player of the year as a junior … All-Academic team all four years … First-team all-conference as a junior … District offensive player of the year as a junior … In track, her 4×100 relay team placed 10th at the state finals … As a freshman, ran on a 4×100 relay team that broke the school record.

Personal: Daughter of Nkechi and Joachin Okafor … Will enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Why Penn? “I chose Penn because it offered me the opportunity to play high-level Division 1 soccer at one of the best academic schools in the country. Not only will I be able to pursue a major in biology, but I will also be able to continue developing in a sport that has been a part of my life for as long as a I can remember. After meeting the coaching staff and team, I could see that their goals and expectations clearly aligned with the qualities that I was looking for in a D1 program. I also know that while at Penn I will be able to gain connections both on the field and in the classroom that will help me in any career path I choose to pursue in the future.”

CLARE ROBKE
Forward
San Jose, Calif. | Willow Glen
CLUB: De Anza Force ECNL

High School: Played soccer and volleyball … Played two years of varsity soccer and was named a team captain … Played two years of volleyball including one year on varsity … California Scholarship Federation member … National Honor Society member … AP Scholar with Distinction … Worked as a soccer referee for six years … Volunteered as a middle school soccer coach (2018-20) … Coaches soccer for Mogility Soccer during the summer (2021-present).

Personal: Daughter of Katie Galvin and Wayne Robke … Father ran track collegiately at Minnesota-Duluth … Mother played lacrosse and softball at UC San Diego … Will enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Why Penn? “Before I even knew I would be playing soccer in college, I toured Penn and instantly fell in love with the school and the city of Philadelphia. Then I got to know the coaches through the recruitment process and felt that they would be the perfect people to help me reach my potential both on and off the field. Overall, I felt like Penn was a great fit for me in every way and somewhere that I wanted to spend the next four years.”

CHLOE SKIPPER
Defender
Montclair, N.J. | Montclair Kimberley Academy
CLUB: Match Fit ECNL

High School: Played four years of varsity soccer, team captain as a senior … Two-time second-team all-state (2020-21) … Three-time first-team all-conference (2019-21), second-team all-conference in 2018 … Two-time first-team All-Non Public B.

Personal: Daughter of Suzanne and John Skipper … Will enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Why Penn? “I chose Penn for its combination of exceptional academics and competitive athletics. The values that the women’s soccer program instills align with my own. There is an extensive number of resources at Penn that will shape me into the best person I can be.”

SARAH SULLIVAN
Midfielder
Dedham, Mass. | Buckingham, Browne & Nichols
CLUB: FC Stars ECNL

High School: Four-year starter and senior captain in soccer at BB&N … Played for TopDrawerSoccer and PrepSoccer’s #1 prep school in the country in 2021 … Soccer team was back-to-back New England Prep School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) Class A champions in 2020 and 2021 and semifinalists in 2018 and 2019) … Went 21-0 in 2021 to claim the Independent School League (ISL) title … First-team all-state … First-team All-ISL First-team All-NEPSAC … Boston Globe All-Scholastic … Named to PrepSoccer All-America Watchlist and Preseason All-Metro (2021) … New England Soccer Journal ISL Best XI (2020) and NEPSAC Best XI honorable mention (2021).

Personal: Daughter of Katie and Sika Sullivan … Will enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Why Penn? “The combination of Penn’s world-class academics and the opportunity to compete in the Ivy League with a talented team of players and coaches made Penn the perfect choice for me. When I first visited the campus, I felt at home. I can’t wait to be a part of the Penn community on and off the field.”