University of Pittsburgh women’s soccer unveils 6-player early signing class

PITTSBURGH – Pitt women’s soccer has received six national letters of intent from Eva Frankovic, Ione Fetsko, Hannah Kynch, Chloe Minas, Chantelle Parker and Emily Yaple on the first day of the 2019-20 signing period, head coach Randy Waldrum announced Wednesday. All six will join the program for the 2020 season, with Frankovic, Minas and Yaple enrolling for the upcoming spring semester.

“This is a very talented group of incoming players, and I can’t wait to get started,” said Waldrum. “I credit my staff with the hard work they put in to securing this recruiting class and to filling the needs of our program moving forward.  These players all bring great qualities to our team both on and off the field, and that’s vital to the high standards we are trying to set here at Pitt.  It was very exciting to see the growth of this young team this past season, and I know this new collection of players will only add to that!”

Ione Fetsko | Midfielder | Dunmore, Pa. | Scranton Prep | Match Fit Academy FC
Two-year starter for Scranton Prep, earning Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Association All-State, Lackawanna League (LIAA) Soccer Coaches’ All-Star Division One First Team and Times Tribune All-Region Team honors both seasons … Served as team captain and nominated for all-region this fall … Named to the 2018 Top Drawer Soccer Fall All-Pennsylvania Star Team … Selected to the LIAA Soccer Coaches’ All-Star Division Four First Team as a freshman at Dunmore High School (didn’t player her sophomore season due to an illness … Has played club soccer for Match Fit Academy since 2014 … Helped the team win the 2016 NE Conference/Metro Division Championship … Was team captain for the ’02 ECNL team … Attended the US Soccer Training Center in 2016 and 2017 … Participated in the Olympic Development Program from 2013-16 … Went to the national camp in 2016, was in the 2015 Region I Pool and selected to the 2013-16 Eastern Pennsylvania ODP Area and State Teams and 2014 Elite Showcase Game … Also played with Greater Binghamton United FC for three years, helping the team win the 2015 New York West State Cup and PDA Spring Kickoff Championships and 2014 MAPS Cup title … Traveled to Sweden twice to play in the Gothia Cup with semifinal and quarterfinal appearances … Coaches at Lackawanna Coalminers Soccer … Lettered at track as a long and triple jumper at Scranton Prep and was a LIAA Coaches’ All-Star Division Three-Four and PIAA AA District Silver Medalist in the triple jump at Dunmore … Plans to major in Marketing.

Why Pitt:
“I chose Pitt because I really like the coaching staff and I’ll be able to learn and develop so much more. I love the whole culture they’re building, and I really wanted to be a part of it. I loved the campus when I first stepped foot on it, and I wanted a change from where I live now. Pitt also has a great business program, which is another reason why I wanted to go there. Altogether, I just felt like Pitt was the perfect fit for me.”

Waldrum on Fetsko:
“Ione is going to add some personality to our team in addition to the soccer experience she brings.  She’s a tall striker with athleticism and the technical ability to add to an emerging attacking line. I think she has the versatility to play in multiple positions, but most of her success has come playing up front.  She is another player we saw early on in the recruiting process and have wanted her here in our program for a while now. She has some quality to her finishing and has the pace to get behind defenses as well. She brings a level of fight and determination with her game and gives it all every time out… fearless.”

Eva Frankovic | Defender | North Huntingdon, Pa. | Norwin HS | Century SC
Started all four years and was a team captain this fall at nearby Norwin … Is a finalist for the Inaugural Moe Rosensteel Most Outstanding Player Award … Nominated for 2019 High School All-American Watch List … Helped the Knights win the 2017 PIAA AAAA, 2016 WPIAL AAAA and three WPIAL AAAA Section 3 Championships … In her four-year career, the Knights went 76-9-2, 36-1-2 and earned a No. 1 ranking in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer in 2017 …. Earned all-state and All-American in 2018 (both lists for 2019 to come out later this season) and Big 56 All-Star First Team, All-WPIAL and all-section the last two years … Selected to the 2018 Top Drawer Soccer Fall All-Pennsylvania Star Team … Named honorable mention for the Big 56 her sophomore year … Helped Century Soccer Club to Pennsylvania State Cup Championships from 2016-18 and competed in National League play from 2016-19 … Volunteers with the Century Buddies Program to coach youth soccer … National Honor Society member … Mom Chris Ann is an Associate Director for the Swanson School of Engineering at Pitt and lettered in volleyball at Robert Morris … Plans to major in Business.

Why Pitt:
“I chose Pitt because it’s home. There’s a strong family connection with Pitt, and I love being close to downtown. From a young age I knew it was where I belonged.”

Waldrum on Frankovic:
“Eva is arguably one of the best players coming out of Pittsburgh this year as one can see by all the accolades she’s garnered this fall. She’s a very talented center back and helps us fill a need defensively. She’ll certainly add to our defense in a positive way moving forward as we try to lock down more on defense. She’s also a competitor that can play anywhere across the back line. Eva will also be here this spring getting a head start with the program. We expect her to have a great career here at Pitt.”

Hannah Kynch | Midfielder | Manlius, N.Y. | Fayetteville-Manlius HS | Syracuse Development Academy
Is a four-year starter at Fayetteville-Manlius High School … Led the Hornets to two Section Three Championships and has led to the state playoff semifinals, which will be contested Saturday … Named first team all-league and first team all-section the last two years … Earned all-region and all-state honors this year while making the All-CNY Team and third team all-state last season … Played with the Syracuse Development Academy since 2018, helping the team win the State Cup Championship in 2019 … Part of the Olympic Development Program for the last two years … Volunteers at Rockacres Veterinary Hospital and Unified Sports … Is a member of the Science Honor Society, National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society.

Waldrum on Knych:
“Hannah is a very versatile player. She can be put anywhere on the field and has the speed to break a defensive line or to catch up with an attacker.  She is really going to add to our offensive pressure with her speed and defensive ability. She’ll be a front runner to put other defenses under pressure, prevent them from building out and create some turnovers in the attacking third for us.”

Chloe Minas | Midfielder | Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Lester B. Pearson HS | C.S. Monteuil
Is a member of Canada’s U-20 Team, playing for the squad at the U-20 International Series in England this past summer … Was part of Team Québec for four years and served as captain … Played for C.S. Monteuil, a semi-professional club, the last three years at the Under-17 AAA level… Helped the team win gold in Québec Cup in back-to-back years… Awarded female athlete of the year in 2018-2019 at Lester B. Pearson High School … Earned the MVP award in 2018-2019 and the most improved player 2015-2016 from the Regional EXCEL Centre … Served as assistant coach to U-12 AA C.S. Monteuil and U10 Regional Team … Became the first student-athlete at her high school to be named Valedictorian … Was a flag-bearer at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup … Plans to major in Engineering.

Why Pitt:
“I chose Pitt because I wanted to be a part of a new era for the program. As soon as I went on campus, I felt welcomed by the coaching staff and my future teammates. I loved the environment! Thanks to the coaches and dynamic staff, I know I’ll be in good hands academically and athletically.”

Waldrum on Minas:
“Chloe brings a wealth of international and national team experience to our team. She’s a very dynamic and technical player, which will be a great asset to us as we look to build an exciting possession based team.  Her vision and tactical acumen is very good, and she can control the tempo of a game with her play. She’s highly competitive and has a great passion for the game! She’s going to be a great addition to our midfield, and I’m excited that she will start with us this spring!”

Chantelle Parker | Forward | Milton, Ontario, Canada | Bishop P.F. Reding Catholic Secondary School | FC Oshawa
Led FC Oshawa to first-place in the G.S. United Women’s U-21 League and sixth overall in Nationals Tournament this year … Previously played in the Dero United Football Club League 1 … Was the top goal scorer for North Toronto in the OPDL from 2017-18, leading the team to a championship in the Charity Shields Game, second-place finish in the league and tied for fourth overall in the OPDL U-17 … Led Burlington (2015-17) in scoring and was third in the OPDL U-16 … Helped the Halton Football Academy to a championship in the 2015 “Kickin’ it on the Moraine” Tournament … Played for the Milton Youth Soccer Club, helping the squad win the 2014 Peach Fest Tournament and the 2015 First on the Turf, Pin Grove and Brossard Tournaments as the top goal scorer … Lettered in track, volleyball and basketball for Bishop P.F. Reding Catholic … Plans to major in Emergency Medicine.

Why Pitt:
“When I sat down with my parents a few years ago to determine my post-secondary education options, I was a bit overwhelmed. After many months of researching the right fit for me, I decided to commit to the University of Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh is a beautiful city, and its university represents a new beginning and new start full of opportunities. Being a Canadian playing in the NCAA, I wanted to be on a team that was hardworking and welcoming, and Pitt gives me exactly that. Academically, the university is filled with extraordinary medical programs which I am ecstatic to take part in; athletically, I wish to contribute to the continued success and develop my game technically with the amazing coaching staff and support system Pitt has to offer.”

Waldrum on Parker:
“Chantelle is a very exciting forward that brings great athleticism and goal-scoring prowess to our team!  On my first trip to Canada, she caught my eye and I knew we needed this player in our program. She’s talented, passionate about her football, and highly competitive. She’ll be a great addition alongside Amanda West up front, as they both offer some different qualities that will make it difficult for defenses.  She’s currently involved with the Jamaican U-20 national team, and like Chloe, that experience is only going to help us and our program. She’ll be an exciting player for the fans to watch, and she’ll certainly add another dimension to our attack.”

Emily Yaple | Midfielder | Erie, Pa. | Fort LeBoeuf HS | Western New York Flash
Broke Fort LeBoeuf’s single-season goals record this fall with 50 in 16 games … Nominated to the 2019 High School All-American Watch List … Was a three-year starter previously at Villa Maria Academy, earning team offensive MVP honors as a freshman, First Team All-District 10 both years as an underclassman and Erie Times-News | GoErie.com Best of Varsity Cup selection every year … Participated in the US Soccer Market Training Centers from 2014-2015 … Was on the Olympic Development Region One Team from 2016-18 that played in a Costa Rica Tour last year … Played for Western New York Flash in the ECNL this past club season … Previously was on Beadling SC for four years, helping the team reach the PA West State Cup Finals every year … Started club ball in fourth grade with the Erie Admirals … Plans to major in Pharmacy.

Why Pitt:
“I’ve always wanted to play in the ACC, and Pitt has been my dream school since I started playing club soccer in Pittsburgh. I believe the coaches will help me develop into the top-level soccer player I strive to be. The university also has endless majors and opportunities for my future.”

Waldrum on Yaple:
“Emily is another very talented player who we are excited about. She can play anywhere on the field, but has been very good in midfield for her youth career. She’s very technical, competitive and has a great soccer IQ. We saw Emily play when we first came to Pittsburgh two years ago, and she caught our eye right from the beginning! Another Pennsylvania recruit that has a very accomplished high school and club career. She’s going to be a great addition and like Eva, it’s nice to keep good players from our area here at Pitt.”