University of Richmond women’s soccer program signs 9 new Spiders for 2024

RICHMOND, Va. – Head Coach Adam Denton and the University of Richmond Women’s Soccer team recently announced the 2024 signing class, adding nine new faces to the roster ahead of the fall season.

“We are excited to welcome the 2024 recruiting class into our Spider Family,” Denton said. “Each of these young ladies bring something different that will help add to the depth and quality of our program as we continue to build towards higher levels of success in and out of the A-10 Conference. These incoming players will complement our returning group and we are excited about the direction of the program as we continue to build for the future of Spider Soccer at the University of Richmond. GO ‘DERS!”

2024 Richmond Women’s Soccer Signing Class

Sophia Jurado                                        

Position: Forward/Outside back
Hometown: Evansville, Ind.
High School: Castle High School
Club Team: Racing Louisville Academy ECNL

PRIOR TO RICHMOND 
Attended Castle High School

• National Honors Society
• ISCA Academic All-State Team
• National Society of High School Scholars
• Four-year varsity starter & team captain
• All-Southern Indiana Athletic Conference Team

Why Richmond? “I chose University of Richmond because of the equally challenging athletic and academic environments. I fell in love with the beautiful campus and cannot wait to be coached by the highly respected staff.”

From Head Coach Adam Denton: “Sophia has versatility and ability to play in multiple positions within the attack. Her comfort level on the ball and ability to see the game to create in the final third will provide added depth and quality to our attack.”

Brooke Wilson

Position: Defender/Midfielder
Hometown: Cincinnati, Ohio
High School: Turpin High School
Club Team: Kings Hammer SC

PRIOR TO RICHMOND 
Attended Turpin High School

• Academic Honors:
  • National Honor Society Member
  • 4-year Honor Roll Student
  • 4-year Scholar Athlete
  • 4-year Academic All-Southwest Ohio Coaches Award
• Athletic Honors:
  • All-Southwest Ohio
  • 2x All-City
  • 2x first-team all-conference
  • Varsity High school captain
  • ECNL All-Regional team U18/19, Ohio Valley Conference
  • ECNL Regional Selection Game participant
  • Cincinnati’s Top 10 Defenders to Watch

“Why Richmond?” “I chose Richmond because of the combination of great academics and an amazing team environment. When I stepped on campus and met the girls I immediately felt at home. The campus is unmatched, and the school and soccer program have everything I need to reach my goals!”

From Head Coach Adam Denton: “Brooke is a tough defender 1v1 and commanding presence that has the ability to play in both the center back and outside back positions. Her versatility and strength across the backline will provide quality and depth in both positions.”

Logan Jackson

Position: Defender
Hometown: Alexandria, Va.
High School: West Potomac High School
Club Team: Fairfax Brave ECNL

PRIOR TO RICHMOND 
Attended West Potomac HS ​​​​​

• Academic Honors:
  •  National Honor Society
  • Psychology, English, and Science Honor Society
  • AP Scholar Awardee
  • College Board National African American Recognition Awardee
• Athletic Honors:
  • All Patriot District First Team
  • West Potomac High School Captain
  • ODP Regional Team Captain

“Why Richmond?” “I chose Richmond because of the opportunity to attend a high academic university and the chance to play soccer in the A-10 conference. On my visit, the team and coaching staff were amazing and made me feel at home. Richmond has a beautiful campus, and the school is the perfect fit for me!”

From Head Coach Adam Denton: “Logan has great versatility and athleticism that will allow her to play in multiple positions across the backline and midfield. Her technical ability on the ball and comfort level in distribution under pressure out of the back will provide added quality for our group across the field.”

Ellie Bozzo

Position: Defender
Hometown: Basking Ridge, N.J.
High School: Ridge High School
Club Team: NJ Premier FC

PRIOR TO RICHMOND
Attended Ridge High School ​​​​​​

• Academic Honors:
  • Accepted into NHS (National Honors Society)
  • High Honor Roll, Honor Roll (every marking period)
  • Certificate of Excellence from the National Honors Italian Exam
• Athletic Honors:
  • Ridge Varsity Soccer(9-12th grade), Varsity starter since freshman year
  • Ridge Varsity Soccer – All State Honors from NJGSCA (12th grade)
  • Ridge Varsity Soccer – 1st Team All Conference (12th grade)
  • Ridge Varsity Soccer – 1st Team All Conference (10th grade)
  • Ridge Varsity Soccer – 2nd Team All Conference (11th grade)
  • Ridge Varsity Soccer Captain (12th grade)
  • NJ Premier FC Club Soccer – Team Captain (9-12th grade)

Why Richmond? “I chose Richmond because of the opportunities provided by the amazing academics, specifically the business school, and the competitive soccer in the A-10. I know that at Richmond I will have the resources I need to succeed in life, while living on a beautiful campus and being surrounded by great people.”

From Head Coach Adam Denton: “Ellie is an athletic outside back that has the energy and work rate to provide support in the attack, and physical presence when defending 1v1 situations. Her strength and work rate will provide depth and variety of options for our back line.”

Kingsley Hughes 

Position: Forward
Hometown: Pennington, N.J.
High School: The Lawrenceville School
Club Team: PDA South

PRIOR TO RICHMOND
Attended the Lawrenceville School ​​​

• Academic Honors:
  • Dean’s List 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23
• Athletic Honors:
  • Three-year varsity starter (Covid restriction)
  • All-MAPL selection (all-league)
  • All-State selection
  • Mercer 33 honoree
  • Mooch All-star Senior Game Participant

Why Richmond? “I choose the University of Richmond for its amazing academic rigor, stellar coaches and overall school culture and community. Since my first time on campus, I felt welcomed and comfortable. I can’t wait for my next four years, Roll ‘DERS.”

From Head Coach Adam Denton: “Kingsley is a forward that is comfortable when playing both with her back to goal and when facing forward to take players on 1v1.  Her ability to create opportunities in the final third will add to the dynamic of our attack.”

Ava Milisits

Position: Forward/Midfielder
Hometown: Boyds, Md.
High School: Poolesville High School
Club Team: Arlington Girls Academy ECNL

PRIOR TO RICHMOND  
Attended Poolesville High School ​​​​​

• Academic Honors:
  • President of National Honors Society
  • National Science Honors Society
  • National English Honors Society
  • National History Day Finalist
  • Straight A Award
• Honor Roll
• Smithsonian National Museum of American History National History Day Exhibitor
• College Board African American Scholar and Rural Student Scholar, Scholastic Arts and Writing DC Regional Honorable Mention Award, and Iota Upsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Black Youth Achievement Award
• Athletic Honors:
• Captain of Poolesville High School Varsity Girls Soccer Team
• Represented Maryland on behalf of the Olympic Development Program in London
• AAU Track All-American – 1500M

Why Richmond? “Ever since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of playing Division I soccer. That dream has finally come true thanks to Richmond. Growing up in the south, I have always wanted to attend college in this region that not only has a good pre-law program but values the same principles I value: academic excellence and inclusivity. The University of Richmond embodies what I have been looking for and I’m excited to attend this pretty institution in the fall, playing the beautiful game.”

From Head Coach Adam Denton: “Ava is a forward that likes to take players on 1v1 and get behind the backline with her pace in the attack. Her ability and work rate to get up and down the field will provide strength and depth across multiple positions next year.”

Avery Nam

Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Mich.
High School: Saline High School
Club Team: Michigan Hawks ECNL

PRIOR TO RICHMOND
Attended Saline High School

• Academic Honors:
  • Gold Honor Roll
  • National Honor Society
  • Michigan Biliteracy Seal
• Athletic Honors:
  • ODP State
  • Regional and National Team member

Why Richmond? “I chose to commit to the University of Richmond because of the amazing environment created there on and off the field. I felt like the coaches really understood me as a player and a person, and I feel very fortunate to be part of their first recruiting class. I’m so happy to be a Spider!”

From Head Coach Adam Denton: “Avery is a intelligent central player who is comfortable under pressure and has good variety in her distribution. Her comfort level on the ball and ability to read the game will provide added competition within our midfield next fall.”

Paige West

Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Rumson, N.J.
High School: Rumson Fair-Haven Regional High School
Club Team: Cedar Stars Academy Monmouth

PRIOR TO RICHMOND 
Attended Rumson Fair-Haven Regional High School ​​​​​​

• Academic Honors:
  • Two-year National Honor Society inductee
  • High Honor Roll/ Honor Roll grades 9-12
• Athletic Honors:
  • Four-year varsity starter
  • Central All-Division Team
  • 2nd team All Monmouth County
  • 3rd team All Shore
  • 2021-2022 GA Mid-Atlantic Talent ID invitee
  • 2023 GA Northeast Talent ID invitee
  • 2020 NJSIAA Central East B Champions
  • 2006 Cedar Stars Monmouth Academy GA Captain
  • 2023 RFH Girls Soccer Captain
  • 2023 Senior All-Star Team
  • 2023 Nj.com Top 100 Midfielders to Watch

Why Richmond? “I was drawn to Richmond’s academic excellence, positive environment, and beautiful campus; it immediately felt like home and somewhere I want to spend my next four years. Richmond’s strong DI soccer program in the competitive A-10 conference, along with the amazing coaching staff and team, further solidified my decision that Richmond was the school for me. Go ‘DERS!”

From Head Coach Adam Denton: “Paige is a creative midfielder that competes well on both sides of the ball. She has a comfort level on the ball in tight spaces and good vision to create in the final third. She will provide depth and variety in the midfield next year. ”

Veronica Rrapi

Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Monroe, Ct.
High School: Notre Dame Catholic High School
Club Team: Ole Fc Yankee Academy 

PRIOR TO RICHMOND 
Attended Notre Dame Catholic High School

• Academic Honors
  • Four-Year Honor Roll
  • Athletic Honors
  • 3x All State Selection
  • 3x All-Conference Team

Why Richmond? “When deciding on a college, I wanted to go somewhere where I will be challenged on the field, as well as in the classroom and Richmond does just that.  The beautiful campus and welcoming coaches make it feel just like the right place. So excited for the next four!”

From Head Coach Adam Denton: “Veronica is a great addition to our goalkeeping unit. She brings great athleticism, aggressiveness, and shot-stopping ability and will bring good depth and competition to the position.”