UPenn women’s soccer announces 7-player recruiting class
PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania Douglas N. Brush Head Coach of Women’s Soccer, Nicole Van Dyke, has announced the addition of the stout seven-player recruiting class of 2023.
Miranda Farman, Sizzy Lawton, Emily Pringle, Peyton Raun, Sara Readinger, Maggie Robinson and Ella Wright will join the Quakers in 2019, and will impact the Red and Blue as they look to defend their Ivy League championship in the fall. The group boasts three players from California, a pair from the Keystone State of Pennsylvania as well as one from New York and Tennessee.
“As a staff, we are extremely excited and inspired by this class,” Van Dyke said. “I want to thank both Coach Mel (Phillips) and Coach Lizzy (Johnson) for all their hard work in helping bring such high-level players and people to our program.”
“This group of young women are tremendous ambassadors for their respective high schools and club teams, and we have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them and their families throughout the recruiting process,” Van Dyke added.
The entirety of the new class played their club soccer either for ECNL clubs or Development Academies – some of the most competitive levels the country has to offer – and should transition well to the college game.
The Class of 2023 will combine with eight returning starters from the 2018 Ivy League Championship team, highlighted by two-time Ivy League Goalkeeper of the Year Kitty Qu, two-time first-team All-Ivy Emily Sands and All-Ivy selections Megan Lloyd and Chase Geffert. Penn went 13-2-1 in 2018, with a 5-1-1 record in league play en route to a share of the Ivy League title, shattering numerous program records along the way, including a 12-game unbeaten streak and fewest goals allowed in a season, as well as concluding the season as the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Soccer Statistical Champion in three categories: Goals Against Average, Save Percentage, Shut-out Percentage. The 2018 team also boasted a slew of individual accolades, including six All-Ivy nods, four All-East Region selections, two Academic All-Ivy honors, two 1st team Scholar All-Regions, and a 2nd team Scholar All-American.
Miranda Farman
Height: 5-4
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Irvington, N.Y.
High School: Irvington
Club: Connecticut FC Academy (ECNL)
High School: Ranked No. 14 in Northeast region by Top Drawer Soccer … Played club soccer for Connecticut Football Club … Leading scorer and led the team in assists (2014) …. Northeast ECNL PDP selection (2017) … Four-year letter winner at Irvington … Also served as team captain … Helped lead Irvington to an undefeated season as a freshman and Section One and Class B League titles in her sophomore, junior and senior campaigns … Ranked fourth in New York State for assists during her freshman year … Three-time All-League selection … All-Section honors during her junior and senior seasons … Named to Coaches Association Section One Elite 12 … Four-time New York State Scholar Athlete … Irvington HS Outstanding Athlete Award as a junior and senior … Also lettered four times for Irvington’s basketball team … Helped Irvington to four section championships and two regional titles … National Honor Society member … Peer Leadership Award recipient and character building facilitator.
Personal: Daughter of Melinda Gordon and David Farman … Brother Sam plays collegiate soccer at Hobart … Plans to enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn?
“I chose the University of Pennsylvania because of the competitive women’s soccer program, amazing coaching staff, high academic standards, and gorgeous campus. The excitement around soccer at the University of Pennsylvania is contagious, and I can’t wait to contribute towards its continued success.”
Coach Van Dyke on Farman
“Miranda is a technical central midfielder who can also serve as an outside back. She is great under pressure and skillful in the attack. Miranda is a competitor, driven and holds a standard in everything that she does.”
Sizzy Lawton
Height: 5-3
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Fort Washington, Pa.
High School: Upper Dublin
Club: Penn Fusion (DA)
High School: Ranked No. 21 in Pennsylvania by Top Drawer Soccer … Captained the Penn Fusion U16/17 Development Academy squad that advanced to the DA national quarterfinals … Selected to ECNL Northeast Metro Player Development Program (2017) … First-team All-League pick as a sophomore at Upper Dublin … Earned second-team honors as a freshman … Also played lacrosse at Upper Dublin under Dee Cross … National Honors Society member.
Personal: Daughter of Kristin and John Lawton … Father, John, wrestled for Bucknell … Plans to enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn?
“I wanted a university that showed a great balance between academics and athletics. The amount of resources the University of Pennsylvania has to offer is incredible and I feel that it will provide the necessary support required to optimize my education, while also guiding me through important future decisions. I felt that the soccer team was a perfect fit, and although the work will be challenging, I will have support and help from my teammates and coaches.”
Coach Van Dyke on Lawton
“Sizzy is a spark of energy who can contribute in many positions. She is constantly involved in goal scoring opportunities and will add tremendous value to our attack. Her energy is also infectious off the field as she exudes positivity in everything she does.”
Emily Pringle
Height: 5-5
Position: Defender
Hometown: La Jolla, Calif.
High School: Cathedral Catholic
Club: LA Galaxy San Diego (DA)
High School: Captained LA Galaxy Los Angeles DA for two years … Started every game for LA Galaxy San Diego … Helped guide Notre Dame HS to a league championship, going 10-2-1 … Lettered twice at Notre Dame and was only freshman to make varsity team before moving to Cathedral Catholic … Won 2016-17 Sunshine League title after undefeated season … Newcomer of the Year and Coaches’ Award recipient in 2017-18 … Also competed for the swim and surf team at Cathedral Catholic … Garnered Maxima Cum Laude distinction for boasting a GPA of 4.0 or above all four years … ASB/Student Council member … Served as Ambassador for Notre Dame and Cathedral Catholic HS … Most Reverend Charles F. Buddy Award recipient for junior scholars … California Scholarship Federation and Spanish Honor Society member … Member of LA Galaxy San Diego DA team that earned Community Award from U.S. Soccer for 2017-18 season … Campus Ministry and Friendship Circle & Champions League volunteer.
Personal: Daughter of Carolyn and James Pringle … Father, James, swam for the Australian National Team at the World Games and the Pan Pacific Games, was a four-time All-American and Collegiate All-American … Plans to enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn?
“I am so excited to go to the University of Pennsylvania. I am thrilled to be a part of a women’s soccer program with so much potential and so much talent. I am confident that the coaches and players will genuinely have my best interest at heart, and will want to see me succeed on and off the field. For me, it is the perfect combination of a great soccer program and challenging academics.”
Coach Van Dyke on Pringle
“Emily is an attacking outside back who loves to run the flank. With a high work rate defensively and an aggressive mentality, she will complement our teams ability to press higher up the field. She brings tons of energy and an infectious attitude to everything she does.”
Peyton Raun
Height: 5-11
Position: Defender
Hometown: Pleasanton, Calif.
High School: Foothill
Club: Pleasanton Rage (ECNL)
High School: Captained Pleasanton Rage for seven years as a mainstay in the backline … Captain of Foothill HS from 2017-19 and MVP award winner … Selected to NCS All-League four times … Two-time EBAL All-League selection and named Most Valuable Player as a senior … Three-time EBAL Scholar Athlete … Traveled to Paraguay twice with Girls Soccer Worldwide to teach English and help coach soccer … NCS Scholar Athlete with 4.5 GPA.
Personal: Daughter of Lori and David Raun … Plans to enroll in the Wharton School of Business.
Why Penn?
“It was overwhelmingly clear to me after my unofficial visit, Penn’s tight knit student body, flourishing soccer team, and unbeatable education is an environment I want to be surrounded by for the next four years. Additionally, the opportunity to study in the Wharton School of Business, full of world-renowned professors, is truly one of a kind, and I would be foolish to let that opportunity pass. Athletically, Penn Women’s Soccer encompasses all I strive to be a part of, and I am beyond excited to become a Quaker in the fall of 2019.”
Coach Van Dyke on Raun
“Peyton is a high level central defender with the ability to create on the dribble and play-make as a passer. Her soccer IQ, presence and vocal leadership qualities will make an incredible impact to our defensive unit and to our culture.”
Sara Readinger
Height: 5-10
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Telford, Pa.
High School: Souderton Area
Club: Continental FC (ECNL)
High School: Ranked No. 16 in Pennsylvania by Top Drawer Soccer … Played club soccer for Continental Football Club … Selected to U18/19 ECNL Northeast All-Conference Team … Captain and four-year letter winner at Souderton … Led Souderton to PIAA State Championship after going 18-3-6 as a senior … Two-time first-team All-League … All-Intelligencer Player of the Year … Third-team All-League as a sophomore … National Honor Society member … Link Crew Club, Ski and Snowboard Club member … Four-time Honor Roll student.
Personal: Daughter of Janet and Gerard Readinger … Father, Gerard, played college soccer at Spring Garden … Brother, Sean, played college soccer at Arcadia … Sister, Emily, plays college soccer at Arcadia … Plans to enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn?
“I chose to attend the University of Pennsylvania because I felt fully supported and will have the ability to successfully balance both academics and athletics. As a student, Penn provides an amazing opportunity for gaining a top education, which could open many doors for me after college, such as internships and job opportunities. As an athlete, women’s soccer is a successful program at Penn that will support and push me to be my best, while also allowing me to achieve academically.”
Coach Van Dyke on Readinger
“Sara is physically dominant in the midfield and plays with an edge to her game. Her versatility allows her to be a box-to-box player. She is a competitor in every aspect on and off the field and a great leader.”
Maggie Robinson
Height: 5-9
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Nashville, Tenn.
High School: University School of Nashville
Club: Tennessee SC (ECNL)
High School: Led Tennessee SC to ECNL Ohio Valley Conference championship … Five-year member of Tennessee ODP State Team … Named to 2017 ODP Region III Team … Selected to travel with ODP Region Team to Boca Raton Interregional and Germany … Four-time letter winner and captain as a senior … Helped University School to four consecutive district championships and a regional title and state semifinal appearance as a sophomore … Made 189 saves and accounted for 10 shutouts as a senior … Named Most Valuable Player, along with earning All-State, All-Region and All-District distinction during her senior season … Earned three letters in lacrosse en route to two district titles … Earned one letter in cross country, finishing as the state runner-up, earning All-State and All-Region honors … Cum Laude Society Inductee … L.E.T.S Play Leader and Habitat for Humanity Co-Leader.
Personal: Daughter of Dorren and Rob Robinson … Brother, Wolf, competes at Trinity in track & field and cross country … Plans to enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn?
“I chose Penn because it was exactly what I was looking for: rigorous academics and a competitive, close-knit team. I wanted to go to a strong academic school in an urban setting and Penn was the perfect choice for me. I’m excited to attend a school where I can pursue academics and athletics at the highest level. The team culture is competitive and nurturing, and I know I’ll leave as a better person and player.”
Coach Van Dyke on Robinson
“Maggie is an explosive, athletic goalkeeper who is capable of some incredible saves. She has a solid goalkeeping foundation and is a very hard working, determined young lady who is very coachable.”
Ella Wright
Height: 5-7
Position: Forward
Hometown: Santa Rosa, Calif.
High School: Cardinal Newman
Club: Davis Legacy (ECNL)
High School: Guided Davis Legacy to ECNL National Finals, finishing second in the country … Currently, through to the CIF NorCal Division II semifinals after pushing Cardinal Newman passed top-seeded Whitney in her senior season… Captained Cardinal Newman to the NorCal Championship as a junior … Safe School Ambassador … ASB Spirit Leader … Honor Roll student.
Personal: Daughter of Kate and Bryan Wright … Plans to enroll in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Why Penn?
“I chose Penn because my athletic ambitions are important and having the opportunity to play soccer at Penn would be such an honor. Being involved with not only a team but a community that Penn offers is something I look very forward to. A university education at Penn will also be the most valuable accomplishment that I could achieve in the next four years. An education from Penn’s College of Arts and Sciences will allow me to explore possible avenues of studies that I have not been exposed to in high school.”
Coach Van Dyke on Wright
“Ella is a polished and pacey wide forward who is constantly looking to stretch the game. She adds finesse, 1v1 ability and is a proven goal scorer. Ella is a competitor and a work horse who will work tirelessly for the team.”
