NASHVILLE, Tenn. - - Belmont University women's soccer Head Coach
Kelsey Cameron announced the Bruins' 2025 signing class Wednesday. Belmont inked seven players, joining the team next season.
"I want to thank my assistant coaches, Danny Vieira and
Hailey Kerridge, for their recruiting efforts to help put this class together," said Cameron. "We aren't just recruiting people to a soccer team; we're building an intentional culture. Both Coach Vieira and Kerridge have pivotal roles in building and sustaining that culture, and I am so grateful for them both."
The 2025 signing class provides the Bruins with depth at almost every position. After a season where the Bruins reached the MVC Women's Soccer Championship semifinal and posted the most wins since 2017, the 2025 signees will further strengthen a roster full of young talent. "We wanted to add more competition across the board and bring in players that we knew would have an immediate impact," Cameron said about her expectations for the signing class. "This class is full of players who are excited and driven to help continue to build upon the solid foundation we set this year. Each player is a great cultural fit for Belmont and our team, joining a program where they can compete at a high level and grow in their faith."
Kennedy Carter joins the Bruins after helping Elizabethtown High School win the 2024 region title, after previously being crowned the 2022 and 2023 district champion, along with a remarkable 2022 state runner-up finish. The outside back was named to two district and region all-tournament teams, a 2023 All-Region First Team, a 2022 All-State Honorable Mention and 2022 All-District. The Elizabethtown, Kentucky, native plays club for Racing Louisville Academy and appeared in the 2022 ECNL National Selection Game.
"Kennedy is a quick and tough outside back/wingback. She's feisty and relentless in her defending. She's also technical and able to help us build out of the back and can consistently join the attack." - Head Coach Kelsey Cameron
Maggie Gawrych adds depth at the forward and winger position for the Bruins. The St. Louis, Missouri, native was named All-Conference Second Team at St. Joseph's Academy. Gawrych earned three Talent ID Camp honors and was named a board panelist for STLDA Girl's Academy, along with time playing for Lou Fusz Girl's Academy.
"Maggie is a strong and athletic winger with very good pace. She'll stretch opponent back lines and be dangerous in the final third, with her ability to go at players, press defenders, and get on the end of services in the box." - Head Coach Kelsey Cameron
Katelyn Hnatek brings a versatile skillset and tenacity to Nashville. Her ability to play in the middle or on the backline earned her All-District Second Team honors and helped La Costa Canyon High School win the 2019 CIF Open Division title. The San Diego, California, native contributed to Slammers HB Koge ECNL's dominant stretch at the club level, being crowned the 2022 National Champion, the 2023 National Finalist and advancing to the 2024 Final Eight.
"Kaitlyn is a tough and technical player who can play a variety of positions. She's relentless and fearless on the defensive side of the ball. She's also very smart on the ball and will help us to keep the ball, connect, and move forward." - Head Coach Kelsey Cameron
Meredith Koltz is one of three Texans in the 2024 signing class. The forward joins the Bruins after a decorated career at Cedar Park High School, helping the team win the 2021 and 2023 District 5A District and Bi-District championships, highlighted by a 2021 5A Area title. Her impressive individual accomplishments include being named a 2023 THSCA Super Elite Team honoree, 2023 5A All-State Honorable Mention, 2023 Texas Girls All-State Team, 2023 TASCO 5A Most Valuable Player, three academic all-district honors and the top goal scorer in 5A-Region Four in 2023. Off the pitch, Koltz is a member of the Science National Honors Society, National Honors Society and Mu Alpha Theta Honors Society. The Cedar Park, Texas, native is also one of three players in the class who plays club for Sting Austin ECNL.
"Meredith is a smart and technical player. She's good in tight areas, moves well off the ball, and has the ability to play dangerous passes in the final third, to help us create goal-scoring opportunities. She will add another dynamic element to our attack." - Head Coach Kelsey Cameron
Banin Patterson - another Texas native - will join Belmont's attack and provide a spark at the forward position. Banin helped Lake Travis High School become district and area champions, while earning Academic All-District and All-District First Team honors. A native of Austin, Texas, Banin is another Sting Austin ECNL product.
"Banin is an athletic and energetic attacking player. She has the ability to stretch the opponent's back line and get in behind. She's also dangerous when isolated 1v1, and driving at players to create chances." - Head Coach Kelsey Cameron
Kaiya Rickard is another bright midfielder/defender for the Bruins. At Olathe West High School in Olathe, Kansas, Rickard was part of a program that won the 2022 6A Regional Championship and consecutive 6A Division titles. Rickard spent five years playing club for KC Athletics ECNL, before joining Union KC GA in 2024.
"Kaiya is a technical and composed midfielder. Her ability to find the ball and connect will help us build out of the back. She's also tough on the defensive side, able to cut out passes, break up play in the midfield, and not afraid to get stuck into tackles." - Head Coach Kelsey Cameron
Kate Wyrick joins fellow Austin native Banin Patterson and Texan Meredith Koltz at Belmont, beginning in 2025. At Westwood High School, Wyrick helped her team win four district championships and reach the State Final Four. The center back's individual accomplishments include three All-District First Team honors, being named All-Region Second Team, three Academic All-District honors, while serving as the team captain for two seasons. Wyrick plays for Sting Austin ECNL at the club level.
"Kate is a strong and athletic defender. She's physical, will get stuck into tackles, and is good in the air. She will add great depth to our backline, and help us to continue to establish ourselves as a tough defensive team in the MVC." - Head Coach Kelsey Cameron
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