JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Coming off of another double-digit win season for Carson-Newman women's soccer, head coach Simon Duffy has announced six new Eagles that will join the flock for the upcoming 2020 season.
"It's been fantastic," Duffy said. "Obviously with the rule changes this year and our signing period went from February to November – which is kind of odd because we're still in our season –(it)is tough for us. But we're delighted to have six players sign in that time and I think all of them can come and help us as well."
A duo of forwards in Molly Bukiewicz (Beavercreek, Ohio) and Abbie Zander (Banberry, Tenn.) will join the attacking third for C-N which is led by rising senior Emilee Futrell (Wilson, N.C.).
In the middle of the field, local product Taylor Cross (Knoxville, Tenn.) joins a unit that is fronted by a pair of All-SAC selections in Addie Henry (Chattanooga, Tenn.) and Kristina Markfort (Munster, Germany).
A pair of defenders in Noel Criser (West Yarmouth, Mass.) and MJ Park (Chattanooga, Tenn.), will add depth to a stacked unit featuring the likes of Beatrice Gards (Stockholm, Sweden) and Jente Kuper (Ottersberg, Germany).
Kent State transfer and goalie Hope Doyle (Harrison, Ohio) rounds out the sextet, who will compete for the starting role as Jasmine Rizk departs due to graduation.
Bukiewicz comes from dominant Beavercreek High, who won the 2018 Ohio High School Division I State Championship and set a state record for most consecutive wins with 43. She scored nine goals and added 10 assists across two years of varsity soccer for the Beavers, helping the team earn a district championship in her sendoff campaign. Graduating high school early, the freshman joined C-N in January for the spring slate of offseason conditioning.
"Her work ethic and everything she's doing right now has been excellent," Duffy said. "She's integrated into the squad fantastically well. We're just really happy and excited for her."
A much shorter drive from home is in store for Zander – the local Jefferson County High product – who will join the attacking third of the squad. In her senior season for the Patriots, Zander led her team with 13 goals, earning conference player of the year.
Cross arrives from nearby Bearden High where she finished as a four-year varsity letter recipient with 22 careers goals and 21 career assists. In 2018, she was an all-region I-AAA selection and was named to the All PrepXtra First Team. The Bulldogs earned two trips to the state tournament in 2017 and 2018 during her high school playing career.
"I think she's going to come and bolster our midfield," Duffy said. "Can play in a number of positions in the midfield for us…very versatile player and very good on the ball. She's been at probably three or four of our ID camps for us over the last couple of years, had a big interest in us, and will come in and help us strengthen our midfield."
In the defending third, Criser arrives from the Cape Cod region as an All-Conference First Team pick for the last two seasons, earning team MVP honors in her junior season. Park, a homeschooled athlete, scored 27 goals in her senior season playing for CSTHEA Patriots High School. No stranger to the Knoxville area, Park played as a member of the FC Alliance during her high school years.
"MJ is very much like the player that Alex Brandon was for us a couple of years ago," Duffy said. "That typical, wing back almost. Just so athletic, very tenacious and just her attacking prowess getting up and down that flank as well is really going to allow us to play the way we like to play on the front foot."
Rounding out the six incoming players is Doyle, who previously attended Kent State before heading south to Mossy Creek. In her senior season for William Henry Harrison High in 2018, Doyle registered 116 saves with a save percentage of .760 with seven shutouts. She posted 19 shutouts in her career for the Wildcats, earning conference defensive player of the year honors in 2018.
"We're so thankful that Hope has been able to join us in January…has been working terrifically well," Duffy said. "Her training and just what she's been able to do (has been positive). We played a spring scrimmage yesterday and it was our first look in the college game. It was really, really good to get her some minutes, but she's been doing exceptionally well, and I think (she) will push in that position to hopefully start and help us out a lot."
Offseason condition continues at Mossy Creek with the 2020 season approximately six months away.
