JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman women's soccer head coach Simon Duffy completes his 2023 roster by adding eight new players.
"A few players transferred out, so this was not planned originally when we did the class last year," Duffy said. "We had to jump on it pretty quickly and then try and bring in as many as we could because looking at next year now, we only have three players from this class that will be graduating. So, we are kind of set now for the next couple of years, all going well."
Duffy adds five transfers in this second recruiting cycle, Irish Miles, Malia Kim, Cameron Giles, Elysia Teske and Danielle Lacy. The other three additions will be incoming freshman, Iris Palsdottir, Kendall Garber and Krista Nielsen. The roster is now set with 12 newcomers and 13 returners.
Irish Miles – 5'3 – D – North Augusta, S.C. – UTSA transfer
Miles joins C-N after one season at the division 1 level with UTSA. She appeared in two games for a total of 26 minutes. In her senior year of high school, Miles recorded two goals and tallied 19 assists and was named All-Tournament at the Charleston Soccer Shootout in 2022. She earned All-Region (region AAAA) and All-State in 4A during her high school senior campaign in her home state of South Carolina and was a team captain in both her junior and senior years.
"She will be coming in as an outside back for us," Duffy said. "Very athletic and will have four years of eligibility to play for us. She is the type of player we were looking for in that position. We are excited to get her in."
Iris Palsdottir – 5'7 – D – Reykjavik, Iceland – Verslunarskoli Islands
Palsdottir comes to C-N from Iceland, where she was part of a team that won an Icelandic championship in 2020. The next season she was named the most promising player. She has been a captain on her team for three years.
"Another defender and she is coming in as a freshman," Duffy said. "Played at a very high level in Iceland and I expect her to come in and make an immediate impact for us at the centerback position."
Kendall Garber – 5'8 – D - Quakertown, PA – Faith Christian Academy
Garber is the third defensive player added in this cycle. Garber was a multi-sport athlete at Faith Christian Academy, playing soccer, basketball, softball and running track. Her most impressive accolades came as a soccer defender, scoring the most goals by a defender over her four-year career. She helped lead her team to a district championship during her senior season.
"After her visit I was very impressed with her ability on the ball," Duffy said. "Very good in the air and with her decision making. Again, another player that can come in and bolster that defensive line."
Malia Kim – 5'2 – M – Oak Ridge, Tenn – Roane State transfer
Kim transfers to Carson-Newman after a season with Roane State. The midfielder finished her high school career with 62 total goals and won district offensive player of the year in 2021-22. She was first team all-district and all-region, all four years of high school. Her goal scoring ability helped lead her team to the regional tournament in her junior and senior seasons.
"Malia someone we were looking at bringing her in originally, but it didn't work out at the time, Duffy said. "A true kind of eight or ten that can get on the ball. Very athletic and can get around the field well. Excited to have her!"
Krista Nielsen – 5'6 – F - Saudarkrokur, Iceland – Fjölbrautaskóli Norðurlands Vestra
Nielson is the second Icelandic player added by Duffy. The freshman forward was an integral part of a team that was named "the best team of the town in 2018, 2020 and 2022. Nielson made sixteen total appearances.
"She played at the highest level in Iceland and contributed a lot to her team," Duffy said. "We are very fortunate to get her in to Carson-Newman. I expect her to make an immediate impact for us."
Cameron Giles – 5'6 – F – Hendersonville, Tenn – UT Chattanooga transfer
Giles transfers in after having spent four seasons at UT Chattanooga. She was part of the team that won the 2022 regular season SOCON championship. In high school, she was a two-time District 10-AAA All-District selection and District 10-AAA MVP.
"Cam played four years at Chattannoga and we are fortunate to get her in for her graduate work," Duffy said. "I coached Cam six or seven years ago at the Tennessee ODP levels. We recruited her out of high school and she is another player that is going to come in and do very well for us."
Elysia Teske – 5'11 - F – Augusta, Ga. – Emmanuel transfer
Teske spent one season at Emmanuel before entering the transfer portal after a coaching change. The forward made 12 appearances and one start as a freshman. She scored a goal in her first collegiate game. Teske recorded eight shots, all of which were on goal. In high school, she was a first team all-region player scoring 19 goals and recording 17 assists.
"She comes in from Emmanuel college after a season," Duffy said. "She is actually friends with Irish Miles who joins us as well. A very athletic winger that can play on either side. We are excited to see her coming in. She will really improve us overall.
Danielle Lacy – 5'6 – GK – Rochester, IL – Lincoln Land CC
Lacy joins C-N from Lincoln Land Community College. The keeper led the NJCAA in saves with 279 in 14 starts. She managed a .777 save percentage, recording one shutout. She is a graduate of Rochester High School where she ran cross country and was a three-year member of the soccer program.
