BUFFALO — University at Buffalo women’s soccer head coach Shawn Burke announced his highly-touted four-player signing class for the 2017 campaign on Wednesday afternoon. The Bulls will welcome Kaitlyn Walsh, Marcella Barberic, Gianna Yurchak and Lena Lucas to the team for the 2017 season.
“We are excited to announce our most decorated signing class for the upcoming 2017 season,” stated fourth-year head coach Shawn Burke. “These four athletes have racked up the individual accolades as well as a high school state championship. All four of these amazing young athletes will compete for playing time day one and have the ability to help take our program back to the top of the MAC. Once again we have been able to sign some of the best local talent, coupled with top tier players in the region. Not only have we signed talented players, but they are even better people who will continue to raise the profile of our program and our university.”
Kaitlyn Walsh
Chenango Forks, NY
Chenango Forks
Midfielder
Walsh joins the Bulls after a successful high school career at Chenango Forks high school where she led her team to an unblemished 23-0-0 record and NYS Class B State Championship as a senior. Walsh was able to net 19 goals and nine assists for 47 points as a senior while also being named Section IV All-Conference First Team on four occasions. Was named First Team All-State and NYS Class “B” Player of the Year following her senior campaign. The midfielder also had a successful club career playing for the Syracuse Development Academy, leading her team to three NYSW State Cup Championships and two regional championships.
Burke on Walsh: “Kaitlyn is coming in with a tremendous amount of confidence after leading her high school team to a state championship. She is another versatile player who we see fitting in at multiple spots. Her ability to adapt her style of play to what the game requires is a testament to her soccer IQ.”
Marcella Barberic
Grand Island, NY
Grand Island
Forward
Barberic comes to Buffalo from nearby Grand Island high school where she starred for five seasons under head coach Dave Bowman. She helped lead the Vikings to a 19-1-1 record during her senior campaign as they earned the Niagara Frontier League championship, Section 6 championship and Far West Regionals Co-Championship in 2016. The dangerous forward finished off her impressive senior campaign with 27 goals, 32 assists and 86 points as she ranks third in New York State history for assists in a season (32). She earned Second Team All-NYS on two occasions while earning Third Team All-NYS once during her sophomore campaign. The four-time First Team All-NFL performer also was named First Team All-WNY three times during her illustrious high school career. She has also played seven seasons for the Flash Academy under the tutelage of a pair of coaches in Henrik Ambarchian and Rob Ferguson.
Burke on Barberic: “A very versatile and athletic player, Marcy’s ability to play multiple positions will give herself a chance to compete for a starting spot. Watching Marcy excel for both Grand Island and the WNY Flash, we care confident she will be an impact player for years to come.”
Gianna Yurchak – Leola, PA – Conesoga Valley – Forward
Yurchak joins the Bulls after a very successful high school career in Pennsylvania at Conestoga Valley where she set the program record for goals in a career (70), goals in a season (30), assists in a season (19) and ranked second in school history in assists in a career (38). The crafty forward led her team to a 18-3 record during her senior season as she netted a career-high 30 goals, eight assists and 68 points. Following her senior season, Yurchak earned NSCAA All-America team honors along with being named Pennsylvania Soccer Player of the Year. She is also a three-time All-State team member and two-time NSCAA All-Region selection while playing four years of varsity soccer for Keith Nagley. The lethal scorer led her team to three Lancaster Lebanon Section I championships during her impressive career.
Burke on Yurchak: “Gianna will fill an immediate void up top due to graduation. Her ability to play back to goal and make the necessary runs required up front will earn her significant time. Coming from one of the best clubs in the country (Penn Fusion) Gianna has the technical and tactical awareness to be an impact player right away.”
Lena Lucas
Brighton, NY
Brighton
Defender
Lucas comes to Buffalo from Brighton high school where she was a standout defender for the Barons. The athletic defender helped lead her team to the Section V championship in 2016 while also earning First Team All-Greater Rochester honors. Lucas earned fifth team All-NYS honors during her senior season while also being named First Team All-County twice during her successful career. During her junior campaign, the central defender led the team with eight assists.
Burke on Lucas: “Probably the most athletic of the group, Lena’s pace will have an immediate impact. Competing this year with fellow signee Kaitlyn for Syracuse Development Academy, Lena’s development at center back has been tremendous and helped prepare her for the next level.”
With the talent returning to the Bulls for the 2017 campaign and the addition of these four student-athletes, UB is poised to return to the top of the Mid-American Conference and make a run in the NCAA Tournament.
from UBBulls.com via IFTTT
