Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Rhoden Inks Nine in 2021 Class
11/13/2020 11:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer, BRAA
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Middle Tennessee soccer program added nine to the 2021 recruiting class, announced by head coach Aston Rhoden on Friday.
The Blue Raiders brought in a strong class of exceptional student-athletes from across the country that will take the pitch in the fall of 2021.
"I would like to thank my staff, support personnel, and our players for helping to secure a very talented recruiting class," Rhoden said. " With recruiting being so early for our sport, our objective in this recruiting period was to secure student athletes who could challenge for a starting position and who were versatile enough to play multiple positions. This class will increase the depth of our team and allow us to maintain a good level of play for longer periods. The 2021 class includes players who have won multiple championships and others who have represented their country. I can hardly wait to blend our new talent with our very experienced and very capable group of returning players."
Lainey Callis
Midfielder, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Oakland High School, Tennessee SC
Lainey Callis stays home to play for the Blue Raiders, she played club for Tennessee SC. Callis was a two-time all-state player, a district midfielder of the year and a four-time first team all-district for Oakland.
Aston's Comments
"Lainey is a very technical player with great vision and passing range. She has good fitness and a strong box to box midfielder. Lainey's composure on the ball will be beneficial to a young midfield."
Madison Franz
Defender, Cumming, Georgia, Lambert High School, United Futbol Academy
Madison Franz joins the Blue Raiders out of Cumming, Ga., and Lambert High School. She played club for United Futbol Academy under Iggy Moleka. Fraz is a three-year starter for her high school's varsity squad. In 2019, she was the kicker for the varsity football team. Franz is a 2019 state runner-up and region champion.
Aston's Comments
"Maddie is an athletic and versatile defender. She is good in 1v1 situations, strong in the air and effective in the attack. She's a natural leader and has been a key player for all teams she's played on."
Jordan Imes
Goalkeeper, Fishers, Indiana, Fishers High School, Indy Premier
Jordan Imes joins the Blue Raiders out of Fishers, Ind., and Fishers High School. She played club for Indy Premier under Coach Kenrick Ramierez. Imes was sectional champion in soccer and basketball. Imes recorded a 0.9 save percentage, six shutouts and only six goals against in 2020 season.In Indy Premier, she was a three-time Indiana state cup champion after playing for the club for nine years.
Aston's Comments
"Jordan is solid keeper with great physical attributes, agility, and good hands. She plays well with her feet and commands her box well. She will certainly make our goalkeeping position more competitive."
Kirstine Lykke
Forward/Midfielder, Ikast, Denmark, Ikast-Brande Gymnasium, Vildbjerg SK
Kirstine Lykke joins the Blue Raiders out of Ikast, Denmark Vildbjerg SK. She played school for the Ikast-Brande Gymnasium under Thomas Soeby and Frank Kristensen. Lykke was her club's top scorer eight times and player of the season three times. She has been playing soccer since she was four years old and has never seen a superhero movie.
Aston's Comments
"Kirstine is a natural goal scorer. She's clinical in and around the box and very strong in the air. Her ability to play as a #9 or #10 makes her a very versatile player and will allow us to play in several different attacking schemes. Her experience at the youth national team level will be an asset for us."
Alayna Lynchard
Defender, Ellicott City, Maryland, McDonogh High School, Maryland United
Alayna Lynchard joins the Blue Raiders out of Ellicott City, MD., and McDonogh High School. She played club for the Maryland United under Harry Canellakis and Steve Campbell. Lynchard was a TopDrawerSoccer four-star recruit and standout at ECNL Showcase. She was a player to watch in the ECNL Northeast Conference preview in 2018 and 2019. She was ranked 11th in the nation at the US Soccer Training Center Testing in 2016.
Aston's Comments
"Alayna is a strong, versatile defender with good athleticism and technical ability. She's very strong in 1v1 situations, powerful in the air, and has great passing range. Her size and versatility will give us some balance in the backline."
Victoria McKool
Midfielder, Johns Creek, Georgia, Johns Creek High School, Atlanta Fire United Club
Victoria McKool joins the Blue Raiders out of Johns Creek, Ga., and Johns Creek High School. She played club for the Atlanta Fire United Club under Nadine Kezebon, Dominic Martelli and Jason Smith. McKool was a standout midfielder for Johns Creek as well as her club team as she was named her all-region second team in 2019. In club, she advanced to the final four at nationals in 2019.
Aston's Comments
"Tori is a smart, technical player who reads the game well. She has a keen positional sense and very good at breaking up the opponent's attack while starting her own. She's composed on the ball and creates scoring chance with her vision and passing range."
Sascha Nielsen
Defender, Aabyskov, Denmark, Svendborg Gymnasium, Odense Q
Sascha Nielsen joins the Blue Raiders out of Aabyskov, Denmark and club Odense SK under Bo Sundahl. She went to school at the Svendborg Gymnasium. Nielsen played in the best league in Denmark and was awarded player of the year in 2017 and 2018. For her club, Nielsen started every game for Odense Q in the senior league.
Aston's Comments
"Sascha can play as a defender and equally well as a midfielder. She is a very intelligent player, composed on the ball, and plays with a lot of grit and toughness. A former teammate of current Blue Raider, Ida Eriksen, Sascha's experience at the youth national team level will be an asset for us."
Talia Nowlan
Goalkeeper, Spring Hill, Florida, Nature Coast Technical High School, Tampa Bay United
Talia Nowlan joins the Blue Raiders out of Spring Hill, Fla., and Nature Coast Technical High School. She played club for Tampa Bay United under Coach Tim Mann, Adrian Bush, Paul Rizzo and Jim Cote. Nowlan was the school record holder for most saves in a season 2017-18 with 93 saves and hold the school record for most shut outs with 12. Imes led team to regional semifinals in 2020 and led to conference finals in 2019.
Aston's Comments
"Talia is a very competent keeper with great athleticism and agility. She reads the game well, is comfortable playing with her feet and has good reactions. Talia will be a strong addition to our goalkeeping unit."
Lia Zavalsky
Midfielder, Golden, Colorado, Golden High School, Colorado Rush
Lia Zavalsky joins the Blue Raiders out of Golden, Co., and Golden High School. She played club for Colorado Rush under Coach Elliot Prost. Zavalsky was a three-time ODP state team, ODP regional camp and ODP regional team.
Aston's Comments
"Lia has great presence in the midfield. She has the ability to unlock a defense with her 1v1 attacking ability, vision and passing ability. She has a good endurance, durability and will allow us to play in different shapes in the midfield."
2021 Middle Tennessee Soccer
Lainey Callis
Midfielder, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Oakland High School, Tennessee SC
Madison Franz
Defender, Cumming, Georgia, Lambert High School, United Futbol Academy
Jordan Imes
Goalkeeper, Fishers, Indiana, Fishers High School, Indy Premier
Kirstine Lykke
Forward/Midfielder, Ikast, Denmark, Ikast-Brande Gymnasium, Vildbjerg SK
Alayna Lynchard
Defender, Ellicott City, Maryland, McDonogh High School, Maryland United
Victoria McKool
Midfielder, Johns Creek, Georgia, Johns Creek High School, Atlanta Fire United Club
Sascha Nielsen
Defender, Aabyskov, Denmark, Svendborg Gymnasium, Odense Q
Talia Nowlan
Goalkeeper, Spring Hill, Florida, Nature Coast Technical High School, Tampa Bay United
Lia Zavalsky
Midfielder, Golden, Colorado, Golden High School, Colorado Rush
The Blue Raiders brought in a strong class of exceptional student-athletes from across the country that will take the pitch in the fall of 2021.
"I would like to thank my staff, support personnel, and our players for helping to secure a very talented recruiting class," Rhoden said. " With recruiting being so early for our sport, our objective in this recruiting period was to secure student athletes who could challenge for a starting position and who were versatile enough to play multiple positions. This class will increase the depth of our team and allow us to maintain a good level of play for longer periods. The 2021 class includes players who have won multiple championships and others who have represented their country. I can hardly wait to blend our new talent with our very experienced and very capable group of returning players."
Lainey Callis
Midfielder, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Oakland High School, Tennessee SC
Lainey Callis stays home to play for the Blue Raiders, she played club for Tennessee SC. Callis was a two-time all-state player, a district midfielder of the year and a four-time first team all-district for Oakland.
Aston's Comments
"Lainey is a very technical player with great vision and passing range. She has good fitness and a strong box to box midfielder. Lainey's composure on the ball will be beneficial to a young midfield."
Madison Franz
Defender, Cumming, Georgia, Lambert High School, United Futbol Academy
Madison Franz joins the Blue Raiders out of Cumming, Ga., and Lambert High School. She played club for United Futbol Academy under Iggy Moleka. Fraz is a three-year starter for her high school's varsity squad. In 2019, she was the kicker for the varsity football team. Franz is a 2019 state runner-up and region champion.
Aston's Comments
"Maddie is an athletic and versatile defender. She is good in 1v1 situations, strong in the air and effective in the attack. She's a natural leader and has been a key player for all teams she's played on."
Jordan Imes
Goalkeeper, Fishers, Indiana, Fishers High School, Indy Premier
Jordan Imes joins the Blue Raiders out of Fishers, Ind., and Fishers High School. She played club for Indy Premier under Coach Kenrick Ramierez. Imes was sectional champion in soccer and basketball. Imes recorded a 0.9 save percentage, six shutouts and only six goals against in 2020 season.In Indy Premier, she was a three-time Indiana state cup champion after playing for the club for nine years.
Aston's Comments
"Jordan is solid keeper with great physical attributes, agility, and good hands. She plays well with her feet and commands her box well. She will certainly make our goalkeeping position more competitive."
Kirstine Lykke
Forward/Midfielder, Ikast, Denmark, Ikast-Brande Gymnasium, Vildbjerg SK
Kirstine Lykke joins the Blue Raiders out of Ikast, Denmark Vildbjerg SK. She played school for the Ikast-Brande Gymnasium under Thomas Soeby and Frank Kristensen. Lykke was her club's top scorer eight times and player of the season three times. She has been playing soccer since she was four years old and has never seen a superhero movie.
Aston's Comments
"Kirstine is a natural goal scorer. She's clinical in and around the box and very strong in the air. Her ability to play as a #9 or #10 makes her a very versatile player and will allow us to play in several different attacking schemes. Her experience at the youth national team level will be an asset for us."
Alayna Lynchard
Defender, Ellicott City, Maryland, McDonogh High School, Maryland United
Alayna Lynchard joins the Blue Raiders out of Ellicott City, MD., and McDonogh High School. She played club for the Maryland United under Harry Canellakis and Steve Campbell. Lynchard was a TopDrawerSoccer four-star recruit and standout at ECNL Showcase. She was a player to watch in the ECNL Northeast Conference preview in 2018 and 2019. She was ranked 11th in the nation at the US Soccer Training Center Testing in 2016.
Aston's Comments
"Alayna is a strong, versatile defender with good athleticism and technical ability. She's very strong in 1v1 situations, powerful in the air, and has great passing range. Her size and versatility will give us some balance in the backline."
Victoria McKool
Midfielder, Johns Creek, Georgia, Johns Creek High School, Atlanta Fire United Club
Victoria McKool joins the Blue Raiders out of Johns Creek, Ga., and Johns Creek High School. She played club for the Atlanta Fire United Club under Nadine Kezebon, Dominic Martelli and Jason Smith. McKool was a standout midfielder for Johns Creek as well as her club team as she was named her all-region second team in 2019. In club, she advanced to the final four at nationals in 2019.
Aston's Comments
"Tori is a smart, technical player who reads the game well. She has a keen positional sense and very good at breaking up the opponent's attack while starting her own. She's composed on the ball and creates scoring chance with her vision and passing range."
Sascha Nielsen
Defender, Aabyskov, Denmark, Svendborg Gymnasium, Odense Q
Sascha Nielsen joins the Blue Raiders out of Aabyskov, Denmark and club Odense SK under Bo Sundahl. She went to school at the Svendborg Gymnasium. Nielsen played in the best league in Denmark and was awarded player of the year in 2017 and 2018. For her club, Nielsen started every game for Odense Q in the senior league.
Aston's Comments
"Sascha can play as a defender and equally well as a midfielder. She is a very intelligent player, composed on the ball, and plays with a lot of grit and toughness. A former teammate of current Blue Raider, Ida Eriksen, Sascha's experience at the youth national team level will be an asset for us."
Talia Nowlan
Goalkeeper, Spring Hill, Florida, Nature Coast Technical High School, Tampa Bay United
Talia Nowlan joins the Blue Raiders out of Spring Hill, Fla., and Nature Coast Technical High School. She played club for Tampa Bay United under Coach Tim Mann, Adrian Bush, Paul Rizzo and Jim Cote. Nowlan was the school record holder for most saves in a season 2017-18 with 93 saves and hold the school record for most shut outs with 12. Imes led team to regional semifinals in 2020 and led to conference finals in 2019.
Aston's Comments
"Talia is a very competent keeper with great athleticism and agility. She reads the game well, is comfortable playing with her feet and has good reactions. Talia will be a strong addition to our goalkeeping unit."
Lia Zavalsky
Midfielder, Golden, Colorado, Golden High School, Colorado Rush
Lia Zavalsky joins the Blue Raiders out of Golden, Co., and Golden High School. She played club for Colorado Rush under Coach Elliot Prost. Zavalsky was a three-time ODP state team, ODP regional camp and ODP regional team.
Aston's Comments
"Lia has great presence in the midfield. She has the ability to unlock a defense with her 1v1 attacking ability, vision and passing ability. She has a good endurance, durability and will allow us to play in different shapes in the midfield."
2021 Middle Tennessee Soccer
Lainey Callis
Midfielder, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Oakland High School, Tennessee SC
Madison Franz
Defender, Cumming, Georgia, Lambert High School, United Futbol Academy
Jordan Imes
Goalkeeper, Fishers, Indiana, Fishers High School, Indy Premier
Kirstine Lykke
Forward/Midfielder, Ikast, Denmark, Ikast-Brande Gymnasium, Vildbjerg SK
Alayna Lynchard
Defender, Ellicott City, Maryland, McDonogh High School, Maryland United
Victoria McKool
Midfielder, Johns Creek, Georgia, Johns Creek High School, Atlanta Fire United Club
Sascha Nielsen
Defender, Aabyskov, Denmark, Svendborg Gymnasium, Odense Q
Talia Nowlan
Goalkeeper, Spring Hill, Florida, Nature Coast Technical High School, Tampa Bay United
Lia Zavalsky
Midfielder, Golden, Colorado, Golden High School, Colorado Rush
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