Ashland University head women's soccer coach
Cayleb Paulino has announced the addition of 10 players to the program in the 2023 recruiting class.
Of the 10, six are incoming freshmen and four are transfers.
"Very excited for the players joining the Ashland University women's soccer family," said Paulino. "This is a very talented group joining our program. We have players who have won state championships in high school, competed at the national stage in club, and a group who just loves to compete.
"Our job as a staff was to identify a group of players who we felt could help raise the standard of our program both on the field and in the classroom, and I feel we did just that."
HOPE EVANS, DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER – TRANSFER FROM: EASTERN KENTUCKY/HIGH SCHOOL: BISHOP FENWICK/CLUB: WARREN COUNTY SC
- Played two seasons at Eastern Kentucky – five games in 2022 and 15 games (seven starts) in 2021, scoring two goals as a freshman.
HALEY HIGHTOWER, MIDFIELDER/DEFENDER – HIGH SCHOOL: STRONGSVILLE/CLUB: FC EVOLUTION
- Member of 2020 state-championship team (20-0) and 2022 state runner-up team (17-3-3).
- Part of two regional, four district and four Greater Cleveland Conference title teams.
- Named first-team All-GCC and Greater Cleveland School Superintendents' Association (GCSSA) district honorable mention.
- Team captain.
- Earned four varsity soccer letters.
K.J. HUDSON, GOALKEEPER – TRANSFER FROM: EASTERN MICHIGAN/HIGH SCHOOL: DELAWARE HAYES/CLUB: WARREN COUNTY SC
- Started collegiate career at Eastern Michigan but did not play.
- Part of 2020 Ohio Capital Conference-winning team.
- Selected All-OCC first-team and second-team all-district.
- Prep statistics include more than 50 saves, a 1.00 goals-against average and four shutouts.
- Earned three varsity soccer letters.
ALLISON KING, FORWARD – TRANSFER FROM: NORTHERN KENTUCKY/HIGH SCHOOL: TWINSBURG/CLUB: AMBASSADORS FC
- Played 44 games over three seasons (2021 spring-2022) at Northern Kentucky, starting five times and recording an assist.
- Scored 49 goals in last two prep seasons.
- Two-time All-Ohio selection and Suburban League Player of the Year.
- Member of Ohio Division I state semifinal team.
RACHEL MCCOOL, DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER – HIGH SCHOOL: LEBANON/CLUB: KHA/OHIO GALAXIES
- Named first-team All-Eastern Cincinnati Conference.
- Team captain.
- Club team finished eighth nationally in 2022.
- Earned four varsity soccer letters.
SARAH PADDOCK, DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER – HIGH SCHOOL: MARINER (FLORIDA)/CLUB: WEST FLORIDA FLAMES
- Posted 35 goals and 17 assists through first three prep seasons.
- Member of Florida Class 5A state title team.
- Was first-team all-state as freshman and sophomore, all-state as junior.
- Earned four varsity soccer letters.
- Father, Josh Eldridge, played football at Ashland University.
SYDNEY POLEN, MIDFIELDER/FORWARD – HIGH SCHOOL: LOUDONVILLE/CLUB: OHIO STRYKERS
- Set program records for goals in a season (47) and career (150), assists in a season (22), points in a season (116) and career (347), and hat tricks in a season (10) and career (31).
- Prep honors include two-time first-team and one-time second-team All-Ohio, four-time first-team All-Mid-Buckeye Conference, two-time MBC Player of the Year, district Player of the Year, first-team all-region, and three-time all-district.
- Club team won State Cup title in 2021.
- Earned varsity letters in soccer (four), track and field (four) and basketball (one).
CLARA RICHARDSON, MIDFIELDER – HIGH SCHOOL: HILLIARD BRADLEY/CLUB: OHIO PREMIER
- As a junior, named second-team all-district and first-team All-Ohio Capital Conference.
- Earned four varsity soccer letters.
ADI TURNBAUGH, DEFENDER – HIGH SCHOOL: ONTARIO/CLUB: FC EVOLUTION
- Earned first-team and second-team All-Ohio, and four first-team all-district and four first-team All-Mid Ohio Athletic Conference honors.
- Club team was State Cup champions in 2021 and 2022, and national qualifier and regional champion in 2022.
- Earned four varsity soccer letters.
EMMA WHITAKER, MIDFIELDER – TRANSFER FROM: TUSCULUM/HIGH SCHOOL: WAYNESVILLE/CLUB: OHIO ELITE
- In 2022 at Tusculum, started and played in 18 games, recording one assist.
- Scored winning goal in state championship game as a senior.
- First-team all-district and All-Southwestern Buckeye League.
- Finished with 46 goals and 26 assists for 118 points in prep career.
"We have had four transfers join us already this January," Paulino noted. "Hope, Emma, Allison and K.J. all bring a different dynamic to our group. It is a mix of veteran players and younger players to help provide us competition in some key roles for us. They are already starting to make themselves at home at AU and make an impact in our program.
"Really excited about the talent and level of competition that our 2023 class will provide. Sydney, Clara, Haley, Rachel, Sarah and Adi are all versatile kids who can play multiple positions for us. They are a group that possess the qualities of what it means to be an Ashland University women's soccer player both on the field and off the field. We are excited to see what new heights their class can reach in their four years here at AU. Looking forward to seeing Ashland University women's soccer continue to raise the standard for our program."
