Drexel University Athletics
Women's Soccer Announces Signing of Nine Newcomers
4/14/2014 3:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Philadelphia – Drexel women's soccer head coach Ray Goon announced the signing of nine student-athletes for the fall 2014 season. Hannah Babjak, Madison Dunn, Heidi Gspurning, Wilhelmina Hauch-Fuasbøll, Kiera Hennessy, Aoife Schanche, Stephanie Soroka, Kylie Strong and Imani Walker make up the large class that will help the Dragons as they look to return to the Colonial Athletic Association Championships and challenge for the CAA title this fall.
"Our 2014 freshmen class is a very diverse and talented group of young student-athletes. Each one of them brings a unique combination of soccer and athletic ability that covers every facet of the game," said Goon. "Our returning student-athletes have played a huge role in the recent evolution of our women's soccer program at Drexel. We are eager to combine the rich talent and experience we currently have with the great potential of our incoming group to take our program new heights this fall."
Hannah Babjak, from Libertyville, Ill., is a skillful attacking player with the versatility to be a creative playmaker out of the midfield and score goals as a forward. She currently attends and plays for the IMG Academy out of Bradenton, Fla. but spent the majority of her youth soccer career with the nationally recognized Eclipse Soccer Club out of Chicago. Her IMG Academy team recently won the U19 Disney Showcase Championship with Babjak scoring five goals over four games, the last of which was the game-winner off a free kick in the finals.
Madison Dunn, from Freehold, N.J., is a dynamic offensive player who demonstrates both athleticism and a never-ending work rate. Primarily a forward for her Battle of Monmouth Black Cats club team and her Freehold Township High School team, Dunn set a school scoring record with 17 goals as a freshman. A captain her senior season, she was recognized as an All-Division, All-County, All-Shore Conference and All-District player in both her junior and senior seasons. Dunn's high energy style of play could also add to the team's depth in the mid-field.
Heidi Gspurning, from Yorktown Heights, N.Y., is a defender who combines size and athleticism with a natural ability to read the game. Gspurning has a strong competitive spirit which has helped her succeed at every level at which she has played. As a member of the Quickstrike Xtreme club team she has won a US Club Regional Championship and was an integral member of the Eastern New York ODP team that was Region I Finalists in 2013. Gspurning was a captain for her Yorktown High School soccer team and was named to the All-League team her sophomore, junior and senior years and to the All-Sections team her senior year.
Wilhelmina Hauch-Fausbøll from Hellerup, Denmark will bring international experience to the program beginning in 2014. Currently competing at the highest level of women's soccer in Denmark with her B93/HIK/Skjold club team, Hauch-Fausbøll is a versatile player who could serve many roles as a Dragon. With great size and strength she can be a dominant physical presence but her biggest asset will be her tactical knowledge and understanding of the game from an international perspective.
Kiera Hennessy, from Somers, N.Y., brings excellent athleticism, size, strength and skill to help solidify the Dragons' back line. A multi-sport athlete at John F. Kennedy Catholic High School, Hennessy has received All-Section and All-League honors for not only soccer but basketball and lacrosse as well. Along with her teammate Gspurning, Hennessy also helped her Quickstrike Xtreme club and Eastern New York ODP teams to the US Club Regional Championship and ODP Region 1 Finals. She was also invited to the Super-Y National Camp for 2012 and 2013.
Aoife Schanche of Kinnelon, N.J. is another stand out athlete who plays primarily as a defender but has the versatility to also make strong contributions as a midfielder. She helped lead her Kinnelon High School team as a captain her senior year to their fifth-consecutive conference championship and received All-Conference, All-County and All-State honors. As a member of the TSF United soccer club, Schanche competed in the Super Y League National Playoffs in 2011 & 2012 and was selected to the Super Y League National ODP Camp in 2012.
Stephanie Soroka is a Philadelphia native who comes to Drexel from William Penn Charter Academy. She is a powerful and relentless defender who also plays with the FC Bucks ECNL club team. A true leader of both her club and high school teams, Soroka captained Penn Charter to their first ever Inter-Ac League Championship and Independent State Championship her senior year. She also received Second Team All-League honors her sophomore and junior years as well as First Team All-League honors her senior year.
Kylie Strong, from Felton, Pa., is a creative midfield playmaker who will help add offense to the Dragons' attack this fall. Strong has been a leader on her Red Lion Area Senior High School team since her freshman year. She was the team's leading scorer her rookie season and team captain from sophomore year on. She received All-County honors all four years and was named the League's Player of the Year as a senior. Strong was also a member of the 2013 U17 Eastern Pennsylvania ODP team and was selected to the Region I ODP team that will travel to Costa Rica to play this spring.
Imani Walker, from Alpharetta, Ga., is a very athletic forward and prolific goal scorer. Her speed will be a threat for every opposing team, both non-conference and within the CAA. As a junior at Milton High School Walker lead her team in goals with 25, was named the team's Offensive Player of the Year and received All-Region honors. This spring Walker is looking to get her team back to 6A State Championships, which they won her sophomore year. In addition to playing for the United FA club team, she was also a member of the Georgia ODP and Region III ODP teams for several years and was a US National Youth Pool player in 2010.
"Our 2014 freshmen class is a very diverse and talented group of young student-athletes. Each one of them brings a unique combination of soccer and athletic ability that covers every facet of the game," said Goon. "Our returning student-athletes have played a huge role in the recent evolution of our women's soccer program at Drexel. We are eager to combine the rich talent and experience we currently have with the great potential of our incoming group to take our program new heights this fall."
Hannah Babjak, from Libertyville, Ill., is a skillful attacking player with the versatility to be a creative playmaker out of the midfield and score goals as a forward. She currently attends and plays for the IMG Academy out of Bradenton, Fla. but spent the majority of her youth soccer career with the nationally recognized Eclipse Soccer Club out of Chicago. Her IMG Academy team recently won the U19 Disney Showcase Championship with Babjak scoring five goals over four games, the last of which was the game-winner off a free kick in the finals.
Madison Dunn, from Freehold, N.J., is a dynamic offensive player who demonstrates both athleticism and a never-ending work rate. Primarily a forward for her Battle of Monmouth Black Cats club team and her Freehold Township High School team, Dunn set a school scoring record with 17 goals as a freshman. A captain her senior season, she was recognized as an All-Division, All-County, All-Shore Conference and All-District player in both her junior and senior seasons. Dunn's high energy style of play could also add to the team's depth in the mid-field.
Heidi Gspurning, from Yorktown Heights, N.Y., is a defender who combines size and athleticism with a natural ability to read the game. Gspurning has a strong competitive spirit which has helped her succeed at every level at which she has played. As a member of the Quickstrike Xtreme club team she has won a US Club Regional Championship and was an integral member of the Eastern New York ODP team that was Region I Finalists in 2013. Gspurning was a captain for her Yorktown High School soccer team and was named to the All-League team her sophomore, junior and senior years and to the All-Sections team her senior year.
Wilhelmina Hauch-Fausbøll from Hellerup, Denmark will bring international experience to the program beginning in 2014. Currently competing at the highest level of women's soccer in Denmark with her B93/HIK/Skjold club team, Hauch-Fausbøll is a versatile player who could serve many roles as a Dragon. With great size and strength she can be a dominant physical presence but her biggest asset will be her tactical knowledge and understanding of the game from an international perspective.
Kiera Hennessy, from Somers, N.Y., brings excellent athleticism, size, strength and skill to help solidify the Dragons' back line. A multi-sport athlete at John F. Kennedy Catholic High School, Hennessy has received All-Section and All-League honors for not only soccer but basketball and lacrosse as well. Along with her teammate Gspurning, Hennessy also helped her Quickstrike Xtreme club and Eastern New York ODP teams to the US Club Regional Championship and ODP Region 1 Finals. She was also invited to the Super-Y National Camp for 2012 and 2013.
Aoife Schanche of Kinnelon, N.J. is another stand out athlete who plays primarily as a defender but has the versatility to also make strong contributions as a midfielder. She helped lead her Kinnelon High School team as a captain her senior year to their fifth-consecutive conference championship and received All-Conference, All-County and All-State honors. As a member of the TSF United soccer club, Schanche competed in the Super Y League National Playoffs in 2011 & 2012 and was selected to the Super Y League National ODP Camp in 2012.
Stephanie Soroka is a Philadelphia native who comes to Drexel from William Penn Charter Academy. She is a powerful and relentless defender who also plays with the FC Bucks ECNL club team. A true leader of both her club and high school teams, Soroka captained Penn Charter to their first ever Inter-Ac League Championship and Independent State Championship her senior year. She also received Second Team All-League honors her sophomore and junior years as well as First Team All-League honors her senior year.
Kylie Strong, from Felton, Pa., is a creative midfield playmaker who will help add offense to the Dragons' attack this fall. Strong has been a leader on her Red Lion Area Senior High School team since her freshman year. She was the team's leading scorer her rookie season and team captain from sophomore year on. She received All-County honors all four years and was named the League's Player of the Year as a senior. Strong was also a member of the 2013 U17 Eastern Pennsylvania ODP team and was selected to the Region I ODP team that will travel to Costa Rica to play this spring.
Imani Walker, from Alpharetta, Ga., is a very athletic forward and prolific goal scorer. Her speed will be a threat for every opposing team, both non-conference and within the CAA. As a junior at Milton High School Walker lead her team in goals with 25, was named the team's Offensive Player of the Year and received All-Region honors. This spring Walker is looking to get her team back to 6A State Championships, which they won her sophomore year. In addition to playing for the United FA club team, she was also a member of the Georgia ODP and Region III ODP teams for several years and was a US National Youth Pool player in 2010.
Drexel's Autocomplete With Women's Soccer Coach Ray Goon
Tuesday, March 18
Drexel Women's Soccer Hype Video 2022
Thursday, September 01
Drexel Women's Soccer 2022 Season Outlook Video
Thursday, September 01
Senior Goalkeeper Libby Baeza Reflects on Career at Drexel
Thursday, October 24