The Bob Jones University Bruins women's soccer team is ready for the upcoming season as the team announced their 2023 recruit class. Eleven players join the squad as the Bruins prepare for the 2023 season.
"We are extremely excited to welcome our new 2023 recruit class," said Head Coach Chris Carmichael. "They are a very talented group and will add immediate strengths to our team and we are extremely blessed to have them in our program. Between our very strong returning class and our new 2023 recruit class we should be sitting well to have another strong season and a run for a national championship."
Last year after a strong start to the season, the women's soccer program went on a seven-game winning streak to conclude the regular season. At regionals they defeated Columbia International University before narrowly falling 1-0 in the region championship to Carolina University. The Bruins went on to earn an at-large bid to the NCCAA DI National Tournament in Kissimmee, Florida where they ended their year with a 14-7-1 season record.
The program graduated eight key seniors from last year's team, but with a solid group of returners back in the lineup and a talented incoming class, the Bruins look primed to contend for the NCCAA DII national tournament this season. Here are the incoming recruits for this year's team:
Celeste Baladi (Savannah, GA)
Celeste Baladi began playing soccer at five years old and took full advantage of growing up with both club and high school soccer. Celeste played for Coastal GP and Carolina State Elite Team and was captain of both teams from 2018-2022 and was a three-time consecutive State Cup champion. Celeste was also selected to be on the 2020 GPS National Team where she served as team captain. Through her club career she was selected for the GAAPS All-Star Team. In high school Celeste was a starter on the CHAA Hurricanes varsity squad. She later joined Tormenta FC in the Piedmont League and played holding midfielder and centerback. Celeste has also been playing with WPSL Savannah Spirit Futures since the beginning of high school. Celeste is a very physical player with an exceptional first touch, ball control, and has a high soccer IQ. She plans to major in Kinesiology with aspirations to become a physical therapist.
Margaret Cummings (Gilmanton Iron Works, NH)
Goalkeeper Margaret Cummings played for Boston Bolts Soccer Club between 2017-2019 and then subsequently played for Seacoast United 2021-2022. Throughout high school, she was a varsity starter at Burlington High School until she moved to Gilford High School in 2022 where she helped her team win the DIII New Hampshire state championship. Margaret recorded 14 shutouts her senior year and saw 93 saves. She was a captain her senior year and was awarded New Hampshire All-State and All-Conference and Massachusetts All-Conference recognition.
Myleigh Shaw (Travelers Rest, SC)
Myleigh Shaw joins the Bruins out of Travelers Rest, South Carolina. She was a member of the United Football Club between 2017-2021 and was on the 05G Elite National League team. She also participated in the 2019 South Carolina Olympic Development Program. In high school she played on the varsity team at Greer Middle College Charter. She began her collegiate career at Spartanburg Methodist College. Last season she was named 3rd team All-Region at Spartanburg Methodist College and was a big part of helping her team become the 2022 Regional Champions. Myleigh plans on studying Nutrition while at BJU.
Jane Farr (Severn, MD)
Jane Farr is a defender from central Maryland where she has played soccer since age four with the Arundel Soccer Association. Most recently, she started with the ASA Fire 05, where she helped lead to first place in their division in 2022. Jane was also a four-year starter and two-year captain for Rockbridge Academy's varsity team. She was named 1st team All-Conference twice as well as the 2021 tournament MVP while leading her team to the league championship. Last year she earned League MVP as her team finished runner up. She plans to study Pre-Med in the fall.
Shannon Miller (Greenville, SC)
Shannon Miller is a local attacking midfielder and played club at United Football Club and UUSC where she was a dominant force in the midfield. She was on the varsity squad at Bob Jones Academy all four years. During her years at BJA she played a key role in helping her school team win three state championships while also helping her club team to their championship win in 2019. Shannon has won many accolades including two All-Tournament awards and one Coach's award. In the fall she plans on majoring in Pre-Med.
Estrella Cruz (Greenville, SC)
Estrella Cruz is another local athlete joining the Bruins. She started playing soccer at a very young age with Furman United Soccer Club as a striker before switching to Pachuca United Soccer Club where she experimented at different positions such as winger and centerback. Estrella was a four-year high school starter at Bob Jones Academy. During her tenure at BJA she was instrumental in helping her BJA team win the state NACA championship for three straight years. Estrella received SCACS All-Tournament player recognition her senior year. She plans on majoring in Kinesiology while at BJU.
Julia Hartzler (Greenville, SC)
Julia is from Greenville, SC and competed at Upstate United Soccer Club and Bob Jones Academy where she played an important role helping her team to become the State Champions in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Those same years, she earned All-Conference honors. Julia is a versatile athlete who played holding midfielder for her club at UUSC and centerback for BJA. While at BJU Julia is planning on majoring in Kinesiology.
Abby Nelson (Raleigh, NC)
Abby Nelson grew up playing with Kicking for the Cross until middle school where she started for Friendship Christian School in the 5th grade. Abby played for Friendship her sophomore year of high school when she finished high school career at Wake Christian Academy. She played club soccer for Trinity Soccer Academy and has played with the Trinity Soccer Academy WPSL U21 summer league as well. The forward and attacking midfielder will be majoring in Exercise Science and plans to work towards being a personal trainer.
Ashley Darst (Greenville, SC)
Ashley Darst is a centerback from Greenville, South Carolina. She had a great career playing at United Football Club while also competing on Bob Jones Academy's varsity squad. During her time with BJA, she helped see them win back-to-back-to-back SCACS state championships. Ashley is currently undeclared for her major.
Lauren Green (Pickens, SC)
Lauren Green joins the Bruins after spending her time in high school captain of the Pickens High School varsity soccer program where she played two seasons. She has been playing soccer at the recreational, club, and varsity high school level soccer for 10 years. Beginning at seven years old Lauren participated in co-ed YMCA recreational soccer for four seasons before she joined co-ed u12 team at Summit Soccer Club. At the CESA Spring Challenge Tournament she placed runner up. Lauren played nine seasons for Summit Soccer, six at the co-ed level and her final three on an all girls team.
Olivia Robertson (Vidalia, GA)
From Vidalia, Georgia, Olivia Robertson grew up in Jacksonville, Florida where she has been playing soccer for 14 years. For the past three years she has competed at Trinity Christian Academy where she was played in the centerback position. She helped her school achieve new records in wins, shutouts, and the best record in their region.
"We have brought in depth at most positions, and like most years, some will come in fit, strong and technically sharp to earn a start or playing time," said Coach Carmichael. "This group will push our team to be stronger in all areas and they have an amazing personality that will fit in perfectly to our team culture. They are very coachable and our returners are looking forward to mentoring and serving them as we look ahead to another strong season of competition."
The women's soccer team will begin their 12th season of competition on September 1. Their full schedule with dates and opponents will be released soon.
