Deacons Ink Five for 2017

2/1/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Feb. 1, 2017

Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeWSoccer)

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest head women's soccer coach Tony da Luz announced the addition of five new signees, including three All-Americans, on Wednesday.

"We have been looking forward to signing this class for a long time," da Luz said. "This is one of the most talented groups we have ever recruited to Wake Forest. They all have the athleticism, technical ability and soccer IQ to make an immediate impact in our program. Our biggest priority was to find goal-scorers and we have addressed that. These players have made a major impact on every team they have played for. I have no doubt that they, along with some additional players to be announced later, will do the same at Wake Forest."

• South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year Nominee
• Will graduate in the top 3% in a class of over 900 students
• Will wear jersey #33

Background:
All-state honoree as she led the team in scoring each of her first three years ... Claimed the 2014 state championship in high school, also winning five state titles in club ... Earned all-region honors in each of her first three seasons ... Serves as a team captain of her club team.

Personal:
Daughter of Lori Betfort ... Born on Jan. 4, 1999 ... Is a member of the National Honor Society, AP Academy and the Beta Club.

Da Luz's take:
"Hannah's athleticism is off the charts. Her speed makes her dangerous either as an outside back or a wide forward. Hannah came to one of our ID camps and we quickly realized that she would be a perfect fit for our program. In the last year and a half since she committed, her game has really improved and she's even grown a few more inches. I'm excited to see her development really accelerate once she gets into our training environment this summer."

What they're saying:
"The first time I saw Hannah Betfort playing recreation soccer through Mt. Pleasant I pulled her aside and told her that she needed to come over to our club for higher level of training and competition. Her talent was immediately recognizable. Talent alone did not carry her to Wake Forest, however; Hannah has an insatiable work rate, a desire to compete, and drive to push herself beyond her limits only found in the best youth athletes. I look forward to seeing her compete in the ACC for the Demon Deacons." - Kian Brownlee, USA/MP 98 Girls Elite

• United States Under-17 National Team
• NSCAA All-American
• No. 20 Ranked 2017 Prospect – TopDrawerSoccer
• Will wear jersey #21

Background:
In three years with her high school team, totaled 51 goals and 42 assists, leading the team to a 70-7 record in that span ... All-state honoree each of her three seasons and was named an NSCAA All-American ... Rated as the No. 20 prospect in the nation and the No. 9 midfielder by TopDrawerSoccer ... Won a high school state title her junior year, tallying 26 goals and 26 assists en route to a 28-2 overall record ... With the United States U-17 National Team, attended four camps and earned two caps ... Twice named to Interregional ODP all-star team.

Personal:
Daughter of Tony and Lisa Brown ... Born on Jan. 21, 1999 ... Brother, Jalen, played soccer at Xavier and was drafted by NYCFC in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft ... Father, Tony, played basketball at Earlham College ... Cousin, Sarina Bolden, plays soccer at Loyola Marymount.

Da Luz's take:
"Ryanne is a special player who recently caught the attention of U.S. Soccer. She was well on her way to playing in the U-17 World Cup before being sidelined with an injury. She does so many things well on and off the ball and her upside is unlimited. She comes from a great soccer family with her brother Jalen being selected as the 38th overall pick in this year's MLS SuperDraft. Despite her minor setback, she will be fully healthy and ready to go well before we open preseason. She is a versatile, athletic, natural goal scorer, who will create goal scoring chances for herself and her teammates."

What they're saying:
"Ryanne Brown is a special player who has played and trained at the highest level. Her technical skill and finishing ability under pressure along with a tremendous passion for the game is what sets her apart. She is a person of great character who comes from an exceptional family. Ryanne still has not reached her full potential and I have no doubt she will attain that level under the guidance of the Wake Forest program." - Mark Castro, Indiana Fire ECNL

• Committed to the Deacons in November after originally selecting Davidson
• Will wear jersey #19

Background:
All-state honoree and three-year team captain at Carolina Day School ... Two-time all-conference recipient ... Six-year varsity starter at goalkeeper ... Also competed in swimming in high school ... In the ODP, picked to NC Select Team and Region III camp ... Trains under Anthony Brenner, the brother of Wake Forest men's soccer assistant coach Dane Brenner.

Personal:
Daughter of Jennifer and Ted Hull ... Born on Oct. 16, 1998 ... Is active in student government and the head of the ambassador program ... Considering a major in political science or international relations.

Da Luz's take:
"We were very fortunate to get Emily very late in the recruiting process. When she reopened her search after a coaching change at her previous school we jumped at the opportunity. She's a hard-working goalkeeper and a tremendous student. She will immediately push Lindsay Preston and Nonie Frishette and will provide us with incredible depth at the goalkeeper position."

What they're saying:
"Emily's work ethic and fantastic attitude have earned her this exciting opportunity to play college soccer in the ACC. I feel privileged to have coached such an exemplary young lady who defines what you look for both on and off the field." - Joey Savari, Highland Football Club

• NSCAA All-American
• No. 72 Ranked 2017 Prospect – TopDrawerSoccer
• Scored 122 goals for club and high school
• Will wear jersey #7

Background:
Four time all-state honoree and 2016 NSCAA All-American ... Scored 65 goals in club soccer from U15-U17 and 57 goals in high school for 122 total scores ... Rated as the No. 72 prospect in the nation and No. 29 forward by TopDrawerSoccer ... Twice named the Miami Valley Player of the year and four times named first team All-Miami Valley, first team all-conference and team MVP ... Two-year team captain ... In 2014, finished second in the ECNL with 31 goals scored in 23 games ... Selected to id2 ODP camps in 2013 and 2014, and ECNL Midwest id2 PDP camps in 2015 and 2016.

Personal:
Daughter of John and Gina McNamara ... Born on Apr. 28, 1999 ... On the honor roll all four years and a two-year member of the National Honor Society ... Grandfather, Gerry, played for the Toronto Maple Leafs and went on to become the team's general manager before winning a Stanley Cup with the Calgary Flames in 1989 as a scout ... Uncle, Nick, played soccer at Green Bay and another uncle, Bobby, played hockey at Notre Dame and signed with the Buffalo Sabres.

Da Luz's take:
"Abby is a true target forward who can score goals in a variety of ways. She's dominant in the air and holds the ball up well under pressure, giving us a highly aggressive presence in the opponents' 18-yard box. She keeps things simple and just finds a way to get the ball in the back of the net. Physically she'll be ready to go up against the ACC's best defenders immediately. The Cincinnati/Dayton area has been a great pipeline for us from our alumni like Aubrey Bledsoe and Ally Berry to current Deacons Maddie Huster, Bayley Feist, Madison Baumgardner, Kate Ravenna and Haley Jordahl. We look forward to Abby continuing that tradition."

What they're saying:
"What sets Abby apart is her physical commitment and her strong desire to score goals. She has a tremendous presence in the box. She has grown so much technically and tactically as a player over the last several years. Most importantly, she is a brilliant person. She manages to bridge being a fiery competitor with a fun-loving and positive attitude. I'm certain we'll see her name on the scoresheet consistently for years to come at Wake Forest." - Doug Bracken, Ohio Elite Soccer Academy

• 2x NSCAA All-American
• No. 107 Ranked 2017 Prospect – TopDrawerSoccer
• 2x Ohio Division I Player of the Year
• Will wear jersey #28

Background:
Rated as the No. 107 recruit in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer, as well as the No. 41 midfielder ... Twice named Ohio's Division I Player of the Year ... NSCAA All-American in 2015 and 2016 ... Was named "Ohio Ms. Soccer" her senior year ... Team won four state titles in her time ... Also earned first team all-district honors her sophomore year.

Personal:
Daughter of Lou and Marie Rossi ... Born on May 4, 1999 ... Considering a major in pre-med.

Da Luz's take:
"Sofia is one of the most decorated players to ever come out of the state of Ohio. She's a special talent who will add a new dimension to our midfield. She combines great technical skill with the ability to beat defenders 1v1 and score goals. Her creativity on the ball is going to be really fun for our fans to watch. Sofia has incredible instincts and vision for the final pass. She is a clutch performer, scoring goals in each of her high school state championships, and a proven winner."

What they're saying:
"Sofia Rossi is the standard by which all future Walsh Jesuit players will be judged by. In four years, she won four state championships and scored five goals in four state finals. She did it all with class and humility, and every day for four year she put the team and her teammates before herself." - Dino McIntyre, Walsh Jesuit