ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Grand Valley State women's soccer team and head coach
Katie Hultin announced the signing of nine freshman to the 2023 class. The newcomers signed their national letter of intent Wednesday (Nov. 13) and Thursday (Nov. 14) during the early national signing period.
"We are so excited to have these talented Student Athletes join our GVSU Soccer Family," said Hultin. "Not only are all of these student athletes' great players, but they are all amazing people."
Danielle Aitken | Defender | Highland Village, TX | Liberty Christian School | BVB International Academy GA
Danielle Aitken is a four-year varsity letterwinner at Liberty Christian School in Highland Village, Texas. Aitken is one of two Texas natives in the 2023 recruiting class. She earned First Team All-District honors as a junior and Second Team All-District as a sophomore. Aitken was named team captain as a sophomore and was awarded team MVP as a sophomore and junior.
"Dani is one of our two Texans! Dani has such a great presence at center back. She is a great defender and can ping a ball wherever she wants. She is going to help us lock it down in the back, but she will also help us start the attack." -
Katie Hultin
Aaliah Barwick | Defender | Wirral, England | Liverpool FC U21
Aaliah Barwick comes to Allendale in the Fall of 2023 from Wirral, England. Barwick has been a huge contributor for for her club team, Liverpool FC U21 over the last two seasons from her primary defensive role which is one of the top club teams in England under head coach Jennie Swarbick.
"Aaliah Barwick is from England! We are so thrilled to have an international join our team. Aaliah plays for a phenomenal club (Liverpool), and she is a very skilled outside back who will help us on both sides of the ball. She will bring some amazing experience to the team and a great level of sophistication." -
Katie Hultin
Addison Engle | Goalkeeper | Pearland, TX | Dawson High School | Rise SC GA
Addison Engle is the second Texas native in this 2023 recruiting class. Engle has been the starting keeper at Dawson High School for the last three years appearing and starting in 63 matches. She was named First Team All-District as a junior and sophomore and was named All-District honorable mention as a freshman. Engle is a two-time Academic All-District honoree. She posted five full game shutouts and nine first half shutouts with a 0.81 goals-against average as a junior. Engle earned the Heart of the Eagle award as a junior
"Addison Engle is another Texan! She will be a great addition to our strong goalkeeper group. She is going to be able to challenge all of our keepers and make the group even better. Addison's technical ability is fantastic, and she is great with her feet." -
Katie Hultin
Allison French | Forward | Schoolcraft, MI | Michigan Hawks ECNL
Allison French was the top goal scorer for one of the best club teams in the county, Michigan Hawks ECNL. French led her team in goals and assists in the 2021 and 2020 seasons, while being named team captain in 2021. She was named to the state ODP team in 2021 and 2020. French was also named to the Midwest Conference U16 Best XI Team in 2020 which represents the best players in the US Youth Soccer Midwest Conference.
"Allie French is an outstanding attacking player. She is tough to defend and incredibly dangerous in the final third. Her pace, skill and athleticism are phenomenal." -
Katie Hultin
Ella Kleiver | Midfielder | Williamston, MI | Michigan Jaguars | Williamston High School
Ella Kleiver earned First Team All-State honors as a junior and sophomore. She was named to the MIHSSCA Dream Team as a junior and sophomore. Kleiver notched 36 goals and eight assists as a junior and 18 goals and 11 assists as a sophomore. She helped lead her team to a state championship as a junior with a 17-2-1 record at Williamston High School. Kleiver helped lead team to a state semifinal appearance in her sophomore season after going 16-3-1.
"Ella Kleiver is a very athletic and versatile attacking player. She can play centrally or out wide and is very dangerous on the ball. Ella has scored a ton of goals in her career thus far and we are looking forward to her doing the same at GV!" -
Katie Hultin
Emma Ruzycki | Midfielder | Schererville, IN | Indiana Elite FC | Lake Central High School
Emma Ruzycki is a three-time varsity letterwinner at Lake Central High School. The Indiana native notched 21 goals and 21 assists in her three high school seasons. Ruzycki earned Post Tribune and NWI Times All-Area Honorable Mention as a sophomore. She was named DAC All-Conference honors and team offensive MVP as a sophomore and was awarded Rookie of the Year as a freshman. Ruzycki has a been a key contributor to her club team, Indiana Elite FC.
"Emma Ruzycki is a very athletic addition to our program. She is going to cause some havoc in the box when she takes players on and will be a great presence in the air for us." -
Katie Hultin
Nora White | Defender | Commerce Township, MI | Michigan Jaguars GA
Nora White is an all-around athlete that has earned varsity letters in basketball and track. She earned a three-sport athletic award in 2020 for participating in cross country, basketball, and track. White has played club for the Michigan Jaguars GA over the last five seasons. She helped lead her team to a State Cup win in 2017 and her team finished in the Top-15 in the country in the 2021-22 season.
"Nora White is a great defender or holding mid. She has a great presence and does a great job of holding down the middle of the field both on and off the ball." -
Katie Hultin
Alex Williams | Defender/Midfielder | Bingham Farms, MI | Liverpool FC International Academy ECNL | Notre Dame Preparatory
Alex Williams is a First Team All-State performer last season as junior at Notre Dame Preparatory. Williams earned First Team All-District and All-Region honors as a junior. She was a Second Team All-State selection, while earning First Team All-District and All-Region honors as a sophomore. Williams helped lead her team to a state semifinals appearance as a junior with a 17-5-3 record.
"Alex Williams is going to be a great addition to our program. She is a versatile defensive player who can take control of the game and distribute into the attack to create chances." -
Katie Hultin
Raeleigh Woodwyk | Forward | Hudsonville, MI | Rangers FC | Hudsonville High School
Woodwyk has helped lead her high school team to back-to-back conference and district championships as a junior and sophomore. She earned Second Team All-State honors as a sophomore and All-State honorable mention as a junior. Woodwyk is a two-time All-District and All-Region honoree. She helped lead her team to a 18-2-1 record and regional runner-up finish as a junior.
"Raeleigh is such a strong and powerful forward who is multi-dimensional. She can be a target forward for us and post up or with her pace, she will be great at threatening in behind." -
Katie Hultin
An exciting and talented class will add depth at every position for the 2023 Lakers. This group will join the Lakers for the Fall 2023 season. For full coverage of GVSU Soccer visit gvsulakers.com and follow @GVSUSoccer on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
