Bluefield, WV – Coming off of a 7-7-3 season under the second-year leadership of head coach Scott Forster, Bluefield State University Soccer announces their 2023 signing class.
In the 2022 season, the team achieved a GPA of 3.5 and was ranked 16th in the nation for offensive efficiency.
Starting off the recruiting class is Forward Emma Rae Rifkin from Pulaski, Tennessee. Emma was a four-year starter for Richland High School in Lynnville, Tennessee.
Casey McNulty from Davenport, Florida will help the Big Blue in midfield. Casey played at Four Corners Football Club that has won the Florida State President Cup two years in a row. At her high school, Davenport High School, Casey has been captain for three years.
Emma Wainwright from Prattville, Alabama will come in as a forward and major in Engineering. Emma has played at Prattville United Soccer Club and Alabama FC South Club. On her high school team, Marbury High School, Emma holds the record for most goals and most assists in the program's history. She was named Offensive Player of the Year and is involved in the National Honors Society and Beta Club.
Grace Moore comes in as a cultured midfielder that has played at the highest level. From Middleton, Idaho, majoring in nursing, she was a four-year varsity member and two-year captain at Middleton High School and she competed with the Albion Idaho SC club team.
Local standout Arloha Rifkin from Graham High School comes in as a Midfielder and will major in Pre-Med.
Coming from Barcelona, Spain Defender Miriam Ballart will be studying Business Administration. Miriam plays with the Sant Cugat F.C. She currently has four championships in four years and is currently competing for her fifth.
Tayden Sikorski from St. Charles, Illinois serves as a team captain at Chicago City West. She also serves as a coach for a youth team. Tayden hopes to major in Applied Sciences.
Defender Marit Blom will study International Business and Management and comes from Rosmalen, The Netherlands.
Rounding out the recruiting class is Sydney Hoiler from Lakeland, Florida. Sydney will major in Physical Therapy and Radiology. Sydney plays at Lake Gibson High School and is graduating in the top 25 of her class. She belongs to the Four Corners Football Club and has won back-to-back Presidents Cups.
"The 2023 recruiting class is a unique group of talented soccer players that are going to push and support Bluefield State to the next level," said head coach Forster. "Many of them have experienced the team culture and all demonstrate the Bluefield State of Mind mentality. It's great to be able to continue the growth and development here with this amazing group of young women."
The Big Blue will open the 2023 season with a scrimmage against Bluefield University August 18th at 3 p.m. at East River Soccer Complex.
