Trinity Western women’s soccer coach Graham Roxburgh added five more players to round out his 2015 recruiting class, including three from Burnaby.
The quintet includes defenders Taylor Falcone, forward Lauren Ehrhardt and midfielder Jessica Filippelli from Burnaby and New Westminster Barcelona product Carly Willmott. Fullback Rachel Proskin of Calgary was also added to the Spartan’s incoming roster.
The group of five will join centre back Quinn Hardstaff from Calgary, midfielder Jenaya Robertson from Delta and midfielders/strikers Rachel Hutchinson from Cloverdale and Brooklyn Tidder from White Rock, and Calgary’s Nicole Bolder to form the Spartans 2015 recruiting class.
Lauren Ehrhardt - Burnaby
The 5-9 forward and graduate from Stratford Hall, joins the Spartans after playing her club soccer with Mountain United FC. She comes to TWU with a successful on-field pedigree, having, over the years, earned a provincial club championship and a fourth-place finish at nationals, while also finishing second in the Dana Cup in Denmark and making it to the semifinals of Sweden’s Gothia Cup.
“Lauren is a very good technical player with good vision and the ability to create chances for those around her,” Roxburgh said in a Trinity Western press release. “She has played within a very good club system in the past two years and will add good attacking options for us in the years to come. Lauren possesses the qualities as a person that we want to have part of our program and I believe she will add awesome character to our program going forward.”
Ehrhardt, who plans to study kinesiology at TWU, said: “From the moment I started exploring my post-secondary options, TWU was a front-runner because of its community-like atmosphere and strong soccer program. I feel that as a player and a person, TWU will be a great place for me to grow.”
Taylor Falcone - Burnaby
Falcone joins the Spartans via Alpha Secondary and will help solidify TWU’s back line.
The 5-9 defender played her club soccer with Coquitlam Metro-Ford and was a provincial finalist in each year from 2011 through 2014. Falcone has also had the chance to play abroad, as her team competed in the 2010 Dana Cup in Denmark and the 2010 Gothia Cup in Sweden.
“I am delighted that Taylor chose TWU for her career and education,” Roxburgh said. “She is a very good athlete, a quick defender and has a willingness to compete. We have added some great competition to the defending core of the team and Taylor has the opportunity to make a mark early on in her career. She is a terrific person and I can very much see her fitting into our culture and team chemistry at TWU”
Falcone, who plans to study human kinetics at TWU, said: “I’m excited to come to TWU and join such a great program. I believe this is a fantastic place for me to develop both academically and athletically.”
Jessica Filippelli - BurnabyThe Burnaby North Secondary grad will arrive at TWU after a bevy of club success. The 5-4 midfielder has played with a variety of teams, including the Whitecaps Prospects and the TSS Academy.
Most recently, Filippelli played with the Fraser Valley Action under-21 team in the Pacific Coast Soccer League and the Fraser Valley Action of the Metro Women’s Soccer League.
In 2013, Filippelli helped her Coquitlam Metro-Ford side win the B.C. Soccer Premier League Cup, before finishing fourth at the national championship.
“Jessica is a very talented and technical player,” Roxburgh said. “She is great in possession and very sharp on the ball. She is also a delightful person and a very good culture fit for our program. She will add depth and bring versatility with her ability to both challenge the attacking spots and provide good service from the wings.”
Filippelli, who plans to study psychology and linguistics, said: “My plan is to continue my education in a healthy and high-calibre institution like TWU. I am excited and eager to begin this new journey and I’m looking forward to meeting new friends and developing as a soccer player.”
Carly Willmott - Langley
The 5-6 Willmott will graduate from Walnut Grove Secondary this year and will help bolster the Spartans defensive unit at the centre back position.
Willmott played her club soccer with both New Westminster Barcelona and the Fraser Valley Action.
With Barcelona, Willmott earned a league title in the Metro Women’s under-21 “A” division and finished second at the u-21 provincial championship.
“Carly is developing into a solid centre back and we are excited that she is joining the Spartans this coming year,” Roxburgh said. “I like her character, her coachability and her willingness to work hard to grow as a player. We like the depth and desire that she will bring to the squad. She is dedicated to the game and showed a desire to be at TWU.”
Willmott, who plans to study human kinetics, said: “I am attending TWU because of its strong academic and athletic standing. It has small class sizes, giving me more opportunities to study within a field that I am passionate about. The Spartans soccer team is an amazing group of girls that I am so thankful to be a part of. I am looking forward to further enhancing my skills as a soccer player in a high level and competitive environment. “
Rachel Proskin - Calgary
The pipeline from Calgary to TWU continues with Proskin as the 5-2 fullback will join the Spartans in the fall after graduating from Sir Winston Churchill High School this year.
Proskin has experience at the club level with both Southwest United in Edmonton and the Blizzard Hurricanes in Calgary.
Following her Grade 12 year, she was named her high school’s athlete of the year. She has also taken part in a training camp in Boca Raton, Florida. that focuses on teaching Brazilian soccer philosophy.
“I really like the way Rachel is willing to fight and work,” Roxburgh said. “She will definitely add a competitiveness to our roster. She is a good athlete and has good touch on the ball. We loved her desire when she came to visit and I am looking forward to seeing her compete for playing time in the coming months.”
Proskin, who plans to study education at TWU, said: “The Spartans represent exactly the type of players, team and community that I want to be a part of. I am honoured to be coming to TWU and I can’t wait to join the program.”
