University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Demko Announces Addition of Five to Asheville Women’s Soccer Program
02.03.2017 | Women's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville women's soccer head coach Michelle Demko announced the signing of five top-notch players to the program today.
Four of the five players join the Bulldogs from the state of North Carolina, while one comes to UNC Asheville from California.
"This is a very talented signing class that our staff has worked hard to assemble," Demko said. "Each player has a high commitment on and off the field. I am proud to say all 2017 signees are just as successful academically as they are fantastic soccer players.The GPA's for our incoming Bulldogs range from a 3.8-4.5 GPA. That best exemplifies the amount of focus and discipline this group has as individuals. These players were recruited to not only complement our existing talent, but also to come in and challenge them to be better athletes on the field. I anticipate an immediate impact from these new bulldogs as each of them plays for a top level club team and have immersed themselves in an environment that will help prepare them for future success."
Skyler Chillson joins the Bulldog women's soccer program out of Lake Norman High School in Mooresville, N.C. where the forward plays club soccer for Lake Norman.
"Skyler is a very dynamic forward that will give teams trouble with her athleticism, speed and 1v1 mentality," Demko said. "She plays with a relentless mentality that will immediately add to our current talent on the front line. She plays a big role in the success of her club team which will lend itself well to future leadership in the program. I look for Skyler to come in and compete right away. She will be a great addition to our forward line."
A defender/midfielder out of Torrance, Calif. who plays her high school soccer for West High School and her club soccer for Beach FC, Emily Dueñas makes her way across the country to join the Asheville women's soccer program.
"Emily comes to us as a defender from one of the best club teams in the country," Demko said. "She can play both outside defender as well as center midfield. Her understanding tactically will make her transition with us a seamless one with regard to getting forward in the attack or balancing inside to help offer cover as a second defender. Having a player like Emily, with an understanding of playing multi positions, will be very advantageous for our program. I look forward to having her in our family."
A defender out of Leesville Road High School, Rachel Golden joins the UNC Asheville women's soccer program out of Raleigh, N.C. where she plays her club soccer for CASL.
"Rachel is another defender in our 2017 class," Demko said. "She is very comfortable intercepting the ball and penetrating on the dribble. Her forward movement makes her dangerous to defend. She has good vision with regard to organizing the players around her and can also play balls over the top to spring a counter attack. She is highly competitive and this mentality will continue to push our program forward."
Another Lake Norman club product out of Community School of Davidson, defender Grace Kwiatkowski joins the Bulldogs out of Davidson, N.C.
"I am excited for Grace to join our Bulldog family," Demko said. "Her presence on the back line offers us another dimension. She is composed under pressure with good defensive positioning, forcing her opponents into making a mistake to win the ball. She is not afraid of physical confrontation and understands how to use her size and strength to her advantage. She will do great in our system as she is very comfortable communicating and organizing in a highly competitive system."
A goalkeeper who plays club soccer for PGSA, Bryson Lee makes her way to Asheville out of Wilson, N.C. and James Hunt High School.
"Bryson will enter our program and make an immediate impact with our goalkeeper personnel," Demko said. "She is very confident playing with both feet out of the back and that is something we have lacked the last few years. She plays with a naturally high line to stay connected to our defenders and that is also something that makes her dangerous in goal along with her constant communication to help organize in the run of play. She is incredibly driven on the field and that will match the expectations of our current goalkeepers as well as challenge them to raise their level."
The five newcomers join twin sisters Rachel and Meghan Bewick on the 2017 Asheville women's soccer roster. The Bewick twins were mid-year enrollees, who are practicing with the Bulldogs this spring.
"I would also like to acknowledge Meghan and Rachel Bewick as new bulldogs to our family," Demko said. "They graduated high school early and began their college career with us in January. Both Bewick sisters have come in and been highly competitive right away. They have done well fitting in with our current players and in our system."
In general, Demko is excited about what this class means for the future of her program.
"Overall, I am pleased with our 2017 class," Demko said. "These players address some of our needs athletically. The difficult part now is waiting for them to join us in August. I am eager to get started with them in our process. It should be a fun year with everyone on board."
For more information on UNC Asheville women's soccer, please visit www.uncabulldogs.com.
Four of the five players join the Bulldogs from the state of North Carolina, while one comes to UNC Asheville from California.
"This is a very talented signing class that our staff has worked hard to assemble," Demko said. "Each player has a high commitment on and off the field. I am proud to say all 2017 signees are just as successful academically as they are fantastic soccer players.The GPA's for our incoming Bulldogs range from a 3.8-4.5 GPA. That best exemplifies the amount of focus and discipline this group has as individuals. These players were recruited to not only complement our existing talent, but also to come in and challenge them to be better athletes on the field. I anticipate an immediate impact from these new bulldogs as each of them plays for a top level club team and have immersed themselves in an environment that will help prepare them for future success."
Skyler Chillson joins the Bulldog women's soccer program out of Lake Norman High School in Mooresville, N.C. where the forward plays club soccer for Lake Norman.
"Skyler is a very dynamic forward that will give teams trouble with her athleticism, speed and 1v1 mentality," Demko said. "She plays with a relentless mentality that will immediately add to our current talent on the front line. She plays a big role in the success of her club team which will lend itself well to future leadership in the program. I look for Skyler to come in and compete right away. She will be a great addition to our forward line."
A defender/midfielder out of Torrance, Calif. who plays her high school soccer for West High School and her club soccer for Beach FC, Emily Dueñas makes her way across the country to join the Asheville women's soccer program.
"Emily comes to us as a defender from one of the best club teams in the country," Demko said. "She can play both outside defender as well as center midfield. Her understanding tactically will make her transition with us a seamless one with regard to getting forward in the attack or balancing inside to help offer cover as a second defender. Having a player like Emily, with an understanding of playing multi positions, will be very advantageous for our program. I look forward to having her in our family."
A defender out of Leesville Road High School, Rachel Golden joins the UNC Asheville women's soccer program out of Raleigh, N.C. where she plays her club soccer for CASL.
"Rachel is another defender in our 2017 class," Demko said. "She is very comfortable intercepting the ball and penetrating on the dribble. Her forward movement makes her dangerous to defend. She has good vision with regard to organizing the players around her and can also play balls over the top to spring a counter attack. She is highly competitive and this mentality will continue to push our program forward."
Another Lake Norman club product out of Community School of Davidson, defender Grace Kwiatkowski joins the Bulldogs out of Davidson, N.C.
"I am excited for Grace to join our Bulldog family," Demko said. "Her presence on the back line offers us another dimension. She is composed under pressure with good defensive positioning, forcing her opponents into making a mistake to win the ball. She is not afraid of physical confrontation and understands how to use her size and strength to her advantage. She will do great in our system as she is very comfortable communicating and organizing in a highly competitive system."
A goalkeeper who plays club soccer for PGSA, Bryson Lee makes her way to Asheville out of Wilson, N.C. and James Hunt High School.
"Bryson will enter our program and make an immediate impact with our goalkeeper personnel," Demko said. "She is very confident playing with both feet out of the back and that is something we have lacked the last few years. She plays with a naturally high line to stay connected to our defenders and that is also something that makes her dangerous in goal along with her constant communication to help organize in the run of play. She is incredibly driven on the field and that will match the expectations of our current goalkeepers as well as challenge them to raise their level."
The five newcomers join twin sisters Rachel and Meghan Bewick on the 2017 Asheville women's soccer roster. The Bewick twins were mid-year enrollees, who are practicing with the Bulldogs this spring.
"I would also like to acknowledge Meghan and Rachel Bewick as new bulldogs to our family," Demko said. "They graduated high school early and began their college career with us in January. Both Bewick sisters have come in and been highly competitive right away. They have done well fitting in with our current players and in our system."
In general, Demko is excited about what this class means for the future of her program.
"Overall, I am pleased with our 2017 class," Demko said. "These players address some of our needs athletically. The difficult part now is waiting for them to join us in August. I am eager to get started with them in our process. It should be a fun year with everyone on board."
For more information on UNC Asheville women's soccer, please visit www.uncabulldogs.com.
Players Mentioned
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