On Tuesday, February 13, 2018, Pennsbury seniors Whitney Roth, Jenna Peters, Dani Cady, Lizzy Kirk and Kelsey Butler were recognized for committing to continue their soccer careers at the collegiate level. Check back for photos of the event.
Kelsey Butler – Thomas Jefferson University (Soccer)
Major: Physician’s Assistant
Reasons for choosing Jefferson: “Honestly, I had my eyes set on Jefferson. I looked at a few different schools, but they had a really good Physician’s Assistant program. I talked to the coach, and the coach was interested for a while. He promised I would be able to juggle soccer and my academics really well since Physician’s Assistant is really difficult to manage on its own.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “Soccer is something I’ve grown up with – it’s all I’ve ever known, and I wanted to continue playing as long as possible. Of course, academics came first, but once I realized I could do both, I jumped on the opportunity.”
Coach Kaitlyn Battiste says: “Kelsey Butler is a phenomenal soccer player with incredible instincts and awareness. A series of injuries disrupted the rhythm of Kelsey’s high school career, but her contributions to this program have been significant. Sidelined her freshman year due to injury, Kelsey remained dedicated to the team as a manager and grew the mental part of her game by asking questions about tactics and absorbing advice from coaches and teammates.
“By the time we saw Kelsey on the pitch, it was apparent that she is a natural goal-scorer and probably the most intuitive and mature player amongst this group. She has great instincts and an incredible work rate; she never stops moving. Although she didn’t lead the team in goals, her maturity and mental strength helped define Kelsey’s career with game-changing plays in games against Council Rock North, Neshaminy, and Pennington - all powerhouses. Although one of our smallest players, Kelsey leaves behind an invaluable legacy on the importance of work ethic and teamwork.”
About Kelsey:
Favorite food: Chicken Cesar Salad
Favorite movie: Endless Love or How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Favorite music: Justin Bieber
Dani Cady – West Chester University (Soccer)
Major: Pre-Physical Therapy
Final list of colleges: West Chester, TCNJ, Millersville, Columbia, Arcadia
Reasons for choosing West Chester: “I’ve always been interested in West Chester. When the coach e-mailed me and I went to visit, I really loved the campus atmosphere. I saw the team and how they connected with one another. It was a tight-knit group, which I really liked. The school size is perfect, and it had my major. It just felt like the right place when I went there.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “I played club for YMS for a while, and through that – right when you’re in eighth grade, you’re told, ‘Start e-mailing coaches.’ I really had a reality check. I’m like, ‘I don’t even know if I want to play college soccer yet.’ As the years went on and as coaches started talking to me, I just felt it was the right thing for me. I’ve been playing soccer since I was three, and I can’t imagine life without it. West Chester was a school I was interested in academically, so getting to play soccer there too is the best of both worlds.”
Coach Kaitlyn Battiste says: “After spending two seasons playing field hockey, Dani joined the team as a junior and immediately made an impact. She is a tough competitor who understands the responsibilities of a position that tirelessly requires a high work rate, both offensively and defensively. She was her own toughest critic if it wasn’t her day, and yet those days became very few in number as she was quick to make adjustments and find a new way to help the team. By the end of her varsity career, even when teams knew what she wanted to do, Dani earned the team corner kick after corner kick after corner kick. She was the best at winning her end line and taking on defenders. She was also the best at balancing work ethic with fun as she grew to become an emotional leader for the team - jumping on a player’s back or sliding into a corner flag to celebrate a team goal - there was never any question about the passion Dani has for this beautiful game. I look forward to hearing more about Dani frustrating defenders as she continues her career at West Chester.”
About Dani:
Favorite food: French Fries
Favorite movie: The Blind Side
Favorite music: “Every Time We Touch”
Lizzy Kirk – Seton Hall University (Soccer)
Major: Business
Final list of colleges: Seton Hall, Penn State, Bucknell
Reasons for choosing Seton Hall: “When I was recruited by Seton Hall, I was like, ‘I’m definitely going to go here.’ It’s BIG EAST Conference, I was really interested in their business program, but I was also considering schools for track. I was in contact with Penn State and Bucknell for track. I went to two of Seton Hall’s camp. I went to the second camp the summer before junior year, and they noticed me, so they came to a few more of my games.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “I love both sports, but I’ve been playing soccer since I was four years old, and I always knew I wanted to play soccer in college."
Coach Kaitlyn Battiste says: “Lizzy was a four-year varsity letter winner. She has exceptional technical ability (and can juggle across the field without dropping the ball). She’s competed in track and is an amazing runner. Her ability to see the field and take on players in the middle of the field anchored much of our offensive efforts. She could slice through a defense with a precise pass or a well-timed move.
“Lizzy came into the program as a freshman pursuing the opportunity to be a dual athlete in the fall – soccer and cross country. When we all sat down to discuss the commitment of two varsity sports, cross country had already earned a few state titles at this point. Although we were competitive in the league, we hadn’t won a league title. I feel like Lizzy took a chance with soccer, and she was the sole player who got to fully experience all four league titles and two district championships.”
About Lizzy:
Favorite food: Cupcakes
Favorite movie: The Notebook
Favorite music: Pop
Jenna Peters – West Chester University (Soccer)
Major: Education or Business
Final list of colleges: West Chester, UMass, Towson
Reasons for choosing West Chester: “The program is really strong, the coach is super nice, and I had a connection with her. I liked how it was very close to home, so that was a deciding factor.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “In eighth grade we were in Vegas for a tournament, I was a forward back then, and I was getting looks from the University of Southern California. Then I found out freshman year that I had to get surgery on my ankle, so that whole stage I didn’t know if I wanted to play soccer. Then I got back to it, and I knew I wanted to play. It was such a stressful process, but now that I’m done I’m so glad that I’m doing it.”
Coach Kaitlyn Battiste says: “Jenna is one of the most talented soccer players to come through PHS and an even greater person. As a player, she makes the game look easy with her effortless speed and strength on the field. She was injured her freshman year, but after that we just had to find a place for her on the field at all times. She eventually moved in as a defender because of team needs, but we were so fortunate to have defenders step up last year that allowed her to get forward into the attack. She scored some of the most beautiful goals I’ve ever seen at the high school level. Her success is not an accident as she is constantly asking how she can improve and be a student of the game. Even in our district championship game, she ran past our sideline to say that she had a question. It was another five minutes before we could actually answer her, but she took the answer and scored an incredible goal that night. Because she has so much fun, so many people are drawn to her - including my own daughter who stood holding her hand while they received their championship medals. I have no doubt she’ll find a ton of success at West Chester.”
About Jenna:
Favorite foods: Bacon, Zucchini or Cookies
Favorite movie: Wonder
Favorite music: Hip Hop/Pop
Whitney Roth – New Jersey Institute of Technology (Soccer)
Major: Law, Technology and Culture
Final list of colleges: NJIT, American, Delaware
Reasons for choosing NJIT: “What really drew me to NJIT – I went on my visit and the coaches just really emphasized the family aspect there. They were very welcoming. I knew the program was going to provide me the opportunity to play Division I and challenge me. Also, I really wanted a rigorous academic school. NJIT provided me with a great opportunity to major in Law, Technology and Culture, which is a cool major no other school has. I always wanted to try and do pre-law and go to law school later on. This will be interesting, and I’m excited. Also the city aspect – I love New York, and it has great connections for the future.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “I’ve been playing soccer my whole life. It was always a goal of mine to achieve my lifelong dream of playing Division I soccer. Making it come true is a great relief. I hope to progress even more in the future.
“The recruiting process is moving earlier and earlier. Freshman year I would go to clinics and get scouted at tournaments and showcases. It really hit me that I’m narrowing down a list of colleges when my friends were not even looking at colleges yet. It’s definitely an earlier process, and I committed junior year. I was fortunate.”
Coach Kaitlyn Battiste says: “Whitney did not play her senior season because of her club team’s affiliation with US Soccer and the restrictions those teams place on high school soccer. Whit burst into the season as a freshman, scoring 20-plus goals on JV and having the opportunity to experience the 2014 district championship. Whitney then contributed to the team’s repeat league titles in 2015 and 2016 as a tough forward willing to take on defenders and goalkeepers. My favorite goal of hers was in her junior season at home against Neshaminy. We were up 1-0 and feeling confident in our possession. Whitney received the ball just outside of the circle, notices that the keeper is off of her line, and lines up the perfect chip over the keeper’s head for a 2-0 lead. Whitney uses her strength and confidence to catch defenses off-guard. We wish her nothing but the best at NJIT.”
About Whitney:
Favorite food: Pasta
Favorite movie: Hairspray
Favorite music: All Genres
Assistant coach Kim Lindemann says: “I had the pleasure of coaching all five of the girls for the past couple of years on the varsity program. We were able to accomplish quite a lot during their time at Pennsbury. To be able to win the league three years in a row and then become district champs this year was the ultimate way to cap off their senior year. They set the tone early on for what their expectations were for themselves and for the rest of the team. They set their goals early and knew what they wanted. It wasn’t an easy season for us. We had some ups and downs, but their leadership carried us through. I know that’s going to make them really successful at the next level.
“I had the opportunity to coach Dani Cady, Jenna Peters, Lizzy Kirk and Kelsey Butler in club as well, and I got to know them not only as soccer players but also as people, and I know what great kids they are and I know how hard they work, and I know that no matter where they go on and play in college or what the next level looks like for them, they’re going to be successful based on the work ethic they have put in over the last couple of years. We know they are going to continue to make Pennsbury proud wherever they go.
“Each player offers something different, and they all have skills that are unique and special to them. I know that when they get the opportunity to play at the next level they’re going to add a lot to the teams they join.”
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