On Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2025, Central Bucks East seniors Madelyn Hill, Stella Genin, Jessie Bernabe, Mikayla Gray & Mae Leedy were recognized for committing to continue their soccer careers at the collegiate level.
Coach Jake Nesteruk: “I have a love and hate relationship with this class of seniors. Love because they’ve given everything to the program that we both love, and they’ve given me a lifetime of memories as their coach. Hate because they’re going to make me cry in public yet again.
“As a whole, this group of seniors is part of an undefeated JV record, two league titles, two undefeated home records, four runs in the PIAA Tournament, a district finalist, a district championship and finally, 23-2 and a PIAA state semifinalist. What they’ve done as a group - they’ve done nothing but win the last four years.
Jessie Bernabe – University of Buffalo (Soccer)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Buffalo, Minnesota, Villanova, Lehigh, Northeastern
Reasons for choosing Buffalo: “I honestly think it comes down to the coaching staff and the girls. As soon
as I got on the phone with my coach for the first time, we just had that connection. I love the coaching staff, and once I got to go on campus, I loved the school. Also, just seeing their style of play – how I kind of describe it to people – it’s me playing. It just reminds me of my playing style, and I just knew it would be a great match and a great school academically.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “I always had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to play in college. I’ve been playing soccer since I was three. I thought it was the natural progression and was something I aspired to do.”
Coach Jake Nesteruk says: “Jesse Bernabe is a game-changer, and every couple of years there is a handful of girls that we ask to do a job and play a position that they don’t want to play. It might not be the right role for them, but it’s the role they’ve got to play for the good of the group. That’s exactly what Jesse Bernabe has done for this team, for the program and for her teammates for the last three years. You are looking at a stellar defender, you are looking at an excellent midfielder, you are looking at a kid that can score goals at will, but more importantly, you’re looking at an amazing student-athlete who has led this program on and off the field with her ability and just great leadership. Jess is bound for great things. I am unbelievably thankful to have coached her.”
About Jessie:
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite TV show: Gossip Girl
Favorite music: Country
Stella Genin – Stevens Institute of Technology (Soccer)
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Reasons for choosing Stevens Institute of Technology: “I wasn’t necessarily considering other schools because I wasn’t 100 percent sure I wanted to pursue soccer after high school. Being on CBegs and being with this team this year has changed my opinion, and I’m really glad I made the decision.
“I knew I liked the city, and I wanted to be in an environment like a city. When I first went there, I wasn’t really sure I was going to like it, but the second I was on campus, it just felt like – this is somewhere I want to be. I kind of sat with the decision for a couple of months before officially deciding that I was going to go here to make sure it felt right, but it did, and I’m really excited.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “I always knew I could play soccer in college if I wanted to, but I wasn’t really on a team that pushed me to look at college like that. I switched coaches, and he made it a bigger aspect of the game. Mentally, I wasn’t sure if I was into it, and then this year with the girls and just CBegs, I was like – there’s no way I can’t play college soccer.”
Coach Jake Nesteruk says: “I can’t talk about Stella without telling this story. Her first varsity practice game when she got pulled up - we go to PKs at the end, and Stella misses. I asked her if she wants to take one again. She misses again, again and again. I tell that story because you’re looking at a kid that grew to be one of the most successful soccer players that we’ve seen in the last couple of years. The resilience that she brings to the game, the confidence in herself and her ability to put the team above herself is remarkable. The growth I’ve seen as a coach in Stella has been nothing short of a joy to watch. She’s given us some of the most remarkable moments on the field. I tell the story of the PK challenge, but on the other hand, Stella gave us one of my all-time favorite goals last year against Council Rock North. She’s one of those kids that can give you a moment of brilliance when you really, really need one. She has an infectious personality, she’s a great teammate. Thank you, Stella, for everything you’ve given to CB East girls’ soccer. I’m so proud of you and thankful to be your coach. You’re bound for such great things.”
About Stella:
Favorite food: Chicken Parmesan
Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds
Favorite music: R&B
Mikayla Gray – University of Maryland (Soccer)
Major: Biology/Pre-med
Final list of colleges: Maryland, Buffalo
Reasons for choosing Maryland: “Just the environment with the team and without the team - the school feels like home. The team is so warm, and I can already tell my best friends are going to be there. The other
recruit in my class – we talk every day, and it just feels like home there.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “I grew up playing soccer since I could walk. My team started to get really competitive and all towards college recruitment, but I still didn’t know if I wanted to play. My sister plays softball at Villanova, and going through that process with her and seeing her commit and seeing her play really made me realize I do want to continue playing, so obviously, when the opportunity came, I took it.”
Coach Jake Nesteruk says: “I remember dealing with the emotions and sadness of hearing a kid that was going to be an absolute game-changer for the next two years wasn’t going to be able to play because of a torn ACL. To have that continue on and feel that same emotion again going into Mikayla’s senior year was really difficult for us coaches but obviously most difficult for her. It takes a really, really special leader, special kid to find a way to lead without stepping foot on the field for the majority of your senior year. Mikayla is a relentless competitor, she is fearless, she is a soccer whiz, an unpaid assistant coach. As a coach, I’m consistently saying – ‘Take the emotion out of things,’ and Mikayla is consistently putting the emotion in things, and I love the kid for that. I can think of so many times last fall when I looked over at her, and she’s cheering her teammates on, she’s pushing back against the referee’s calls, telling me what to do, and I would not have it any other way. She is bound for such great things on and off the field. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch her grow into the leader she is, and I cannot wait to see what she achieves next.”
About Mikayla:
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy
Favorite music: Country
Madelyn Hill – Muhlenberg College (Soccer)
Major: Business
Final list of colleges: Muhlenberg, Moravian, Susquehanna, Lebanon Valley, Dickinson
Reasons for choosing Muhlenberg: “The coaching staff really stood out to me. (Coach) Kathy (Prescott)
was really good at communicating. When I visited, it felt like home.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “Ever since I was young, I always wanted to play in college. The recruiting process started when I was a junior.”
Coach Jake Nesteruk says: “Scoring goals is the hardest part of the game, and when you play as a center forward for a team at the high school level that scored a ton of goals and have had a number of forwards that have done incredible things, those are big, big shoes to fill. Madelyn has put together one of the most remarkable senior seasons that I’ve ever witnessed. The level of composure, maturity, decision making, ability to stay calm in the biggest moments and the ability to finish the ball – this year has been an absolute joy to watch, and such a critical reason for this team’s success. Most importantly, when things did not go her way or when things got difficult, the most important components of Mad’s game showed up, and that’s someone who’s incredibly resilient, who is focused on getting better, who is focused on doing whatever it takes to help the team, and it’s those attributes and qualities that are going to make her so successful at the next level on and off the field. Thanks, Mads, for everything you’ve given the program, thanks for all the effort, focus and continued improvement. It has been a blessing to be your coach. I’m so excited to see what happens next.”
About Madelyn:
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite movie: Annie
Favorite music: Country
Mae Leedy – Shippensburg University (Soccer)
Major: Criminal Psychology
Final list of colleges: Shippensburg, Ursinus
Reasons for choosing Shippensburg: “I chose Shippensburg because of the coaching staff, and I heard the team is very well connected. They’re all best friends. They support us all really well academically and
athletically. There was a lot of good balance, and they’ve had my majors and are really flexible with majors.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “When I first started playing soccer, it was more for fun. Then I was looking to play somewhere more serious, and it kind of progressed. I knew I wanted to continue into college.”
Coach Jake Nesteruk says: “Mae Leedy has a really difficult task on this team because we pretty much have 10 players going forward trying to score goals non-step, and that puts our goalkeepers in some really precarious situations. Mae has saved our butts more than once this year, and if you look throughout her career, plenty of times. She has got nerves of steel, she shows up at the biggest moments when we need her, but what I’ve seen this year is a really dedicated leader who holds everyone accountable, who pushes the group forward, who’s willing to give feedback and cheers and supports others, who takes care of the underclassmen. She’s the epitome of what a great goalkeeper should be and what a great leader should be. Mae, you’re bound for such amazing things both on and off the field. It’s been an honor to be your coach, and I wish you nothing but the best moving forward.”
About Mae:
Favorite food: Steak
Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds
Favorite artist: Billie Eilish
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