On Wednesday, April 27, 2022, Souderton senior Katie Pazdziorko, Avery Nogami & Kaitlyn DiCandilo were recognized for committing to continue their soccer careers at the collegiate level. To view photos of the event by Keith Clemens Photography, please click on the following link: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/p315589754
Kaitlyn DiCandilo – Shippensburg University (Soccer)
Major: Middle Level Education/Mathematics concentration
Final list of colleges: Shippensburg, Misericordia, Kutztown
Reasons for choosing Shippensburg: “I chose Shippensburg because of the campus and the atmosphere within the women’s soccer team.”
Favorite high school sports memory: “My favorite memory was being pulled up to varsity freshman year, and we went on to win the state championship.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “I’ve been playing soccer since I was three, and I always wanted to play in college.”
Coach Ian Smith says: “Kaitlyn was actually called up to varsity her freshman year to the state championship team and contributed to the state championship in the state championship. To have that composure as a freshman, especially in the position she played in – she played, for the most part, central midfield for us. To have that composure to step up at a young age, we knew that she was going to be contributing to the program significantly for a number of years. By her senior year, she had moved to center back a bit, but that was due to her versatility. She’s somebody who takes the game very seriously with a competitive edge that we valued so much, which is what made her such a great captain her senior year and which is why so many people look up to her on the team.”
About Kaitlyn:
Favorite food: Ice cream
Favorite movie: Legally Blonde
Favorite artist: Luke Bryan
Avery Nogami – Thomas Jefferson University (Soccer)
Major: Medical Imaging & Radiation Sciences
Final list of colleges: Jefferson, Queens University
Reasons for choosing Jefferson: “I chose Jefferson because of the team, and I liked the campus.”
Favorite high school sports memory: “My favorite memory was beating CB West in our last game last season.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “I started playing soccer in elementary school because all my friends were, and it was always just a dream to play in college.”
Coach Ian Smith says: “Avery is somebody who – if I had one word to describe Avery, it would certainly be relentless. Around the league, she is known for giving 110 percent. I know that’s cliché, but she is somebody that truthfully will run herself into the ground until she’s completely out of breath and basically has to crawl off the field asking for a substitute. We joke a bit even at league meetings that she’s probably the most fouled player in the league because she’s always willing to put herself on the line for her team, and people recognize that. So many people on the team this year admired her dedication and just her selflessness in giving everything she had to this program. It does not go unnoticed, so I’m happy for her as well.”
About Avery:
Favorite food: Mac & Cheese
Favorite TV show: Grey’s Anatomy
Favorite artist: Kid LAROI
Katie Pazdziorko – Seton Hill University (Soccer)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Seton Hill, Florida Southern, Eckerd
Reasons for choosing Seton Hill: “I chose Seton Hill because of my sister Lindsey (who goes to Seton Hill and plays soccer).”
Favorite high school sports memory: “My favorite memory is scoring four goals against North Penn in one game.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in soccer at the collegiate level? “I started playing soccer because of my sister, so I’d be just like her. I’ve always wanted to play in college.”
Coach Ian Smith: “When I first met Katie, she was someone who was very shy, and I first met Katie’s sister Lindsey, who was our goalkeeper the year we won the state championship. Katie looked up to her sister so much, and for such a long time, I think that weighed on her quite a lot, but she developed over time into such a confident and strong player that she became somebody other people can look up to. For that, I’m so happy for her. I was absolutely disappointed in her missing her senior year due to injury, but I know with her skill and her ability that the memory she shared about her four-goal game against North Penn her junior year – I know she has many more moments like that in her future, and she’s going to be playing with Lindsey at Seton Hill, which is really exciting. Stories like that are what makes it such a great experience coaching and seeing these players develop and move on to their collegiate careers.”
About Katie:
Favorite foods: Pancakes/Steak
Favorite TV show: Criminal Minds
Favorite music: Rap
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