Seven newcomers will join Purdue Fort Wayne in 2021
Photo by: Josh Gales
Women's Soccer Adds Seven to 2021 Roster
11/18/2020 10:42:00 AM | Women's Soccer
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Purdue Fort Wayne women's soccer head coach Jason Burr announced the signing of seven-athletes for the 2021 season: Elizabeth (Ellie) Behnke, Bailey Olin, Isabella (Bella) Reitano, Gianna (Gigi) Ricciardi, Kayla Shebar, Isabelle (Belle) Plautz and Malia Velker.
Behnke (Midfield - 5-foot-5 - Appleton, Wisc./Appleton East High School – SC Wave) joins the Mastodons after competing with the Patriots of Appleton East. While with Appleton East, she earned the Warrior Award twice and led the team to a regional championship in 2019. Behnke also helped lead the Patriots to a Fox Valley Association title in 2019. Behnke was a member of SC Wave and received a Wisconsin State title and qualified for the 2019 National League national tournament. She was a part of the Spanish Club, Student Council, DECA, Link Crew and National Honor Society. Behnke received the Outstanding Academic Award for each year of high school, had a 3.98 GPA and logged over 100 hours of community service.
Olin (Midfield/Defense – 5-foot-3 – Medina, Ohio/Medina High School – Cleveland Futbol Club) comes to Purdue Fort Wayne after playing with the Medina High School Bees for four years. She was named Adidas Showcase MVP and a Greater Akron All Star. Olin helped the Bees to a 63-9-8 record, two district championships, a regional championship and a state semi-final berth. While at Medina, Olin was a member of Encore Entertainment Company and the Huddle/Shuddle program.
Reitano (Midfield – 5-foot-6 – Fenton, Mich./Lake Fenton High School – Nationals Union) joins the Purdue Fort Wayne squad after playing with the Lake Fenton Blue Devils. She recorded over 40 goals and 40 assists in her career. Reitano led the Blue Devils to a district title and was named to the 2017-18 and 2018-19 All-Conference and All-District teams. She earned All-State honorable mention and was the Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. Reitano also played with Nationals Union and was a State Cup champion in 2018 and 2020. She helped Nationals Union to a State Cup final, Region 2 Regional title and National Championship final in 2017. Reitano older sister, Morgan, also plays soccer for Purdue Fort Wayne.
Ricciardi (Midfield – 5-foot-8 – Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick High School – Cleveland Futbol Club) joins the 'Dons after playing at Brunswick High School under head coach Scott Ward. Ricciardi logged 27 goals and 43 assists. She set the school record in assists in a game (5), assists in a season (17) and assists in a career (43). She was named to the 2019 All-District team and the 2019 All-Gazette team. While with the Blue Devils, Ricciardi led the team to the 2020 district championship and 2019 sectional final. She was a part of the Olympic Developmental Program Region 2 Team Selection in 2017 and the Olympic Developmental Program Region 2 Boca Interregional Team Selection in 2018.
Shebar (Forward – 5-foot-2 – Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North High School – Evolution SC) comes to Purdue Fort Wayne after competing with the Wheaton North Falcons under head coach Timothy McEvilly. She was a part of the 2020 All-State team with the Falcons and recorded six goals and 14 assists. While with Evolution SC, Shebar earned the Illinois Youth State Cup title in 2017 and was a State Cup finalist in 2018.
Plautz (Goalkeeper – 5-foot-9 – Commerce Township, Ohio/Walled Lake Central High School – Michigan Jaguars) joins the Mastodons from Walled Lake Central High School. She played for the Vikings for two years under the guidance of Joel Sharpe. While with the Vikings, Plautz was an All-Academic team selection and was a member of the All-District, All-Conference and All-Regional teams in 2017. Plautz was also an All-State Honorable Mention during the 2017-18 season. She was part of the Student Council and German Club at Walled Lake Central.
Velker (Defense – 5-foot-4 – Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central High School – Evolution) comes to Purdue Fort Wayne after playing with the Redhawks of Naperville Central for three years and helping them to a 2019 regional title. She was also with Evolution for six years and earned a 2017 State Cup title and was a 2018 State Cup finalist. Velker was a member of the track and field team her freshman year and ran the 4x400m relay at the state meet.
"Today, we celebrate the signing of our incoming class of players for the fall 2021 season," Burr said. "It's not just about the added dynamic athleticism they bring to our team, but even more about fit. Fit with our soccer program and the Purdue Fort Wayne Athletics community. With pride and enthusiasm, we look forward to these talented young players joining our team as we compete in our first fall soccer season in the Horizon League."
Purdue Fort Wayne will begin the 2021 regular season in mid-August.
Behnke (Midfield - 5-foot-5 - Appleton, Wisc./Appleton East High School – SC Wave) joins the Mastodons after competing with the Patriots of Appleton East. While with Appleton East, she earned the Warrior Award twice and led the team to a regional championship in 2019. Behnke also helped lead the Patriots to a Fox Valley Association title in 2019. Behnke was a member of SC Wave and received a Wisconsin State title and qualified for the 2019 National League national tournament. She was a part of the Spanish Club, Student Council, DECA, Link Crew and National Honor Society. Behnke received the Outstanding Academic Award for each year of high school, had a 3.98 GPA and logged over 100 hours of community service.
Olin (Midfield/Defense – 5-foot-3 – Medina, Ohio/Medina High School – Cleveland Futbol Club) comes to Purdue Fort Wayne after playing with the Medina High School Bees for four years. She was named Adidas Showcase MVP and a Greater Akron All Star. Olin helped the Bees to a 63-9-8 record, two district championships, a regional championship and a state semi-final berth. While at Medina, Olin was a member of Encore Entertainment Company and the Huddle/Shuddle program.
Reitano (Midfield – 5-foot-6 – Fenton, Mich./Lake Fenton High School – Nationals Union) joins the Purdue Fort Wayne squad after playing with the Lake Fenton Blue Devils. She recorded over 40 goals and 40 assists in her career. Reitano led the Blue Devils to a district title and was named to the 2017-18 and 2018-19 All-Conference and All-District teams. She earned All-State honorable mention and was the Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. Reitano also played with Nationals Union and was a State Cup champion in 2018 and 2020. She helped Nationals Union to a State Cup final, Region 2 Regional title and National Championship final in 2017. Reitano older sister, Morgan, also plays soccer for Purdue Fort Wayne.
Ricciardi (Midfield – 5-foot-8 – Brunswick, Ohio/Brunswick High School – Cleveland Futbol Club) joins the 'Dons after playing at Brunswick High School under head coach Scott Ward. Ricciardi logged 27 goals and 43 assists. She set the school record in assists in a game (5), assists in a season (17) and assists in a career (43). She was named to the 2019 All-District team and the 2019 All-Gazette team. While with the Blue Devils, Ricciardi led the team to the 2020 district championship and 2019 sectional final. She was a part of the Olympic Developmental Program Region 2 Team Selection in 2017 and the Olympic Developmental Program Region 2 Boca Interregional Team Selection in 2018.
Shebar (Forward – 5-foot-2 – Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North High School – Evolution SC) comes to Purdue Fort Wayne after competing with the Wheaton North Falcons under head coach Timothy McEvilly. She was a part of the 2020 All-State team with the Falcons and recorded six goals and 14 assists. While with Evolution SC, Shebar earned the Illinois Youth State Cup title in 2017 and was a State Cup finalist in 2018.
Plautz (Goalkeeper – 5-foot-9 – Commerce Township, Ohio/Walled Lake Central High School – Michigan Jaguars) joins the Mastodons from Walled Lake Central High School. She played for the Vikings for two years under the guidance of Joel Sharpe. While with the Vikings, Plautz was an All-Academic team selection and was a member of the All-District, All-Conference and All-Regional teams in 2017. Plautz was also an All-State Honorable Mention during the 2017-18 season. She was part of the Student Council and German Club at Walled Lake Central.
Velker (Defense – 5-foot-4 – Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central High School – Evolution) comes to Purdue Fort Wayne after playing with the Redhawks of Naperville Central for three years and helping them to a 2019 regional title. She was also with Evolution for six years and earned a 2017 State Cup title and was a 2018 State Cup finalist. Velker was a member of the track and field team her freshman year and ran the 4x400m relay at the state meet.
"Today, we celebrate the signing of our incoming class of players for the fall 2021 season," Burr said. "It's not just about the added dynamic athleticism they bring to our team, but even more about fit. Fit with our soccer program and the Purdue Fort Wayne Athletics community. With pride and enthusiasm, we look forward to these talented young players joining our team as we compete in our first fall soccer season in the Horizon League."
Purdue Fort Wayne will begin the 2021 regular season in mid-August.
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