ST. PAUL, Minn.- The Concordia-St. Paul soccer head coach
Steve Bellis has announced nine incoming freshmen for the 2023 season on National Signing Day.
The 2023 signing class includes
Alexis Celentano (Cary, III. / Centennial HS),
Sophia Haase (Monticello, Minn. / Monticello HS),
Kenzie Kane (Bloomington, Minn. / Kennedy HS),
Allie Jo Kirkpatrick (Broomfield, Colo. / Jefferson Academy),
Neely Kunz (Belgium, Wis. / Ozaukee),
Adrienne Linehan (Waconia, Wis. / Waconia HS),
Alexa Pettit (Mount Pleasant, Wis. / Union Grove),
Elena Siekas (Spring, Texas. / Klein HS) and
Lauren Vacek (Frisco, Texas. / Wakeland HS).
"It's the time of year we get to take a peek into our future and welcome some wonderful student-athletes to our program," Bellis stated. "We are so excited to welcome this vibrant group to the CSP Soccer family."
"Despite the challenges that covid brought us to recruit this group, we feel we have an outstanding 2023 class in regard to fulfilling our needs to stay competitive," Bellis added. "Our goals are to be at the top of our conference, and ultimately be the right kind of people for our program to thrive," Bellis concluded
Alexis Celentano (F/D, 5-1, Fr., Cary, III. / Crystal Lake Prairie Ridge HS)
Crystal Lake Prairie High School:
Lettered in soccer and tennis for the Wolves … earned an All-Conference selection … named team captain … collected 32 points off 13 goals and six assists … helped her team to a 9-4 overall and a 7-2 league record last season … competed in club soccer for Crystal Lake Force.
Personal:
Currently undecided on a major but wants to minor in Spanish at CSP … intends to obtain a degree that will enhance her opportunity of achieving a successful career upon graduation … is a first-generation immigrant to attend college … has a younger sister.
Bellis on Celentano: "Alexis is a versatile player, with lots of speed and will add to the program from day one. She has bags of personality and confidence to play in the NSIC. Her club team was the National Champions in the Super Y league."
Sophia Haase (F/M, 5-6, Fr., Monticello, Minn. / Monticello HS)
Monticello High School:
Lettered a total of three times in basketball, soccer and track and field for the Magic … earned All-State honors in track and field … named All-Conference in both soccer and track and field … finished the 2022 season with 22 goals and 14 assists … helped her team to a 15-2-2 record and a Mississippi 8 Conference Championship in 2022 … member of the Boreal FC.
Personal:
Currently undecided on a major at CSP … has a younger sister.
Bellis on Haase: "This player is creative; she sees the field well and is an attack-minded midfielder who can unlock defenses. Haase also knows how to score and has a work rate to be good in transition. I can't wait to work with her at CSP."
Kenzie Kane (MF, 5-7, Fr., Bloomington, Minn. / Kennedy HS)
Kennedy High School:
Letter in soccer all four years for the Eagles … named All-State last season … named All-Conference her senior season and honorable mention her sophomore season … named Best Offensive Player twice … recorded 22 career goals and 17 career assists … helped her team to a second-place finish in the conference with a record of 10-4-1 … member of the Edina SC.
Personal:
Is currently undecided on a major at CSP … has an older brother and a younger sister.
Bellis on Kane: "Kenzie is a player that had worked with our long-time assistant
Tom Kleczewski at Edina SC. She is a smart, creative and hard-working central midfielder. She's got some great 1v1 skills, an eye for goal and is physically strong enough to compete in the NSIC. I am excited to work with Kenzie."
Allie Jo Kirkpatrick (MF, 5-5, Fr., Broomfield, Colo. / Jefferson Academy)
Jefferson Academy Secondary School:
Lettered four times in both basketball and soccer for the Jaguars … named First Team All-State in soccer … is a two-time All-Conference selection in both basketball and soccer … named First Team All-Region in soccer … was Best Defensive Player in 2020, 2021 and 2022 in basketball … awarded the Regents Scholarship for academic excellence … served as team captain twice in basketball and once in soccer … recorded 42 points, 16 goals and four assists in the 2022 season … acquired 20 points, seven goals and six assists in the 2021 season … helped her soccer team to a runner-up finish at the 2022 Colorado 3A State Championships … assisted her basketball team to appearances in the 3A Final Four in 2022 and the 3A Sweet 16 in 2021 … helped her club soccer team, Colorado Rush, to a 2022 Colorado State Cup Championship … is currently the Jefferson Academy Valedictorian and the Student Government Communications Director.
Personal:
Plans to double major in computer science and computer information systems at CSP … has a goal of becoming a computer programmer and someday a product manager at a software company upon graduation … her mother played softball at Midland University … her oldest sister was a gymnast at the Air Force and her other older sister is currently playing soccer at Youngstown State University.
Bellis on Kirkpatrick: "Allie is a tremendous athlete, comfortable in a few positions and has a strong Colorado club soccer upbringing with the Rush club. She will bring a strong work ethic and energy."
Neely Kunz (D, 5-3, Fr., Belgium, Wis. / Ozaukee HS)
Ozaukee High School:
Competed at the club level for North Shore United Soccer Club in Wisconsin … plays prep basketball and golf for the Warriors.
Personal:
Plans to major in physical therapy at CSP with the goal of becoming a physical therapist upon graduation … her father played Division III football at UW-Stevens Point … has two younger sisters.
Bellis on Kunz: "With Neely, we are bringing in a hard-working no-nonsense defender. Neely is calm on the ball and confident in playing out of the backline. She will quickly fit in with our style of play. She comes from a great club soccer background and is technically very strong."
Adrienne Linehan (F, 5-5, Fr., Waconia, Wis. / Waconia HS)
Waconia High School:
Lettered three times in soccer for the Wildcats … notched nine goals and six assists during her senior campaign … helped her team to six wins and two draws last season … competes in club soccer for the Minnesota Thunder Academy.
Personal:
Plans to double major in kinesiology and exercise science at CSP … has two older brothers.
Bellis on Linehan: "This is a player with natural pure speed and a nose for goal. Adri can play on the wing or through the middle with success. She comes from the local powerhouse club MTA. We are excited to get her on board."
Alexa Pettit (F/M, 5-10, Fr., Mount Pleasant, Wis. / Union Grove HS)
Mount Pleasant High School:
Lettered in soccer and also participated in basketball, golf and volleyball for the Broncos … named First-Team All-Conference and First-Team All-County … recorded 54 points off 19 goals and 16 assists during the 2022 season … helped her team to both regional and conference titles with an overall record of 13-3-2 … competes in club soccer for North Shore United SC … member of Academic High Honors, DECA, Link Crew, Key Club and The National Honors Society.
Personal:
Plans to major in business at CSP … has an older sister and a younger brother.
Bellis on Pettit: "Lexi comes in as a winger who will add quality to that position in our squad from day one. She glides past defenders and is great in 1v1 situations and can score. She plays for the nationally renowned North Shore United Club in Wisconsin and has a ton to offer CSP."
Elena Siekas (M/D, 5-3, Fr., Spring, Texas / Klein HS)
Klein High School:
Lettered four times in soccer for the Bearkats … named First Team All-District in her sophomore and junior campaigns … was named Academic All-District three times … named team captain her senior year and midfield MVP her junior year … helped her team to a 2022 District Championship and playoff appearance in 2022, along with a fourth-place finish in the 2021 District Championship … competes for Challenge Soccer Club … is a choir member and officer, part of the EMT program, a Table Tennis Club officer and a member of the Standleaders (Spirt Crew).
Personal:
Plans to major in nursing and minor in communications at CSP … wants to become a registered nurse and possibility a traveling nurse upon graduation … is related to Adam Thielen who played football at Minnesota State and is currently a wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings … she also has two other family members that participated at the collegiate level in track and field and women's hockey … has an older brother.
Bellis on Siekas: "One of two Texans in this year's class. Elena is strong in the tackle, reads the game well and will have the ability to operate in a few spots for us. She competes nationally at the highest club level with her club Challenge SC in the ECNL league."
Lauren Vacek (F/M, 5-5, Fr., Frisco, Texas / Wakeland HS)
Wakeland High School:
Lettered in soccer for the Wolverines … helped her squad to a 2022 State Championship and a state runner-up finish in 2021 … participates in club soccer for Renegades SC in Dallas, Texas.
Personal:
Plans to major in exercise science with a minor in business at CSP … would like to pursue physical therapy school to be a sports physical therapist upon graduation … has two younger brothers.
Bellis on Vacek: "Our second Texan in this class! Lauren is a winger with tons of pace. She is electric in 1v1 situations and is also willing to work hard on defense in transition. She competes at the national GA club level with Renegades SC ~ Girls Academy in Dallas, Texas. We are excited to have her at CSP."
