Bronx, N.Y. – (May 14, 2019) – The Fordham women’s soccer team announced its recruiting class for next season.  Fordham’s class of 2023 is a squad of five, starting with forward Kristen Cocozza, midfielder Danielle Etienne, forward Caitlin Kennedy, defender Alexa Morello, and midfielder Maura Murphy.

 

"We are very excited to have these five future Fordham student athletes join our program this fall as we feel that they will make an immediate impact on our program.  Each brings a passion for Fordham and we are looking forward to watching them unlock their potential and make the most of their opportunity that Fordham will provide,” said head coach Jessica Clinton.    

 

Each of Fordham’s signees will be featured in-depth over the coming weeks on social media.

 

Follow @FordhamWoSoc.

 

Kristen Cocozza | Forward | Coopersburg, PA (Southern Lehigh HS)

 

The first signee of the class of 2019 is Coopersburg native, Kristen Cocozza. Attending Southern Lehigh High School Cocozza was a part of the National Honors Society. As a member of the varsity soccer team for four seasons, Cocozza was a two-year captain and selected to the Pennsylvania all-state team. Her club career has been at Continental FC where she been an offensive mainstay.

 

Kristen is the third member of her family to attend Fordham, as both of her parents, Christopher and Danielle, are Fordham alumni. Christopher was a part of the 1987-88 football team.

 

Cocozza has yet to decide on a major.

 

Danielle Etienne | Midfielder | Paterson, NJ (Paramus Catholic)

 

Also a part of the 2019 class is Haitian National Team midfielder, Danielle Etienne. Etienne has been a member of the Haitian National Team for the last five seasons. Most recently in 2018, Etienne was a part of the u20 CONCACAF team that sent Haiti to its first u20 World Cup, with wins over Trinidad and Tobago, Costa Rica, and Canada.

 

Before moving to New Jersey, Etienne attended Archbishop Spalding High School and participated on the varsity team during her freshman and sophomore year receiving Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland all conference awards both seasons. On the club side, Etienne was a member of Bethesda. Following the move north, Etienne joined the New York City FC Development Academy and plans to finish her club career there.

 

Her brother, Derrick Jr., was a former men’s soccer player for University of Virginia and is currently a midfielder for the New York Red Bulls. Derrick is also a member of the Haitian National Team. Dani's father, Derrick Sr., played college soccer at VCU, internationally for the senior Haiti National Team, and professionally for Richmond Kickers and Long Island Rough Riders.

 

Etienne plans on majoring in psychology.

 

Caitlin Kennedy | Forward | Manhasset, NY (Sacred Heart HS)

 

Forward Caitlin Kennedy joins the group from Manhasset, New York. At Sacred Heart, Kennedy was an honors student all four years and was a member of the Sacred Heart Academy Varsity Soccer team. Kennedy is the all-time leading goal scorer with 72 goals, and was selected as First Team All-Long Island twice in four seasons. Most recently, Kennedy has been a member of the Fury Developmental Academy and prior to that was a part of Albertson Fury ECNL. Kennedy received a Player Development Program Nomination and was the leading scorer during her time with Albertson.

 

Kennedy also participated in basketball, track, and was a member of Liberty Black, a nationally ranked lacrosse team on Long Island.

 

Kennedy plans to major in Finance in the Gabelli School of Business.

 

Alexa Morello | Defender | Northville, MI (Mercy HS)

 

Defender and Northville Michigan native Alexa Morello is the class’ fourth signee. Attending Mercy High School, Morello was a member of National Honors Society for all four years. Morello was named to the ODP National Roster in 2014-2015. Morello did not participate at the high school level since the move to the Development Academy with her Michigan Hawks club team. For the last nine years, Morello has been with the Hawks and served as team captain for the past five years. The Hawks were Mid America League winners in 2017 and 2018.

 

Morello will be a pre-med major this fall.

 

Maura Murphy | Midfielder | Mokena, IL (St. Ignatius College Prep)

 

Fordham’s final signee for the class of 2019 is Maura Murphy. Coming from Mokena, Illinois, she attended St. Ignatius College Prep. During her time, Murphy received Academic first honors all four years. Playing for her high school team, she helped lead St. Ignatius to the regional championship three seasons in a row. Murphy received Catholic Athletic Conference All-Conference and All-Sectional Team honors her final season with the Wolfpack. On the club side, Murphy most recently played for FC United and helped the team to the State Cup Finals for the last two years.

 

Murphy is the youngest of five, and her sisters, Molly and Mary, played for Saint Mary’s College Women’s Soccer (’17), and sister, Meghan, swam for University of Miami (’15).

 

Murphy is yet to decide on a major.