March 12, 2013

WASHINGTON – The George Washington women’s soccer team has added nine incoming freshman to the 2013 roster, second-year head coach Sarah Barnes announced on Tuesday. Erin Boudreau, Bri Byrne, Mackenzie Cowley, Kate Elson, Miranda Horn, Cassidy Mercier, Lina Proska, Kiara Robertson and Ivana Szwejkowski will join the Colonials’ squad this fall.

GW is slated to return 23 players from the 2012 team that produced an overall record of 5-12-1 and a 1-8-0 mark in the Atlantic 10 in Barnes’ first year at the helm of the program.

The newcomers include:

Erin Boudreau
Defense
Wallingford, Conn.
Choate Rosemary Hall

Erin comes to GW as a 2012 Class Prep All-State selection from Connecticut. She was a senior co-captain of her Choate Rosemary Hall squad and was a four-time member of the Dean’s List.

Head coach Sarah Barnes on Erin: “Erin is a composed defender who brings a steady sense of calm to the back line. Her experience on her club team has prepared her to break up plays defensively and start the attack.”

Erin Rose Boudreau was born on Dec. 30, 1994, in New Haven, Conn. She is the daughter of Patricia and Robert Boudreau and has one brother, Matthew. Erin intends to major in political science at GW.

Bri Byrne
Forward/Midfield
Hebron, Conn.
Rham – Connecticut Football Club United | Connecticut Football Club Wolves

Bri comes to GW as Rham High School girl’s soccer’s Most Improved Player. In 2010 she guided the team to a 2010 Connecticut State Championship. Bri also competed for the Connecticut Football Club United and Connecticut Football Club Wolves.

Head coach Sarah Barnes on Bri: “Bri is a feisty, hard-working player. She is a big threat on the field due to her athleticism, willingness to outwork her opponents and courage to win the ball. Her club team helped create a competitive environment that will allow her to make an impact as a Colonial.”

Brianna Marie Byrne was born on Oct. 5, 1995, in Hamden, Conn. She is the daughter of Michelle D’Amato and has one older sister, Amanda. Bri intends to major in psychology at GW.

Mackenzie Cowley
Forward
Sea Grit, N.J.
Red Bank Catholic – SDFC Lynx

A First-Team All-Shore selection, Mackenzie helped her Red Bank Catholic team to a New Jersey State Championship as well as a Shore Conference Championship. She was a two-year leading goal scorer in the Shore Conference and also competed for the SDFC Lynx. Off the field Mackenzie was a member of her school’s Honor Roll and National Honors Society.

Head coach Sarah Barnes on Mackenzie: “MacKenzie is a strong, athletic forward who is dangerous in and around the box. Her club team has consistently competed at the top of the region and creates a training environment that emphasizes technical development. This preparation and her knack for scoring goals make her a competitive addition to the team.”

Mackenzie Jane Cowley was born on Nov. 2, 1994, in Red Bank, N.J. She is the daughter of Eileen and Scott Cowley and has two younger brothers, Devin and Brendan.  Mackenzie intends to major in business at GW.

Kate Elson
Midfield/Forward
Cincinnati, Ohio
Saint Ursula Academy – Kings/Hammer FC 94 Premier Club

An All-Ohio State Division I Second Team selection, Kate led Saint Ursula Academy to a Girl’s Greater Cincinnati League Championship in 2012. She was a senior captain and earned her team’s coaches award. Kate also competed for Kings/Hammer FC 94 Premier Club Team. Off the field she was a member of Saint Ursula Academy’s National Honors Society, French Honors Society and Earth Club.

Head coach Sarah Barnes on Kate: “Kate brings an excellent work rate and an aggressive attacking mentality to the collegiate level. Her ability to mentally out-compete opponents will make her a challenging opponent and a strong addition to GW.”

Kathryn Christine Elson was born on June 5, 1995, in Cincinnati, Ohio. She is the daughter of Claire and David Elson and has two sisters, Nora, who plays squash for Boston College, and Margaret.

Miranda Horn
Goalkeeper
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Westdale Secondary School – Ontario Provincial Soccer | Burlington Tornados 

Miranda comes to GW from Kitchener, Ontario, where she was a four-year member of the Ontario Provincial Soccer Team. Miranda helped her squad to a 2010 National All-Star Championship and 2012 National All-Star runner-up status. While competing for the Burlington Tornados she guided them to a 2012 OYSL League Championship in addition to a Canadian National Championship. Miranda was a four-year member of Westdale Secondary’s honor roll and earned the Grade Eleven French Award.

Head coach Sarah Barnes on Miranda: “Miranda brings a strong technical and tactical foundation that will be effective in the goalkeeping position.  She has competed at a high level in Canada, including with the youth national team and provincial program. A 2012 club national champion Miranda’s size and ability to communicate and organize the defense make her a strong addition to GW.”

Miranda Lili Horn was born on Feb. 27, 1996, in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. She is the daughter of Lisa Pasternak and Martin Horn and has one older sister, Madelaine, who plays soccer for Carleton College.

Cassidy Mercier
Forward/Midfield
Fairfax, Va.
W.T. Woodson – VSA Heat | BRYC Elite | Wash Freedom Super-Y

Cassidy was a two-year varsity starter at W.T. Woodson where she helped her team to a 2010 Patriot District Championship and a 2011 Northern Region title. She guided her VSA Heat club team to a USYS U-17 National Championship this year after leading her BRYC Elite Club Team to a USYS U-16 National title. As a competitor for the Wash Freedom Super-Y team she helped her squad reach the national finals.

Head coach Sarah Barnes on Cassidy: “Cassidy is an aggressive forward who wants the ball at her feet. She shows good attacking ability in and around the box, including mobility, vision, final ball execution and finishing. Cassidy’s competitive nature will really help her to be successful at the collegiate level.”

Cassidy Marie Mercier was born on Oct. 3, 1995, in Honolulu, Hawaii. She is the daughter of Christine and John Mercier and has two older sisters, Danielle and Nichole. Cassidy intends to study pre-med at GW.

Lina Proska
Midfield
Chatham, N.J.
Chatham – FC Copa Real

Lina comes to GW as a three-time New Jersey Girl’s Soccer Coaches Association All-State selection. An all-state statistics leader in 2011, Lina was named to the All-Independence First Team in 2011 and 2012. During the 2010 season she was named to the All-NJAC Second Team and earned All-Independence Division Honorable Mention honors. Following her junior year, Lina was named All-Morris County Forward of the Year while also garnering All-Morris County First Team accolades. In 2012 she earned NJGSCA sectional recognition while also being named All-Morris County Third Team. Lina was also named to the All-Morris County Third Team in 2010. Aside from her high school squad she competed for FC Copa Real for five years. Off the field she boasted a 4.0 grade-point average and was a member of the German National Honors Society while serving as a three-year member of the German Club.

Head coach Sarah Barnes on Lina: “A smart, crafty dribbler, Lina is a scoring threat in the attacking third. She spent her early years in Germany, developing her vision, a solid understanding of movement off the ball and the ability to run at defenders. The competitive training environment surrounding her club team has prepared her to make an impact.”

Paulina Rose Proska was born on Jan. 29, 1995, in Chapel Hill, N.C. She is the daughter of Paula and Daniel Proska and has one brother, Kenny. Lina intends to major in biology at GW.

Kiara Robertson
Midfield/Defense
Bloomfield, N.J.
Bloomfield – FC COPA Real

Named captain of her Bloomfield squad during her senior season, Kiara earned New Jersey Girl’s Soccer Coaches Association honors in 2012. She also competed for FC FOPA Real for four years. Off the field Kiara was a four-year high honor roll student and a member of National Honors Society and National Italian Language Honors Society. She was a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist and is currently a finalist for the National Achievement Scholarship. After posting a 3.5 grade-point average or higher all four years of school, Kiara earned the Bengal Pride Award.

Head coach Sarah Barnes on Kiara: “Kiara combines a sound technical base with the willingness to battle in tough games. A versatile player who has played numerous positions, Kiara competes in the air, is a strong tackler and actively seeks opportunities to join the attack and threaten from distance.”

Kiara Alexandra Robertson was born on April 22, 1995, in Newark, N.J. She is the daughter and only child of Janett Brammer and Robert Robertson. Kiara intends to major in political science at GW.

Ivana Szwejkowski
Midfield
Warrenton, Va.
Kettle Run – VSA Heat 

A first team all-district and second team all-region selection, Ivana helped Kettle Run to a district championship in 2010-11 and runner-up status in 2011-12. She also competed for the Fairfax County Virginia Cardinals and Virginia Soccer Association Heat club teams. With the VSA Heat she helped the team claim a 2012 National League Tournament Championship. Ivana was an honor roll student and member of National Honors Society. She also participated in Interact Club, Random Acts of Kindness and the Young Republicans Committee.

Head coach Sarah Barnes on Ivana: “Ivana comes to GW with a great work ethic and a solid soccer base. As a holding player in midfield, she is disciplined, plays simple and does a good job of picking her spots to join the attack. As a club national champion, her experience in pressure situations has prepared her for the challenges of the collegiate level.”

Ivana Virginia Szwejkowski was born on July 22, 1995, in Boston, Mass. She is the daughter of Michelle and Chet Szwejkowski and has one brother, Chet, and one sister, Eliana. Ivana intends to major in physical therapy at GW.