DePaul University Athletics
Blue Demons Announce 2016 Recruiting Class
2/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
CHICAGO - DePaul's highly successful women's soccer program experienced another breakthrough in announcing its 2016 recruiting class on Thursday.
Among the five talented prospects headed to Lincoln Park are two standouts from the Michigan Hawks club soccer team---perennially one of the elite youth soccer programs in the nation.
Both defender Avery Hay and goalkeeper Jaimie Leas could make an early impact on a Blue Demon program that has gone 41-11 over the last three years, made two appearances in the NCAA tournament and won its first BIG EAST regular-season and tournament titles.
Defense is the watchword for this incoming class with three back-line stalwarts and a keeper. Along with Hay, the Blue Demons have signed a formidable three-time All-State center back from Nashville, Tenn. named Sydney Hunt and Lake Forest High School defender Adrian Walker who led the Scouts to a state title. The fifth recruit is All-Area midfielder Bina Saipi who helped New Trier win back-to-back state championships in 2014 and 2015.
"I've always had a strong interest in DePaul, but when I visited the campus and met the coaches, I could not imagine myself anywhere else," Hay said.
Leas had a similar sentiment.
"I chose DePaul because when I walked on campus and met the team, I felt this would be my new home away from home and the start to my new life."
Hunt is looking forward to playing soccer in the Windy City.
"I am very excited about being at DePaul and in Chicago for my education," she said. "I love seeing how excited and passionate the coaches and players are about DePaul and this makes me very excited about becoming a part of the Blue Demon community."
Walker said she wanted to stay close to home for her collegiate soccer.
"Having grown up in Chicago, I really wanted to stay in the area," Walker said. "The opportunity to receive both a great education and play soccer at the level of DePaul made it a pretty easy decision for me."
For Saipi, it was all about a family connection.
"Both of my sisters attended DePaul and encouraged me to look at the campus, academics, and the soccer team," she said. "I love the city of Chicago and it felt like a perfect fit when I visited the campus."
There are other connections with this class of 2016. Just as Hay and Leas are club soccer teammates, so too are Saipi and Walker on FC United. Walker played at Lake Forest with Blue Demon sophomore Lucy Edwards.
"I am so excited about our 2016 class," said coach Erin Chastain. "These five women are tough, competitive, smart and athletic. They all have high soccer IQs and are going to make our team and program better.
"From a mentality standpoint, they are all as resilient as they come. These young women have worked so hard to get where they are and have been brought up by wonderful families. They will make us better on the field, off the field and in the classroom. "
Here are profiles on the future Blue Demons:
Avery Hay - Defender - Brighton, Mich. - Brighton HS/Michigan Hawks
She helped lead the Hawks to the ECNL playoffs in 2014 and 2015. Hay will enhance the Blue Demon defense along with Hawks teammate Jaimie Leas, a talented goalkeeper who also signed with DePaul.
Coach Chastain: "Avery is a tenacious defender. She's a handful to deal with on the field because of how feisty, competitive and tough she is. She's also very composed and comfortable on the ball. Avery plays for one of the top clubs in the country in the Michigan Hawks and is extremely well-coached. She will be very prepared to come in and make an impact on our program."
Sydney Hunt - Defender - Nashville, Tenn. - Franklin Road Academy
Three-time All-State selection had 24 goals and 11 assists and was the 2015 All-Region Offensive MVP. She led her club soccer team to the USYS state title and USYS Region III championship. In 2012, her club team was a USYS national finalist.
Coach Chastain: "Sydney is a warrior. She's a center back who is extremely tough, great in the air and as competitive as they come. She will fit in really well with the mentality that we like our defenders to have. She has grown up playing in a great club environment for Ronnie Woodard and we expect her to make a seamless transition into our program."
Jaimie Leas - Goalkeeper - Fraser, Mich. - Fraser HS/Michigan Hawks
Starting keeper for one of the elite club programs in the nation that finished first in the Midwest ECNL and third in the ECNL Championships. Along with Hay, they are the first recruits to sign with DePaul from the vaunted Hawks program.
Coach Chastain: "Jaimie is a great goalkeeper who will be a wonderful addition to our program. She's extremely comfortable with the ball at her feet and has wonderful distribution. She's very technical, assertive and is getting exceptional training every day through the Hawks program."
Bina Saipi - Midfielder - Wilmette, Ill. - New Trier HS/ FC United
Outstanding student-athlete led the Trevians to consecutive state championships in 2014 and 2015. The All-Area selection was the Pepsi Showdown MVP in 2015 and chosen for the Pepsi Showdown All-Tournament Team in 2014.
Coach Chastain: "Bina is a tremendous addition to our team. She is extremely athletic, great on the ball and covers a ton of ground. She's also exceptional in the air. Bina is a worker, and gets it done every single day. I can't wait to have her in our program. We have watched her for quite some time since she is local and are thrilled she is staying close to home."
Adrian Walker - Defender - Lake Forest, Ill. - Lake Forest HS/FC United
Two-time All-Conference back helped lead the Scouts to the 2014 state title with current Blue Demon Lucy Edwards as a teammate. Played with DePaul recruit Saipi on FC United that finished third at the USYS nationals in 2014.
Coach Chastain: "Adrian is fearless in everything she does. She has exceptional pace and is a very good soccer player. Adrian can play anywhere on the field, but most likely will play in the back for us. She will be a tremendous addition to our program."
