WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue women's soccer head coach Drew Roff announced the 2019 incoming class on Wednesday's National Signing Day. The signees include five standouts from across the nation including California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and New Jersey.
The versatile signing class is primed to improve every area of the team. The talent five include Hannah Lapeire, Leanna Rebimbas, Sydney Sparks, Ashley Witucki and Chloe Woodbeck, who will each add height and physical presence to the squad. Their physicality combined with the talent and decorated resumes built through their club, high school and/or national team performances create a dangerous narrative for the Boilermakers.
"We are very excited about the 2019 class and can't wait to welcome them to West Lafayette," said Roff. "With a center back, two midfielders and two forwards, this talented and versatile class fills some important needs and makes every line of our team stronger. Representing five states, these five student-athletes come from outstanding high school and club soccer environments, that have prepared them well for the next step. After graduating only two seniors, this class helps ensure that in 2019 we will be working with our deepest and most talented roster yet."
Student-athletes are listed in alphabetical order.
Hannah Lapeire
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5--7
Hometown: Buffalo Grove, Ill.
High School: Adlai E. Stevenson
Intended Major: Health Sciences – Pre-Professional
Club Team: FC United Premier
Lapeire was a four year varsity starter, a three-year club team captain and a varsity team captain as a junior and senior. Over just three seasons, Lapeire registered 35 assists 25 goals on her way to earning All-Conference nods following each campaign. In addition, Lapeire was named to the All-Sectional Team sophomore and junior year while earning Lake County All-Area Team and Pioneer Press All-Area Team recognition following a Regional Championship title. The Buffalo Grove native was a member of the 2016 Disney Showcase Champion team and is an honor roll member.
Lapeire on Purdue: "Purdue has amazing facilities, coaching staff and team culture. I've dreamed of playing soccer in the Big Ten and Purdue ticked off all my boxes."
Coach Roff on Lapiere: "Hannah is a central midfielder that combines very good technical ability and athleticism, with a high soccer IQ. Her ability to stay composed, and play out of pressure, will be a great asset when building play out of the back. She also has the vision and the attacking mentality to get forward and create in the final third. This versatility will strengthen our midfield considerably and will give her an opportunity to make an early impact."
Leanna Rebimbas
Position: Forward
Height: 5-10
Hometown: West Caldwell, N.J.
High School: James Caldwell
Intended Major: Kinesiology
Club Team: Princeton SA
Rebimbas has been a member of the U19 Portugal Women's National Team for a year and a half. During that time, the future Boilermaker competed in the Euro Qualifiers and the United States Youth Soccer National Semi-Finals. The New Jersey native scored double-digit goals as a sophomore, junior and senior for James Caldwell High School, including a season-best 29 goals as a sophomore. Despite being called up to the national team and missing most of her final two high school seasons, she secured 27 goals as a junior and netted 13 as a senior. Rebimbas is a two-time All-Conference First Team and All-State member.
Rebimbas on what attracted her to Purdue "When I first attended camp, I loved the coaching staff and players. I knew that I would be happy to call them my family if I had the chance."
Coach Roff on Rebimbas: "Leanna is an immensely talented attacking player that brings creativity and goal scoring to our program. She has all of the physical tools and technical ability to be an impact player, but what really stands out is her creativity on the ball, and her instincts and finishing touch around the goal. These are special qualities that are very hard to teach, and Leanna is able to utilize them in a way that makes her teammates better, and makes her a constant scoring threat. I look forward to Leanna being a major factor in our attacking play right away, and developing into a difference maker throughout her career. Her recent international playing experience will also help with her adjustment to the college game."
Sydney Sparks
Position: Center Back
Height: 5-11
Hometown: Carlsbad, Calif.
High School: Cathedral Catholic
Intended Major: Biology
Club Team: San Diego Surf
Sparks ranks among the top-150 in the nation (No. 149), including 20th in the state of California, and is a Top Drawer Soccer three-star recruit, who helped the San Diego Surf to a U16 and U17 playoff berth. Sparks secured a 2017 US Youth Soccer ODP Region IV Championships All-Tournament Team nod after helping her U15 team to an ECNL Western League Championship title and quarter finalist status. In 2016, Sparks was a National ODP Champion and a member of the ODP Championship Best XI. Additionally, the California native earned three consecutive honors from freshman to junior year for earning a 4.0 grade-point average and above.
Sparks on signing her NLI: "I chose Purdue because of their excellent academics and athletics. I've always wanted to play soccer in a Division I competitive league and I feel so fortunate to be able to play at Purdue where I have it all."
Coach Roff on Sparks: ""Sydney brings a physical presence, excellent technical ability, and a high soccer IQ to the center back position. Her ability to shut down attacking players individually is outstanding, and she also has a great understanding of how to organize and lead a back four. At 5'11, she is dominant in the air defensively, as well as a consistent threat in the attack by getting on the end of corners and free kicks. She is also very comfortable on the ball and will be a key factor in our ability to build out of the back. Sydney has all of the tools to be an elite center back in the Big Ten Conference, and she is a great fit for how we want to play. We look forward to Sydney making a big impact on our program early in her career."
Ashley Witucki
Position: Forward
Height: 5'6
Hometown: Carmel, Ind.
High School: Carmel
Intended Major: Kinesiology
Club Team: Indiana Fire Juniors
The 2018 All-American Game and 3A Girl's Soccer mental Attitude Award nominee was a member of the 2018 3A State Championship title team. Witucki is a four-year letter winner and helped the squad to a conference championship title in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference each of those four seasons. Before earning the State title as a senior, Witucki led the team to three consecutive Sectional Runner-Up statuses. During her senior 2018 campaign, Witucki made First Team All-District, All-MIC Conference Team and the Academic All-State team after netting five goals and five assists. Moreover, she was a member of the United States Youth Soccer Academy (USYSA) U15 MRL Division Champions as a freshman and a member of the National Premier League (NPL) National Champions team as a junior.
Witucki on why she chose Purdue: "Purdue's team culture attracted me because each player strives to be their best every day while also supporting each other at the same time. I want to be in a competitive environment where I'm growing as a person and player, while also building lifelong friendships."
Coach Roff on Witucki: "Ashley is an attacking player that plays out wide and is excellent in 1v1 situations. She is a very good athlete that is able to use her pace and technical ability to stretch defenses and create scoring opportunities. She also has a great work rate, and covers a lot of ground, which will be a great addition to our pressing style defensively as well. Ashley's talent, competitive fire, and leadership ability helped bring the Indiana State Championship to Carmel High School this past fall, and we look forward to her bringing those great qualities to our program for the next four years."
Cloe Woodbeck
Position: Back / Forward
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Ferndale, Mi.
High School: Shrine
Intended Major: Business Marketing
Club Team: Michigan Hawks
Woodbeck is a Top Drawer soccer two-star recruit who has been a member of the Michigan Hawks '01 club team for three years years, was a member of the Michigan Hawks '00 National Championship ENCL team in addition to attending the Michigan Hawks '01 Development Academy as a junior. As a freshman, Woodbeck earned a Mercy High School varsity letter and was an Olympic Development Program Invitee. In addition to playing soccer, Woodbeck brings speed to Folk Field after having lettered in track as a sophomore. The Michigan native was a Catholic League Champion in the 400-meter and high jump as well as an All-Academic Track Shrine High School honoree.
Woodbeck on being a Boilermaker: "Signing my NLI confirms my commitment to the Purdue soccer program. It says I am 'all in' and ready to play the sport I love with my new teammates. Being a Boilermaker means having pride for the school and team. I look forward to being a student-athlete representing Purdue as a positive role model."
Coach Roff on Woodbeck: "Chloe is a very talented, well rounded player that can play multiple positions at a high level. She has very good size and athleticism, defends well, and has the technical ability to play quickly. She also is a smart soccer player that makes good decisions with and without the ball, and has a nice finishing touch around goal. Chloe has also benefited from playing with one of the top clubs in the country, and she understands what it takes to win. These impressive attributes, along with her versatility, will help Chloe make an impact in our program as a forward, midfielder, or as a back."
The versatile signing class is primed to improve every area of the team. The talent five include Hannah Lapeire, Leanna Rebimbas, Sydney Sparks, Ashley Witucki and Chloe Woodbeck, who will each add height and physical presence to the squad. Their physicality combined with the talent and decorated resumes built through their club, high school and/or national team performances create a dangerous narrative for the Boilermakers.
"We are very excited about the 2019 class and can't wait to welcome them to West Lafayette," said Roff. "With a center back, two midfielders and two forwards, this talented and versatile class fills some important needs and makes every line of our team stronger. Representing five states, these five student-athletes come from outstanding high school and club soccer environments, that have prepared them well for the next step. After graduating only two seniors, this class helps ensure that in 2019 we will be working with our deepest and most talented roster yet."
Student-athletes are listed in alphabetical order.
Meet the newest member of the Purdue family: @hannah_lapeire! ??#BoilerUp #NationalSigningDay pic.twitter.com/9h63NQ8pFy
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 14, 2018
Hannah Lapeire
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5--7
Hometown: Buffalo Grove, Ill.
High School: Adlai E. Stevenson
Intended Major: Health Sciences – Pre-Professional
Club Team: FC United Premier
Lapeire was a four year varsity starter, a three-year club team captain and a varsity team captain as a junior and senior. Over just three seasons, Lapeire registered 35 assists 25 goals on her way to earning All-Conference nods following each campaign. In addition, Lapeire was named to the All-Sectional Team sophomore and junior year while earning Lake County All-Area Team and Pioneer Press All-Area Team recognition following a Regional Championship title. The Buffalo Grove native was a member of the 2016 Disney Showcase Champion team and is an honor roll member.
Lapeire on Purdue: "Purdue has amazing facilities, coaching staff and team culture. I've dreamed of playing soccer in the Big Ten and Purdue ticked off all my boxes."
Coach Roff on Lapiere: "Hannah is a central midfielder that combines very good technical ability and athleticism, with a high soccer IQ. Her ability to stay composed, and play out of pressure, will be a great asset when building play out of the back. She also has the vision and the attacking mentality to get forward and create in the final third. This versatility will strengthen our midfield considerably and will give her an opportunity to make an early impact."
Welcome to Purdue, @leanna_rebimbas! ??#BoilerUp #NationalSigningDay pic.twitter.com/al7YDjdAYs
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 14, 2018
Leanna Rebimbas
Position: Forward
Height: 5-10
Hometown: West Caldwell, N.J.
High School: James Caldwell
Intended Major: Kinesiology
Club Team: Princeton SA
Rebimbas has been a member of the U19 Portugal Women's National Team for a year and a half. During that time, the future Boilermaker competed in the Euro Qualifiers and the United States Youth Soccer National Semi-Finals. The New Jersey native scored double-digit goals as a sophomore, junior and senior for James Caldwell High School, including a season-best 29 goals as a sophomore. Despite being called up to the national team and missing most of her final two high school seasons, she secured 27 goals as a junior and netted 13 as a senior. Rebimbas is a two-time All-Conference First Team and All-State member.
Rebimbas on what attracted her to Purdue "When I first attended camp, I loved the coaching staff and players. I knew that I would be happy to call them my family if I had the chance."
Coach Roff on Rebimbas: "Leanna is an immensely talented attacking player that brings creativity and goal scoring to our program. She has all of the physical tools and technical ability to be an impact player, but what really stands out is her creativity on the ball, and her instincts and finishing touch around the goal. These are special qualities that are very hard to teach, and Leanna is able to utilize them in a way that makes her teammates better, and makes her a constant scoring threat. I look forward to Leanna being a major factor in our attacking play right away, and developing into a difference maker throughout her career. Her recent international playing experience will also help with her adjustment to the college game."
We are very excited to announce California native @_sydneysparks_ as the newest member of the Purdue family!#BoilerUp #NationalSigningDay pic.twitter.com/4bk9Hz7SFt
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 15, 2018
Sydney Sparks
Position: Center Back
Height: 5-11
Hometown: Carlsbad, Calif.
High School: Cathedral Catholic
Intended Major: Biology
Club Team: San Diego Surf
Sparks ranks among the top-150 in the nation (No. 149), including 20th in the state of California, and is a Top Drawer Soccer three-star recruit, who helped the San Diego Surf to a U16 and U17 playoff berth. Sparks secured a 2017 US Youth Soccer ODP Region IV Championships All-Tournament Team nod after helping her U15 team to an ECNL Western League Championship title and quarter finalist status. In 2016, Sparks was a National ODP Champion and a member of the ODP Championship Best XI. Additionally, the California native earned three consecutive honors from freshman to junior year for earning a 4.0 grade-point average and above.
Sparks on signing her NLI: "I chose Purdue because of their excellent academics and athletics. I've always wanted to play soccer in a Division I competitive league and I feel so fortunate to be able to play at Purdue where I have it all."
Coach Roff on Sparks: ""Sydney brings a physical presence, excellent technical ability, and a high soccer IQ to the center back position. Her ability to shut down attacking players individually is outstanding, and she also has a great understanding of how to organize and lead a back four. At 5'11, she is dominant in the air defensively, as well as a consistent threat in the attack by getting on the end of corners and free kicks. She is also very comfortable on the ball and will be a key factor in our ability to build out of the back. Sydney has all of the tools to be an elite center back in the Big Ten Conference, and she is a great fit for how we want to play. We look forward to Sydney making a big impact on our program early in her career."
We are so excited to welcome Indiana native @AshleyWitucki to the Purdue family! ??#BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/zxTxrLFGDS
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 14, 2018
Ashley Witucki
Position: Forward
Height: 5'6
Hometown: Carmel, Ind.
High School: Carmel
Intended Major: Kinesiology
Club Team: Indiana Fire Juniors
The 2018 All-American Game and 3A Girl's Soccer mental Attitude Award nominee was a member of the 2018 3A State Championship title team. Witucki is a four-year letter winner and helped the squad to a conference championship title in the Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference each of those four seasons. Before earning the State title as a senior, Witucki led the team to three consecutive Sectional Runner-Up statuses. During her senior 2018 campaign, Witucki made First Team All-District, All-MIC Conference Team and the Academic All-State team after netting five goals and five assists. Moreover, she was a member of the United States Youth Soccer Academy (USYSA) U15 MRL Division Champions as a freshman and a member of the National Premier League (NPL) National Champions team as a junior.
Witucki on why she chose Purdue: "Purdue's team culture attracted me because each player strives to be their best every day while also supporting each other at the same time. I want to be in a competitive environment where I'm growing as a person and player, while also building lifelong friendships."
Coach Roff on Witucki: "Ashley is an attacking player that plays out wide and is excellent in 1v1 situations. She is a very good athlete that is able to use her pace and technical ability to stretch defenses and create scoring opportunities. She also has a great work rate, and covers a lot of ground, which will be a great addition to our pressing style defensively as well. Ashley's talent, competitive fire, and leadership ability helped bring the Indiana State Championship to Carmel High School this past fall, and we look forward to her bringing those great qualities to our program for the next four years."
Welcome to the Boilermakers, @ChloeWoodbeck! ??#NationalSigningDay #BoilerUp pic.twitter.com/BNu6i7scok
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) November 14, 2018
Cloe Woodbeck
Position: Back / Forward
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Ferndale, Mi.
High School: Shrine
Intended Major: Business Marketing
Club Team: Michigan Hawks
Woodbeck is a Top Drawer soccer two-star recruit who has been a member of the Michigan Hawks '01 club team for three years years, was a member of the Michigan Hawks '00 National Championship ENCL team in addition to attending the Michigan Hawks '01 Development Academy as a junior. As a freshman, Woodbeck earned a Mercy High School varsity letter and was an Olympic Development Program Invitee. In addition to playing soccer, Woodbeck brings speed to Folk Field after having lettered in track as a sophomore. The Michigan native was a Catholic League Champion in the 400-meter and high jump as well as an All-Academic Track Shrine High School honoree.
Woodbeck on being a Boilermaker: "Signing my NLI confirms my commitment to the Purdue soccer program. It says I am 'all in' and ready to play the sport I love with my new teammates. Being a Boilermaker means having pride for the school and team. I look forward to being a student-athlete representing Purdue as a positive role model."
Coach Roff on Woodbeck: "Chloe is a very talented, well rounded player that can play multiple positions at a high level. She has very good size and athleticism, defends well, and has the technical ability to play quickly. She also is a smart soccer player that makes good decisions with and without the ball, and has a nice finishing touch around goal. Chloe has also benefited from playing with one of the top clubs in the country, and she understands what it takes to win. These impressive attributes, along with her versatility, will help Chloe make an impact in our program as a forward, midfielder, or as a back."