CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- After graduating seven players this past season, women's soccer head coach Paul Vasconcelos announced an eight member recruiting class that will join the Lynx this coming fall.
Lesley women's soccer has announced the additions of goalkeeper Brittley Gaan (Bellevue, Wash.) along with defenders Melanie Mathewson (Santa Rosa, Calif.), Hope Seasholes (Tucson, Ariz.), Gabby Vesona (North Attleboro, Mass.), and Julia De Mars (Santa Monica, Calif.). Midfielders Holly Buschelman (Long Beach, Calif.), and Katelyn Scott (Glendora, Calif.) join the midfielder rotation while forward Torrey Tompkins will join the Lynx attack.
"With the student-athletes that are coming in, we believe that we have addressed every position - from keeper to forward, central and wide positions - with this class," said Vasconcelos. "Along with addressing needs, more importantly, we have a lot of high character, high academic players who believe in the mission statement here at Lesley and will do everything thing they can to help our program to the next level."
#0 Brittley Gaan
Hometown: Bellevue, WA
Height: 5-5
Position: Goalkeeper
High School: Bellevue High
Club: Eastside FC
Gaan comes to Cambridge after four years at Bellevue High school where she was a three-time All-KingCo 2A/3A girls soccer team selection. Gaan also played two years for the Washington State ODP program and was the starting keeper at Washington State powerhouse club, Eastside FC, where she won a 2014 State Cup championship.
"Britt is as technical of a goalkeeper as we have ever had. She has an elite combination of footwork and great hands. She is confident off her line and very calm and composed. We feel she will develop into a very strong collegiate keeper here at Lesley."
#18 Gabriela Vesona
Hometown: North Attleboro, MA
Height: 5-4
Position: Outside back
High School: North Attleboro High
Club: FC Boston Scorpions
Vesona comes to Cambridge from North Attleboro where she was a three year starter and All-conference player for the Big Red. Vesona played her club ball under Tim Mason at FC Boston NPL team.
"Gabby has a good technical foundation and great composure on the ball. She understands the game well, we look forward to her developing into a good outside back here."
#14 Katelyn Scott
Hometown: Glendora, CA
Height: 6-0
Position: Mid/Forward
High School: Glendora High
Club: North Huntington Beach
Katelyn Scott joins the Lynx after a four years at Glendora High school where she was a 2nd team All-Palomares league selection and made the All-Academic team. She played her club ball at NHB under Francisco Flores.
"Kate has great size and is technically quick, we expect her to compete for some time. We see her as combo of midfielder and forward."
#15 Hope Seasholes
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Height: 5-5
Position: Mid/Defender
High School: Sal Pointe Catholic
Club: TSA
The two year captain at Sal Pointe Catholic helped lead her school to a third place showing in the Arizona state tournament. Seasholes, was also awarded the United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete award and Senior Visual Artist Award. Seasholes played her club ball under Lisa Fraser at TSA where she was also captain.
"Hope is quick and athletic, she plays with purpose and is a very clean technical player. She can play in a variety of positions in the back or midfield. Most importantly she comes in with incredible maturity and is a winner - we are very excited about her."
#26 Torrey Tompkins
Hometown: Lakewood, WA
Height: 5-3
Position: Forward
High School: Curtis High
Club: Washington Premier
Tompkins played at Curtis High and was an All-SPSL selection in her senior year. She played her club ball at Washington Premier FC under Joe Jordan.
"Torrey is fast and plays with a very high work rate. She has good feet and is a great soccer athlete who will give us some depth at the forward position."
#4 Julia De Mars
Hometown: Santa Monica, CA
Height: 5-2
Position: Outside back
High School: Villanova Prep
Club: Oxnard United
Julia played her club ball for Jack Craig at Oxnard United and was a Frontier League Honorable Mention at Villanova Prep where she was also captain her senior year.
"Julia is a wonderful athlete with a great work ethic and super motor. She has lots of potential and we are looking forward to working with her and developing her into a strong outside back."
#28 Holly Buschelman
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
Height: 5-3
Position: Midfielder
High School: St. Anthony's Prep
Club: Strikers FC
Buschelman joins the Lynx after four years at St. Anthony's Prep where she was captain her senior year and was a First team All-league selection each of her four years. She received first team All-CIF twice and was selected to the Long Beach Press Dream Team in both her junior and senior year. Buschelman played her club ball for Jason Kirkwood at Strikers FC.
"Holly is a talented central midfielder who plays quick, makes good decisions on the ball. We feel she could come in and give us great midfield depth."
#2 Melanie Mathewson
Hometown: Santa Rosa, CA
Height: 5-4
Position: Def/Mid
High School: Santa Rosa High
Club: Santa Rosa ECNL
The Santa Rosa ECNL product joins the Lynx after winning two state championships at the club level. Mathewson played 4 years at Santa Rosa High where she was a two-time All-Empire league player and 3 year captain.
"Mel is an athletic, smart and tough player who played in a great club system. We can see her playing the central back or even holding mid for us. She was a young woman we really wanted and we expect big things from her in her time here at Lesley."
Lesley went 16-6 in 2015, winning a 4th straight conference Championship and trip to the NCAA tournament. The Lynx report for preseason on August 18th and kick off the regular season on September 1st on the road in Quincy against Eastern Nazarene College.