SPORTS

 

Eight recruits from the class of 2026 are joining the Davidson women’s soccer program, head coach Adam Denton announced today.

Set to join the Wildcats next fall are Mia Belforte, Katherine Clarke, Kialie Hudson, Katie Kerman, Lily Lovell, SJ Pak, Savannah Pruitt and Charlotte Snead.

“To compete as a scholar-athlete at Davidson and in the Atlantic 10 Conference takes dedication and commitment,” said Denton. “We are looking forward to adding each of the players in the class of 2026, and each of them will add something individually and collectively to our current group of players. Along with our current squad of players, they will each represent Davidson College positively on and off the field, and we are excited to welcome them all as part of the DCWS family.”

Here’s more on the recent additions:

• Mia Belforte •
Defender | Leesburg, Va.
Riverside HS | Virginia Development Academy

Academic Honors: Honor Roll (2018-2021), Projected AP Scholar with Honors, National Honors Society Candidate (2020-2021), Advanced Studies Diploma (2021). 

Athletic Honors: Olympic Development Program Virginia State Team (2016-2017), Olympic Development Program North District Team (2014-2017), Virginia Development Academy Best XI (2019, 2020), Mid-Atlantic North American Cup Qualifier (2019), High School Varsity Soccer (2018-2021), High School Varsity Basketball (2018-2020)

Why Davidson: “The unique opportunity to blend academic excellence with top-flight D1 athletics. As soon as I stepped on campus, I immediately felt at home and witnessed first-hand the strong sense of community between students and faculty. After getting to know the coaches, players and students, I knew Davidson is where I wanted to be to continue growing as a student, as a person, and as a player.  I can’t wait to join the soccer program and the tight-knit Wildcat community.” 

Denton: “Mia will bring a strong physical presence, along with the composure and quality in her distribution in playing out of the back. She will bring good variety and depth to our back line.” 

• Katherine Clarke •
Goalkeeper | Potomac Falls, Va.
Dominion HS | McLean Youth Soccer ECNL 

Academic Honors: Honor Roll (2019-2021), National Honor Society (2021) 

Athletic Honors: Virginia High School District, Region, State Champions (2021), Locosports All-Loco Girls Soccer First Team, Coaches All-Region 4C First Tournament Team

Why Davidson: “While Davidson has a high integrity, high quality academic environment, great student culture and beautiful campus, what sold me was the combination of those things with the opportunity to continue my soccer career at the Division I level as part of a great team and excellent coaching staff. I talked to as many people as I could find about Davidson, and it was hard to find anyone that doesn’t rave about it. I am looking forward to four great years!”

Denton: “We are excited to add Katherine to our GK unit. Her composure, shot-stopping ability and comfort level to distribute will be a great addition to our current goalkeeper unit.”

• Kialie Hudson •
Forward | Houston, Texas
Clear Brook HS | Houston Dash GA 04 

Academic Honors: National Technical Honor Society (2020-2021), National Honor Society (2019-2021), National Junior Honor Society (2017-2018), Superintendent- First Year (2020)

Why Davidson: “I want to attend Davidson because of its heavy push for academics as well as its combined effort to prioritize athletics. The soccer program has created a hard-working group with an atmosphere of trust, and I love the team/coach dynamic. I quickly realized that Davidson has a culture all its own. It’s a welcoming environment with an active and supportive surrounding community. It genuinely feels like a home away from home.” 

Denton: “Kialie is a dynamic forward that has the ability to threaten in behind and to take players on 1-v-1 in the final third to create opportunities for herself and teammates in the final third. She will bring added creativity and depth to our forward position next fall.” 

• Katie Kerman •
Center midfielder | Durham, N.C.
Durham Academy | N.C. Courage ECNL 

Academic Honors:  High Honors in Scholarship (2018-2019), Honors in Scholarship (2019-2020), High Honors in Scholarship (2020-2021), Selected to peer tutor students in the Durham Community, Nominated for the Lowell L. Bryan Scholarship.  

Why Davidson: “The rigor in the classroom and the tightknit student body and women’s soccer team. The campus is also really beautiful, and the town surrounding it is very charming.”

Denton: “Katie is technical midfielder that is comfortable playing in tight areas under pressure and has good variety in her distribution. She reads the game well and will bring added depth to our midfield next year.”  

• Lilly Lovell •
Wing/Attacking midfielder | Haymarket, Va. 
Battlefield HS | Virginia Development Academy 

Academic Honors: Principal’s honor roll (2018-2021), 4.32 GPA

Why Davidson: “The high academic standards, the close-knit community and the ability to play division I soccer. Furthermore, when visiting campus, I felt safe and comfortable with the environment. The students, professors, coaches, and staff were friendly which gave me a sense of belonging.”

Denton: “Lily is a forward that has both good pace to get in behind and the ability to take players on 1-v-1. Her ability to serve a ball in the final third will provide creativity and versatility to the forward position next fall.” 

• SJ Pak •
Midfielder | Denver, Colo.
Regis Jesuit HS | Colorado Rapids ECNL 

Academic Honors:  Highest Honor Roll (2018-2022), National Honors Society (2020-2022), AP Scholar

Athletic Honors:  US Soccer Training Center, US Soccer Regional Combine, ECNL PDP participant, US Futsal National Team member

Why Davidson: “I wanted a school with high-level academics and a competitive soccer program where I could continue to grow as a player and student. I liked the coaches and felt that Davidson would be a great overall fit for me in all areas of the college experience.”

Denton: “SJ is an intelligent and composed player in the center midfield. She brings great vision in the attack and the ability and variety to create in the final third with the quality of her passes. SJ will be a great addition to our midfield next fall.” 

• Savannah Pruitt •
Defensive midfielder/ Center back | Cleveland, Ohio
Hawken School | Ohio Premier 2004 

Academic Honors: National Spanish Exam Gold (2019)

Athletic Honors: Captain of High School Soccer Team (2021), Chagrin Valley Conference Second Team (2020), GCSSCA District Honorable Mention (2020)

Why Davidson: “The rigorous academics and the great environment. When I visited for the first time, I knew that Davidson was the place I wanted to spend my next four years. I knew that it was where I wanted to continue to grow. On top of that the coaches and team were welcoming and made Davidson feel like home.” 

Denton: “Savannah has great versatility across positions in midfield and defense. Her ability to cover spaces, along with her distribution, and work rate will provide great depth in the midfield and defense.” 

• Charlotte Snead •
Midfielder | Fredericksburg, Va.
James Monroe HS | Fredericksburg Football Club  

Academic Honors:  National Honor Society (2020-2021), Monroe Scholar (2018-2021), Most Outstanding Student – Spanish and World History (2019)  

Athletic Honors: Captain of High School Soccer Team (2020-2021), High School Team MVP (2021), Freelance-Star All-Area First Team (2021), USYS South Atlantic Regional Champions (2021), WAGS Showcase Champions (2019, 2021), Jefferson Cup Champions (2017, 2018, 2019), Varsity Cross Country District and Regional Champions (2018)

Why Davidson: “It gives me the opportunity to push myself both academically and athletically. I love the supportive and collaborative environment at Davidson. As soon as I walked on the beautiful campus, I knew it was where I wanted to be.”

Denton: “Charlotte brings great versatility across multiple positions on the field. She has great confidence on the ball and brings a tremendous work rate on the defensive side of the ball. She will provide variety and depth to our program.”