Tampa Women's Soccer Welcomes Its Newest Members

The group of nine players includes a variety of position players to add depth to the roster

Tampa Women's Soccer Welcomes Its Newest Members
January 25, 2018
TAMPA, Fla. - The Tampa women's soccer team welcomed its nine newest members Wednesday as part of National Signing Day. The group includes a variety of position players to add depth to the returning roster. 
 
"We are extremely excited to welcome the 2018 recruiting class to our University of Tampa family." UT head coach Erin Switalski said, "Each player adds something unique and qualities to make us a very special team for years to come. "

Joining the Spartans are: defender Quinn Knapp (Boca Raton, Fla.), midfielder Alyson Chlopek (Clearwater, Fla.), forward Moeko Morse (Chesapeake, Va.), midfielder Michelle Kanaskie (Orange Park, Fla.), forward Elena Barr (Melbourne, Fla.), midfielder Sophia Masut (Clearwater, Fla.), goalkeeper Lovisa Camel (Täby, Sweden), midfielder Cami Johnson (Morton, Pa.) and defender Kaylyn Burroughs (Tampa, Fla). Burroughs has already begun practicing with the team as a mid-year transfer while the rest of the newcomers will join the group this coming fall.  
 

Club: Team Boca

Why she chose UT: "I chose to attend the University of Tampa and be a part of the soccer team, as I fell in love with the campus and coaches on my first visit. After staying with a few of the soccer girls and seeing the academic opportunities Tampa has to offer, I knew I wanted to be a Spartan and play there for the next four years."

Coach Switalski on Quinn: "She is a very athletic defender who has the ability to get involved in the attack at any moment. She is an extremely good 1v1 defender and has very good pace. Quinn has the ability to get around the sides and aid in the attack from the right or left side. She joins us from Team Boca, a club that has produced numerous college and national team players over the years. We look for her to quickly find her place within the team and quickly make a difference."

Club: Tampa Bay United

Why she chose UT: "I want to attend and play for the University of Tampa because when I first stepped foot on campus I fell in love with the school and no other school could compare. I see myself being a successful student here and am excited to see myself grow as an athlete."

Coach Switalski on Alyson: "She is an athletic hardworking player who doesn't know anything but 110%. She will be a force defensively in the midfield. A local talent from Tampa Bay United, we are excited she choose to stay close to home and look for her to contribute right away."
 

Club: Virginia Rush 

Why she chose UT: "I decided to come play at Tampa because they had an ideal career path in pre-veterinary sciences. I also wanted to make a difference at a school that also gave me the attention I wanted. I felt at home when I came to visit and I hope to pursue a successful future at UT.

Coach Switalski on Moeko: "Mo is a creative player with a fantastic soccer IQ and the technical ability to back it up. She joins us from a very well recognized Virginia Rush team. She has been a consistent member of the ODP Region I️ Team, representing VA in Interregionals and an international trip to Spain. We are looking for Mo to make an immediate impact orchestrating our attack."

Club: Clay County Soccer Club 

Why she chose UT: "I chose the University of Tampa because of its great academics and when I came for a visit it felt like a second home to me. I also felt that the players and coaches were really inviting and that the program would be a great one to be apart of."

Coach Switalski on Michelle: "She is a quick aggressive attacking player who can play wide and up front. She is very good at creating dangerous shooting opportunities in the attacking 3rd of the field. She comes to Tampa from a hotbed of talent in Clay County Soccer Club and we anticipate she will make a big impact on the field this fall."
 

Club: Space Coast United 

Why she chose UT: "When I visited the University of Tampa I immediately knew it was the right school for me. I got the chance to tour the campus and was also lucky enough to meet the team. They were so welcoming and friendly and it impacted me in such a positive way. The team environment that I saw and got to experience first hand was something that I knew I wanted to be a part of in the future.

Coach Switalski on Elena: "She is a very dangerous attacking player, we are looking forward to her making her presence known on the field right away. She possesses breakaway speed and can quickly turn any situation into a goal scoring opportunity. Elena comes to us from an excellent Space Coast United Club that perennially produces college talent and we anticipate that she will add a force up top for us this fall."

Club: Tampa Bay United

Why she chose UT: "I chose the University of Tampa because I fell in love with the atmosphere of the campus. I like its medium size and the urban vibe that it offers. Academically, UT is a great fit for me. It has the programs I want, along with smaller class sizes, great professors, and internship opportunities. In the end, I chose to be part of the soccer program because I love playing the game and wanted to continue playing in college. During the recruiting process, everyone was so welcoming, and I could see myself as a member of the team.

Coach Switalski on Sophia: "She is a very versatile player who reads the game well. She is a local player who competes in one of the highest leagues (ECNL) in the country for Tampa Bay United. We look for Sophia to come in and challenge our midfield and backline right away. "
 

Club: FC Djursholm

Why she chose UT: "Because UT paid attention to me very early in the beginning of the process of choosing school and team. I´ve got a professional impression of the school and the team and I was very flattered with Erin being so eager that I would become a part of the team. Both the school and the team seem to fit my student as well as my soccer ambitions. I´m very confident that I´ll become a better goalkeeper and achieve my academic goals as well."

Coach Switalski on Lovisa: "Lovisa is a very exciting and talented goalkeeper. She has very good hands and quick footwork and most importantly she is fearless and controls the 18'. Lovisa joins us from FC Djursholm. We look for Lovisa to step up right away and be a huge impact between the posts."
 

Club: FCUSA Philadelphia

Why she chose UT: "I chose The University of Tampa because it had everything I was looking for in the classroom and on the field. When I met the team, I was absolutely positive that I wanted to join them because they seemed like a big family who loved the sport just like I do. The size of the school is perfect, my major is really big there, and I am also very excited to be in the sun! I am truly grateful to be going there."

Coach Switalski on Cami: "Cami is a smart midfielder who can get out of tight spaces well. She is a quick distributor of the ball and understands how to keep possession. She comes south from FCUSA Philadelphia. We are looking for Cami to compete and challenge the midfielders from day one."
 

Previous School: Union University 

Why she chose UT: "I chose to return back home to Tampa to be closer to my family and continue my collegiate soccer career at The University of Tampa while studying to become a Nurse Anesthetist."

Coach Switalski on Kaylyn: "Kaylyn is a quick athletic player who will bring a great work ethic. A local Tampa Bay United player who joins us from Union University after completing her freshman season for the Bulldogs. We are extremely excited to have Kaylyn back home and look forward to her making an impact this spring."