HAMILTON— Colgate women's soccer head coach
Lyndse Hokanson has announced the addition of seven student-athletes that will be joining the team in the fall of 2022.
"This is an exciting day for our staff and the Colgate Women's Soccer program. I have to give so many kudos to Lizzy and Haley for their tireless work in putting together an exceptional and diverse group of talented women from across the country. This class is one that we are really proud of, that will undoubtedly contribute to the continued pursuit of excellence here for our program: on the field, in the classroom and in the community. Their achievements speak to their talent - there's no doubt that this is a wildly talented class of soccer players - but beyond that, they are going to seamlessly integrate into an already phenomenal team of driven, intelligent, and thoughtful women," Hokanson said.
"They in so many ways epitomize our vision for what Colgate Women's Soccer will look like now and in the years to come. With each new class, we want to keep pushing the boundaries on our spirit of resilience and competitiveness, and we know this group will do that from day one. The future of our program is so bright and we are thrilled to welcome these seven young women into our family," she added.
Coming to Colgate from 6 states and three time zones, the 2026 class includes players from top-level Elite Club National League (ECNL) and Girls Academy League (formerly US Development Academy) teams from across the geographic landscape. The group includes several All-American honorees, a Gatorade State Player of the Year, national champion-winning club teams, senior national team experience, as well as accomplished scholars and community leaders.
The members of the class of 2026 are listed below in alphabetical order.
Ari Bezanson
Midfield
Danvers, Mass.
FC Stars ECNL
Before Colgate
Bezanson was a two-time All-American (2020-21) at Danvers High School… Was named 2020-21 Gatorade Player of the Year in Massachusetts… Earned All-New England, All-State, and Eastern MASS First Team honors three years in a row (2019-21). Named Eastern MASS Second Team as a freshman (2018). Tallied 85 goals and 33 assists (118 points) throughout her high school career and was the Falcons' leading scorer every year while leading them to four consecutive North East Conference Championships… played club soccer for FC Stars…FC Stars team finished as a top-16 team in the country in the ECNL Champions League...National Training Center Selection 2016, 2017, 2018...Was a member of the National Selection Team for the Elite Club National League in 2019…Honor student who earned the Academic Achievement Award in 2018. Ranked #26 in the Northeast in the 2022 class by TopDrawer Soccer.
Personal
Born: Ariana Joanne Bezanson in Providence, R.I.
Family: Daughter of Chrisoula and Jeffery Bezanson
On Choosing Colgate
"Colgate has a beautiful campus that I fell in love with when I saw it. It has very high academics and has a great soccer program."
Coach Hokanson on Ari
"Ari is a true artist on the field and has been an incredibly involved playmaker on her club team over the last few years. Her ability to read the game and make players around her better are qualities that you can't teach. We are glad Ari decided a long time ago that Colgate was the place for her and are looking forward to adding her presence and soccer IQ to our midfield for years to come."
Summer Connery
Midfield/Defender
Park City, Utah
Utah Avalanche ECNL
Before Colgate
Connery was a three time First-Team All-State Selection (2018-2020) at Rowland Hall… Was named Utah State MVP (2020)…Was UHSAA State Assist Leader (2018)…Named MaxPreps Player of the Week during three seasons (2018, 2020, 2021)…Was team MVP (2020) and offensive MVP (2021) as well as MaxPreps Rowland Hall Player of the Year (2020)… had 112 goals throughout high school career which was a team record…Led team to three straight state championships (2018-20)…Selected for the annual High School All-American soccer game (2021)...Played club soccer for Utah Avalanche…helped them win ECNL Mountain Region Championship (2019) and Champions League Qualifiers (2019 & 2021)…Also played for Utah State Olympic Development Program team and Costa Rica Region IV ODP team… named UHSAA Academic All-State (2021).
Personal
Born: Summer Alexandra Connery in Park City, Utah
Family: Daughter of Sheri and Brooks Connery…has one sister Paige
On Choosing Colgate
"I always knew that I wanted to play Division I college soccer. I also understood the importance of academics and wanted to go to a school where both were equally valued. I was immediately drawn to the passion with which everyone described Colgate - from current students to alumni to the coaches, everyone loves Colgate."
Coach Hokanson on Summer
"Summer has achieved an incredible amount of success throughout her high school and club career that have no doubt come on the back of hard work and sacrifice. She is tough, physical, and adaptable, willing and able to play in a few different places. We know that she will come in ready to physically, technically, and tactically challenge those around her to be better every single day from the moment she gets here."
Nikki DiCaprio
Defender
Woodcliff Lake, N.J.
Players Development Academy Blue ECNL
Before Colgate
Two-time First Team All-League selection (2019,2020) at Pascack Hills High School…Earned second team all-conference as a freshman (2018) …Served as team captain… Helped the team reach state quarterfinals…Notched 12 goals and 10 assists during her high school career…Played club soccer for Players Development Academy Blue in the ECNL Champions League…PDA Blue team competed in the ECNL National Championship game in 2019...Scored 20 goals and 11 assists throughout her club career.
Personal
Born: Nicole Rose DiCaprio in Ridgewood, N.J.
Family: Daughter of Cindy and Michael DiCaprio…has one brother Ryan.
On Choosing Colgate
"I chose Colgate University to challenge myself both academically and athletically. I believe attending the university will help me become the best player I can be on the soccer field and prepare me for a successful career afterward."
Coach Hokanson on Nikki
''Nikki has so many of the characteristics of a quintessential center back - tough, physical, great distribution, and a strong leader. She joins us from one of the most competitive club environments in the country, which I know has made her a better player and will add immense value to some intangibles for our team. She is a student of the game; that coupled with her work-ethic and competitiveness make her a force to be reckoned with in the coming years"
Anna Keeling
Defender
Irvine, Calif.
Strikers FC ECNL
Before Colgate
Earned Pacific Coast League First Team All-League (2020-21) at University High School…Won the Coaches Award (2020-21) … helped her team to an undefeated season and Pacific Coast League Championship (2020-21)…has scored six goals and five assists throughout varsity career…Played club soccer for Pateadores and Strikers FC…Served as team captain for Pateadores…Has attended 11 US Soccer National Training Centers…Commend Student for the 2022 National Merit Program…AP Scholar with honors.
Personal
Born: Anna Katherine Keeling in Houston, Texas.
Family: Daughter of Ingelisa and Geoff Keeling…has two brothers Thomas and Jack.
On Choosing Colgate
"I chose Colgate because of the combination of fantastic academics and the competitive soccer program. The coaching staff and team culture is like no other, and I'm looking forward to attending school on a beautiful campus and experiencing four seasons!"
Coach Hokanson on Anna
"Anna is a player who sets goals and works tirelessly to achieve them. She is another player who has played in several positions on her various teams because her coaches have recognized that she has the vision and ability to do the job no matter the task ahead of her. We look forward to seeing the ways in which she will continue to grow as she elevates to this new level of challenge in the college game."
Jocelyn Rowe
Midfield/Forward
Lakeville, Minn.
MN Eclipse GA
Before Colgate
Attended IMG Academy from 2018-2021… Led team with 21 goals and nine assists during 2020-21 season...IMG Academy team competed in the inaugural Girls Academy Playoff...Played final season at Lakeville North High School… Scored nine goals in 10 games and earned All-Conference honors...helped lead the team to sectional championship and state tournament appearance... Played club soccer for MN Eclipse…All Conference in South Suburban Conference (2021)...Selected to GA Southeast All-Star Game (2021).. Three time national training center selection (2019-21)...Member of National Honor Society...earn Academic Excellence Award for maintaining a GOLD grade point average...Ranked #79 nationally in the 2022 class by TopDrawer Soccer, as well as #24 midfielder in the country for 2022
Personal
Born: Jocelyn Janae Rowe in Edina, Minn.
Family: Daughter of Jane and Nathan Rowe...has one sister Jillian.
On Choosing Colgate
"I selected Colgate because I am looking to be challenged intellectually, academically and on the field playing soccer. I believe that Colgate will challenge me, and push me to be the best version of myself. Colgate has all of the things I am looking for in a soccer program and University. I am so excited to be a Raider."
Coach Hokanson on Jocelyn
"Jocelyn demonstrated just how committed she was to the sport when she left her home in Minnesota to live away from her family and perfect her craft at IMG as a younger player. Her continued commitment to excellence and growth over the years since has resulted in her recognition as one of the best players in the country in her age group. Her craftiness, technical ability, pace, and dynamic presence will be a formidable force in this league at a multitude of positions, and an otherwise great, thoughtful mind added to our campus here at Colgate."
Ana Schremp
Forward
Palo Alto, Calif.
MVLA ECNL
Before Colgate
Earned SCVAL El Camino First Team All-League, SCVAL El Camino League MVP and All-CCS honors in 2020…Won Palo Alto Weekly Athlete of the Week twice during 2020 season…Was named Gunn Soccer Team MVP…Has scored 24 goals and 13 assists (61 points) throughout high school career… Has program record for most goals, assists and points in a single season….Led team to undefeated season and CCS SCVAL El Camino League championship… Played club soccer for MVLA ECNL... has 21 goals and 12 assists in the last three seasons…Named WPSL All Pac-North Conference…Academic honors include Spanish 2 Certificate of Excellence (excellence in the subject), Math Certificate of Excellence (top 10% in math class) and Visual Arts Certificate (outstanding accomplishment).
Personal
Born: Ana Christine Schremp in Boston, Mass.
Family: Daughter of Christine and Christopher Schremp…has one brother Will and one sister Liz.
On Choosing Colgate
"Colgate immediately stood out to me as a school that values its academics and athletics. When talking to the coaches, I loved how excited they were about the program and their goals for the team. As soon as I stepped on campus, I knew I wanted to go to Colgate, and I couldn't be more grateful to be part of such a great community."
Coach Hokanson on Ana
"It was a rather fortuitous set of circumstances and connections to this area that brought Ana to us here at Colgate from all the way across the country. Those things may have helped bring us together but it is her talent, personality, and work ethic that will allow her to flourish here for us. Ana is known for her willingness to push herself and ask those around her to help drive her toward her goals. With the combination of her mindset and skill set, I look forward to seeing the player that Ana becomes for our program over the next four years."
Ellie Stokes
Forward
Waldorf, Md.
St. Mary's Power
Before Colgate
Notched eight goals and 13 assists in 15 games at North Point High School…Helped lead team to 4A semifinals and went undefeated in league play…Played club for St. Mary's Power…Has eight goals and 2 assists throughout club career…Won state championship in 2021…Also played for Region 1 ODP team...Has played for the St. Kitts and Nevis National Team at the youth and senior level...Was the Golden Boot winner at the U15 CONCACAF Championship in 2018…Competed in the 2020 CONCACAF Women's Olympic Qualifying Championship, earning 6 caps and scoring a goal...Earned Principal Honor Roll three consecutive years (2018-21)…Won AP Scholar Award (2021)…Member of JROTC Kitty Hawk Air Society (2018-19)...Ranked #27 in the Mid-Atlantic in the 2022 class by TopDrawer Soccer.
Personal
Born: Ellie Lucinda Stokes in Alexandria, Va.
Family: Daughter of Sharon Semper-Stokes and Elton Stokes Jr…. Has one brother Gregory and one sister Cora.
On Choosing Colgate
"What first led me to my decision to choose Colgate was the fact that women's soccer plays in such a competitive conference, and I was excited at the prospect of being coached by an all-female coaching staff. What solidified my decision to come to Colgate was learning how renowned the university is for its liberal arts curriculum."
Coach Hokanson on Ellie
"Ellie brings to the table a goal-scorer's mentality that every coach wants out of a forward. She is dynamic in her movement and ability to create things in the attacking half. Beyond that, her experience at the international level has provided her a unique perspective to share with those around her and infuse into our growth as a program, which is incredibly exciting. She has a maturity and sophistication about her that you can see in her game, and I think that will shine through right from the jump. I'm looking forward to seeing the mark that Ellie will leave here at Colgate."
