Bulldogs Add Five to 2016 Class

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel soccer team has added five cadet-athletes for the 2016 season, head coach Ciaran Traquair announced Thursday.

Kaylee Franklin | Fr.
Midfielder | Blythewood High School | Columbia, South Carolina

Member of the South Carolina United FC 97 Elite team from 2010-2014 and was a member of the 2014 team that was crowned state champions
Earned three varsity letters in soccer in high school
Brother, Chris Franklin, played soccer at Roanoke College

Coach Traquair on Franklin: "Kaylee was a late addition to the recruiting class. I am very confident that Kaylee will play a lot of minutes for this team and will lead by example every day. She is very comfortable in possession, battles well defensively and makes very good decisions on the ball. I am looking forward to working with her and helping develop her game further."

Kaeleigh Guth | Fr.
Defender | Warren Hills Regional High School | Washington, New Jersey

Named first-team all-conference three consecutive years and earned all-state defender honors from Coaches Association
Named team captain for junior and senior campaigns and earned team MVP sophomore and senior years
Lettered four years in soccer, track and field and three in basketball
Will also be a member of The Citadel track and field team

Coach Traquair on Guth: "Kaeleigh brings a great deal of power and athleticism to our squad. She should come in and compete to start on the back line as a central defender. We feel we can help develop her game and shape her into a very competitive Division I player. Kaeleigh has natural pace and it will help us be able to squeeze up the field and hold a higher line at times. We are delighted to have Kaeleigh and expect her to be an integral part of the growth of our program."

Logan Leask | Fr.
Goalkeeper | Bishop England High School | Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

Named Class A/2A South Carolina Women's Coaches Association Soccer Player of the Year
Member of the SCHSSCA A/2A All-State team sophomore and junior seasons
HSSR-SCHSL Girls' All-State selection
Named to the SCHSL All-Region team and the Post and Courier All-Lowcountry first team sophomore and junior years
Part of the USA MP Palmetto 97G League Champions squads in 2011, 2013 and 2014
Lettered four years in soccer and two in swimming

Coach Traquair on Leask: "Logan is a local product and we are delighted that she choose The Citadel. She has a very tough mentality and trains at the highest level every day. Logan will compete for the No.1 spot and has the determination to battle for it day in and day out. She is very strong in 1v1 situations, leads and instructs her back four, maintains a presence and is very vocal. She is the ultimate team player and we are confident she will have a major impact on this squad."

Samara Nche | Sr.
Forward | Staffordshire University | Cambridge, United Kingdom

Won the league and county cup in the same year with Cambridge United Women FC while also earning Player of the Match in the league cup final
Member of four different soccer teams spanning from 2003 to 2016 including the Stoke City Ladies Football Club (FA Women's Premier League)
Was a member of the soccer, basketball, track and field and hockey teams in high school
Broke the 100 meter record at Cambridgeshire County meet in 2011

Coach Traquair on Nche: "Samara should make an immediate impact to our team and is an exciting prospect to watch. She comes from a good level in England and will be enrolling in the graduate program here at The Citadel. I expect her to bring many qualities on and off the field. She is a threat going forward and can score goals. Hopefully Samara can get in behind teams and be an outlet for us when we break forward. I am looking forward to seeing her impact on this group."

Ammber Valverde | Fr.
Forward | William J. Brennan High School | San Antonio, Texas

19th female in the area to reach the 100-goal plateau
Named first-team all-district and an all-area player three consecutive years
Earned offensive MVP honors freshman, sophomore and junior seasons
Named to academic all-district three consecutive years

Coach Traquair on Valverde: "Ammber is a great fit for this school and program. She has great personality and character which will enable her to find a role in the team very quickly. She is an attacking player with good size and presence. I think she can potentially play as a target forward but also chip in with some goals too. Ammber is another one who will be an integral part of the growth of The Citadel women's soccer over the next few years."

The Citadel opens its season Aug. 14 with an exhibition match against Winthrop. Admission to all home games at W.L.I. Field is free. For more information on The Citadel soccer, follow @CitadelWSoccer or visit CitadelSports.com.

Schedule

Players Mentioned

Kaylee Franklin

Kaeleigh Guth

Logan Leask

Samara Nche

Ammber Valverde

Footer

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Event: Soccer versus Bob Jones on Sep 12, 2026 at 11:30 AM

Upcoming Event: Soccer versus VMI on Sep 17, 2026 at 4:00 PM

Upcoming Event: Soccer at Chattanooga on Sep 20, 2026 at 2:00 PM

Upcoming Event: Soccer versus UNCG on Sep 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM

Upcoming Event: Soccer at Mercer on Oct 1, 2026 at 7:00 PM

Results

Completed Event: Soccer versus Charleston Southern on September 10, 2026 , Win , 3, to, 1

Completed Event: Soccer at UNC Asheville on September 3, 2026 , Tie , 1, to, 1

Completed Event: Soccer versus Winthrop on August 30, 2026 , Win , 1, to, 0

Completed Event: Soccer versus South Carolina State on August 27, 2026 , Win , 8, to, 0

Completed Event: Soccer at Kennesaw State on August 21, 2026 , Win , 1, to, 0