Colorado University Athletics
CU Soccer Signing Day
February 04, 2016 | Soccer
BOULDER, Colo. - Colorado soccer coach Danny Sanchez announced the signing of five student-athletes on Thursday. All five players signed their National Letter of Intent during Wednesday's National Signing Day. The Buffaloes welcome Kelsey Aaknes (Carlsbad, Calif.), Juliana Guthner (West Linn, Ore.), Taylor Kornieck (Henderson, Nev.), Camilla Shymka (Calgary, Alberta) and Kennedy Yost (Pocatello, Idaho) to their program.
“We are very excited to add these five outstanding student-athletes to our university and soccer program,” Sanchez said. “They bring tremendous experiences from playing a high level of club up through national team experience. With the loss of our seven seniors, each of them will have an opportunity to make an impact on our program next fall.”
Aaknes (pronounced “ACK-ness”) is a central midfielder and defender at La Costa Canyon High School where she is in the middle of her senior season. She is listed as a four-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer and has been a four-year starter and two-year team captain at La Costa Canyon, leading the team to a 64-18-13 record during that time. With the Carlsbad Elite club team, she led her squad to league championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015, and finished third at nationals all three years.
“Kelsey is a strong, physical presence that can play as a central defender or as a central midfielder,” Sanchez said. “She is great in the air and strong in the tackle. We really like her versatility and work rate on the field.”
Guthner is a forward and outside midfielder at West Linn High School and was named first team all-league as a sophomore with seven goals and 12 assists, but did not compete due to injury as a junior or senior. She has been in Oregon's Olympic Development Program from 2012-14. With the Westside Timbers club team, she led the team to three USYSA state championships and U.S. Club state championships, and won the Far West Regional in 2014.
“Juliana is coming off a couple of years of injuries,” Sanchez said. “We are hoping she is back at 100 percent by the time we start preseason. She is a dynamic wide player that will add a lot to our attack.”
Kornieck (pronounced “kor-nee-yak”) is one of the most decorated student-athletes to ever sign with the Colorado soccer program, as she is listed as a four-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer and the No. 38 player ranked in the 2016 class. She is a team captain for the United States U-18 Women's National Team. The central midfielder was named MVP of the Elite Clubs National League/iD2 national camp in 2015 and was selected to the High School All-American Game in 2015. At Coronado High School, she was a 2015 National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-America selection and was named Nevada player of the year after scoring 54 goals and adding 12 assists as a senior.
“Taylor can play anywhere in the center of the field,” Sanchez said. “She is very technical on the ball and has great vision. We expect Taylor to have an immediate and lasting impact on our soccer program.”
Shymka (pronounced “cam-ill-ah shim-kah”) is another national team member, but for Canada. She played with current CU player Sarah Kinzner at the 2015 CONCACAF U-20 Championship, helping Canada to a silver medal as one of the team's forwards. Playing for South West United Premiers, she led her club team to the Canadian National Club Championship four years in a row and medaled each time (2012-15). At the 2012 tournament, she earned the Golden Boot Award. She is listed as a three-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer.
“Camilla is a pure striker,” Sanchez said. “She has a great nose for the goal and is very athletic. Camilla has all the tools to step right in and contribute up front.”
Yost is a native of Pocatello, Idaho, but played her last two years of high school for Woods Cross in Utah. As a junior, she led Class 4A with 32 goals and was second overall in the state. In club soccer, she played for Forza in Farmington, Utah, and competed at ECNL nationals in 2015 with the Utah Avalanche. She is listed as a three-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer.
“Kennedy can play anywhere up top or in an advanced midfield role,” Sanchez said. “She is great on the ball and very deceptive on the dribble. Kennedy will be a great addition to our attack.”
Colorado is coming off a 7-10-3 season, but has reached the NCAA Tournament in two of Sanchez's four years in Boulder. The Buffaloes will look to replace six starters with the returning players and incoming recruits.
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Kelsey Aaknes |
MF/D |
Carlsbad, Calif. |
Bio |
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Juliana Guthner |
F/MF |
West Linn, Ore. |
Bio |
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Taylor Kornieck |
MF |
Henderson, Nev. |
Bio |
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Camilla Shymka |
F |
Calgary, Alberta |
Bio |
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Kennedy Yost |
F |
Pocatello, Idaho |
Bio |
