Women’s Soccer Announces 2020 Soccer Signing Class
11/14/2019 1:16:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo women's soccer head coach Shawn Burke announced his 2020 signing class on Thursday. The Bulls will welcome a total of four student-athletes to a team that advanced to the Mid-American Conference Tournament for the sixth straight season in 2019.
"These four athletes have some big shoes to fill with our graduating senior class, but they are prepared," said Burke. "All four have developed their skills with some of the best clubs in North America and each will be ready to compete day one here on campus."
Olivia Bizzoni – Brampton, ON, Canada – North Toronto Soccer Club - Midfielder
Bizzoni comes to Buffalo from Brampton, Ontario, Canada where she attended St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School. She was a three-time member of the Ontario Provincial Team and was a member of the Ontario Cup Outdoor Championship team in 2019. Bizzoni was also a OPDL Charity Shield Champion in 2018 and a OPDL League Champion in 2017 as well as a CASL tournament finalist in 2017. She played her club ball for the North Toronto Soccer Club.
Burke on Bizzoni: "Olivia is a dynamic and dangerous attacking midfielder who can step in right away to our system. Another high work rate athlete, Olivia's experience in Canada has prepared her for a breakout career here at UB."
Ashley Ladner – Oceanside, NY - FC Fury – Midfielder
Ladner comes to Buffalo from Oceanside, NY, where she served a number of years as a starter in the midfield for Oceanside High School. Ladner was named as a three-time ECNL Player to Watch and also named to the 2020 Girls IMG Top 150. In 2016, she was a US Soccer Training Center invitee, as well as an ENY ODP National Camp representative. In 2015, Ladner was also selected to the Super Y National Player Pool. She played her club ball for Albertson Fury and FC Fury DA.
Burke on Ladner: "Ashley's soccer IQ and technical savviness will be a great addition to our midfield. Her time with Albertson has prepared her for a big role right away."
Ashlyn O'Shea – Lakewood Ranch, FL – IMG Academy - Defender
O'Shea comes to Buffalo from Lakewood Ranch, FL where she currently plays at IMG Academy for head coach Miguel Rodriguez. Prior to her move to Florida, O'Shea and her family resided in the The Woodlands, TX where she competed at the club level with the Houston Dash DA. With the Dash, O'Shea was a US Soccer Training Center selection from 2014-17.
Burke on O'Shea: "With the graduation of three senior defenders, Ashlyn's tactical awareness and technical ability will provide her an opportunity to compete for a spot in our backline immediately."
Laura Bogner – Hamburg, NY – WNY Flash Academy - Midfielder
Bogner comes to Buffalo from nearby Hamburg, NY and Hamburg High School. The talented midfielder earned First Team All-WNY honors as a junior and helped lead Hamburg to a Section VI championship and ECIC league championship. Bogner also competes in the ECNL at the club level with the WNY Flash.
Burke on Bogner: "Laura is another local standout for our program. Her versatility will find her substantial time next fall. With a tremendous work rate, this WNY Flash product will be well groomed for the college game."
These talented players will help add to a roster that saw four seniors depart from a team that went 9-8-3 in 2019, advancing to the MAC semifinals for the first time since 2015.
"These four athletes have some big shoes to fill with our graduating senior class, but they are prepared," said Burke. "All four have developed their skills with some of the best clubs in North America and each will be ready to compete day one here on campus."
Olivia Bizzoni – Brampton, ON, Canada – North Toronto Soccer Club - Midfielder
Bizzoni comes to Buffalo from Brampton, Ontario, Canada where she attended St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School. She was a three-time member of the Ontario Provincial Team and was a member of the Ontario Cup Outdoor Championship team in 2019. Bizzoni was also a OPDL Charity Shield Champion in 2018 and a OPDL League Champion in 2017 as well as a CASL tournament finalist in 2017. She played her club ball for the North Toronto Soccer Club.
Burke on Bizzoni: "Olivia is a dynamic and dangerous attacking midfielder who can step in right away to our system. Another high work rate athlete, Olivia's experience in Canada has prepared her for a breakout career here at UB."
Ashley Ladner – Oceanside, NY - FC Fury – Midfielder
Ladner comes to Buffalo from Oceanside, NY, where she served a number of years as a starter in the midfield for Oceanside High School. Ladner was named as a three-time ECNL Player to Watch and also named to the 2020 Girls IMG Top 150. In 2016, she was a US Soccer Training Center invitee, as well as an ENY ODP National Camp representative. In 2015, Ladner was also selected to the Super Y National Player Pool. She played her club ball for Albertson Fury and FC Fury DA.
Burke on Ladner: "Ashley's soccer IQ and technical savviness will be a great addition to our midfield. Her time with Albertson has prepared her for a big role right away."
Ashlyn O'Shea – Lakewood Ranch, FL – IMG Academy - Defender
O'Shea comes to Buffalo from Lakewood Ranch, FL where she currently plays at IMG Academy for head coach Miguel Rodriguez. Prior to her move to Florida, O'Shea and her family resided in the The Woodlands, TX where she competed at the club level with the Houston Dash DA. With the Dash, O'Shea was a US Soccer Training Center selection from 2014-17.
Burke on O'Shea: "With the graduation of three senior defenders, Ashlyn's tactical awareness and technical ability will provide her an opportunity to compete for a spot in our backline immediately."
Laura Bogner – Hamburg, NY – WNY Flash Academy - Midfielder
Bogner comes to Buffalo from nearby Hamburg, NY and Hamburg High School. The talented midfielder earned First Team All-WNY honors as a junior and helped lead Hamburg to a Section VI championship and ECIC league championship. Bogner also competes in the ECNL at the club level with the WNY Flash.
Burke on Bogner: "Laura is another local standout for our program. Her versatility will find her substantial time next fall. With a tremendous work rate, this WNY Flash product will be well groomed for the college game."
These talented players will help add to a roster that saw four seniors depart from a team that went 9-8-3 in 2019, advancing to the MAC semifinals for the first time since 2015.
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