We’ve spent time honoring our seniors over the course of the last semester – now it’s time to start getting to know the newcomers, the Class of 2024! We’ll take a team-by-team look at our first-year students throughout the coming weeks, from the Fall athletes who will be making the varsity debuts later in 2021 to the Spring players that we will keep our fingers crossed about seeing in action later this semester.

We continue our New To The Judges’ Bench feature with women’s soccer!

CHARLOTTE LI – D - 5-8 - ACTON, MASSACHUSETTS - ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL

• Four-year player for Acton-Boxborough Regional High School in Massachusetts
• Also played two years of basketball
• Named a Dual County League All-Star as a senior
• Received three academic scholarships from ABRHS
• Relay For Life team co-captain and food pantry volunteer
• Farmer at The Food Project, a Massachusetts non-profit working to build a sustainable food system
• Planned major: Biology
• Favorite high school sports memory: My last high school game before playoffs. We were tied 1-1, and I still remember the relief that flooded through me when I scored. Although we knew the game was not over, the whole team was hugging because we knew it would be one of the last times we would be on the field together. A few tears might've been shed, but we finished the game off strong and it was on to even more exciting games for us in the playoffs!
• Favorite high school class: AP Enviro since my teacher was so sweet and we got to conduct our own research. My group visited the cemetery, so we could collect data for cemetery demographics on human population. Also, the class was very focused on the macro side of life as well as looking at real-life events in a holistic manner, so I just loved learning about old case studies that could still be applied today.
• The thing that attracted me to Brandeis: the power to have my voice heard in a community that aligns with my values
• The thing that has most helped me get through COVID-19: my cat
• Favorite place to travel: Hawaii
• Favorite movie: Ladybird
• Favorite song: Too Good At Goodbyes by Sam Smith
• COACH SHIMKO: Charlotte will be joining our backline as a center back. She is someone who is calmed and composed while still playing at a high speed and making strong decisions. Charlotte is a strong 1-v-1 defender who is not afraid to go into a hard tackle. She is strong on and off the ball and is also very organized. Charlotte is already one of the most active community members on her team,  already getting involved with several clubs on campus and working hard on her academics.

CHARLOTTE TEKRONY - F/M - 5-4 - ALDIE, VIRGINIA - JOHN CHAMPE

• Ran track in addition to playing soccer at John Champe High School in Aldie, Virginia
• Helped the Knights to a Virginia 6A District title in 2017
• Worked at Neurology Center of Fairfax
• Planned major: Biochemistry
• Favorite part of playing for Brandeis: Being a part of a community who pushes each other more and more each practice and game
• Favorite high school moment: Winning districts and qualifying for regionals on the varsity soccer team as a freshman
• Favorite high school subject: Chemistry
• Thing that attracted me to Brandeis: How close it was to Boston and how caring the student-athletes were on my visit
• Person who most helped me through COVID-19: My best friend, Jackson
• Favorite place to travel: Bonita Springs, Florida
• Most recent summer job: working at a Neurology Center at Reston Hospital
• Dream job: orthopedic surgeon
• Favorite TV show: Friends
• Favorite pro team: Liverpool FC
• Dream Final Jeopardy! Category: Disney
• Favorite emoji: 
• COACH SHIMKO: Charlotte is a versatile player who has the ability to play in multiple areas of the field. She brings a lot of speed and energy to wherever she plays. Not only is she fierce in tackles and getting the ball forward quickly, but her fitness also brings her play to another level. When Charlotte isn’t working on her technical skills and working out, you can find her approaching her academics with the same hard-working mentality.

LEXI KROBATH – D/M – 5-4 – SOUTH RIDING, VIRGINIA – FREEDOM

• Two-year starter at midfield for Freedom High School in South Riding, Virginia
• Helped her team to the finals of the Virginia State Cup in 2017
• Was part of a club team that was National Premier League finalists in 2018
• Member of three different honor societies in high school
• Ran an equipment drive last spring that collected more than 400 pounds of equipment that was donated to Haiti
• Planned major: Computer Science
• Favorite high school class: Calculus
• The thing that attracted me most to Brandeis was: How friendly and fun everyone was, especially the soccer team!
• Favorite place to travel: The Outer Banks of Virginia
• I want to study abroad in: Greece because all of the pictures I have seen are so pretty and I have never been to Europe
• Something to look forward to outside of soccer: I was accepted into the Galaxy STEM Program, so I am excited to learn what that's all about
• Favorite movie: Independence Day
• Favorite TV Show: Psych
• Favorite books: Harry Potter
• Favorite pro team: Washington Nationals
• Most memorable pro sports moment: Watching Ronaldo play in the UEFA tournament when I was 7. One play and he became my favorite player
• Favorite emoji: 
• COACH SHIMKO: Lexi is a versatile player who is dangerous on the flank, whether she is in the back line or up top. Her speed and soccer IQ allow her to get forward and be creative and provides great support defensively. Lexi’s love for the game and her passion to improve is contagious. She fits in well with our program’s culture and is ready to get after it. We could not be more excited.

 SAMANTHA SCOTT –  GK –  SHREWSBURY, MASSACHUSETTS – WORCESTER ACADEMY

• Four-year starter as a goal for Worcester Academy
• Named a New England Prep School Athletic Conference All-Star as a junior and team MVP as a senior
• Also a member of the wrestling team for two years, finishing fifth at the Prep School Nationals in 2020 in the 138- to 145-pound weight class
• Participated in Habitat for Humanity and Relay for Life
• Planned major: Biology
• Favorite part about competing for Brandeis: Being able to compete in the sport I love at a high, intense level
• Favorite athletic moment: saving a 1v1 in the last 10 seconds of a tournament semifinal game to ensure the win over a school rival. The energy from the crowd and the team was unmatched. It was the best feeling.
• Favorite class at Brandeis: Forensic Science UWS
• Favorite high school class: Anatomy. I've always been fascinated by how the human body functions and its different systems.
• Favorite place on campus outside of Gosman: the SCC.
• Activity that has helped me get through COVID-19: painting and drawing.
• Favorite place to travel: Orlando, Florida.
• Most recent summer job: UPS as a package handler. The job was difficult but it taught me a lot of valuable lessons.
• Dream job: Medical examiner, or forensic pathologist. I think using science to solve crimes is the coolest thing in the world.
• Favorite movie: The Breakfast Club
• Favorite TV show: Supernatural
• Favorite song: Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac
• Favorite book: The Shining by Stephen King
• If I could time travel, the era I would go to would be: the ‘80s because I think it was one of the best times for pop culture. It had the best movies and the best music.
• Favorite pro team: Barcelona
• Dream Final Jeopardy! Category: Anatomy
• COACH SHIMKO: Sam is a fearless goalkeeper who can make both simple save and complex saves. She has great hands, a strong ability to extend, and reads and organizes the play well. Sam was a captain of her wrestling team, which has definitely helped her improve in goalkeeping.

SYDNEY LENHART – F - 5-8 - TUCSON, ARIZONA - SALPOINTE CATHOLIC

• Four-year starter as a wing forward for Salpointe Catholic in Tucson, Arizona, serving as captain as a senior
• Won three-straight Arizona 4A state championships with the Lancers
• Named All-Arizona First team as a sophomore and senior, Second team as a first-year and junior
• Class Vice president as a junior and senior
• Planned major: Biology
• Favorite part about Brandeis: Brandeis is a diverse community and well-balanced. The coach is very supportive and open-minded wanting to know more about what is going on around the world and keeping the players informed and active.
• Favorite athletic memories: Being with my teammates on and off the field. Winning back-to-back-to-back Arizona 4A State Championship; Christmas parties; and winning our high school hosted tournament two years.
• Favorite high school subject: Math...my teacher Mr. Dan Huff was very uplifting and motivating always pushing us to be our best and to improve. He is retiring this year, so I am thankful I had the opportunity to be taught under him.
• Favorite place to travel: Scituate, Massachusetts
• Outside of my sport, my favorite thing to do is: Play the violin
• Dream job: Doctor, because I want to help others and serve my community
• Favorite movie: Teen Beach Movie
• Favorite TV show: Psych
• Favorite song: All I Want for Christmas by Michael Buble
• Favorite book: Wolf Pack by Abby Wambach
• If I could time travel, I would go to: The Revolutionary War, because of the interesting history and connection to Boston.
• Favorite pro team: USWNT. They fight for equality and making others aware of inequity.
• Favorite pro sports moment: USWNT winning the FIFA World Cup twice in a row
• Dream Final Jeopardy! Category: Christmas songs
• COACH SHIMKO: Sydney will be a great addition to our forward line. Her speed on and off the ball and her ability to make runs in behind and create goal-scoring opportunities will be a valuable asset for our program. Sydney is also an excellent teammate, she consistently puts the team before herself and will make a great leader of this program.

YASLA NGOMA – F - 5-6 - NORTH PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY - OAK KNOLL

• Three-year member of the soccer team at Oak Knoll High School in Summit, New Jersey
• Also ran one year of track
• Helped the Lionesses to a New Jersey state championship as a freshman and a conference title as a sophomore
• Earned three-straight All-Union County Conference honors from 2017 to 2019
• Added All-Sectional recognition as a senior
• Served as president of OKHS’s Black Scholars and served on the Social Council
• Planned major: Business
• The thing that attracted me to Brandeis: The people! I loved seeing how the team interacted with each other. Everyone was so friendly and inclusive at all times. It just seemed like a happy space to be in.
• Favorite part about Brandeis other than soccer: The community will not only focus on my skill and abilities on the field but my mind. They want the best for both my physical and mental health.
• Favorite high school class: Math! I loved the satisfaction you get from finally getting the answer to a problem and understanding a concept. I also love to be challenged.
• The person who most helped me through COVID-19: My mother!
• Favorite place to travel: Ashville, North Carolina
• Favorite movie: College Road Trip
• Favorite TV show: How To Get Away With Murder
• Favorite song: You Gotta Be by Des'ree
• Favorite book: Born A Crime by Trevor Noah
• If I could time travel I would go to: the future. I would like to see the future I create for myself.
• COACH SHIMKO: Yasla’s strength on the ball and ability to turn and be creative is a skillset we are excited to have. Her work-rate and 1-v-1 attacking will also be a great addition to the forward line. Yasla is a great competitive player and person who adds a calming presence to our team and knows how to lift the spirits of those around her.

CAROLINE HOLLENKAMP - M - 5-8 - COLUMBUS, INDIANA - COLUMBUS NORTH

• Attended Columbus North High School in Columbus, Indiana
• Earned four letters for the Bulldogs at midfield, serving as a senior captain
• Two-time All-Conference Indiana selection with two honorable mentions
• Led team to two sectional championships
• Served on Student Athletic Board
• Planned majors: Business and Psychology
• Summer job: Working at Adidas
• Favorite place to travel: Siesta Key, Florida
• Favorite TV show: Gilmore Girls
• COACH SHIMKO: Caroline will be a great addition to our midfield. She is a player who can go hard in 50-50 battles, can distribute the ball well, and can serve great passes into our attacking third. Caroline has a great soccer IQ. She has been a kind teammate and is very hard working. Outside of soccer she’s a true animal lover, a hard-working student and a very family-oriented young lady.

SYDNEY HACKMEYER – D- 5-6 - WESTON, FLORIDA - CYPRESS BAY

• A four-year player and three-year starter at Cypress Bay High School in Weston, Florida
• Helped the Lightning win four-straight District championships and back-to-back Regional titles
• Went to the Florida State title match in 2018 and 2019
• Active with Habitat For Humanity, UNICEF and Rotary Club of Weston
• Planned majors: Business and Psychology
• COACH SHIMKO: Sydney will be a great addition to our backline. She works hard on and off the ball to get forward and create in the attacking third. She is someone who has the ability to create with the ball at her feet and also works hard defensively to stay connected to her back line and keep us organized. Sydney is also a great student and pushes herself to get better. We are excited to have her join this semester and see her get after it!