University of Richmond Athletics
Women’s Soccer Signs Seven Graduate Transfers
03/15/2024 | Women's Soccer
RICHMOND, Va. – Head Coach Adam Denton and the University of Richmond women's soccer team announced on Friday the addition of seven graduate transfers to the Spider roster ahead of the 2024 fall season. In addition, the team also announced the return of seniors Taylor Montague, Elyse Kimball and Casey Merz for their fifth season at UR.
"We are excited to welcome these new additions to the Spider family, along with the current senior players that opted to stay at the University of Richmond for a fifth year," Denton said. "Each of these graduate players bring experience in key areas of the field and complement our current group of players. All of these players are excited about being part of our team for next year. Richmond's graduate student programs provide a unique opportunity to continue their academic career and balance another year of athletic competition. GO 'DERS!"
2024 Women's Soccer Graduate Transfer Class
Margaret (Maggie) Fralin
Positions: Midfielder/Defender
Hometown: Richmond, Va.
Previous School: Virginia (2020-22), Maryland (2023-24)
Why Richmond: When I visited it felt like home. Exceptional school, soccer, team, and coaching staff.
McKenna Dalfonso
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Sewell, New Jersey
Previous School: Elon
Why Richmond: I chose Richmond because of its captivating campus, challenging academic environment, and athletics that fosters a sense of community and excellence. After visiting the campus and meeting the coaches I knew Richmond would be the perfect place for me to excel as a student athlete and pursue my master's degree.
Grace Ferrara
Position: Defense (Center Back)
Hometown: Stonington, Connecticut
Previous School: Boston
Why Richmond: I chose Richmond because of the excellent academic reputation and the close-knit community in athletics and all-around campus.
Grace Murphy
Position: Defender
Hometown: Penfield, New York
Previous School: Providence
Why Richmond: I chose to attend the University of Richmond because it is a perfect fit for me from an academic and locational standpoint, as well as it provides me with an opportunity to play for a highly competitive soccer program. As a graduate student, I am fortunate to embark on this new journey with great people and I am very excited for what the future holds as a Spider!!
Emma Roesing
Position: Midfield / Defender
Hometown: Horsham, Pennsylvania
Previous School: Lehigh
"Why Richmond": "I chose Richmond because of the perfect combination of prestigious academics, beautiful campus atmosphere, and the high-level, competitive soccer program that I sought in a graduate school. The welcoming family culture of the team is an aspect I am very excited to be a part of."
Brigitte Bussiere
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Manalapan, New Jersey
Previous School: South Carolina
Why Richmond: I chose to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Richmond because it checks all my boxes. First, the Robins School of Business is top in the nation, and I know it will prepare me for my future career. Secondly, I'm excited about the opportunity I have to make an impact on the soccer program and community, growing myself as a player and person. Lastly, when I stepped foot on campus, I knew that Richmond would be another home away from home!
Kelly Hutton
Position: Forward/Midfield
Hometown: Skippack, Pennsylvania
Previous School: Loyola Maryland
Why Richmond: Attending Richmond will allow me to learn from great professors, develop my interpersonal skills with new classmates and teammates, and participate in competitive athletics under a great coaching staff.
Abigail Dillon
Position: Forward
Hometown: San Anselmo, Calif.
Previous School: American
Women's Soccer Fifth Year Players
Taylor Montague
"I chose to stay at the University of Richmond for an extra year because of the beautiful campus, excellent academics, positive relationships with my teammates and the chance to help and watch my team grow and succeed. All of these factors make being at Richmond an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I am so excited to have another year!"
Casey Merz
"Continuing at Richmond for an extra semester will strengthen my academic experience in preparation for med school and allow me to enjoy an additional season of soccer at a time of advancement and growth for our team. As a 5th year and leader, I look forward to helping further develop our team culture and impact our ultimate success. The UR community has made Richmond feel like home the last four years, and I'm so excited to continue my academic, athletic and personal journey here!"
Elyse Kimball
"I chose to stay at Richmond for my fifth year because of the amazing relationships with my teammates and staff, and the dedication the coaching staff has to bettering our team and ourselves. The program has always shown its strong commitment to both athletic excellence and academic success, and I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to continue competing at a high level while pursing further academic endeavors. Extremely excited for the future of Richmond Women's Soccer!"
"We are excited to welcome these new additions to the Spider family, along with the current senior players that opted to stay at the University of Richmond for a fifth year," Denton said. "Each of these graduate players bring experience in key areas of the field and complement our current group of players. All of these players are excited about being part of our team for next year. Richmond's graduate student programs provide a unique opportunity to continue their academic career and balance another year of athletic competition. GO 'DERS!"
2024 Women's Soccer Graduate Transfer Class
Margaret (Maggie) Fralin
Positions: Midfielder/Defender
Hometown: Richmond, Va.
Previous School: Virginia (2020-22), Maryland (2023-24)
Why Richmond: When I visited it felt like home. Exceptional school, soccer, team, and coaching staff.
McKenna Dalfonso
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Sewell, New Jersey
Previous School: Elon
Why Richmond: I chose Richmond because of its captivating campus, challenging academic environment, and athletics that fosters a sense of community and excellence. After visiting the campus and meeting the coaches I knew Richmond would be the perfect place for me to excel as a student athlete and pursue my master's degree.
Grace Ferrara
Position: Defense (Center Back)
Hometown: Stonington, Connecticut
Previous School: Boston
Why Richmond: I chose Richmond because of the excellent academic reputation and the close-knit community in athletics and all-around campus.
Grace Murphy
Position: Defender
Hometown: Penfield, New York
Previous School: Providence
Why Richmond: I chose to attend the University of Richmond because it is a perfect fit for me from an academic and locational standpoint, as well as it provides me with an opportunity to play for a highly competitive soccer program. As a graduate student, I am fortunate to embark on this new journey with great people and I am very excited for what the future holds as a Spider!!
Emma Roesing
Position: Midfield / Defender
Hometown: Horsham, Pennsylvania
Previous School: Lehigh
"Why Richmond": "I chose Richmond because of the perfect combination of prestigious academics, beautiful campus atmosphere, and the high-level, competitive soccer program that I sought in a graduate school. The welcoming family culture of the team is an aspect I am very excited to be a part of."
Brigitte Bussiere
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Manalapan, New Jersey
Previous School: South Carolina
Why Richmond: I chose to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Richmond because it checks all my boxes. First, the Robins School of Business is top in the nation, and I know it will prepare me for my future career. Secondly, I'm excited about the opportunity I have to make an impact on the soccer program and community, growing myself as a player and person. Lastly, when I stepped foot on campus, I knew that Richmond would be another home away from home!
Kelly Hutton
Position: Forward/Midfield
Hometown: Skippack, Pennsylvania
Previous School: Loyola Maryland
Why Richmond: Attending Richmond will allow me to learn from great professors, develop my interpersonal skills with new classmates and teammates, and participate in competitive athletics under a great coaching staff.
Abigail Dillon
Position: Forward
Hometown: San Anselmo, Calif.
Previous School: American
Women's Soccer Fifth Year Players
Taylor Montague
"I chose to stay at the University of Richmond for an extra year because of the beautiful campus, excellent academics, positive relationships with my teammates and the chance to help and watch my team grow and succeed. All of these factors make being at Richmond an enjoyable and rewarding experience. I am so excited to have another year!"
Casey Merz
"Continuing at Richmond for an extra semester will strengthen my academic experience in preparation for med school and allow me to enjoy an additional season of soccer at a time of advancement and growth for our team. As a 5th year and leader, I look forward to helping further develop our team culture and impact our ultimate success. The UR community has made Richmond feel like home the last four years, and I'm so excited to continue my academic, athletic and personal journey here!"
Elyse Kimball
"I chose to stay at Richmond for my fifth year because of the amazing relationships with my teammates and staff, and the dedication the coaching staff has to bettering our team and ourselves. The program has always shown its strong commitment to both athletic excellence and academic success, and I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to continue competing at a high level while pursing further academic endeavors. Extremely excited for the future of Richmond Women's Soccer!"
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