RALEIGH, N.C. - The Meredith College women's soccer team is set to kick off the fall 2025 season this weekend. The Avenging Angels have added 12 new student-athletes to its talented roster for the 2025 season. This incoming recruitment class brings fresh energy, skill, and is ready to make an impact, contributing to the team's continued success and competitive spirit. Joining an already talented group of returners, who have laid a strong foundation with their hard work and on-field leadership, these newcomers bring championship experience, leadership qualities, and diverse playing styles to the program. Together, the returning players and new recruits are poised to elevate Meredith soccer to new heights in the coming season.
Head Coach Kirstie King shares, "We had a strong season last year, and I'm excited for our returners to integrate and lead our new group of freshmen. This class brings great talent and character, adding valuable depth to our roster. I look forward to seeing how they all grow together on and off the field, building a strong legacy for Meredith women's soccer."
Let's meet the newcomers:
Caroline Dickinson
Caroline is a center back from Morehead City, North Carolina. She played club soccer with OCSA and competed for West Carteret High School. A two-time All-County and All-Conference selection, Carolina helped lead her high school team to a conference championship. She served as captain for both her high school and club teams. She plans to major in Business.
Carter Knox
Carter is a goalie from Raleigh, North Carolina. She played club soccer for NCFC 07 Elite and represented Leesville Road High School. In 2023, she earned Cap 6 All-Conference and All-Region honors. A 2025 Cap 6 Conference Champion, she has also won multiple club titles, including USYS State Championships in 2023 and 2024, the ECNL Regional League Championship in 2023, and the U15 Jefferson Cup in 2022. Carter served as a team captain and
has deep family ties to Meredith College through her mother and great-grandmother. She plans to major in Business.
Emma Jolliff
Emma is an outside back from Huntersville, North Carolina. She played club soccer with Charlotte Independence ECNL North and competed for William Amos Hough High School, helping the team secure a conference championship. Before moving to North Carolina, she lived in California, where she played club soccer and ran track. Emma plans to major in Elementary Education.
Francine Rast
Francine is a wing/forward from Makati City, Philippines. She played club soccer for Black Rock FC and attended High Mowing School. She helped her team win multiple titles, including the Needham Memorial Day Tournament in 2025 and the Far Post Indoor Showcase. Francine also earned MVP honors. She plans to major in Business Administration. She plans to major in Business Administration.
Grace Liden Ensign
Grace Liden is a left back from Wilmington, North Carolina. She played club soccer for the Wilmington Hammerheads 05 ECNL National team and competed on the NC State club soccer team during her freshman and sophomore years. A graduate of Laney High School, Grace earned First Team All-Conference honors all four years and served as team captain her senior year. She is transferring from NC State and is pursuing a pre-nursing major.
Hannah Turner
Hannah is an attacking and defensive midfielder from Zebulon, North Carolina. She plays club soccer for NCFC Gold North and represents East Wake Academy, where she earned team MVP honors and was named to the Super Six Conference All-Conference team. She served as her high school's captain and plans to study Business Marketing.
Isabel Bitner
Isabel "Izzy" is an attacking midfielder for NCFC 07 White North Girls and Trinity Academy of Raleigh. She earned the Coaches Award in both 2024 and 2025 at Trinity. Her accomplishments include winning the NCYS State Championship in 2023, finishing as State Runner-up in 2024, capturing the Columbus Day Championship in 2024 with NCFC, and earning NCISSA Runner-up honors in 2024 with Trinity. Izzy served as captain for NCFC in the Fall of 2024 and for Trinity in 2024 and 2025. She plans to major in Chemical and Biological Sciences.
Isabella Stafford
Isabella is a center back from Charlotte, North Carolina. She played club soccer at Charlotte Soccer Academy and represented Lake Norman Charter High School. In 2025, she earned North Carolina 3A All-State, All-Region, All-Conference, Defensive Player of the Year, and was named to the Charlotte Observer All-Team. A 2022 3A North Carolina State Champion, she also served as team captain. Isabella plans to major in Political Science.
Jenna Underwood
Jenna is a forward from Angier, North Carolina. She played club soccer for Villarreal Force Academy and competed for West Johnston High School, where she served as team captain. Jenna earned All-Conference honors, Most Assists, and was named Athlete of the Year. With her club team, she won the Charlotte Invitational Showcase. She plans to major in Business Administration.
Kennedy Gaston
Kennedy is a forward from Los Angeles, California. She competed for Westchester High School, where she was named the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year. Kennedy plans to major in Business.
Kinsley Purser
Kinsley is a striker and center midfielder from Fayetteville, North Carolina. She played for NCFC and Village Christian Academy. A four-time All-Conference selection, she was named team MVP as a freshman and junior, and served as team captain her junior and senior years. Her club team won both the Williamsburg Virginia Invitational and the High Point Furniture Classic in 2024. Kinsley plans to major in Health, Exercise, and Sports Science.
Miley Jones
Miley is a center defensive midfielder from Pikeville, North Carolina. She played for Wilson Youth Soccer Association and Charles B. Aycock High School. She has earned MVP, two All-Conference awards, and the Midfield Player Award, and served as team captain. She is excited to continue a family tradition at Meredith College, where her cousins also attended. Miley plans to major in Nursing.
The women's soccer team will continue their season on August 29th with a game against Bob Jones followed by the start of USA South Conference play on September 12th against Greensboro. The full 2025 season schedule is available here.
