- syracuseda
54 SDA Grads Playing College Soccer

Syracuse Development Academy has 54 seniors carrying on their soccer careers to play at a collegiate level. These players are headed to colleges throughout the entire country at the D1, D2, and D3 levels. From training to traveling to tournaments, SDA is honored to have helped prepare our seniors for the collegiate level of play. Each coach at our club has committed themself to inspiring our players and promoting a passion for the game that they will use to take their soccer career to the next level. Check out where our players are headed:
2019 COLLEGIATE PLAYERS
Justin Miller – SUNY Brockport
Jordan Knapp – RIT
Ryan Cacace – University of Rochester
Cameron Houser – SUNY Geneseo
Riley Burke – SUNY Cortland
Ian Zingaro – SUNY Oneonta
Nate Hanna – SUNY Oneonta
Alex Charest – Hartwick College
Jake Zona – Hartwick College
Jack Aronson – Bentley University
Grayson Jones – OCC
George Ross – St. John Fisher
Nick Bucholz – Appalachian State
Nolan Murphy – Manhattan College
Jeremy Rice – U of Northwestern Ohio
Joey Bertone – Hartwick College
Ben Lado – Clarkson University
Braden Melveney – SUNY Cortland
Owen Bauer – UNC Asheville
Ethan Thomas – Bucknell University
Ravi Travers – Hamilton College
Niko Dimkopoulos – Siena College
Jordynn Hellinger – Barton College
Morgan Lupo – SUNY Brockport
Franchesca Polcaro – SUNY Brockport
Rachel Dobricki – Fairfield University
Megan Merrifield – Houghton College
Marissa Bukowski – Ithaca College
Haley Imbesi – SUNY Cortland
Sabrina Suriani – SUNY Fredonia
Sydney Tanner – SUNY Fredonia
Kristen Fisher – Shenandoah University
Katy Stanard – LeMoyne College
Sydni Dreimiller – Eckerd College
Gabriella Swan – Mansfield University of PA
Mayle Lupia-Eannce – Albany College of Pharmacy
Rachel Hutchison – St. Bonaventure
Julia Petreikis – Russell Sage College
Jenna Seafuse – Pace University
Jackie Vigliotti – SUNY Oswego
Madison Gilhool – University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Morgan Siechen – Southern New Hampshire University
Lauren Chamberlain – New Jersey Institute of Technology
Abigayle Buchholz – University of North Carolina, Greensboro
Kelsey Delola – Villanova University
Emilie Hillard – Gannon University
Elyse Jackson – St. Lawrence University
Julia Gnade – Gordon College
Ashlyn Slate – Nazareth College
Ciara Conklin – Post University
Delaney Rutan – Ithaca College
Vanessa Flint – Adelphi University
Miranda Wolf – Clarkson University
Montana Wolf – SUNY Polytechnic
Natalie Burns – University at Albany
We spoke to a few of our seniors about their accomplishments and how SDA has prepared them for collegiate soccer:
The first senior we spoke to was Owen Bauer. Owen was with SDA from the start, from CNY United to Empire to SDA. Owen started playing soccer when he was 6 and has always known that soccer was his greatest passion. After two years with SDA, Owen’s talent for soccer and training with SDA solidified him a spot on the Academy. In an interview, Owen stated, “The coaches at SDA helped me develop tremendously, both technically and tactically over the years. They truly helped me grow as a player on and off the field. They have opened many doors for me as well, including playing in the developmental academy with Empire, youth national team invites and a trial with Spanish club Villarreal. I have learned so many lessons I’ll take with me to UNC-Asheville next year.” Owens favorite memory with SDA was the winning state cup with his U12 team, he said “we went undefeated and didn’t give up a single goal. With Mike Kirmse at the helm, we were unstoppable.”
Next, we interviewed twin goalkeepers, Abby and Nick Buchholz. Both Abby and Nick have been playing with SDA for four years, playing on the girls and boys 2000/2001 teams. Abby and Nick are both attending D1 schools in North Carolina next year. Abby is going to the University of North Carolina at Greensboro as Nick is attending Appalachian State. Nick stated, “SDA prepared me for being a collegiate athlete by exposing me to other high level players with the same goals as me. The standard is set higher and it pushed me to be even better.”
The twins are both excited to be attending colleges in the same league as the other. Abby said, “I think its funny how Nick and I both ended up becoming goalkeepers and its convenient when it comes to training. I always have a training partner when he’s home. I’m excited to watch him play the UNCG men’s team in the fall.” Abby noted that her favorite SDA memory was playing Princeton. She stated, “My favorite memory would have to be playing Princeton and playing the game of my life. Afterwards their coach bowed down to me and I’ll never forget that.” We can’t wait to see everything you both accomplish in North Carolina next year!
Finally, we spoke with Nate Hanna and Lauren Chamberlain, two of our day one players! They both have been playing with SDA for 11 years, since they were 6 years old. Nate Hanna is carrying his soccer career onto SUNY Oneonta next year to play goalkeeper, and Lauren is attending New Jersey Institute of Technology. Lauren stated, “SDA gave me opportunities for colleges to see me through tournaments and prepared me through physical and mental preparation trainings.” Nate’s favorite memory was "winning State Cup for the first time, seeing how the previous years we did not get through the beginning stages.” Nate credited his success to the SDA coaching staff and how they were always there for him.
Congratulations to all of our seniors. We cannot wait to see all you accomplish playing college soccer next year!