By: Emily Blount, Athletics Communications Graduate Assistant
St. Bonaventure women's soccer head coach
Donny George has announced the addition of seven student-athletes to the 2024 recruiting class: Mahélie Barbeau, Torrie Grant-Clavijo, Maya Marolly, Aysha Tural, Evie Underhill, Ella Yartym, and Hannah Smith have all committed to join the Bonnies program next fall.
"Our 2024 class, first and foremost, is a group of exceptional people," George said of his first full recruiting class at the helm of the program. "Together they are motivated to grow and develop not only as soccer players but also as people and future leaders. This group has shown to be good decision-makers on the field and have an understanding of space and how that influences the game, proving they will be good fits for what we are trying to build. Each member's journey will look different, but nonetheless, it will be one that is filled with growth and learning."
Mahélie Barbeau joins the program as a midfielder from St. Hubert, Quebec, Canada. She played high school soccer at Collège Français and club for Spatial of St. Hubert. Barbeau has excelled at creating scoring opportunities for her club team, leading the squad in assists from 2021-23 as well as being the second-leading scorer on the team during those years. Her efforts helped the team to a Quebec League Championship and a bronze medal at the Canadian National Championship in 2023. Barbeau plans to major in business at St. Bonaventure.
George on Barbeau: "Mahelie loves the game and is a dedicated student of the game. Our team will benefit from Mahelie's experience at a strong level with her club team. She is hard working and intelligent. Both traits will serve her well at St Bonaventure."
Torrie Grant-Clavijo comes to the program from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Torrie joins her sister Allie, who played her freshman season last year, as the second member of the Grant-Clavijo family to play for the Bonnies. Torrie played club soccer with the Western New York Flash and Unionville Milliken Soccer Club. Her other sister, Miya, plays college soccer at Brown. She plans to major in business at Bona.
George on Grant-Clavijo: "Torrie is a very talented player joining us from Toronto. Having success at the Canadian National Development Center will be experience that will help Torrie push for success here at St. Bonaventure. Torrie possesses strong technical ability and sees the game in a way that is similar to our style. She has a high ceiling and I'm looking forward to pushing Torrie to be her best self."
Maya Marolly joins St. Bonaventure from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The midfielder spent the past year at John Abbott College in Quebec where she recorded three goals and 12 assists. Marolly was named an RSEQ All-Star and MVP in her time at John Abbott. Marolly intends to major in predentistry.
George on Marolly: "Maya is a fun player to watch. She seems to glide effortlessly across the soccer field and loves the game. I look forward to seeing Maya smiling and being herself on the turf. Maya is a technical and dynamic soccer player, and we look forward to her journey at St. Bonaventure."
Hannah Smith, a four-year varsity letter winner from Whitesboro High School, comes to St. Bonaventure from Utica, N.Y. She was recognized as a Section III Class A All-Star and a Tri-Valley League First Team All-Star during her high school career. Smith also played club for Coliseum Inferno, helping them to four New York State Cup Championships. Hannah's sister Haylee played five years with the Bonnies from 2019-2023. Smith will pursue a degree in secondary education.
George on Smith: "A classy player that will likely feature across our attack. Hannah comes from a great family and is the younger sister of a new alum. I'm looking for Hannah to write her own story at St. Bonaventure and as a talented forward, it's one that I hope is filled with success."
Aysha Tural comes to St. Bonaventure from Blackwood, N.J. The midfielder was a four-year varsity starter for Highland Regional High School and played for the U-17 and U-19 Turkish Youth National Teams. Tural has made multiple international caps and earned her first assist in international play against Malta in 2022. Tural plans to major in psychology.
George on Tural: "Aysha, who represents Turkey at the youth level, is a smart player that suits our style of play. A player that is composed on the ball and even more composed in moments of chaos. Aysha will grow into a capable player, one that will feature in central areas on the field."
Evie Underhill is a London, England native who played right back for Fortismere School and at the Tottenham Hotspur Academy. Underhill intends to study political science at St. Bonaventure.
George on Underhill: "Joining us from England and the well-known academy team Tottenham Hotspurs, Evie will be a valuable addition to this program. A wide player that oozes class and a player that can have huge success here. Evie's experience playing at a high level will help elevate the players around her and I am looking forward to working with her."
Ella Yartym joins St. Bonaventure from Bath, N.Y. At Haverling High School, she owns the record for most career goals, assists, and points. During her career, she racked up 134 goals and 75 assists. Yartym also holds the school record for goals in a season with 40. She is a three-time All-State selection including a First Team nod in 2022 when she helped the team to the New York State Girls Soccer Championship Final. At Bonaventure, she plans to major in business administration.
George on Yartym: "A wildly successful player at the high school level, Ella is a proven goal scorer and a player that I will challenge to impact our program. Ella is dynamic and knows where the net is. She could feature anywhere across the front line and I look forward to seeing her journey here at St. Bonaventure."
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