College Sports

Patriot League powerhouse Bucknell inks 9 recruits for Class of 2025

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell women’s soccer coach Kelly Cook has announced the signing of nine recruits for 2025. The promising recruiting class is set to join a program that has been the Patriot League’s best for the last four years. The Bison captured three straight conference titles from 2021-23, and last year Bucknell won the regular-season crown before […]

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3 weeks ago

May 27, 2025

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Patriot League powerhouse Bucknell inks 9 recruits for Class of 2025

LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell women’s soccer coach Kelly Cook has announced the signing of nine recruits for 2025.

The promising recruiting class is set to join a program that has been the Patriot League’s best for the last four years. The Bison captured three straight conference titles from 2021-23, and last year Bucknell won the regular-season crown before falling in the 10th round of penalty kicks in the tournament final.

Joining the Bison next fall will be high school and club teammates Dani Howard and Gaby Parker from Freehold Township High School in New Jersey; Lizzie Arthur from Moorestown (N.J.) High School; Leah Bolson from DePaul Catholic High School in New Jersey; Audrey Campbell from Northern Highlands Regional High School in New Jersey; Emma Gavin from Oliver Ames High School in Massachusetts; Elie Kotler, who attended New Trier High School in Illinois but played exclusively with Chicago FC United; Audra Toth from Westfield (N.J.) High School; and Kenice Wilson from Connetquot High School on Long Island.

“I am very excited about the nine women who will join the team this fall,” said Cook. “The group brings tremendous athleticism and covers a variety of positions, and I think the class as a whole will have a first-year impact on the team. It’s a vocal group, and I love the energy that they will provide both on and off the field.”

Here is a closer look at Bucknell’s 2025 recruiting class:

Lizzie Arthur
Moorestown, N.J./Moorestown H.S./PDA South ECNL

Personal/High School: Born July 26, 2007 in Philadelphia, Pa. … parents are Kiersten and Grier Arthur … has two older siblings, Maddie and Tyler … mother played field hockey and softball at Princeton … father played soccer at Princeton … captained the soccer team at Moorestown High School … two-time all-conference selection … All-South Jersey and South Jersey Senior All-Star in 2024 … named South Region Top-20 at New Jersey All-State banquet … played club soccer with PDA South ECNL … team qualified for the national playoffs in 2024.

Kelly Cook Says: “Lizzie is a tenacious midfielder with a tremendous work rate, a great two-way player. She is very strong defensively, but also has good vision and can be a presence in the attacking half.”

Leah Bolson
Wayne, N.J./DePaul Catholic H.S./World Class FC

Personal/High School: Born Apr. 28, 2007 in Ridgewood, N.J. … parents are Chrissy and Matt Bolson … has two sisters, Emily and Lauren … two-sport standout in soccer and lacrosse at DePaul Catholic High School … captained the soccer team … all-county and all-league selection as both a junior and senior … earned honorable mention honors as a freshman and sophomore … part of teams that went 66-6-2 with a high national ranking of No. 7 during her career … part of a state championship team in 2021, and state/county/sectional championship teams in each of the next three years … recorded 20 goals and 27 assists in her career … in lacrosse also earned all-county and academic all-league honors … part of a league championship squad in 2024 … recorded 50 goals, 30 assists, 209 ground balls, 91 draw controls, and 60 caused turnovers in her career … played club soccer for World Class FC.

Kelly Cook Says: “Leah brings great pace and will be very effective in the wide areas. She is a technical, skilled player with a great engine. She loves to get up and down the field and will be able to play multiple positions.”

Audrey Campbell
HoHoKus, N.J./Northern Highlands Regional H.S./Match Fit Academy ECNL

Personal/High School: Born Oct. 25, 2006 in Somers Point, N.J. … daughter of Roberta and Geoff Campbell … has a twin sister, Emerson … competed in soccer, lacrosse, and winter track & field at Northern Highlands Regional High School … Second Team All-State selection in soccer … nominated for North Jersey Player of the Year … Top-20 player in North 1 group … first team all-league, all-county, and All-North Jersey honoree … led team to sectional titles as a junior and senior … first team all-league and second team all-county selection in lacrosse … helped the lax team to a runner-up finish at sectionals … as a sophomore was part of a 4×400 relay that finished second at the state championship meet … played club soccer for Match Fit Academy ECNL and Morris Elite SC USL W League.

Kelly Cook Says: “Audrey is a great 1v1 defender with a tremendous work rate. She has the ability to play centrally or on the wing. She reads the game very well and has the pace to match up with fast strikers.”

Emma Gavin
Easton, Mass./Oliver Ames H.S./Scorpions ECNL

Personal/High School: Born Aug. 23, 2007 in Quincy, Mass. … parents are Jennifer and James Gavin … has a younger brother, Bailey … captained the soccer team at Oliver Ames High School … three-time Hockomock League All-Star … EMass First Team selection in 2024 and Second Team in 2023 … 2024 Hockomock First Team … part of teams that won three straight league titles from 2021-23 … 2023 squad made the MIAA state final … recorded 38 goals, 11 assists in high school career, including 15 goals as a senior … played club soccer with Scorpions ECNL and was a 2024 ECNL New England All-Conference Second Team selection.

Kelly Cook Says: “Emma is a center back who could also play as the holding center midfielder for us. She has good size at 5’10” and is strong in the air. She brings athleticism and another physical presence to our back line.”

Dani Howard
Freehold, N.J./Freehold Township H.S./Cedar Stars Academy

Personal/High School: Born March 8, 2007 … parents are Carl Howard and Stacey Baker … competed in soccer and track at Freehold Township High School, where she was high school and club teammates with future Bucknell classmate Gaby Parker … four-year varsity starter in soccer, playing midfield, forward, and outside back … team captain as a senior … United Soccer Coaches All-East Region selection … NJGSCA Top 20 in State and Central Region … earned All-Division, All-Conference, All-Group, and All-County honors … helped her team to back-to-back state championships, along with three sectional titles, three Shore Conference titles, and two division titles … team was undefeated in New Jersey and ranked No. 1 in the state in 2022 … ranked as high as No. 3 nationally in 2023 … named standout performer in 2022 state final victory … team Offensive MVP and Scholar Athlete awards in 2024 … selected for Shore Conference Senior All Star game … ranked fourth all-time in assists in school history … in track, was a Monmouth County and New Jersey State Sectional Top-15 freshman in the 400 and 800 meters … medaled in the distance medley relay in 2022 … Freehold Township High School’s NJSIAA Scholar Athlete award winner for the class of 2025 … played club soccer for Cedar Stars Academy Monmouth GA … invited to US Youth National Team ID Center in 2022 … selected for GA Regional Talent ID in 2021-24 … GA Northeast Conference Champions in 2023 … played in GA champions Cup 2021-22 … GA Advisory Panel Club Representative … USL W League player since 2024 … 3 year ODP Player … played internationally for Westchester United FC in the Viareggio Cup in Italy, playing top clubs including AC Milan … ambassador for All In Athletes … member of National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Math Honor Society, and Science League … Science academic student of the month 2025 and English academic student of the month 2023 … high honor roll every marking period of high school

Kelly Cook Says: “Dani is a creative attacking central midfielder with great vision and an innate feel for the game tactically. She is a great passer who can create for others and score goals on her own. Most importantly, she just loves the game. She watches soccer all the time and has a creative flair to her game.”

Elie Kotler
Glencoe, Ill./New Trier H.S./Chicago FC United

Personal/High School: Born May 18, 2007 in Chicago … daughter of Dana and Lee Kotler … has an older sister, Mia … part of the class of 2025 at New Trier High School … played year-round club soccer with Chicago FC United 2007 GA, where she was team captain … selected for Mid-America talent ID in 2024 … led the team to an undefeated season and four straight GA playoff appearances, including a quarterfinal berth in 2022 … team qualified for GA Champions Cup in 2023 … represented her club on the Girls Academy advisory board during the 2023-24 season.

Kelly Cook Says: “Elie is a holding central midfielder who is very vocal and provides a strong presence on the field. She has good passing range and good vision, which helps her move the ball effectively in the midfield.”

Gaby Parker
Howell, N.J./Freehold Township High School/Cedar Stars Academy

Personal/High School: Born Apr. 26, 2007 in Long Island City, N.Y. … daughter of Sandra Weber and Dwayne Parker … has two younger brothers, Cayden and Jayson … team captain and four-year varsity starter at Freehold Township High School … was high school and club teammates with fellow Bucknell recruit Dani Howard … broke the school’s season (26) and career (73) goal-scoring records on the way to United Soccer Coaches All-America honors as a senior … First Team All-State selection and Central Jersey Player of the Year as a senior … named Top-20 player in New Jersey … also a three-time state sectional honoree … four-time first team all-division, two-time First Team All-Shore Conference … helped her team to back-to-back state championships, along with three sectional titles, there Shore Conference titles, and two division titles … team was undefeated in New Jersey and ranked No. 1 in the state in 2022 … ranked as high as No. 3 nationally in 2023 … played club soccer with Cedar Stars Academy … helped team to Northeast Conference GA title … invited to GA Northeast Talent ID camp … also played high school basketball and was a four-year starter with 1,209 career points … named Division Player of the Year as a senior and was a three-time first team all-division selection.

Kelly Cook Says: “Gaby is an explosive forward who loves to get in behind. She can score in a variety of ways and has a great work rate. She just has a nose for the goal and is extremely dangerous in the 18 on services and on the dribble.”

Audra Toth
Westfield, N.J./Westfield H.S./FC Copa ECNL

Personal/High School: Born Oct. 22, 2006 … parents are Margaret and Stephen Toth … has an older brother, Jake … mother played tennis at Rochester … captained the soccer team at Westfield High School … first team all-state selection as a senior and honorable mention as a junior … earned multiple first team all-county and all-division citations … bookended her career with Group 4 state championships as a freshman and a senior … helped her team to four conference championships, three county titles, three sectional titles … played center back up until senior year, when she moved to forward and led the team with 23 goals and 9 assists … played club soccer with FC Copa ECNL … 2024 All-Regional League Northeast First Team selection … team took first place at the 2024 New Jersey ECNL RL … 2021 US Club National finalist … 2022 USYS national finalist … 2023 USYS E64 national champion.

Kelly Cook Says: “Audra is a physical, aggressive player with good leadership ability. She is also a versatile player who we could see playing in the midfield or on the back line. She’s very athletic and is strong in the air.”

Kenice Wilson
Ronkonkoma, N.Y./Connetquot H.S./LI Slammers

Personal/High School: Born Apr. 26, 2007 in Brooklyn, N.Y. … parents are Nicola and Mark Wilson … has two younger sisters, Karina and Kezia … played on the soccer team at Connetquot High School … all-county and two-time all-league selection … named to the Newsday Top 100 Girls Soccer Players on Long Island list … earned team Rookie of the Year honors as a ninth-grader and Comeback Player of the Year honors as a senior after returning from a knee injury … helped team to 2022 Section IX league championship … recorded 23 goals, 10 assists in high school career, with a high of 10 goals, 5 assists as a junior … also helped the Long Island Slammers to two club league championships … scored 42 goals for her club team in the Spring 2022-Spring 2025 seasons.

Kelly Cook Says: “Kenice is a fast, athletic player who has the ability to play with her back to goal or out in the wide areas. She can play up top or potentially at outside back, and she brings plenty of versatility, size, and speed.”

College Sports

Contract Extension Keeps Nightingale at Helm of Spartan Hockey – WJR-AM

EAST LANSING, June 13, 2025 ~ Michigan State University Hockey Head Coach Adam Nightingale has received a contract extension after reviving MSU hockey. Nightingale, who led MSU to back-to-back Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles, has signed a multiyear contract extension, according to the athletic department. The extension is a five-year rolling deal that starts […]

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34 minutes ago

June 14, 2025

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EAST LANSING, June 13, 2025 ~ Michigan State University Hockey Head Coach Adam Nightingale has received a contract extension after reviving MSU hockey.

Nightingale, who led MSU to back-to-back Big Ten regular-season and tournament titles, has signed a multiyear contract extension, according to the athletic department. The extension is a five-year rolling deal that starts on July 1, 2025.

“My family and I are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent Michigan State University,” said Nightingale in a statement released by the athletic department. “To coach at an institution like this and be part of the East Lansing community is a privilege and an awesome responsibility.”

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College Sports

Predicting the top 5 point leaders for Gophers hockey in 2025–26

Gophers men’s hockey is known to reload, not rebuild. That will be put to the test next season, as Bob Motzko and his coaching staff are forced to replace each of their top five leaders in points from last season. Let’s try and predict who could be Minnesota’s new crop of stars in 2025-26. Lamb […]

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55 minutes ago

June 14, 2025

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Lamb is the highest-scoring returning player for the Gophers. He had 26 points last season with 17 goals and nine assists. Heading into his fourth season with the program, the former fourth-round pick of the New York Rangers looks like the favorite to lead Minnesota in scoring next season.

Ziemer wasn’t too far behind Lamb’s production last season, but he was a true freshman. In his first college season, he totaled 23 points with 12 goals and 11 assists. He was a third-round pick by the Sabres in 2024, and he could be looking at a big step up in scoring heading into year two with the Gophers.

Minnesota’s biggest pickup from the transfer portal this offseason was Ludtke from Omaha. The former Lakeville South High School star had 28 points as a true freshman with the Mavericks, but he battled injuries last season and finished the year with only two points. The Gophers will lean on him to produce offensively next season.

Related: Gophers men’s hockey reveals 2025-26 non-conference schedule

Pahlsson has an impressive freshman season with the Gophers, compiling 18 points with 15 assists and three goals. He fell to the seventh round of last year’s NHL Draft to the Predators, but has intriguing long-term potential. On a young team, he has a chance to carve out a big role.

The only thing holding Mooney back from being higher on this list is the fact that he’ll be a freshman next season. He likely won’t fall any lower than the third round of this year’s NHL Draft. He had 51 points last year on the U.S. Nationals U18 team with 10 goals and 41 assists. He will have the highest expectations among all the Gophers’ incoming freshmen.

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How ‘hockey nerd’ Dan Muse became a first-time NHL head coach with Penguins

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June 14, 2025

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University of Utah Athletics

SALT LAKE CITY— Utah Athletics will be able to retain the talents of former women’s basketball star Jenna Johnson and gymnastics phenom Maile O’Keefe in post-graduate roles with their respective programs, thanks to the Anne Osborn Post-Graduate Internship Award. The department announced today that Johnson and O’Keefe are the award recipients for 2025-26. This is […]

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2 hours ago

June 14, 2025

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SALT LAKE CITY— Utah Athletics will be able to retain the talents of former women’s basketball star Jenna Johnson and gymnastics phenom Maile O’Keefe in post-graduate roles with their respective programs, thanks to the Anne Osborn Post-Graduate Internship Award. The department announced today that Johnson and O’Keefe are the award recipients for 2025-26.

This is the second year the prestigious award has been available to former female student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility, but show the potential to be leaders within athletics careers.

Dasia Young of women’s basketball was the first recipient of the award for the 2024-25 competition season.

Johnson, who graduated in May with her bachelor’s degree in operations and supply chain and a minor in strategic communication, is slated to fill Young’s role from last year with women’s basketball as an assistant graduate coach.

O’Keefe, who graduated in 2023 with her degree in kinesiology, and has since added a certificate of applied positive psychology (2024) and an MRED certificate (2025) while working as a graduate assistant coach for gymnastics, will now move over to an operations specialist role as Grace McCallum takes over as the graduate assistant coach.

ABOUT THE ANNE OSBORN POST-GRADUATE INTERNSHIP AWARD

The Anne Osborn Post-Graduate Internship Award was created with the intent to invest in Utah female student-athletes who have expired their eligibility, but possess extraordinary potential to become leaders of their generation through careers in college athletics.

Endowed by University of Utah Distinguished Professor Emeritus Anne G. Osborn, MD, the award provides financial support for a full academic year as the recipients gain valuable insight, development, and real-world experience working in athletics. Osborn was a two-sport athlete herself, competing in swimming and basketball while completing her undergraduate degree at Stanford University.

“Even at the highest levels, only a few student-athletes will ever have a realistic chance to compete professionally in the sport they love,” stated Dr. Osborn. “This post-graduate internship will allow recipients the opportunity to explore the ever-growing spectrum of careers in collegiate athletics.”

All candidates for the award must be former female student-athletes who possess leadership potential, character, academic achievement, and athletic excellence.

Through the year, all recipients must be fully engaged with their assigned roles and mentorship programs through the Utah Athletics Department and its EmpowHer program, and be actively involved in professional development sessions and departmental duties. Recipients will also be asked to provide periodic updates on their experiences and achievements that will culminate in a final reflection to be given to the EmpowHer Board of Directors.

MORE ABOUT JENNA JOHNSON, UTAH WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (2021-25)

Johnson came to Salt Lake City in 2021 as the No. 7 forward in the nation according to ESPN, and immediately made her impact known, earning Pac-12 Freshman of the Week three times in her debut season while being a key cog in leading the Utes to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 11 years.

That was only the start of Johnson’s journey, earning Pac-12 All-Conference Honorable Mentions in 2023 and 2024 while pushing Utah to new heights winning a Pac-12 Championship and earning a Sweet 16 berth in 2023.

“Jenna has cemented her legacy here at Utah as a WBB player,” said Utah Women’s Basketball coach Gavin Petersen. “As a team leader who always led by example, she was always prepared, dependable and was a fierce competitor on the floor. More than that, Jenna is an amazing human being that connected with people beyond basketball. Her maturity, spiritual faith and sense of humor are just some of the things that I am so thrilled to have stick around for another season with our program.”

Johnson finished her time at Utah ranked ninth in school history in career field goal percentage and a two-time team captain.

“The U gave me a platform to chase down my athletic dreams and develop me into a better student, woman, and member of our Salt Lake community,” said Johnson. “As I look forward to the future, my next goal is to be a Division I basketball coach. This position will help me gain experience, confidence, and a space to continue to pursue my dreams. I think collegiate coaching is a difficult industry to break into, and this opportunity will allow me a ‘foot in the door’ to gain incredibly valuable experience while learning from a premier coaching staff, working with talented players, and being in an environment where I’m comfortable developing my skill-set as a coach.”

MORE ABOUT MAILE O’KEEFE, UTAH GYMNASTICS (2020-24)

O’Keefe established herself as one of the most decorated Red Rocks in program history, being crowned a national champion four times, a 2023 and 2024 finalist for the AAI award, a two-time NCAA Regional beam champion (2021, 2023), and earning 19 All-American nods throughout her career.

Additionally, O’Keefe smashed the record books for Utah Gymnastics, holding the school record for career 10.0s, (15), career 10.0s on beam (14), and single-season 10.0s on beam.

“Having been both her coach and now working alongside Maile, I can attest to her exceptional work ethic, leadership qualities, and unwavering commitment to this team,” said Utah Gymnastics head coach Carly Dockendorf. “Maile has consistently demonstrated maturity beyond her years, balancing her academic and athletic responsibilities with professionalism and enthusiasm. She has a natural ability to connect with others, making her a highly effective mentor to younger Red Rocks. Her approach is supportive, empathetic, and rooted in a genuine desire to help others grow.”

O’Keefe proved to be a force in the Pac-12, earning Gymnast of the Year in 2021, two Specialist of the Year awards (2021, 2023), 10 All-Pac-12 Conference honors, and a five-time Pac-12 Champion (2021, all-around, bars, beam, and floor; 2024, beam).

“I believe I bring a unique and valuable perspective to the program, having been in the athletes’ shoes just a year ago,” said O’Keefe. “As a former peer, I can relate to their experiences and provide guidance in a way that fosters trust and positivity. My ability to connect with athletes allows me to serve as a liaison between them and the coaches, helping to bridge any gaps and support their growth. I love Utah Gymnastics with my whole heart and I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute to their success in a different manner.”

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Johnny Gaudreau’s widow shares emotional love letter to NHL star for Father’s Day

Excitement and anticipation turned to unfathomable grief in an instant when the wife of hockey star Johnny Gaudreau learned her husband and his brother, Matthew, had been killed by an alleged drunken driver last summer. Meredith Gaudreau was on the front porch of her husband’s parents’ house when she was told he and his brother […]

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2 hours ago

June 14, 2025

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Meredith Gaudreau was on the front porch of her husband’s parents’ house when she was told he and his brother died after they were hit while riding their bikes on a Salem County road.

She was in shock. “I was keeled over for days sick to my stomach,” she wrote. “I couldn’t stand up. I was awake and having nightmares.”

MORE: Man who admitted drinking before killing NHL star now wants his statements to cops thrown out

She had recently told Johnny she was expecting their third child. His sister was supposed to get married the next day.

And now the family was planning a funeral for the brothers.

Meredith Gaudreau shared her memories of the day of her husband’s death along with many joyful memories of life with her “dream guy” in a love letter she wrote to her husband to mark the first Father’s Day without him.

She presented thepersonal message to the world in an essay posted Thursday on the sports website The Players’ Tribune.

Johnny Gaudreau, 31, and Matthew R. Gaudreau, 29, were struck and killed on the evening of Aug. 29, 2024, as they bicycled along a rural road in Salem County.

Gaudreau brothers — Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau died when they were struck and killed by an allegedly intoxicated driver as they rode their bikes in Salem County last August.(File Photos)

Prosecutors say Sean M. Higgins, 44, of Pilesgrove, was intoxicated when he struck the men. He’s charged with aggravated manslaughter, reckless vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

As the court case drags on, the Gaudreau family is left to mark milestones — holidays, birthdays, anniversaries — without the two beloved brothers.

Johnny Gaudreau played 11 seasons in the NHL, while Matthew Gaudreau was a college hockey player and later a coach. Their deaths shocked the international hockey world.

The wives of both brothers were pregnant at the time of the crash.

Meredith Gaudreau, Johnny’s widow, later announced the couple’s third son, Carter Michael Gaudreau, was born April 1.

Madeline Gaudreau, Matthew’s widow, announced the birth of the couple’s son, Tripp Matthew, in December.

Meredith’s letter to Johnny begins with her describing the day they met in 2018. From there, she recalled discovering that the man she was dating was a hockey star for the Calgary Flames.

The couple’s lives grew intertwined and she remembered in her letter the big moments, including the day he proposed, the day they learned they were expecting their first child, and the day Johnny made the tough decision to leave Calgary to play for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

She also recalled the day she lost Johnny and the difficult journey that has followed.

As Meredith and Madeline Gaudreau navigate life without their husbands, they’ve also found time to honor the brothers’ legacies.

The widows are co-presidents of the John and Matthew Gaudreau Foundation, formed to promote and expand youth ice hockey opportunities, help hockey families facing tragedies and assist families affected by drunk driving.

“The Foundation’s purpose is to continue giving back to what the boys are passionate about and to ultimately continue to make a positive impact on the world in their honor,” the widows wrote on the group’s website.

The family also recently hosted the inaugural Gaudreau Family 5K Run, Walk & Family Fun Day in Gloucester County. The event raised funds for a new adaptive playground at Archbishop Damiano School in Westville.

The special education school serves students with cognitive disabilities. The Gaudreau brothers’ mother and sister work at the school and a family member was a previous student.