RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University women's soccer program announced the addition of five players out of the prep ranks on National Signing Day.
 
Calisa Everson, Kaitlyn Bothe, Jocelyn Vesci, Hannah Busenbark and Chloe Measel are set to join the Colonels for the 2026 season.
 
EKU expanded its recruiting reach on the national stage, signing players from four different states, including one local signee and two from Florida, as well as student-athletes from Michigan and Oregon. With this year's signing class, the Colonels have now signed three United Soccer Coaches' All-Americans in the last two seasons. EKU has had seven freshmen combine for 10 all-conference awards since 2021, including an ASUN Freshman of the Year selection.
 
"We are thrilled with our 2025 class. The character, quality, and desire to win is elite," said head coach Matt Cosinuke. "We expect another step forward for our program and believe that this group, mixed with the quality of our returner family members will push us forward towards our expectations of championships at EKU."
 
Everson, a 5-foot-6 defender from Banks, Oregon, joins the Colonels following a standout career at Valley Catholic High School, where she scored more than 70 goals and captured one state championship in three state tournament appearances. She was named the Player of the Year after the 2025 season.
 
A four-time all-state and all-league selection, Everson also competed for Portland Thorns Academy on the ECNL circuit, earning all-conference honors in 2022, 2023 and 2024. She chose EKU over Memphis and Grand Canyon.
 
"Calista is a tremendous defender and a fierce competitor. Her all-conference ECNL awards speak for themselves. We are excited for her to immediately compete for time in our back line," said Cosinuke.
 
Bothe, a 5-foot-8 defender from Rochester Hills, Michigan, comes to EKU after an impressive career at Adams High School. She was a two-time all-league performer while also competing on the varsity track and basketball teams. She chose EKU over Eastern Michigan, Cleveland State, and Indiana State.
 
"Kaitlyn is a gifted athlete and great player. She can play multiple positions for us and will immediately impact the competition level and depth in all positions along the back line," said Cosinuke.
 
Vesci, a 5-foot-2 midfielder from Lexington, Kentucky, played at East Jessamine High School for head coach Brynn Bradley, earning two First Team All-12th Region selections.
 
Vesci scored 19 goals as a freshman, earning an invitation to the United States Youth National Team ID Center. She followed with 13 goals as a sophomore and 18 as a junior before joining Lexington Sporting Club for her senior season. She chose EKU over Marquette and Old Dominion.
 
Jocelyn is one of the best players from the state of Kentucky that I can remember. She is talented, dangerous, physically imposing and loves the game. She will be an attacking player that the fans will love to watch play for the next four years," said Cosinuke.
 
Busenbark, a 5-foot-7 midfielder from Cape Coral, Florida, brings an impressive résumé after leading North Fort Myers High School to multiple appearances in the Florida Class 5A State Tournament. She recently was named the Class 5A Dairy Farmer award in her state.
 
As a senior, she tallied 57 goals and 12 assists, setting a school record for goals scored. Busenbark earned USA Today Southwest Florida Girls Soccer Player of the Year, USC All-American, and Cape Coral Daily Breeze Athlete of the Year honors. She chose EKU over Mississippi State, Western Carolina, Mercer, and Elon.
 
"You don't get to be an All American by accident. Hannah is a stud," said Cosinuke. "Her athleticism and work rate were one of the highest in the country and we are thrilled she has chosen to be part of our family. She can play a couple different positions for us, but we expect her to excel in the midfield."
 
Measel, a 5-foot-4 midfielder from Coconut Creek, Florida, was a four-year captain at Pompano Beach High School, where she totaled more than 55 goals and 35 assists.
 
She helped lead PBHS to several Florida Class 4A State Tournament appearances and the program's first district championship in school history during the 2024-25 season, scoring the game-winning goal in the title match. She chose EKU over Central Florida, Morehead State, Austin Peay, and Bowling Green.
 
"Chloe is a beast. She is a dynamic attacking player that thrives in tight spaces and can pull the strings for herself and others at very high speeds. We are excited for her to show her attacking flair this fall and expect her to fit in perfectly with our style of play," said Cosinuke.
 
EKU concluded the 2025 season with a 10-4-5 record, reaching the ASUN Tournament for the fifth straight year. The Colonels finished fourth in the regular-season standings and fell 1-0 to North Florida in the quarterfinals.