CHARLESTON, S.C. – Head Citadel women's soccer coach Ciaran Traquair announced Tuesday the addition of four additional newcomers to the 2018 roster, including three graduate transfers and one freshman.

The quartet will bring the incoming class of newcomers to 16 when added to the 12 freshmen who signed their National Letters of Intent back in February. The four newest additions include grad transfers Kelly Brahmbhatt (Southern Miss), Katelyn "Kooba" Richard (Belmont Abbey) and Dakota Steiner (College of Charleston) as well as freshman Lee Winroth.

"These four have excellent backgrounds of being hugely influential on and off the field in their respective pasts," Traquair said. "We look forward to them adding something unique and positive to our current group."
 
Kelly Brahmbhatt
GK | St. Louis, Mo. (Althoff Catholic H.S. / Southern Miss)
Brahmbhatt comes to The Citadel from Southern Miss where she played in 18 games, including making 11 starts in four years and was a four-time Conference-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll Selection (2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18) for maintaining at least a 3.00 grade-point average (GPA). She played just over 1,185 minutes between the pipes and made 65 saves compared to giving up just 16 goals for a goals-against average of 1.22. She went 6-4-3 with two shutouts to her credit. Upon graduation from Southern Miss, Brahmbhatt played in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) for Fire & Ice Soccer Club, helping the team claim the Central Division crown as well as the National Championship.

In high school, she played for Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville, Ill., helping guide the Crusaders to sectionals as a freshman and the regional finals as a senior. She was named a first-team All-Metro selection as a senior and was an All-Area and All-Metro honoree as a freshman. She boasted a career goals-against average of 1.48 and had 23 shutouts to her credit. She played her club soccer with St. Louis Scott Gallagher (2003-11) and Gateway FC (2011-13).

Coach Traquair on Brahmbhatt – "Great addition to the squad. She brings a wealth of Division I experience and will be a valuable member to not only the team, but our young group of goalkeepers."
 
 
Kooba Richard
MF/F | Carthage, N.C. (Union Pines HS / Belmont Abbey College)
Richard joins the Bulldogs after a successful stint at NCAA Division II institution Belmont Abbey where she played in 54 games, making 18 starts. She tallied 27 career points off nine goals and nine assists and had four game-winning goals, including three her junior year. As a senior in 2017, she recorded one goal and an assist off 11 shots, four being on goal. Her assist came in a 2-1 win over Lenoir-Rhyne on Sept. 9 with her goal coming two games later in a 2-0 win at Southern Wesleyan on Sept. 16. Her junior campaign proved to be her most prolific to date as she tallied five goals and three assists, making 15 starts in 20 appearances, earning second-team All-Conference Carolinas honors. Richard notched the game-winning goal at Lander on Sept. 3, again at home against King on Nov. 1 and in the Crusader's 2-1 victory over Pfeiffer in the semifinals of the Conference Carolinas Tournament. She recorded her first collegiate game-winner on Sept. 3, 2015 in her collegiate debut as a sophomore.

Prior to her four years in Belmont, North Carolina, Richard was a three-year standout at Union Pines High School. She was named Rookie of the Year and earned all-conference honors as a sophomore. She followed that up by setting the school record for most goals scored (38) and assists (18) in a single season en route to earning Most Valuable Player honors for her team as well as all-conference plaudits. She ended her prep career by earning all-conference and all-region honors as a senior.

Coach Traquair on Richard – "An exciting central midfielder who again brings plenty of collegiate experience, which will benefit our young squad. Kooba's work ethic and drive will help lead the way for our incoming freshmen class."
 
 
Dakota Steiner
D | Godfrey, Ill. (Alton HS / College of Charleston)
Steiner will trade in her maroon for Citadel blue after playing four years at the College of Charleston. She appeared in 12 games for CofC, making one start against Hofstra in 2017. She will be counted on to help shore up a defense that will be replacing four seniors from last year's squad.

Before making her way to Charleston, Steiner was a four-year letterwinner at Alton High School. She was named the Most Valuable Player and served as the team captain for two years. She earned second-team all-conference honors as well as all-conference scholar team plaudits. In 2011, she helped guide the Redbirds to the regional championship crown. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Thea, Illinois State Scholars, Daughters of the American Revolution, Spanish Club and Biology Club. She played her club ball for St. Louis Scott Gallagher Metro for six years, serving as the team captain for two while guiding the squad to the Illinois State Semifinals in 2012.

Coach Traquair on Steiner – "A local addition to the team, coming across town from a very good CofC team. Dakota will certainly help reinforce our back line with her leadership and Division I experience."

   
Lee Winroth
MF | Gävle, Sweden (Hagagymnasiet)
Winroth comes to Charleston from Gävle, Sweden, where she played soccer for Kvarnsvedens Ik from 2015 to 2017, including in the top professional league, Allsvenskan, the last two years. Between 2016 and 2017, she made 14 appearances, logging 289 minutes. She is also a world record holder in deadlift for her weight class. She competes for the Swedish National Powerlifting Team and is both a Swedish and European champion in powerlifting.

Coach Traquair on Winroth – "An exciting addition to our already prosperous freshmen class having represented the Swedish National Team at the youth level. Lee will bring some steel to our central areas as well as a goal threat going forward."


The Bulldogs will start the 2018 season off with a pair of tune-up matches at Coastal Carolina on Tuesday, Aug. 7 and at home against SCAD on Saturday, Aug. 11. The Citadel will then travel to Macon, Georgia to open the regular season against Mississippi Valley State on Friday, Aug. 17, returning home two days later where they will open the home schedule with a game against North Florida on Sunday, Aug. 19. 

For more information and score updates on The Citadel soccer team, please visit CitadelSports.com or follow @CitadelWSoccer on Twitter.