Bishop England celebrated three college signees Thursday, adding to what was already an impressive senior class of soccer standouts from the East Cooper area.
Kessy Bradshaw and Kevyn Banda both signed with The Citadel women’s soccer, while Owen Cooper signed with the Lynn University men’s soccer team.
The three Bishops are part of 14 college soccer signees from the East Cooper area this month. Wando celebrated nine and Academic Magnet two. The East Cooper area produced all but one of the soccer signees recognized at the Charleston County School District’s Signing Day ceremony last week.
Bradshaw was named Class AA state player of the year after guiding Bishop England to a state championship as a sophomore two years ago. She helped lead the Bishops back to the Lower State title game last season, posting 13 goals and 18 assists.
Bradshaw returned to basketball this winter for the first time since playing with the junior varsity as a freshman. She’s a starting guard for the fourth-ranked defending state champion Bishops, leading the team in steals and assists.
“A local product with bags of ability,” Citadel coach Ciaran Traquair said. “Kessy is very good in front of the goal and adds real quality to our attack. She works hard to get into goal scoring situations but can also create them for herself. She adds pace and power to an already solid front line.”
Banda has starred the past few years in the club soccer circuit. She helped the Slammers FC ECNL to a No. 1 national ranking and the Davis Legacy Cup championship. She’s also lettered in softball.
“Kevyn sets great standards in all aspects of her lift,” Traquair said. “She will add versatility to our squad and a toughness to our midfield. She likes the competitive parts of the game and thrives when under pressure. Good on the ball and tactically switched on.”
Cooper is the starting goalkeeper for the Bishops who enter this season ranked first in the state. He’s a four-year varsity letterman and part of the Bishops’ 2016 state championship team. With Cooper starting in goal last season, the Bishops allowed just 13 goals in 19 games and posted 11 shutouts.
Lynn played for the NCAA Division II national championship last season. The Fighting Knights won the national championship in 2014, 2012 and 2003.
