2027 Prospect Fit Report — Denison University
Skyler Hoefener
2027 CDM / Center Back — St. Louis, MO · AFA Fillies ECNL · Villa Duchesne High School
Overall Denison Fit Assessment
Strong fit across positional need, physical profile, and culture. The most dramatic height advantage in this portfolio — and a defensive rebuild that demands exactly her skill set. Denison's test-optional admissions and NCAC conference overlap with DePauw add strategic value.
Roster Turnover & Positional Need
Defensive and midfield projection for Fall 2027 based on the 2025 published roster.
By Fall 2027, Denison loses 10 defenders and midfielders from the current roster — including Sarah Sollinger (NCAC Defensive Player of the Year, USC All-Region First Team, Academic All-America), Isabella Guzman (Second Team All-NCAC), Mattie Mielke (Second Team All-NCAC), and Mara McGlone (Third Team All-NCAC). Six defenders and four midfielders depart — the most sweeping positional rebuild in this portfolio.
| No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | 2025 Cl. | Fall '27 Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Sarah Sollinger | D | 5-6 | Sr. | Gone | NCAC DPOY · USC All-Region 1st · Academic All-America · Evanston, IL |
| 16 | Avery Butler | D | 5-7 | Sr. | Gone | Highland Park, IL |
| 31 | Emma Lloyd | D | 5-5 | Sr. | Gone | Oakwood, OH |
| 17 | Reily Brinley | D | 5-3 | Jr. | Gone by '27 | Charlotte, NC (Providence Day School) |
| 4 | Lauren Jensen | D/M | 5-8 | Jr. | Gone by '27 | Charlotte, NC |
| 24 | Ava Grim | D | 5-10 | Jr. | Gone by '27 | Vienna, VA · Currently tallest defender |
| 5 | Isabella Bazant | D | 5-4 | So. | Senior | Returns · Final year |
| 12 | Adeline Bohi | D | 5-6 | Fy. | Junior | Returns |
| No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | 2025 Cl. | Fall '27 Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Isabella Guzman | M | 5-2 | Sr. | Gone | Second Team All-NCAC · Lake Forest, IL (Loyola Academy) |
| 10 | Ava Wood | M | 5-6 | Sr. | Gone | North Royalton, OH (Walsh Jesuit) |
| 19 | Mattie Mielke | M | 5-7 | Jr. | Gone by '27 | Second Team All-NCAC · Evanston, IL |
| 15 | Mara McGlone | M | 5-11 | Jr. | Gone by '27 | Third Team All-NCAC · Worthington, OH |
| 21 | Maryn Zavislak | M | 5-4 | So. | Senior | NCAC Midfielder of the Year · Returns · Final year |
By Fall 2027, 10 of 13 defenders and midfielders depart. Only Bazant (5-4), Bohi (5-6), and Zavislak (5-4) return. The tallest returning defender will be 5-6. Hoefener at 5'11" would be taller by five inches — the most dramatic height differential of any school in this portfolio. Her CDM/CB versatility addresses the simultaneous defensive and midfield rebuild.
Denison currently draws heavily from Chicago suburbs and Ohio — no current St. Louis connections on the roster. However, the university maintains a dual-degree engineering partnership with Washington University in St. Louis, demonstrating institutional familiarity with the STL market. Hoefener would open an entirely new recruiting pipeline.
Player Evaluation
Scouting assessment based on film review, statistical analysis, and competitive context.
Physical Profile: At 5'11", Hoefener would be the tallest defender by five inches once Ava Grim (5-10) departs. This is the most dramatic height differential of any school in this portfolio. Set-piece defense and aerial dominance would transform the backline — an immediate structural upgrade.
Defending: Missouri All-Region, All-Conference First Team as a sophomore. The program just lost NCAC Defensive Player of the Year Sarah Sollinger and the entire senior defensive corps. They need someone who can anchor the next generation — Hoefener's credential profile at the high school and ECNL level maps directly to what Sollinger provided.
Distribution: 16 assists from CDM in a single season. With NCAC Midfielder of the Year Zavislak returning but four midfielders departing, the team needs creative output from every position. Hoefener's distribution from deep bridges defense and attack — precisely the connector role this rebuild demands.
Engine / Fitness: Cross Country All-Conference, 3rd-place finish in the Greater St. Louis 10k. The DIII schedule is compressed and demanding — multi-sport athletes with this aerobic base thrive in the NCAC culture, where year-round fitness is a competitive advantage.
Leadership / Culture: ECNL captain, FCA founder and president, Duchesne House Leader, NHS, 100+ hours of community service. This profile aligns with Denison's scholar-athlete emphasis — the program had 5 Academic All-District honorees in 2025. She doesn't just join cultures; she builds them.
Academic Fit: 4.1 GPA, test-optional since 2008 (Denison was an early adopter). SAT range of 1300-1470 is competitive but more accessible than CMU, JHU, or UChicago. This is a strong academic match — selective but within reach.
Bidirectional Fit Analysis
The case from each side — and why this pairing works.
Skyler has ECNL showcases throughout spring 2026 and Playoffs in June — every event exposes her to competing staffs. A 5'11" ECNL captain with a 4.1 GPA, All-Region honors, and 16 assists from CDM draws attention at every level. Programs that engage first with a personalized pitch win these recruits.
Credential Summary
Verified athletic and academic honors.
Opportunities for Engagement
A roadmap for converting prospect interest into recruitment momentum.
A 5'11" ECNL-level CDM/CB with a 4.1 GPA, All-Region credentials, and 16 assists from the back line — arriving just as 10 defenders and midfielders depart, including the NCAC Defensive Player of the Year. She'd be five inches taller than the tallest returning defender. These profiles don't appear on rebuilding timelines by accident.
A prospect of this caliber — 5'11", ECNL captain, 4.1 GPA, All-Region, 16 assists from CDM — is being actively recruited at every level. Every week without engagement is a week another staff fills the gap. Target: early engagement spring 2026 while she's building her list and scheduling visits.
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