2027 Prospect Fit Report — University of Tampa
Skyler Hoefener
2027 CDM / Center Back — St. Louis, MO · AFA Fillies ECNL · Villa Duchesne High School
Overall Tampa Fit Assessment
Strong fit for the premier DII conference. Physical profile and ECNL pedigree match SSC competition, 4.1 GPA exceeds Tampa's average, and CDM/CB versatility addresses defensive needs. Distance from St. Louis is the primary consideration.
Roster Turnover & Positional Need
Defensive and midfield projection for Fall 2027 based on the 2024-25 published roster via tampaspartans.com.
Tampa's 2024-25 roster carries 12 defenders, but 7 depart by Fall 2027 through graduation — a 58% attrition rate in the defensive group alone. The midfield is even more impacted: only 1 of 5 midfielders (Daphne Stupec) returns, representing 80% midfield attrition. Coach Erin Switalski's program faces a generational rebuild across the defensive half of the pitch — creating urgent needs for versatile players who can fill roles at both CDM and center back.
| No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | 2024-25 Cl. | Fall '27 Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Sofia Libman | D | 5-0 | Sr. | Graduated | Lassiter HS / Campbell University |
| 4 | Sofia Karlholm | D | 5-6 | Sr. | Graduated | Uppsala, Sweden / UALR |
| 19 | Ella Armas | D | 5-5 | Jr. | Graduated | Cocoa Beach, FL · Grad Spring '27 |
| 24 | Kendall Gouner | D | 5-8 | Jr. | Graduated | Monument, CO / UTSA · Grad Spring '27 |
| 6 | Averie Schweitzer | D | 5-8 | So. | Graduated | Melbourne, FL · Grad Spring '27 |
| 7 | Jess Brannon | D | 5-3 | So. | Graduated | Huntersville, NC · Grad Spring '27 |
| 16 | Cali Nobles | D | 5-8 | So. | Graduated | Tustin, CA / Point Loma · Grad Spring '27 |
| 3 | Zoe Whiddon | D | 5-8 | Fr. | Senior | Denver, CO · Final year |
| 20 | Yazzie Vargas | D | 5-6 | Fr. | Senior | Buford, GA · Final year |
| 21 | Lauren Holschauer | D | 5-8 | Fr. | Senior | Davie, FL · Final year |
| 22 | Teya Stapleton | D | 5-4 | Fr. | Senior | Coral Springs, FL · Final year |
| 28 | Brianna Pacholski | D | 5-9 | Fr. | Senior | Huntersville, NC · Tallest returning defender |
Seven of twelve defenders depart by Fall 2027, and all five returning defenders will be seniors in their final year. No current defender on the roster exceeds 5-9. Hoefener at 5'11" would be the tallest defender in the program by two inches — adding aerial presence and set-piece dominance the roster currently lacks. The midfield is even more depleted — only 1 of 5 midfielders returns. Her CDM/CB versatility addresses needs at both positions simultaneously, giving Coach Switalski maximum tactical flexibility across the defensive half of the pitch.
A 5'11" ECNL captain with a 4.1 GPA, All-Region honors, and 16 assists from the back line will draw attention at every level. With 58% defensive attrition and 80% midfield attrition by Fall 2027, Tampa cannot afford to lose high-impact recruits to competing programs. The programs that engage first with a personalized pitch win these recruits. Tampa's scholarship support is a critical differentiator — but only if the staff engages early enough to leverage it.
Player Evaluation
Scouting assessment based on film review, statistical analysis, and competitive context.
Physical Profile: At 5'11", likely the tallest defensive player on your roster. Thrives in 1v1 physical battles and wins aerial duels through height, strength, and timing. The 300+ game Iron Man streak signals exceptional durability. This is the kind of presence that changes how opponents approach set pieces against you.
Defending 1v1: Lockdown defender who consistently neutralizes top attackers. ECNL competition level and Missouri All-Region selection validate performance against quality opposition. All-Conference First Team as a sophomore in a strong soccer state confirms elite individual defending.
Distribution: The number that should stop you: 16 assists in a single season from the CDM position. She led her conference in assists — not as a winger or a 10, but as the deepest-lying midfielder on the pitch. Most DII defensive midfielders register 3-4 assists per season. Hoefener quadrupled that while fulfilling her primary defensive responsibilities. Elite vision, weight of pass, and the ability to break lines from deep — this is a CDM who dictates the game from the back third.
Engine / Fitness: Cross Country All-Conference and 3rd-place finish in the Greater St. Louis 10k confirm elite aerobic capacity. The SSC schedule in Florida heat demands exactly this kind of endurance base — she can sustain high-intensity efforts deep into matches across a compressed conference schedule.
Leadership / Culture: ECNL team captain. Founded Villa Duchesne's FCA chapter. Duchesne House Leader. 100+ hours of community service. She did not join a club — she built one. That is the kind of initiative that becomes program culture and elevates standards on and off the field.
Academic Fit: 4.1 GPA exceeds Tampa's 3.6 average. ACT of 33 exceeds Tampa’s middle 50% ACT range of 24–29. NHS member, 5 Honors and 1 AP through sophomore year. Zero admissions friction — she would be admitted on academics alone, making her one of the cleanest recruits from an admissions perspective.
Bidirectional Fit Analysis
The case from each side — and why timing matters.
Skyler is a junior with ECNL showcases throughout spring 2026 and Playoffs in June. Every event is exposure to competing staffs at every level. Tampa's scholarship ability is a competitive advantage, but only if the staff engages before DIII programs build relationships that money alone cannot overcome.
Credential Summary
Verified athletic and academic honors.
Opportunities for Engagement
Concrete next steps to convert mutual interest into a relationship.
A 5'11" ECNL CDM/CB with a 4.1 GPA, All-Region credentials, 16 assists from deep, and a leadership profile built on founding organizations. Admissions-clean and reachable through DII scholarship support. Tampa's combination of SSC competition, top-ranked academics, and year-round training weather sells itself — if the staff makes the pitch first.
Tampa is on Skyler's active target list. A prospect of this caliber is being recruited at every level, DI through DIII. Every week without engagement is a week another staff fills the gap. The goal: establish a relationship and secure a campus visit before the end of spring 2026, when juniors finalize their lists. Programs that move first on prospects like this tend to win them.
SkylerWren.com · (314) 914-0472 · PrepSoccer · Instagram @skyler.hoefener.2027 · YouTube highlights · [email protected]