INDIANAPOLIS -- The Butler women's soccer program welcomes seven new players to their roster for the 2017 season. Elena Gutlove, Julia Leonard, Caitlyn DiSarcina, Payton Black, Stephanie Rodriguez, Taylor Crowe and Julia Calvert have all signed National Letters of Intent with the Bulldogs. This recruiting class will join a team that finished 11-7-2 overall last season.

"We are thrilled to welcome this outstanding group of student athletes to our program," Co-Head Coach Rob Alman said. "As a group, this class contains a high level of ability across every unit. They will immediately add to the level of competition within our squad, which will serve us well in our preparation for the rigors of the BIG EAST season. The technical ability of the group continues our strong tradition of attracting players who are excited by, dedicated to, and capable of playing the style of soccer that has become synonymous with our program. We are excited about the impact they will make upon their arrival this fall."

Elena Gutlove
Canton, Ohio
Cleveland Futbol Club
5-2, Midfield
Jackson H.S.

Gutlove earned four varsity letters playing center midfield for head coach Frank Gagliardi at Jackson High School. The Ohio native received All-Region NSCAA honors in 2016 and was named All-Ohio in 2015 and 2016. A team captain, Gutlove was named Conference Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016 and County Player of the Year last season. She was also named First Team All-District for two consecutive seasons.
 
The three-star prospect holds the school record at Jackson H.S. for career assists (64) and has totaled 24 goals. Gutlove was part of a team that earned four district titles and ended the year as a regional finalist two times.

A six-year starter for the Cleveland Football Club, she helped her team win the Ohio North State Cup Championship from 2011 to 2016 and the USYS Region II Championship in 2014. The team placed third at the USYS National Championship. Individually, Gutlove was a two-time ODP Regional Team selectee and invited to National Training Camps.

Why Gutlove chose Butler:
"For the highly-rated academics, the beautiful campus, and the solid soccer program."
 
Julia Leonard
Palatine, Illinois
Sockers FC Chicago
5-7, Defense
William Fremd H.S.

Leonard played her freshman season at William Fremd H.S. and was named All-Conference and All-Sectional in 2014. The following two years, the defender focused her talents playing for Sockers FC Chicago and was part of the 2013 and 2014 US Club National Championship team. She will be returning to play for her high school during the 2017 spring season under head coach Steve Keller.
 
Off the field, Leonard is an Illinois State Scholar and National Honors Society Member. She is the sibling of Butler men's soccer player, Eric Leonard.

Why Leonard chose Butler:
"I chose Butler University as my home for the next four years because of the multitude of opportunities that are available in the classroom and on the soccer field. I was extremely impressed by the level of talent, discipline and comradery displayed by my future teammates that illustrates how to succeed in the strong BIG EAST Conference. Butler's well respected reputation and its positive and uplifting environment provide me with confidence that my goal of becoming a physician assistant will be achievable." 

Caitlyn DiSarcina
Shirley, Massachusetts
FC Stars of Massachusetts
5-8, Forward
Groton School

DiSarcina was a three-sport athlete at Groton School, earning letters in basketball, lacrosse and soccer. A four-year starter on the soccer team, the forward earned All-State honors in 2015 and 2016 in addition to being named All-League. Her team won the Class B New England Prep School Athletic Conference in 2014.

DiSarcina totaled 51 goals and 24 assists under head coach Ryan Spring. On the club level, DiSarcina played for the FC Stars of Massachusetts and qualified for Nationals.

Why DiSarcina chose Butler:
"I chose Butler because of the reputation it upholds both academically and athletically. The placement rate for undergraduates is remarkable, and the treatment I received from both the coaching staff and my future teammates was unlike any other. I felt at home with the small school feel. The beautiful campus caught my attention instantly, and the potential of the soccer program was one I just couldn't pass up."
 
Payton Black
Hebron, Kentucky
Kings Hammer Academy
5-8, Midfield
Boone County H.S.

Black was a four-year letter winner under head coach Mike Hughes. The Kentucky native was named First Team All-State in 2016, 2017 and was on the High School All-American Watch List her senior year. Additionally, Black was named All-Conference for four years and was also named to the All-Area Team from 2015-2017.

Playing offensive and defensive positions in high school, Black scored 95 career goals and tallied 36 assists.

Outside of high school play, Black was part of the Kings Hammer Academy. She helped the team reach the Kentucky Cup Finals in 2014 before winning the Ohio State Cup Champions in 2016. The team was regional tournament semi-finalists in 2015 and advanced to the National tournament in 2015.

Why Black chose Butler:
"I chose Butler because of its academic reputation, small class size and beautiful campus. The coaches emphasized the desire to not only make us better soccer players, but better people through community service. I was immediately drawn to their vision on and off the field and couldn't wait to be a part of it."

Stephanie Rodriguez
Batavia, Illinois
Eclipse Select Soccer
5-6, Goalkeeper
Batavia H.S.

Rodriguez was part of the Eclipse Select Soccer club program for 12 years, going to the ECNL National Championships in 2013 and 2014. Her U16 year, Top Drawer Soccer named Rodriguez to the ECNL Best XI, a list that recognizes standout players in the tournament. Her team also won a USYA National Title in 2013 and has five USYSA State Cups.

Off the soccer field, she played varsity basketball, earning Academic All-Conference accolades all four years.

Why Rodriguez chose Butler:
"I fell in love with Butler when I first visited campus. Since then, I knew Butler would be my perfect home for me with its campus, strong academics, class sizes, location and excellent soccer program. I cannot wait to see what Butler holds for me in my next four years and seeing how it will help me grow as a person on and off the field.

Taylor Crowe
Noblesville, Indiana
Indiana Fire
5-4, Midfield
Noblesville H.S.

Crowe was a four-year varsity letter winner at Noblesville and led the Millers in scoring during both the 2015 and 2016 season under head coach Mike Brady. The midfielder was named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-District and First Team All-State her junior and senior year. She earned additional recognition as a NSCAA Regional All-American and Academic All-American.

Playing for Carmel United Soccer Club, the team won four consecutive State Cup Titles. Crowe also participated with the Indiana Fire, qualifying for Nationals four years in a row and playing for the ECNL Player Development Program in 2016 and 2017. She was also a team captain for the Fire from 2014 to 2017.

Why Crowe chose Butler:
"I've had an interest in Butler since I was in fifth grade and attended their summer soccer camps. I remember Coach Tari telling me she would keep an eye on me… little did I know, she was serious. I not only fell in love with Butler's soccer program, I fell in love with the campus and the homey feel to it. I admire the Butler Way. Butler provides a quality business department, which has the majors I would like to pursue. I like the idea of smaller classrooms where professors will know me and I can get to know them."

Julia Calvert
Fishers, Indiana
Indiana Fire Juniors Soccer Club
5-4, Midfield
Fishers H.S.

Calvert spent four years on the varsity soccer team at Fishers H.S. under the direction of head coach Ben Beasley. She was part of the ODP State Team from 2010 to 2013 and ODP Region No. 3 Team in 2011. Calvert earned Second Team All-District in 2016.

Throughout her high school career, the Fishers soccer team found success on various levels. Calvert's team was named No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps in 2014, and would win the state championship that same year. The program won three regional and sectional championships and two semi-state championships.

Calvert took her talents to numerous club teams, playing for the Fishers Soccer Club, Indy Premier Soccer Club and Indiana Fire Juniors Soccer Club.

Why Calvert chose Butler:
"I chose Butler because I believe it is the best for me both academically and athletically. I want an atmosphere that will challenge me and I know that Butler will provide me with that both on and off the field. I have lived less than 30 minutes away from the campus my whole life and have always been a huge Bulldogs fan. The family atmosphere is a big reason why I chose Butler, and I could not be more excited to join the Bulldog family and do things "The Butler Way."