University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens, Barroqueiro Announce Final Three Members of 2018 Class
3/22/2018 2:56:00 PM | Women's Soccer
NEWARK, Del. -- The University of Delaware women's soccer program, and UD head coach Mike Barroqueiro announced the additions of Arna Dís Arnþórsdóttir, Sophie Clarke and Antonie Stárová, Wednesday afternoon. Arnþórsdóttir, Clarke and Stárová bring Barroqueiro's first full recruiting class to 12 members, joining the first nine members of the class who were announced back in February.
“I could not be more excited to welcome Arna, Sophie and Toni to our Blue Hens family,” Barroqueiro exclaimed. “The addition of these three players, to an already stellar incoming class, is yet another important step in the right direction for our program.”
One of the newest members of Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar in the Icelandic Premier League, Arnþórsdóttir spent the previous four seasons with fellow Premier League side, Breiðablik. During her time with Breiðablik, the Reykjavik native helped lead her team to a league championship in 2015 and three-second place finishes in 2014, 2016 & 2017. In addition to her success domestically, Arnþórsdóttir made five UEFA Champions League appearances with Breiðablik including advancing to the “Last 32” in 2016 where they faced off against European powerhouse, Rosengard of Sweden. A key player in the back line for Breiðablik, the defender helped hold five-time World Player of the Year Marta Da Silva scoreless in their two match-ups against Rosengard. Arnþórsdóttir parlayed her club success into extensive international experience, collecting 24 appearances for the Icelandic National team, including 12 appearances for the U-19 team where she scored four times.
“Arna is someone who we targeted early and we are thrilled that she has decided to continue her journey here at the University of Delaware. She is another experienced international player with extensive Champions League and National Team experience. She brings a very mature quality to how she competes and will definitely help us as we continue moving toward building a championship-caliber program,” Barroqueiro said.
The 11th addition to the Blue Hens 2018 Signing Day class, Clarke joins Delaware after a successful three-year career for Denver South high school. The Denver native is a three-time CHSAA Honorable Mention selection and will serve as a captain for Denver South for the second consecutive season.
“Sophie came to us as a late addition and we are so glad she's chosen to move across the country and join us at UD! Sophie comes to us from some of the top club environments in the country with Colorado Storm and Colorado Rush. Sophie is incredibly technical with a very strong understanding of the game. Her vision is perfectly complemented by her work-rate and that will allow her to have a wonderful career here at UD. Sophie's most impressive characteristic, however, is her character. She is a driven, high-character kid who understands what it takes to be successful. I can't wait for her to get here in August.”
Delaware's final addition to the 2018 class joins the Hens from Prague, Czech Republic where she played for one of the most storied clubs in Europe, the 18-time Czech first division champions, AC Sparta (Prague). Over her three seasons with AC Sparta, Starova helped lead her club to FAČR Cup Championships in 2015 & 2017 as well as three-consecutive appearances in the UEFA Champions League. In addition to her club duties, Stárová has excelled internationally, starring with the Czech U-17 & U-19 national teams. Most recently, she earned 10 caps with the Full Czech National Team including three appearances earlier this month in the 2018 Cyprus Cup.
“Toni is someone with true game-changing qualities that will help bolster our attack for next year. Having represented her country at every level, including with her full national team and playing a meaningful role for her club in one of the world's most premier leagues, the UEFA Champions League, there is no doubt that she has the experience to come in and contribute at a high level.”
The Blue Hens have already begun their 2018 spring camp, which will be highlighted by scrimmages against Maryland, Seton Hall and Villanova.
