Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – The Virginia Tech women's soccer program is unveiling its 2020 signing class in a different way. Rather than announcing all of them and their accomplishments in one release, the Hokies will highlight each new signee individually, which includes a brief "Get to Know" Q&A, until all of the incoming freshmen are announced.
The fifth player (of 10) to be introduced from the 2020 class is Kate Bonshak, a 5-foot-4 forward from Whitehall, Pennsylvania. She currently attends Whitehall High School and is considering majoring in Human Nutrition, Food, and Exercise when she arrives at Tech.
For the Zephyrs, Bonshak earned nine varsity letters while competing in three different sports. Her four letters in soccer were under coach Chris Bleam, and included being named first team all-conference all four seasons and the league's MVP as a junior and senior. She also earned first team all-state honors three times, was a two-time USC All-Region II (East) Female Team selection and was the Morning Call's Player of the Year as a junior. In her four-year career, scored 89 goals and had 28 assists and was just named a USC Region II All-American for her efforts in 2019.
Bonshak also earned three letters running for the school's track team, winning the league title in the 4x100 three times, a district title twice and qualifying for the state meet freshman through junior season while setting the school record in the event. She also picked up a pair of letters playing as a forward for the Zephyrs' field hockey team.
Almost a decade of Bonshak's soccer experience comes from playing with the Lehigh Valley United under coaches Manny Oudin and Bleam, where the team was a national tournament qualifier in 2016. She also played a season for the Reading Rage under coach Eric Puls, a team that was ranked first in the state, sixth in the region and 18th in the nation. Lastly, for one season, she was with the Lehigh Valley Tempest of the Women's Premier Soccer League, playing six times, scoring five goals and earning East Region All-Conference honors.
"Kate is an extremely athletic, left-footed player who could see time up front, out wide or on the flank," Tech head coach Chugger Adair said. "She's got a great first tap, good pace, good turn of pace and a tremendous work rate. She will embody the blue-collar mentality and the workman like mentality that we have within our group and our culture. She's going to step right in and make an impact with her work rate and all that she can bring to us going forward."
GET TO KNOW - Kate
Name: Kate Bonshak
Position: Forward
Height: 5-foot-5
Hometown: Whitehall, Pennsylvania
High School: Whitehall High School
Other Schools considered: None
Why did you choose Tech? As soon as I walked onto the stunning campus, I felt at home. I was immediately comfortable with the coaching staff and players. My desired major was an option here for me.
What was your favorite thing about your visit? Being able to go onto the field of a Tech football and soccer game.
What do you like about the Tech soccer program? I like the level of competitiveness and the energy of the team.
What are your soccer strengths? My soccer strengths are my speed, passion, competitiveness and leadership.
Who is your favorite pro player (why)? My favorite player is Abby Wambach (former US Women's National Player) because I have looked up to her since I was a little girl. I looked up to her leadership ability and of her accomplishment of having the most career goals of all men and women. I even used to wear my headbands like she did.
What is your most memorable soccer moment (why)? My favorite memory was being announced in the starting line up of my last high school game, doing a final pre-game handshake with my life long best friend and teammate and then having to crutch off the field to watch my team play its last game.
What do you think you will major in? My plan is to major in Human Nutrition, Food and Exercise because I hope to become a nurse, PA, or PT.
What's one thing you'd want Tech fans to know about you? During (my first) two years of my high school career I doubled-up playing two varsity sports during the same fall season, field hockey and soccer.
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