HS-SOCCER

Three Booker T. Washington boys soccer stars sign to play collegiately

Ben Grieco
Pensacola News Journal

Three Booker T. Washington boys soccer stars are headed to the next level.

Kyle Hunnicutt, Tony Lipnicky and Ethan Koivu all signed their letters of intent on Thursday in a small ceremony at Booker T. Washington High School, with teammates, friends and family present.

Hunnicutt signed with Division I University of South Florida, Lipnicky is headed to Division III Ogelthorpe University in Georgia, while Koivu is going to the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Alabama.

"This is the biggest accomplishment of any sport for any high schooler," Booker T. head coach Felipe Lawall said. "I preach to my kids a lot that if they want to play college soccer, we’ll give them all the tools necessary to reach that goal. They have to put the work in and make it, but we’ll guide them on the right path. … Most of our boys who want to play college soccer, we find them a home where they are happy and can continue their passion for the game.”

Booker T. Washington Principal Rick Shackle told the crowd that the Wildcats' boys soccer team has always had "a tradition of excellence," noting this year that Booker T. had the PNJ Defensive Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year and Coach of the Year, as well as numerous all-area selections.

In the 2023-24 season, Booker T. won the District 1-5A tournament in a scoreless, penalty-kick shootout against nationally-ranked Arnold. Earning the automatic bid into the regional tournament, the Wildcats advanced to the region final, but ultimately fell, 2-0, to Arnold, which won the 5A State Championship.

The Wildcats went 14-2 in the season, continuing a long streak of winning seasons from Booker T., dating back to at least the 2013-14 season.

"There's so much that goes into this. It's a direct reflection you guys," Shackle told the three players. "When I say you guys, I say the people sitting next to you, too. Your family, and the sacrifices they made. … We’re as proud of you as anybody. Thank you for representing Booker T. the way that you have."

Booker T. Washington boys soccer standout Kyle Hunnicutt signed to play at Division I University of South Florida at a ceremony on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Hunnicutt, a two-time PNJ Player of the Year in both 2021 and 2023, originally committed to USF in mid-February. In 64 games as a Wildcat, Hunnicutt has produced an astounding 67 goals and 28 assists.

Hunnicutt previously told the PNJ, after he committed, that USF has a history of sending players to professional soccer, with 25 players drafted to Major League Soccer teams since 1996.

"I hope I left a legacy for the generation to come at Washington," Hunnicutt said after he signed the papers on Thursday. "I’m excited for the upcoming chapter in my life."

With his mother and sister beside him, Hunnicutt said signing the paper was a "big relief" not only for himself, but his family.

"It’s the most important people beside me, my sister and mom. They’ve been there every step of the way. That’s why they were next to me," Hunnicutt said. "There’s some moments, like when I got off the phone with the coaches at USF, my mom was more excited than I was. … I’m excited for sure.”

"Kyle is a kid who’s been grinding for a long, long time, and putting in the hours on the road with his mother going everywhere," Lawall said. "He’s one of the best players to come out of this area in a long time. For him to get a scholarship at a well-known, Division I program like USF, I think it speaks highly of him and for how our area of the Panhandle is growing."

Booker T. Washington boys soccer defender Tony Lipnicky signed with Ogelthorpe University near Atlanta at a small ceremony on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Lipnicky, the 2024 PNJ Defensive Player of the Year, was part of a stonewall defensive the Wildcats boasted this season. He played in 15 games as a senior, and while he was defensive-minded, he still found the back of the net four times.

The Wildcats surrendered just 16 goals during the season, averaging out to one goal a game. They posted five shutouts on the year, including the regulation and overtime shutout of Arnold before penalty kicks ensued in the district championship.

Ogelthorpe, which is just north of Atlanta, competes in the Southern Athletic Association. Last year, the Stormy Petrals went 14-3-2, winning the conference championship over Rhodes College, ultimately falling to No. 16 Colorado College in the NCAA Regional.

Lipnicky also noted that Ogelthorpe was a good fit academically, something that he and his family wanted him to focus on.

"(Ogelthorpe) first reached out to me. That means a lot to a player when they feel wanted. The coaching there is phenomenal," Lipnicky said. " It’s a great community. I preferred a smaller school with great coaching, so it’s a great fit for me.”

"Ogelthorpe is a great academic school, and they do great at the Division III level. It’s a great fit for Tony, for everything he was looking for. I think he’s going to be very successful," Lawall said. "Sometimes they focus on a school or division. You have to find your fit: a soccer program you can play for, and a school that fits your academic needs. For Tony, Ogelthorpe could not be a better fit."

Booker T. Washington goalie Ethan Koivu signed with the United States Sports Academy at a small ceremony on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Another part of that stellar defense was Koivu, a goalkeeper who competed at Booker T. in his junior and senior seasons. Once the papers were officially signed, Koivu's dad went up to Lawall to thank him for accepting the family into the Booker T. Washington soccer bond.

In two years, Koivu played in 32 games, allowing just 28 goals. He stopped a total of 159 shots.

USSA's soccer program is fairly new, as is the school's first intercollegiate sports programs in general. The men's soccer team began in 2023 under the guidance of head coach Peter Fuller, who is one of the most winningest coaches in NAIA Soccer history. He's won two national championships, and served as an assistant coach in the MLS for a period of time.

"I just want to be a part of something that’s going to be good in the future. I want to be part of that foundation. That’s something the coach has been talking about, building the foundation for something that’s going to turn into something good," Koivu said. "Being a part of that history is going to mean a lot more than the short-term success.”

"Ethan is going to do great things over there," Lawall said.

Ben Grieco is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached on X (@BenGriecoSports) and via email at BGrieco@gannett.com.