BROOKLYN, N.Y. --- First-year LIU Brooklyn women's soccer head coach Eleri Earnshaw has announced the signing of ten incoming Blackbird student-athletes to National Letters of Intent (NLIs).
Joining the LIU program in the fall of 2017 are: Kimberly Butland of Torrance, Calif.; Brittany Fazin of Port Jefferson, N.Y.; Maria Hayde Harley-Cabada of San Jose, Costa Rica; Devan Noll of Enola, Pa.; Olivia Ponzio of Temecula, Calif.; Sara Ringsby of Karlstad, Sweden; Hayley Smith of Waddel, Ariz.; Megan Virgin of Canonsburg, Pa.; Vaneeya Volino of Selden, N.Y.; and Julianne Watts of Pembroke, Mass.
"We are very excited to be bringing in such a talented, hard-working group from all over the country and beyond," Earnshaw said of the class. "They will certainly add depth in numbers and quality after losing a big class this year. They each bring great leadership experience and will be looking to make an impact immediately."
Kimberly Butland / Forward / West Torrance HS / Beach FC
High School: Three-year varsity athlete...helped lead team to California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Division III championship in 2015...named team's Offensive Player of the Year twice after being team's leading scorer two years in a row...two-time All-Pioneer League First Team selection….also earned Second Team All-Area and All-CIF honors.
Club: Three-time California Regional League (CRL) champions...three-time National Cup champions.
Brittany Fazin / Midfielder / Port Jefferson HS / Lake Grove Tsunami
High School: Two-year varsity athlete...won a pair of state cup championships and earned All-County honors in both seasons...named MVP of the state championship as a senior.
Club: Four-year captain for Lake Grove...won one state title for the program.
Maria Hayde Harley-Cabada / Midfield/Forward / Dimas Escazu
Club/National: Played for Dimas from 2012-15 on U-15, U-17, Second Division and First Division teams during that span...2016 National Games gold medalist...selected to Costa Rica Pre-National team in 2016.
Devan Noll / Midfield / Cumberland Valley HS / HMMS Eagle United
High School: Four-year varsity athlete....three-time Mid-Penn and two-time District champion.
Club/National: Played in the HMMS Soccer program for ten years...two-year member of US Youth Soccer's Region I (East) Olympic Development Program.
Olivia Ponzio / Midfield/Forward / Great Oak HS / Arsenal FC ECNL
High School: Team captain as a senior...scored 14 goals in scholastic career.
Club/National: Led club team to Nationals title in 2015-16.
Sara Ringsby / Midfield / Elitettan League
Club/National: Played in the Elitettan (Swedish women's second division) since 2013...twice voted as region's best player in 2013-14...has attended four camps in the Swedish National Team system...made National Team roster in 2013 (DNP) and 2014 (two games vs Holland).
Hayley Smith / Defender / Paradise Honors HS / SC Del Sol ECNL
High School: Four-year varsity athlete...90 goals in scholastic career...three-time team MVP and team captain...2015-16 Sectional Player of the Year...2016-17 United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award...2015-16 All-Division Honorable Mention and All-Section selection.
Club/National: Three-year ECNL competitor.
Megan Virgin / Goalkeeper / Canon-McMillan HS / Riverhounds
High School: Two-time All-WPIAL and All-Section selection (2015-16)...two-time WPIAL finalist (2014, 2016)...won Pennsylvania State championship in 2016.
Club: Two-time Region 1 and State Cup Champion (2015-16)...2016 US Youth Soccer Nationals Semifinalist.
Vaneeya Volino / Defender / Newfield HS / Lake Grove Tsunami
High School: Helped lead team to Suffolk County Class AA playoffs as a senior in 2016.
Club: Won 2016 New York U-17 State Championship.
Julianne Watts / Midfielder/Forward / Pembroke HS / NEFC
High School: Two-time Patriot League All-Star...named team's Most Valuable Offensive Player award.
Club/National: 2017 State Cup champions...two-time team leading scorer and State Cup finalist with South Shore Select (2015-16)...member of Massachusetts State ODP (2014-16; team's leading scorer 2014, 2016) and Region I ODP (2015)...accomplished track athlete as well, earning three state titles (long jump, 100 meter hurdles, 4x200 meter relay).