PRINCETON, N.J -- Fresh faces could be spotted all over Ivy League women’s soccer lineups during the opening weekend as freshmen and sophomores stepped on the field for the first time in their collegiate careers.
For the 2021 season, Columbia leads the way as the Lions have the youngest roster in the Ivy League in terms of percentage of underclassmen, with freshmen and sophomores making up 71.9% of their roster. In the Lions 0-1 loss to Stony Brook, over half of the starting lineup was freshmen, 6-of-11, while 9-of-11 starting players were first-year players. However, the first-year players showed no fear as they started, contributed and led statistical categories for the weekend.
- Audrey Byrne, Freshman
- Sophia Cavaliere, Freshman
- Annie Diaz-Silveira, Sophomore
- Mia Ferrentino, Sophomore
- Sam Gordon, Freshman
- Paige Nurkin, Sophomore
- Marcia Ojo, Freshman
- Madi Pilla, Sophomore
- Ania Prussak, Freshman
- Nata Ramirez, Freshman
While Columbia leads the way for the youngest roster, Harvard leads the way for the highest ranked recruiting class. The Crimson’s Class of 2024 is ranked at No. 5 by TopDrawerSoccer.com. The newcomers fell right into the groove by contributing game-winning assists, shots, starts and contributions in goal to a shutout victory.
- Ainsley Ahmadia, Freshman
- Hannah Bebar, Freshman
- Josefine Hasbo, Freshman
- Anna Karpenko, Sophomore
- Jade Rose, Freshman
Yale saw a solid seven first years in their starting lineup for both matches this weekend. All of the Bulldogs goals for the weekend came from freshman
Ellie Rappole. However, every first year starter, minus freshman goalkeeper
Annie Welch, contributed at least one shot for the Bulldogs.
- Alanna Butcher, Freshman
- Molly Fallek, Sophomore
- Chloe Laureano, Sophomore
- Ellie Rappole, Freshman
- Tina Teik, Freshman
- Annie Welch, Freshman
- Nana Yang, Freshman
Besides Yale, Cornell and Princeton had seven solid first year players in their starting line ups and now history books as Cornell’s
Erica Fox became the first freshman goalkeeper to earn a clean sheet in a Cornell women’s soccer season opener in 20 years. Additionally, the Big Red saw multiple first year players contribute assists, goals and shots during their opening matches.
- Erica Fox, Freshman
- Reinna Gabriel, Freshman
- Mia Gonzalez, Sophomore
- Ava Laden, Freshman
- Peyton Nichols, Freshman
- Cecily Pokigo, Freshman
- Sophie Weeter, Sophomore
A common trend in Ivy League women’s soccer this season is first year players leading statistical categories and contributing clutch, game-winning assists. The Tigers fall right in line as they have two first year players who fit in those categories. Additionally, Princeton saw freshman dotted in their starting line ups, taking shots and contributing to shutout wins between the pipes.
- Lily Bryant, Freshman
- Jen Estes, Sophomore
- Kiley Hamou, Freshman
- Heather MacNab, Freshman
- Tyler McCamey, Freshman
- Ella Midura, Freshman
- Aria Nagai, Sophomore
Dartmouth and Penn each had five contributing first year players. The Big Green claimed the first Rookie of the Week honors with freshman
Hannah Curtin contributing a game-winning assist in the final three minutes to help Dartmouth to a 3-2 win over Holy Cross. The first years were crucial to Dartmouth’s success as they provided goals, assists, shots and solid starting performances to help the Big Green sweep the weekend.
- Grace Faulkner, Sophomore
- Daisy Granholm, Sophomore
- Dasa Hase, Freshman
- Kellie Sutton, Freshman
The Quaker first years found success on both sides of the field as
Laurence Gladu earned her first collegiate win between the pipes and as
Lauren Teuschl helped bring Penn out of a scoring deficit to overcome George Mason. In between, Quakers assisted by leading statistical categories, scoring goals, dishing out assists and making solid starting performances.
- Ginger Fontenot, Sophomore
- Laurence Gladu, Sophomore
- Maya Leschly, Sophomore
- Janae Stewart, Freshman
- Lauren Teuschl, Sophomore
To round out the weekend, Brown saw three first year players contribute to their 1-1 weekend. The Bears are tied for the second-youngest roster in the Ivy League with Yale. However, the Bears trio contributed points on the board and solid starting performances.
- Miya Grant-Clavijo, Freshman
- Lexi Quinn, Freshman
- Gianna De Priest, Freshman