ALBANY, NY- University of Albany Women’s Soccer Program and Freshman Head Coach Sade Ayinde announced the addition of eight student-athletes ahead of the Fall 22 season.

This group consists of one transfer and seven incoming freshmen who will join a returning group that reached the America East Conference semifinals last fall.

“It will be great to have this incoming class, made up of mostly attacking players, integrated into our returning squad,” Ayinde said. “I look forward to seeing our current team welcome the freshman in a similar way to what I witnessed with Ashley last spring. There are young talents in this class that our staff have look forward to developing over the next four years, but we also know that each of these players arrives ready to compete and add to our team culture in a positive way.

Selma Elverum: F | 5-4 | Oslo, Norway (Norges Toppidrettsgymnas)

Fast facts: Elverum, the only international signing among the class of 2022, comes from Norway where she played for Stabæk Fotball. With Stabæk she won several league titles, won a Norwegian title in 2021 and scored the most goals in the division in 2019 and 2022. Additionally, Elverum was invited to train and dress for the women’s team Stabæk Fotball which participates in the top professional women’s football league, Toppserien.

Why Albany? “UAlbany made a great first impression which made me feel welcome and have a top football team. I’m delighted to meet all the girls in the team and the coaches.

Hailey Hnis: M | 5-5 | Wantagh, NY (General Douglas MacArthur)

Fast facts: Joining the UAlbany program with her twin sister Madison, Hailey won the 2021 ECNL Northeast Conference in 2021 with her club team SUSA G04 and was named the 2019 Forward Player of the Year for FC Fury. During her three years of college football at MacArthur High School, she scored 54 goals and received All-State, All-County, All-Long Island, Class A Conference Player of the Year recognition while helping her team to win three Class A conference championships and a Class A county championship in 2019. Hnis is also a member of the National Honor Society.

Why Albany? “UAlbany ticked all my boxes. It allows me to fulfill my dreams of playing Division I soccer while attending a school with a direct path into my major, education. I am beyond thrilled to be part of the Great Danes women’s soccer program. »

Madison Hnis: D | 5-4 | Wantagh, NY (General Douglas MacArthur)

Fast facts: Joining the UAlbany program with her twin sister Hailey, Madison won the 2021 ECNL Northeast Conference in 2021 with her club team SUSA G04. As a three-year-old college football player, Hnis won All-Class, All-County, and All-Long Island Second Team while helping her MacArthur team win three Class A conference championships and one County County championship. class A in 2019. She is also a member of the National Honor Society.

Why Albany? “UAlbany seemed like a perfect match for me. It’s amazing that I play Division I soccer while studying to be a teacher. It fulfills everything I dreamed of. I can’t wait to wear purple and gold, play football with new people in a new environment, make friends and start a new chapter in life.

Emilie Jozak: F | 5-8 | Wayne, New Jersey (Wayne Valley)

Fast facts: Jozak recently played for the FC Copa with her UAlbany teammate, Caroline Mascone, and four years of college football with Wayne Valley High School. With her previous team, PSA, she won the 2018 New Jersey Youth State Cup, 2019 USYS National Championship State Cup, 2019 USYS Eastern Regional Championship, and was a 2019 semi-finalist for the USYS National Championship. With his team of four conference championship high schools, Jozak scored 59 goals, had 30 assists, and received all-state and all-county honors. In 2021, his high school team won the county championship, the state sectional championship, and for the first time in school history, won the state group championship. Jozak is also a member of the National Honor Society.

Why Albany? “The first time I visited, I just knew that was where I saw myself. I look forward to life on campus, with all the school has to offer, and to be able to compete in the highest level of football.

Ashley Ladner: M | 5-3 | Oceanside, NY (Oceanside)

Fast facts: Ladner comes to UAlbany as a transfer from the University at Buffalo. The Oceanside, NY native competed for four years in midfield for Oceanside High School where she earned All-Class, All-Conference, All-County and All-State honors. In 2018, Ladner was also named Conference Player of the Year. During her club career, she was recognized three times as an ECNL Player to Watch and was named to the Top 150 Girls IMG 2020. In 2016, she was invited to the US Soccer Training Center, as well as a camp representative National ENY ODP. Ladner played club football for Albertson Fury and FC Fury DA, and recently played WPSL with DUSC/Gotham FC Reserves.

Why Albany? “When transferring, I wanted to choose a school that played at a high level, but still had fun, which is exactly why I like the football program at UAlbany. I knew the style of play matched mine, which also helped me in my decision.

Caroline Mascone: M | 5-8 | Middletown, NJ (Middletown North)

Fast facts: Mascone was a member of the same FC Copa as her UAlbany teammate Emily Jozak. A former Middletown North High School MVP, she played college football for two years, serving as team captain for one. Additionally, Mascone was a member of the Middletown North track team and each year she will volunteer with the Holiday Express program during the winter holiday season.

Why Albany? “I chose UAlbany because of the high standard of football and academics. I look forward to making friends while playing soccer and being able to experience new things.

Charlie Pawli: D | 5-9 | Lake View, NY (St. Mary’s of Lancaster)

Fast facts: Pawli joins UAlbany from St. Mary’s of Lancaster High School, where she played four years, captained the team as a senior, and led her team to two Division A championships. States and was named to the MMHSAA Division A All-Catholic First Team. She was a member of Western New York Flash Academy where she won an ECNL North American Cup title. Pawli was also an outstanding track and field athlete, in addition to being a member of the National Honor Society.

Why Albany? “I love the campus, the education the University of Albany has to offer, and the opportunity to continue playing football. I also love meeting new people and experiencing new things.

Casey Stowell: M | 5-7 | Wingdale, NY (Arlington)

Fast facts: Stowell played for Arlington High School and Nirvana FC before joining the UAlbany program. Stowell earned All-League honors in four straight seasons, All-Section honors as a junior and senior, and All-State honors as a senior. Additionally, she was named a 2021 Regional All-American, a 2020 Regional Tournament Elite Team selection, and an Elite 11 selection in 2021 and 2020. Stowell is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, the Math Honor Society and has volunteered as a youth soccer coach and with other community organizations.

Why Albany? “UAlbany has a great biology program and Albany has its own hospital which I hope to go to after my four years of undergraduate studies. I also have the opportunity to play Division I football here.