University of New Hampshire Athletics
Women's Soccer Fills Out 2024 Roster
5/22/2024 1:57:00 PM | Women's Soccer
DURHAM, N.H. – The University of New Hampshire women's soccer head coach, Steve Welham, announced the addition of five first year players, four transfers and one gray shirt freshman to the upcoming Fall 2024 roster.
The Wildcats have added freshmen Caroline Cohen, Madison Donati, Brooke Pearson, Olivia Siwicki, Ava VanBuskirk and Lydia Poulin (gray shirt). Also joining UNH are transfers Giovanna Castorina, Ginny Delacruz, Ally Giovino and Delaney Lappin.
Caroline Cohen is a goalkeeper from South Glastonbury, Conn. where she played high school soccer at Miss Porter's and club ball for FSA. Her sophomore year she was ranked top 10 by the United Soccer Coaches Association. Junior year she was a NEPSAC Junior All-Star and was named All-State. She allowed nine goals and had 10 clean sheets. Senior year Cohen was awarded the 2024 Tony DiCicco Goalkeeper Award of Excellence, awarded to the top goalkeeper in Connecticut. She was also named All-State and a Boston Globe First Team All-Star. She allowed eight goals and had a 15-0-3 record. Cohen is a two-time Central Connecticut Conference Champion with her club team. She is also a High Honors student in the classroom.
"Caroline is a successful and talented goalkeeper with great potential. She also possesses a strong presence and is very agile and athletic in goal."
Madison Donati comes to UNH from Pacifica, Calif. and is a forward. At Terra Nova Highschool, Donati was two-time First Team All-League in the Peninsula Athletic League. Her sophomore year she was also coined the Most Valuable Midfielder in the Peninsula Athletic League. Junior year she was named Player of the Year for the League. Donati is an honor roll student and received the Pacifica Sports Club Scholar Award. She also has a Golden State Seal Merit Diploma, California Scholarship Federation Seal Diploma and received a Mathematics Department Award in high school. Madison played club ball for Burlingame '06 coached by Daire O'Connor.
"We feel Maddy flew under the radar a little during the recruitment process and she will bring a strong work ethic, a powerful shot and a nose for goal."
Brooke Pearson from Plainville, Conn. joins the 'Cats as a midfielder. She played high school soccer at Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Conn. As a junior, Pearson was named All-State and was an All-Founders honorable mention. Senior year, she was named All-State again, All-New England, and All-American. She was named the Senior Bowl MVP and a CGSCA Player of the year. Her club team (FSA-ECNL) qualified for nationals in 2022. Academically Pearson is on the honor roll at Miss Porter's.
"Brooke is a very unique player. She has so many intangibles that cannot be coached. She is naturally gifted technically and has the ability to change a game."
Olivia Siwicki comes to the 'Cats from North Andover, Mass. and is a back. Siwicki played for her high school soccer team as well as the New England Surf Soccer Club. While competing with New England Surf Club, she was a national finalist, won the inaugural SuperCup Northern Ireland, and was a Select Team Selection three times. At NAHS, she received Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Her senior year, Siwicki was named an Eagle-Tribune All-Star and Boston Globe All-Star. In addition, she was named to the All-Conference Team and Eastern Massachusetts All-Star First Team.
"Olivia is a solid defender with great upside to her game. She has a lot of the attributes needed to succeed at the college level. We look forward to her contributions on and off the field."
Ava VanBuskirk is a forward from Marlborough, Mass. VanBuskirk was a League All-Star three times, Central Mass All-Star three times, Central Mass Super Team Selection three times, and Massachusetts All-State three times. In addition, she was named league MVP twice, an All-New England Nominee and an All-New England Selection. She scored her 100th career goal senior year and ended her high school career with 105 pushing her to the leading scorer in Central Mass. VanBuskirk is a National Cup Champion and a Girls Academy National Champion. In school she is in the National Honor Society and is in the top 10% of her class.
"Ava possesses tremendous speed and has a wonderful engine. She is very good in both the 1v1 attacking and defending aspects of the game."
Giovanna Castorina comes to UNH after playing four seasons as a back at La Salle University. In her time in Philly, she played in 64 games starting 46 of them and logging over 4,177 minutes of play. She tallied seven career assists as an outside back and helped her team reach the A-10 Conference Championship match in 2023. She was named to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll three times. Castorina hails from Sewell, N.J.
"Gio is an accomplished and seasoned defender. One of the top backs in the A-10 conference Giovanna has the proven ability to get forward at pace and defend tenaciously 1v1."
Ginny Delacruz joins the Wildcats as a back from William & Mary. During her time at William & Mary, Delacruz started in 54 games while playing in 60 racking up 1,760 minutes her junior year and 1,254 her senior year. All in, Ginny tabulated over 4,176 minutes. She notched seven assists in her time and was named to the CAA All-Tournament team her senior year. In the classroom she made Dean's List, CAA Commissioners Honor Roll, was named to the CSC All-District Academic Team and was given the Provost Award for having a 3.5 or above. Delacruz is originally from Fairfax Station, Virginia.
"Ginny is an intelligent player who can break lines with her passing range and get forward into the attack from multiple positions. She is a very versatile player with a high soccer IQ."
Ally Giovino is a transfer student-athlete from Colgate University. She is a forward who was named to the Third Team All-Patriot League (2022) and First Team All-Patriot League (Fall-2021) in her time as a Raider. Ally scored 12 goals during her time in Hamilton, NY and tallied 4 assists while playing in 61 games and starting 50 of them. She also tabulated 4,135 minutes of play. In 2015 she was a National Champion with her club team, FC Boston Scorpions. Giovino is a native of Westford, Mass.
"We have known Ally for a long time stemming from her ties with ECNL Scorpions. Ally is a very athletic and dynamic forward that fits into our high pressing style of play. She is a constant and dangerous threat in the attacking third."
Delaney Lappin joins the Wildcats after playing four years at Drexel University. Lappin was named to the CAA All-Rookie team her freshman year along with being named to the CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll. Sophomore year she was named to the Third Team All-CAA and was also recognized on the Commissioner's Honor Roll again. The next year she was names First Team All-East Region, CAA Attacking Player of the Year, and CSC Academic All-District. In her final year of undergrad, she was named to the All-CAA Second Team and left Drexel as the All-Time leader in career points. In all, she tallied 24 goals while adding 16 assists in 4,415 minutes of play. Delaney started 54 games and played in 61 during her time in "Philly." Lappin is a native of Corbin City, N.J.
"Delaney is a legitimate and bona fide collegiate goal scorer. She is a clinical finisher inside the box and very dangerous outside. She has pace and edge to her play that will stretch opposing defenses."
Lydia Poulin joined the Wildcats for the Spring 2024 season, becoming UNH's first "gray shirt" freshman. To learn more about Poulin, CLICK HERE.
"This is a very well rounded and extremely talented group of players. The freshmen group adds to our long-standing successful recruiting classes that are deep and have the ability to impact our team in several key areas and right away. What makes this class even more special is the additional depth and excellence that the transfers bring in. There is a vast array of veteran attacking prowess along with experienced defenders in this group. This should make for an explosive and dynamic attacking team. Needless to say, we are very excited for this group."
While UNH has made two of the last three America East Championship games and winning it all in 2022 the 'Cats look poised to push on and make another deep run in 2024.
The Wildcats have added freshmen Caroline Cohen, Madison Donati, Brooke Pearson, Olivia Siwicki, Ava VanBuskirk and Lydia Poulin (gray shirt). Also joining UNH are transfers Giovanna Castorina, Ginny Delacruz, Ally Giovino and Delaney Lappin.
Caroline Cohen is a goalkeeper from South Glastonbury, Conn. where she played high school soccer at Miss Porter's and club ball for FSA. Her sophomore year she was ranked top 10 by the United Soccer Coaches Association. Junior year she was a NEPSAC Junior All-Star and was named All-State. She allowed nine goals and had 10 clean sheets. Senior year Cohen was awarded the 2024 Tony DiCicco Goalkeeper Award of Excellence, awarded to the top goalkeeper in Connecticut. She was also named All-State and a Boston Globe First Team All-Star. She allowed eight goals and had a 15-0-3 record. Cohen is a two-time Central Connecticut Conference Champion with her club team. She is also a High Honors student in the classroom.
"Caroline is a successful and talented goalkeeper with great potential. She also possesses a strong presence and is very agile and athletic in goal."
Madison Donati comes to UNH from Pacifica, Calif. and is a forward. At Terra Nova Highschool, Donati was two-time First Team All-League in the Peninsula Athletic League. Her sophomore year she was also coined the Most Valuable Midfielder in the Peninsula Athletic League. Junior year she was named Player of the Year for the League. Donati is an honor roll student and received the Pacifica Sports Club Scholar Award. She also has a Golden State Seal Merit Diploma, California Scholarship Federation Seal Diploma and received a Mathematics Department Award in high school. Madison played club ball for Burlingame '06 coached by Daire O'Connor.
"We feel Maddy flew under the radar a little during the recruitment process and she will bring a strong work ethic, a powerful shot and a nose for goal."
Brooke Pearson from Plainville, Conn. joins the 'Cats as a midfielder. She played high school soccer at Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Conn. As a junior, Pearson was named All-State and was an All-Founders honorable mention. Senior year, she was named All-State again, All-New England, and All-American. She was named the Senior Bowl MVP and a CGSCA Player of the year. Her club team (FSA-ECNL) qualified for nationals in 2022. Academically Pearson is on the honor roll at Miss Porter's.
"Brooke is a very unique player. She has so many intangibles that cannot be coached. She is naturally gifted technically and has the ability to change a game."
Olivia Siwicki comes to the 'Cats from North Andover, Mass. and is a back. Siwicki played for her high school soccer team as well as the New England Surf Soccer Club. While competing with New England Surf Club, she was a national finalist, won the inaugural SuperCup Northern Ireland, and was a Select Team Selection three times. At NAHS, she received Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. Her senior year, Siwicki was named an Eagle-Tribune All-Star and Boston Globe All-Star. In addition, she was named to the All-Conference Team and Eastern Massachusetts All-Star First Team.
"Olivia is a solid defender with great upside to her game. She has a lot of the attributes needed to succeed at the college level. We look forward to her contributions on and off the field."
Ava VanBuskirk is a forward from Marlborough, Mass. VanBuskirk was a League All-Star three times, Central Mass All-Star three times, Central Mass Super Team Selection three times, and Massachusetts All-State three times. In addition, she was named league MVP twice, an All-New England Nominee and an All-New England Selection. She scored her 100th career goal senior year and ended her high school career with 105 pushing her to the leading scorer in Central Mass. VanBuskirk is a National Cup Champion and a Girls Academy National Champion. In school she is in the National Honor Society and is in the top 10% of her class.
"Ava possesses tremendous speed and has a wonderful engine. She is very good in both the 1v1 attacking and defending aspects of the game."
Giovanna Castorina comes to UNH after playing four seasons as a back at La Salle University. In her time in Philly, she played in 64 games starting 46 of them and logging over 4,177 minutes of play. She tallied seven career assists as an outside back and helped her team reach the A-10 Conference Championship match in 2023. She was named to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll three times. Castorina hails from Sewell, N.J.
"Gio is an accomplished and seasoned defender. One of the top backs in the A-10 conference Giovanna has the proven ability to get forward at pace and defend tenaciously 1v1."
Ginny Delacruz joins the Wildcats as a back from William & Mary. During her time at William & Mary, Delacruz started in 54 games while playing in 60 racking up 1,760 minutes her junior year and 1,254 her senior year. All in, Ginny tabulated over 4,176 minutes. She notched seven assists in her time and was named to the CAA All-Tournament team her senior year. In the classroom she made Dean's List, CAA Commissioners Honor Roll, was named to the CSC All-District Academic Team and was given the Provost Award for having a 3.5 or above. Delacruz is originally from Fairfax Station, Virginia.
"Ginny is an intelligent player who can break lines with her passing range and get forward into the attack from multiple positions. She is a very versatile player with a high soccer IQ."
Ally Giovino is a transfer student-athlete from Colgate University. She is a forward who was named to the Third Team All-Patriot League (2022) and First Team All-Patriot League (Fall-2021) in her time as a Raider. Ally scored 12 goals during her time in Hamilton, NY and tallied 4 assists while playing in 61 games and starting 50 of them. She also tabulated 4,135 minutes of play. In 2015 she was a National Champion with her club team, FC Boston Scorpions. Giovino is a native of Westford, Mass.
"We have known Ally for a long time stemming from her ties with ECNL Scorpions. Ally is a very athletic and dynamic forward that fits into our high pressing style of play. She is a constant and dangerous threat in the attacking third."
Delaney Lappin joins the Wildcats after playing four years at Drexel University. Lappin was named to the CAA All-Rookie team her freshman year along with being named to the CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll. Sophomore year she was named to the Third Team All-CAA and was also recognized on the Commissioner's Honor Roll again. The next year she was names First Team All-East Region, CAA Attacking Player of the Year, and CSC Academic All-District. In her final year of undergrad, she was named to the All-CAA Second Team and left Drexel as the All-Time leader in career points. In all, she tallied 24 goals while adding 16 assists in 4,415 minutes of play. Delaney started 54 games and played in 61 during her time in "Philly." Lappin is a native of Corbin City, N.J.
"Delaney is a legitimate and bona fide collegiate goal scorer. She is a clinical finisher inside the box and very dangerous outside. She has pace and edge to her play that will stretch opposing defenses."
Lydia Poulin joined the Wildcats for the Spring 2024 season, becoming UNH's first "gray shirt" freshman. To learn more about Poulin, CLICK HERE.
"This is a very well rounded and extremely talented group of players. The freshmen group adds to our long-standing successful recruiting classes that are deep and have the ability to impact our team in several key areas and right away. What makes this class even more special is the additional depth and excellence that the transfers bring in. There is a vast array of veteran attacking prowess along with experienced defenders in this group. This should make for an explosive and dynamic attacking team. Needless to say, we are very excited for this group."
While UNH has made two of the last three America East Championship games and winning it all in 2022 the 'Cats look poised to push on and make another deep run in 2024.
Players Mentioned
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