NEWARK, N.J. — NJIT Women's Soccer head coach Ally Nick has announced her eight-member incoming recruiting class that will continue their academic and athletic careers at NJIT beginning in the Fall of 2022. These eight incoming freshmen will join transfer Lily Bray in Newark in the Fall. 

Joining Highlander Nation are Briana Andreoli, Mojisola Ayodele, Mikayla Balio, Cailyn Jones, Riley Jones, Maria Nogueira, Kelsey Ramos, and Kara Thompson.

HEAD COACH ALLY NICK ON THE INCOMING CLASS
"This incoming class has shown their resilience and dedication already by having to go through the recruiting process during the pandemic. They all were forced to take the process slower than usual, but through their patience, I truly believe it allowed them and us to find the right fit. We have a good balance in this class in each position. What stands out to me in this class is that they are all proven winners. Whether with their high school or club teams, they have won all levels of championships and that pedigree will help our program as we search for our first conference title. With the core of a nine-shutout team defense and first America East tournament appearance returning, this incoming class will be expected to bring its competitiveness and desire to score goals and win from day one" 

PLAYER PROFILES
BRIANA ANDREOLI | F | HAWTHORNE, NJ | HAWTHORNE HS | CSA BERGEN
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Hawthorne for head coach Gustav Schell and CSA Bergen for coach Alan Harris…logged 113 goals and 36 assists over the course of her career...Two-time NJIC Player of the Year…All-NJIC Colonial Division 1st Team as a senior…named NorthJersey.com Female Athlete of the Week on Nov. 26, 2020…First Team All-State Group 1 as a junior…Also earned First Team All-County honors in Track and Basketball 

Personal: Briana Rose Andreoli…daughter of Leigh Detrick-Andreoli…undecided on potential major…has a martial arts black belt

MOJISOLA AYODELE | GK | PRINCETON, NJ | PRINCETON HS | PDA NORTH
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Princeton for head coach Dave Kosa and PDA North for coach Kevin Davies…Colonial Valley Conference 1st Team selection…named to Mercer 33 by the Mercer 33 Girls Soccer Coaches Association…2021 Division, CVC, and State Section Central Group III Champs…made 182 saves over the last two seasons…also a four-year varsity letter winner in basketball.

Personal: Mojisola Esalete Ponte Ayodele…daughter of Marlen & Jimi Ayodele…intends to major in Marketing/Marketing Management.

MIKAYLA BALIO | F | WINCHESTER, VA | JOHN HANDLEY HS | LOUDOUN SOCCER ECNL
Prior To NJIT: Competed at John Handley for head coach Haleigh Echard and Loudoun Soccer ECNL for coach Dave Bucciero…Two-year varsity captain…named team Offensive Player of the Year and Northwestern District 2nd team member as a junior after a 6 goal, 4 assist season…Northwestern District First Team as a freshman after posting 18 goals and, 6 assists…VYSA State and Regional ODP team member…championships include VYSA Region Champions, Northwestern District Champions, VHSL BRYSA Cup Champions…also two-time VHSL Regional semifinalists…academically, four-year High Honor Roll member and Student Government Association member…NHSCA Academic All-American. National Honors Society member and Heisman Scholarship school winner.

Personal: Mikayla Noel Balio…daughter of Cosmo and Michelle Balio…intends to major in biomedical engineering.

CAILYN JONES | D | HAMILTON, NJ | STEINERT HS | SJEB RUSH
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Steinert for head coach Michael Hastings and SJEB Rush for coach Jeff Zoyac…started career at Princeton Day School…Three-time All-Prep and All-Area selection…Prep B champions…named to Rush National Select Team…also competed in Volleyball and Wrestling

Personal: Cailyn Alma Jones…daughter of Michelle and Jason Jones…intends to major in Civil Engineering.

RILEY JONES | D | CLINTON, NY | CLINTON HS | SDA BLASTERS
Prior To NJIT: Competed for Clinton for head coach Elizabeth Baker and for SDA Blasters and coach Wayne Williams…two-time team defensive MVP…helped team each Sectionals in 2018 and 2021

Personal: Riley Kay Jones…daughter of Jeff and Erin Jones…intends to major in Forensic Science.

MARIA NOGUEIRA | F | CASCAIS, PORTUGAL | ESCOLA BÁSICA E SECUNDÁRIA DE CARCAVELOS | SPORTING CLUBE DE PORTUGAL
Prior To NJIT: Competed for Sporting Clube de Portugal and coach Beatriz Teixeira…helped lead club to Seniors Second Portuguese Division championship in 2021...member of the Portugal U15, U16, and U19 National teams.

Personal: Maria Inês Santos Nogueira…daughter of Sandra and Nuno Nogueira…intends to major in Business.

KELSEY RAMOS | F | WAYNE, NJ | WAYNE VALLEY HS | FC COPA ACADEMY
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Wayne Valley for head coach Kathleen Sinram and for FC Copa Academy…four-time Big North Conference champion and 2021 Passaic County champion…three-time First Team All-Passaic County…Two-time NJGSCA All-State honoree…set Wayne Valley's all-time scoring record with 77 goals and 31 assists in her career.

Personal: Kelsey Ann Ramos…daughter of Holly and Marcial Ramos…undecided on potential major.

KARA THOMPSON | D/M | DANVILLE, PA | DANVILLE AREA HS | PA CLASSICS GIRLS ACADEMY
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Danville Area for head coach Dave Tumolo and PA Classics Girls Academy for coach Todd Wawrousek…two-year varsity team captain…Heartland Athletic Conference (HAC) II Second Team selection as a junior and Honorable Mention selection as a freshman…academically, named to National Honor Society for three years…also competed in track and field. 

Personal: Kara Michelle Thompson…daughter of Michelle and Greg Thompson…intends to major in Biomedical Engineering.