NEWARK, N.J. — NJIT Women's Soccer head coach Ally Nick has announced the signing of an eight-member recruiting class that will continue their academic and athletic careers at NJIT beginning in the Fall of 2024.

Joining the Highlander program are: Kylee Ferranto, Ashley Geder, Gibson Graham, Kirra Hyder, Lily MacClausand, Caitlin Mahala, Sofia Mignon, and Bella Ramirez.

HEAD COACH ALLY NICK ON THE INCOMING CLASS
"This Fall, we reached new milestones with four players named to America East postseason awards, and two of them (Maddie Taibl and Briana Andreoli) being our program's first America East First Team selections. Making three consecutive America East tournaments sets our program's standard but taking the next steps in post season play is our team's goal. We will need to replace significant players for us but we have a lot of key players returning for the Fall. My staff and I are very excited about this incoming class. They each bring a different aspect of the game but what they all have in common is they are competitors. Their competitiveness will add to our team and elevate our program." 

PLAYER PROFILES
Kylee Ferranto | 5-5 | M | Voorhees, NJ | Haddon Heights HS | PDA South ECNL 05
Prior To NJIT: Competed at PDA South ECNL 05 for coach Seamus O'Connor & Haddon Heights for head coach Ryan Yaniak…four-year varsity starter and All-Conference selection…three-time team MVP and team Attacking Player of the Year honoree…two-time team captain…scored 50 career goals…scholastically, named to National Honors Society and Honors Roll with a 4.5 GPA…also competed in basketball and lacrosse. 

Personal: Kylee Beth Ferranto…daughter of Ray and Lori Ferranto…intends to major in Biology…mother played Division III field hockey and father was a three-sport collegiate athlete

Ashley Geder | 5-4 | D | Macungie, PA | Emmaus HS | HEX FC
Prior To NJIT: Competed at HEX FC for coach Ziggy Lewis & Emmaus for head coach Sarah Oswald…four-year varsity starter…team captain…three-time District finalist (2021-23)...East Region 1 ODP selection (U14, U15)...East Region 1 ODP Iceland Roster (U14)...EPYSA ODP Selection (U12, U13, U14, U15).

Personal: Ashley Lauren Geder…daughter of Kim and Eric Geder…intends to major in Business.

Gibson Graham | 5-1 | D | Bella Vista, AR | Bentonville HS | Oklahoma Energy 06 ECNL
Prior To NJIT: Competed for Oklahoma Energy 06 ECNL and coach Kal Okot…listed in TopDrawerSoccer's Top 150/200 players (2020-22)...reached the GA Final Four in 2021…2020 USYNT Central Region Mini TID Camp selection…2019 US Club Soccer ID2 selection…scholastically, selected as a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and an AP Scholar…also competed in cross country and track

Personal: Gibson Nicole Graham…daughter of Amber and Michael Graham…intends to major in Environmental Science…mother played soccer at Division II Missouri Southern and father was a multi-sport coach for over 25 years

Kirra Hyder | 5-3 | M | York, PA | York Suburban HS | PA Classics
Prior To NJIT: Competed for York Suburban for head coach Tom Shugars and PA Classics for coach Todd Wawrousek…set school record for single season goals…PA All-State selection…two-time Division II Player of the Year…State Cup champions…scholastically, earned GPA excellence, Student of the Month, and World Language awards during career…also competed in Figure Skating, winning multiple gold medals across years of competition

Personal: Kirra Elizabeth Hyder…daughter of Brandon and Melissa Hyder…intends to major in Chemical Engineering

Lily Maccausland | 5-6 | M | Reading, PA | Wilson HS | FC Revolution Reds
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Wilson for head coach Timothy Fick and FC Revolution Reds for coach Eric Franks…four-year varsity starter…two-time All-Division selection…Regional club champions  and two-time state cup champion

Personal: Lily Grace Maccausland…daughter of Timalee and Mike Maccausland…undecided on intended major

Caitlin Mahala | 5-9 | D | Jackson, NJ | Jackson Memorial HS | PDA South ECNL
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Jackson Memorial for head coach Sean Bayha and PDA South ECNL for coach Seamus O'Connor…2021 Shore Conference Second Team A-South…2022 Shore Conference First Team A-South…2023 Shore Conference Second Team All-Conference...2023 Ocean County First Team…four-year varsity player…team captain…qualified for 2023 ECNL Playoffs…scholastically, four-year High Honor Roll honoree and National Art Honor Society selection

Personal: Caitlin Paige Mahala…daughter of Robert and Nancy Mahala…intends to major in Business…Older brother Robert played basketball at Siena College (2014-2018)...father and grandfather played basketball at Wagner College

Sofia Mignon | 5-6 | M | Pipersville, PA | Central Bucks HS | Warrington United 2005
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Central Bucks for head coach Jake Nestruk and Warrington United for coach Dave Steinbach…two-year team captain…Second Team All-League selection as a junior…Rookie of the Year as a sophomore…scholastically, earned High Honors from freshman to junior year…reached State semifinals during career…also competed in track and field.

Personal: Sofia Noel Mignon…daughter of Donna and Craig Mignon…intends to major in Business.

Bella Ramirez | 5-3 | M | Mullica Hill, NJ | Clearview Regional HS | Warrington United 2005
Prior To NJIT: Competed at Clearview Regional for head coach Dan Matozzo…2022-23 First Team All Conference Tri-County selection

Personal: Annabella Rose Ramirez…daughter of Danielle Dotsey-Ramirez and Noel Ramirez…intends to major in Financial Technology