NEWARK, N.J. - Head coach Ally Nick announced the addition of seven signees to her 2025 class.
 
"We are very excited to welcome this class. A majority of this class will help our team get back to what our program has been built on over the years - pride in our team's defending," said Nick. "We also have additions that will help us reward our defensive efforts by capitalizing on our attack. These individuals in this class all have had individual success in their careers and are driven to continue to make an impact. Our team this spring has been working hard on our identity and look forward to this class strengthening who we are."
 
NJIT will enter the 2025 season with seven incoming freshmen, including Enya Carthy, Filipa Heintzelmann, Penelope Krieger, Kyra Lynch, Ava Shappell, Elyse Simpson, and Kaele Smith.
 
Of the seven additions, the class is led by three goalkeepers, two defenders, one midfielder, and one forward.
 
Enya Carthy | Goalkeeper | Haddonfield, NJ (Haddonfield Memorial HS)
One of three goalkeepers in the 2025 class, Carthy joins the program as a high-caliber prospect on the field and in the classroom. She was part of the National Honors Society during her last two years at Haddonfield Memorial.
 
Carthy was named to the All-South Jersey Second Team and earned All-State recognition. She also played on the U17 Irish National Team.
 
Filipa Heintzelmann | Midfield | Helsingor, Denmark (Falkonergårdens Gymnasium)
Heintzelmann departs Denmark as a champion, winning the cup tournament three straight years with FCN. She also won a tournament in Växjö while playing with FCN. Her team finished in second place in the U18 league.
 
Heintzelmann comes from an athletic family, as her father is a professional soccer coach and her mother played handball professionally.
 
Penelope Krieger | Goalkeeper | Springfield, NJ (Jonathan Dayton HS)
Standing at six feet tall, Krieger joins NJIT after a stellar high school career. She earned UCGSA All-Star First Team honors twice and UCGSA All-Star Honorable Mention in 2022. She was also selected as the Coaches Player of the Season at the Football Academy NJ in 2022 and 2023.
 
Krieger served as a team captain at her high school during her junior and senior year and earned the NJGSCA Award in 2024.
 
Kyra Lynch | Defense | Syracuse, NY (West Genesee Senior HS)
Lynch comes to Newark as a high-caliber prospect on the field. She earned First Team All-CNY and All-Section AA Team honors twice. The defender also was selected to the Second Team All-CNY. She earned Defensive MVP and won the sectional championship in 2023.
 
Lynch is a 4-time scholar athlete at her high school. She also played softball, where she earned All-CNY honors twice.
 
Ava Shappell | Forward | Schuylkill Haven, PA (Pine Grove HS)
Shappell joins NJIT as a highly decorated player in Pennsylvania, where she scored 100 goals in her high school career. She earned the Pennsylvania Max Preps Player of the Week and was named to the All-County team.
 
Shappell also won the ECNL League Championship for her club team. She is a part of the National Honor Society at her high school.
 
Elyse Simpson | Defense | Stratford, NJ (Sterling HS)
A winner on the pitch, Simpson adds to the Highlanders' back line on the 2025 roster. She won a conference championship, district championship, and Coaches Cup championship in her career. She also earned First Team All-Conference honors.
 
Kaele Smith | Goalkeeper | Bradenton, FL (Braden River HS)
An exciting goalkeeper prospect, Smith joins the Highlanders after recording 99 saves and six shutouts during her senior season. She led her team to a 9-1-2 record and posted a 1.111 GAA in 2024.
 
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