NEWARK, NJ–NJIT head coach Ally Nick announced the addition of 12 newcomers to the program's 2026 recruiting class.
"After graduating a highly impactful class, not only because of its size, but because of the quality of the players and people they were, we knew this incoming group would need to be special," said head coach Ally Nick. "Our returning players spent the spring stepping into leadership roles and are prepared to help our newcomers adjust quickly to the expectations of our program. As we built this class, our priority was finding players who embody the foundation of our program: hard work and competitiveness. Each individual brings an outstanding work ethic both on the field and in the classroom, along with unique qualities that will strengthen our team in different ways. In addition to our freshman class, we added transfers who will provide valuable experience and depth. We are excited to welcome this talented group to NJIT and look forward to seeing our returning players continue to lead while our newcomers bring fresh energy to the program."
Lena Dahms | Midfielder | Ehrenburg, Germany (James Madison)
A native of Germany, Dahms joins the Highlanders after one season (2026) at James Madison. She appeared in 15 matches with two starts and scored her first collegiate goal against Texas State University and logged a career-high 61 minutes against George Mason University. Dahms earned President's List honors in Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 and was recognized as a JMU Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete in Spring 2026. She attended high school at Gymnasium Sulingen before a successful playing career that included three seasons in Germany's Bundesliga and competition with SV Werder Bremen. During her club career, she helped Werder Bremen reach the prestigious DFB-Pokal Frauen Final and earned nomination to a prospective squad for the Germany Women's Under-19 National Team, highlighting her status as one of the country's promising young talents. She intends to major in chemistry at NJIT.
Josephine Palmer | Midfielder | Chesterfield, VA (Mount Olive)
Palmer began her collegiate career at The College of Saint Rose, where she competed for one season before the institution's closure; she continued her academic and athletic journey at University of Mount Olive. During her two years at Mount Olive, Palmer earned recognition on the All-District Academic Team, graduated with honors, and was inducted into TriBeta for her academic achievements in the sciences. She also served as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative. Prior to college, Palmer competed at a high level at Bridge Academy and played club with Richmond Strikers. She intends to pursue masters in environmental science.
Maria Tzoumas | Outside Back | Denville, NJ
A graduate of Morris Knolls High School, Tzoumas was a four-year varsity letter winner and played a key role in helping her team capture the 2025 New Jersey Sectional Championship. She earned High Honor Roll recognition throughout all four years of high school and was a four-time Summa Award recipient. Tzoumas was also an active member of numerous academic honor societies, including the National Honor Society, Business Honor Society, French Honor Society, Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta. Her academic accomplishments were further recognized with the AP Scholar Award and the 2025 President's Volunteer Service Award. At the club level, Tzoumas competed for Match Fit Surf 2008 ECNL. She intends to major in Engineering.
Taylor Stuart | Defender | Washington Township, NJ
A graduate of Washington Township High School, Stuart established herself as a top attacking player and leader on the pitch, earning recognition as a Top 20 All-State South Region selection, Second Team All-South Jersey honoree, First Team All-Conference (2026), and Second Team All-Conference (2024), while also being named Forward of the Year for her high school team. A two-year captain and four-year varsity starter, she played a key role in leading her team to a Tri-County Conference Royal Division Championship (2025–26) and was selected for both the South Jersey Senior All-Star Game and the Tri-County vs. Colonial Conference All-Star Game, in addition to receiving the Unsung Hero Award for her impact and leadership. At the club level, Stuart competed for Sporting Athletic Girls Academy, where she helped her team achieve a national top-six finish and served as a Girls Academy Advisory Panel Club and Team Representative, demonstrating leadership within one of the nation's top development platforms. In addition to soccer, she is a four-year varsity track athlete, earning accolades such as Second Team All-Tri County Conference in the 800m and 4x400m, qualifying for Nike Nationals in the 4x800m relay, winning the 2024 Group IV Sectional Championship in the 4x800m relay, and contributing to three consecutive Tri-County Conference Championships, three straight Gloucester County Championships, and back-to-back indoor sectional titles. She also qualified for the Meet of Champions in the 4x800m relay. She intends to major in Digital Design and Education at NJIT.
Emery Sterling | Forward | Doylestown, PA
A graduate of Central Bucks High School West, Sterling enjoyed an outstanding high school career as a four-year varsity letter winner, earning recognition as Rookie of the Year, a three-time Golden Boot winner, team captain, and a Pennsylvania All-Area selection. Throughout her career, she received multiple all-league honors, including Honorable Mention, Second Team, and First Team recognition, showcasing her consistent impact and development as a player. Academically, Sterling distinguished herself as a two-time NHSCA Academic All-American, a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Math National Honor Society, while also earning the AP Scholar with Honor Award. At the club level, she competed for Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals, where she was selected for both the Mid-Atlantic and National Talent ID events. During her time with the club, she helped lead the team to three Mid-Atlantic Conference championships with undefeated seasons, three National Playoff appearances, three Girls Academy Champions Cup qualification appearances, and a memorable Champions Cup Final Four run. She intends to major in biomedical engineering.
Sydney Shepard | Outside Back | Florham Park, NJ
A graduate of Hanover Park High School, Shepard earned First Team All-Conference honors, Second Team All-County recognition, and was selected as a Top 20 North 2 State player. She capped her high school career as a State Sectional Champion while also earning Team MVP and Coaches Award honors, highlighting both her impact on the field and her leadership within the program. Sheard was also recognized on the All-Academic Team. At the club level, she competed for STA Soccer with the U19 Girls Academy team. She intends to major in Accounting at NJIT.
Alyssa Reiter | Forward | Swedesboro, NJ
A dynamic forward, Reiter attended Kingsway Regional High School, where she excelled as a key attacking player. Competing at the club level for Sporting Athletic Girls Academy, she achieved the achievement of being ranked sixth nationally in the Girls Academy League. She helped lead her team to a Royal Conference Championship. Her accomplishments extend beyond soccer, earning recognition on the Superintendent's List and Honor Roll and intends to major in Biology.
Ella Ortiz | Forward | High Bridge, NJ
A prolific attacking player who has established herself as one of the most accomplished goal scorers in New Jersey high school soccer, Ortiz was a standout at Voorhees High School. She set both school and county records for career goals scored while compiling an exceptional four-year varsity career. As a freshman, she recorded 20 goals and five assists, earning First Team Skyland Conference All-Star honors and recognition as Star of the Week in October 2022. She elevated her performance as a rising sophomore with 34 goals and nine assists, earning First Team Skyland Conference honors, First Team All-Area recognition, First Team All-Group 2 Division honors, Offensive MVP honors in October 2023, Star of the Week recognition in September 2023, and a nomination as one of eight finalists for Skyland Conference Player of the Year. As a junior, Ortiz added 23 goals and seven assists while serving as team captain, earning First Team All-Star and First Team All-Area honors, along with Offensive MVP recognition and another Star of the Week selection. During her senior season, she capped her remarkable career with 32 goals and three assists, serving as team captain while earning Group 2 All-State Second Team honors and being selected as her school's nominee for the National Girls and Women in Sports Award by the athletic director. For her career, Ortiz combined for 109 goals and 24 assists. At the club level, Ortiz competed for World Class FC. She intends to major in civil engineering.
Brianna Garyah | Forward | Levittown, PA
A graduate of Neshaminy High School, Garyah built an impressive high school career highlighted by First Team All-SOL Patriot League honors in 2023 before earning the league's highest individual recognition as the 2025 SOL Patriot League Player of the Year. Her outstanding play also garnered selection to the 2025 Southeastern Pennsylvania Team and the 2025 Pennsylvania All-State Team, recognizing her among the elite players in the state. At the club level, she competed for HEX FC Bucks 2008 ECNL, where she consistently faced top regional and national competition. She intends to major in Computer Engineering.
Maya Filian | Forward/Winger | Union, NJ
A graduate of Union County Magnet High School, Filian earned recognition as a Union County Second Team selection and was nominated to the prestigious Forwards to Watch list after helping lead her team to its deepest run in the NJSIAA State Tournament, including scoring a pivotal goal during the historic postseason campaign. At the club level, Filian competed for Match Fit Surf Academy and was selected to the New Jersey Olympic Development Program. Her talent earned her the opportunity to represent the United States at the internationally renowned Gothia Cup, where her team advanced to the semifinals, and she later helped her club capture the 2024 PDA Showcase title. Filian has excelled academically and as a leader, serving as an internationally selected TED-Ed student speaker, a Coca-Cola Scholarship semifinalist, and a Hispanic Heritage Month district-wide speaker. She earned Autodesk Fusion 360 Certification, OSHA-10 General Industry Certification, Gold Medal honors on both the National Spanish Examination Level 2 and Level 3, induction into the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, and consistent Honor Roll recognition. She also achieved success through Future Business Leaders of America, placing eighth in her region in Human Resources and ranking among the top ten competitors in New Jersey in Broadcast Journalism. In addition to soccer, Filian played flag football, earning recognition among the top ten players in New Jersey. She intends to major in Industrial Engineering.
Paige Eckert | Striker | Warrington, PA
A graduate of Archbishop Wood High School, Eckert capped her soccer career with a remarkable senior season, helping lead her team to the 2025 Pennsylvania State Championship while earning 2025 Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) MVP honors, All-State recognition, and selection to the All-Southern Pennsylvania Team. Throughout her career, she was a four-time PCL All-Catholic selection, a three-time PCL Champion, and a four-time District 12 Champion, while also earning the 2022 PCL Championship Game MVP award and the 2024 Coaches MVP honor. At the club level, Eckert competed for HEX FC ECNL, where she earned 2025 ECNL First Team recognition while competing against some of the nation's top talent. In the classroom, she achieved First Honors during every academic quarter of her high school career. Beyond soccer, Eckert distinguished herself as a standout lacrosse player, earning four PCL All-Catholic selections, 2025 Bucks County All-Area First Team honors, 2025 PASLA All-Academic recognition, and the 2025 Defensive MVP award, while helping her team reach the 2024 PCL Finals and the 2025 District 12 Championship Final. She intends to major in business at NJIT.
Paulina de Vet | Forward | Schwoerstadt, Germany
Attended Theodor-Heuss-Gymnasium Schopfheim while progressing through elite club environments, including time with SC Freiburg and later FC Basel. With SC Freiburg U17, de Vet helped secure back-to-back South Baden Cup championships in 2022 and 2023. She continued her development with FC Basel U19 and U20 women's teams, where she competed in the Swiss U20 Women's League and helped her side reach the playoff semifinals. In international competition, she contributed to a second-place finish at the FIFA Women's Youth Cup in 2024. She intends to major in Financial Technology or Management at NJIT.
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