WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – University of Hartford women's soccer coach John Natale announced the addition on seven players who will join the Hawks as members of the class of 2019. The seven incoming freshman will also be joined by junior transfer Caroline Massey.
"This class will add depth to our roster and bring in some players that will add an immediate impact on our program," said the 12th year head coach. "They will fit into our system of play and are going to be great student-athletes who will represent the University and our soccer program with class and to a high standard. We are hoping that they will help build and add upon our regular season championship. I am looking forward to the opportunity to coach and work with them over the next four years."
Massey is one of two incoming players who hail from the Nutmeg State as she is a native of Guilford, Conn. The attacking midfielder comes to Hartford by way of UConn, where she played in five career games and was named to the America Athletic Conference All-Academic Team in 2013-14. Prior to UConn, Massey played three years of soccer at Guilford High School, where she scored 27 goals and registered 19 assists.
Joining Massey in staying in her home state to play collegiate soccer is Stefanie Szot, who hails from Oakdale, Conn. Szot, an option in goal for Natale, played two seasons at Montville High School where she made 151 saves and shut out 15 opponents in those two years. After posting the second best goals against average in a single season in 2014, Szot closed out her high school career first all-time in career goals against average.
Lisa Caprara (New Providence, N.J.) and Ashley Claud (Lindenhurst, N.Y.), a pair of incoming freshmen, will provide additional front line options. Caprara scored 19 goals and assisted on eight others in her senior season at New Providence High School, finishing her career with 51 goals and 14 assists. She also helped lead New Providence to a state championship in 2011 and 1012. Claud closed out her high school career with 36 goals and 17 assists after finishing her senior season with five goals and nine assists, helping earn All-County accolades in 2014.
Two incoming freshmen will add to the depth in the midfield, including a recruit from outside the United State, Haley Nolan (Kildare, Ireland). Nolan will be joined by Molly Socha (Ludlow, Mass.), who helped lead Wilbraham and Monson Academy to Western New England Soccer Association Class B Championships in 2011, 2012, and 2014. Socha finished her high school career scoring 10 goals and 21 assists. Nolan comes to Hartford after a success career in Ireland, including being nominated for U-19 Player of the Year in 2015. As a member of the U-19 National team that reached the semifinals, she was a game MVP when Ireland faced Montengro U-19.
Rounding out the incoming class will be a pair of backline options in Annabelle Phillips (Potomac, Md.) and Molly Stanton (Enola, Pa.) Phillips, who played her high school career at Winston Churchill High School, was a member of the Bethesda Soccer Club United. As a center defender and midfielder, Stanton scored 12 goals and assisted on 11 others during a four-year high school varsity career at Cumberland Valley. She also helped lead the team to the Mid Penn Conference Champions in 2012, 2013, and 2014.
