Monmouth University women’s soccer team brings in five newcomers for 2021

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth University women’s soccer head coach Krissy Turner announced the addition of five newcomers to the program who will join the Hawks for the Fall 2021 season.

The class consists of four student-athletes from New Jersey and one from New York.

“We are excited to welcome these talented student-athletes to Monmouth University. They have a high level of motivation to maintain the tradition of excellence we have established on and off the field. Overall, it’s a small class in numbers as we are only graduating a few players, but the quality is top notch. Thank you to Coach Flynn for helping secure a terrific incoming class.”
– Head Coach Dr. Krissy Turner

Name: Ava Allen
Year: Freshman
Position: Defense
Hometown: Hopewell Junction, NY
High School: Arlington

Before Monmouth: Four-year varsity letterwinner at Arlington High School for head coach Kelly Hand … 2020 Poughkeepsie Journal Player of the Year … two-time All-League selection (2019, 2020) … 2020 All-Section choice … totaled nine goals as a junior and 10 goals with five assists as a senior … helped her team win the section championship in 2018 and three straight league championships (2018, 2019, 2020), including an undefeated 2020 campaign and 2020 Dutchess County Regional Championships … played club soccer for Manhattan Soccer Club for head coach Nick Megaloudis … also competed in basketball where she was named All-League Honorable Mention in 2019 … member of the National Honor Society and Italian National Honor Society … four-year Scholar Athlete.

Personal: Daughter of Brian and Lenore Allen … intends to major in Chemistry.

“Ava is extremely composed on the ball which is a great quality to have as a center back. She is a smart soccer player who reads the game very well.” – Krissy Turner

Name: Gabby Allen
Year: Freshman
Position: Defense
Hometown: Basking Ridge, NJ
High School: Ridge

Before Monmouth: Four-year varsity letterwinner at Ridge High School for head coach Katie Donahue … Skyland Conference All-Girls First Team as a junior … earned New Jersey Girls Soccer Coaches Association Sectional Recognition Top 20 NJ Soccer Award … North 2 Region Captain (2020/2021) … earned the Best Newcomer award … helped her team win the New Jersey State Championship in 2017 … played club soccer for STA for head coach Neill Miles.

Personal: Daughter of Michelle Allen … intends to major in Psychology.

“Gabby is a winner. Her high school team is one of the best teams in the state where she anchored the defense and did an amazing job. Additionally, Becki Tweed, who is her club coach, has a great soccer mind and will have Gabby ready for the rigors of being a Division I player.” – Krissy Turner

Name: Olivia Denney
Year: Freshman
Position: Forward
Hometown: Millstone Township, NJ
High School: Allentown

Before Monmouth: Four-year varsity letterwinner at Allentown High School for head coach Kim Maurer … Team Captain … First Team selection as a junior … named Honorable Mention as a freshman … named to the Mercer 33, honoring the top 33 players in Mercer County as selected by the coaches in the conference … All-American Watch list … totaled 17 goals and seven assists as a junior and had career totals of 27 goals and 13 assists … helped her team compile a 56-9-1 overall record the last three seasons as her team won the 2017 State Championship and made three MCT finals … played club soccer for PDA Shore Freedom for head coach Lou SantaCruz … led her club team in scoring and assists each of the past two seasons … owns a 4.0 grade-point average … earned the Smart Cookie Award all four years of high school.

Personal: Daughter of AnneMarie and Raymond Denney … major is undecided.

“Olivia was a preseason High School All-America candidate which speaks volumes of her talent. Olivia has speed and is dangerous in 1-v-1 situations. She adds to the depth of our team in all facets of the game.” – Krissy Turner

Name: Olivia Ramiz
Year: Freshman
Position: Forward
Hometown: Wall, NJ
High School: Wall

Before Monmouth: Two-year varsity letterwinner at Wall High School for head coach Michael Juska … First Team All-State, All-Shore and All-Division selection as a senior … named B-North Player of the Year … totaled 11 goals and two assists as a junior and 25 goals and 15 assists as a senior … helped her team compile a 32-7 overall record in two seasons … played club soccer for Cedar Stars Academy for head coach Greg Wieboldt.

Personal: Daughter of Dina and Cengiz Ramiz … major is undecided.

“Having one of the best players from the Shore Conference join us is extremely exciting. Olivia is athletic, capable of scoring goals with both feet, and adds to our list of super-talented student -athletes from Wall High School.” – Krissy Turner

Name: Arianna Sparrow
Year: Freshman
Position: Forward
Hometown: Marlton, NJ
High School: Cherokee

Before Monmouth: Varsity letterwinner at Cherokee High School for head coach Megan Boland … played club soccer for SJEB Rush GA 02/03 for head coach Bill Shute … helped her team win the 2018 National Championship and 2018-19 National League Championship … two-time State Cup Champions and 2018 Regional Champions … National Training Center participant … member of the ODP State Team and National Rush Select … Honor Roll student.

Personal: Daughter of Keisha and William Sparrow … intends to major in Psychology.

“Arianna has the technical and physical ability to break down defenses from a wide position. She will challenge for playing time early on in her career and has the potential to be an impact player for us.” – Krissy Turner