Villanova women’s soccer signs five newcomers for 2022 campaign

Villanova, Pa. – Villanova head coach Samar Azem and her staff have announced the addition of five student-athletes to join the Wildcats.

Abby Hanks, a transfer form Clemson, joined the Wildcats at the start of the spring semester while Caroline Graham, Tatum Gretz, Sejal Johnson and Izzy Newton will join the team for the fall.

“We are extremely excited to welcome these five student-athletes to our program and Villanova University,” shared Azem. “Our staff have had the opportunity to get to know each of our incomers, they are driven and eager student-athletes. Each one is a great representative of what our core vision is at Villanova University.  We have a group of newcomers that are eager and excited to get to work and join our core group of returners who have started the spring off with a lot of energy and high level of commitment.  I like the direction we’re headed; it starts with the right people and competitors.”

Abby Hanks | Junior | Defender
Ellicott City, Md. | Archbishop Spalding HS | Clemson

Hanks comes to Villanova after spending the last two and a half years at Clemson.  During her three seasons at defense she played in 37 games and scored three goals.  In the fall of 2021 Hanks netted two goals against Syracuse and got her first career start against Saint Francis.

Prior to Clemson Hanks was a three-time Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland Class A All-Conference selection, a four-year member of the Archbishop Spalding HS Varsity Soccer Team, and a part of the IAAM Class A Championship Team in 2016.  Academically she was a member of the National Honor Society and French Honor Society

Caroline Graham | Forward
Ashburn, Va. | St. Paul VI Catholic

Graham earned three varsity letters in soccer and track and field at St. Paul VI Catholic.  During her junior and senior seasons Graham earned WCAC All-Conference honors in soccer and during her sophomore year was name to the Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association First Team All-State team for track & field.  In 2020-21 she was named Paul VI Soccer Offensive Player of the Year.

Academically, she is a member of both the National and Spanish Honor Society’s and is on the Principal’s Honor Roll.

Tatum Gretz | Midfield
Mt. Pleasant, Pa. | Greensburg Central Catholic

Gretz has played four years at midfield at Greensburg Central Catholic where she was named to All-WPIAL and All-Section every year.  During her senior season Gretz was an All-American and Moe Rosensteel Player of the Year Award nominee.  In her career she netted 103 goals, helped lead her team to a WPIAL title and two state title game appearances.

Academically, Gretz has earned high honor roll and plans to major in art explanatory at Villanova.

Sejal Johnson | Goalkeeper
Waxhaw, N.C. | Weddington

Johnson earned four varsity letters at Weddington as a goalkeeper.  She also played for Independence ENCL for four years and was the Charlotte Independence Golden Glove winner in 2021.

Academically, Johnson is a member of the Spanish Honor Society, History Honor Society, and named to the Honor Roll.  At Villanova she plans to major in Exploratory Sciences.

Izzy Newton | Forward
Greenwood Village, CO | Kent Denver School

Newton earned four varsity letters in soccer at Kent Denver School.  During her junior season she earned multiple honors including, All-Conference First-Team, All-State First-Team, Colorado Player of the Year, and United Soccer Coaches All-West team.  In her rookie season also was to the All-Regional team and Midfielder of the Year.

Academically, Newton has earned Dean List every year and plans to major in Biochemistry at Villanova.