NC State women’s soccer adds four freshmen to 2023 signing class

RALEIGH – NC State women’s soccer head coach Tim Santoro announced the addition of four student-athletes to the 2023 roster. The second part of the 2023 signing class includes four freshmen, three from the United States and one from Leicester, England.

The four incoming freshmen join a group of five spring enrollees to form a nine-player group from three different countries, including two players capped with international experience.

“We will have a depth of quality we’ve never had,” Santoro said. “The goal was to fill immediate needs in every position while also making the environment much more competitive.

“This class, along with a few players who missed all of 2022 due to injury, will make this NCAA Tournament team much improved for the fall.”

In addition to spring enrollees Jade Bordeleau, Emily Earles, Hannah Jibril, Rosalie Olou and Louisville transfer Olivia Pratapas, NC State adds Sophia Hernandez, Mackenzie Smith, Aisley Snell and Mary Frances Symmes to the 2023 roster. More information on the four additions to the 2023 signing class is listed below.

Sophia Hernandez | Midfielder | Greensboro, N.C. | NC Fusion

Prior to NC State: Hernandez arrives in Raleigh from in-state club NC Fusion. Her mother Alana (Craft ’93) is an alum of the NC State women’s soccer program.

Santoro on Hernandez: “Sophia is someone we evaluated prior to her injury in the midst of her recruiting process. Both sides were patient through her recovery, and she’s a midfielder we think will develop in the program and fit well. And the Wolfpack bloodline never hurts.”

Mackenzie Smith | Defender | Leicester, England | Leicester City FC

Prior to NC State: Smith is one of the 2023 international recruits, coming from Leicester City in England’s WSL. She’s represented England at the Youth National Team levels, most recently in April at the U19 UEFA qualifying second round in Switzerland.

Santoro on Smith: “Mackenzie is a left-footed player we targeted because of her ability to play in several positions on that side. She’s got a ton of high level club experience and has a lot of international experience. She will immediately add toughness and mentality to our program in addition to her soccer.”

Aisley Snell | Goalkeeper | Brunswick, Maine | Darlington School

Prior to NC State: Snell arrives in Raleigh from Maine, via the Darlington School in Georgia.

Santoro on Snell: “Aisley will give us much needed depth and competition at the goalkeeper position. Of four total keepers, she’ll be one of the three new faces. Refreshing the personnel in goal was a real need for us and I’m excited to have Aisley in this group.”

Mary Frances Symmes | Midfielder | Gulfport, Miss. | Alabama FC

Prior to NC State: Symmes comes to NC State from Mississippi. She played club soccer at Alabama Football Club.

Santoro on Symmes: “Mary Frances was a player I noticed immediately the first time I saw her club team. She’s a tough, hard-working two-way midfielder who’s comfortable on the ball. She will thrive in our environment and will be another player to bring a competitive toughness every day.”