Akron women’s soccer team brings in four newcomers for Spring 2025

AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women’s soccer squad under the leadership of head coach Jen Simonetti, has added four newcomers that will hit the pitch for the Zips during the 2025 spring campaign.

Donning the Akron uniform this spring will be Taylor Allen (Blacksburg, Va.), Rielly Chesna (Chicago, Ill.) and Lilly Touhey (Fishers, Ind.) as well as Finn Cregan (Rochester, N.Y.), who signed with the Zips during the early signing period and graduated high school early to enroll at Akron during the spring semester.

The group is part of Akron’s 2025 signing class joining seven members in Freya Blatz (Bethel Park, Pa.), Fiona Buczak (Brunswick, Ohio), Luisa Fragnoli (Medina, Ohio), Addison Hall (Manchester, Conn.), Bailey Kerins (Dublin, Ohio), Olivia Pilato (Rochester, N.Y.) and Devyn Raymond (Shelby Township, Mich.) that signed with the Zips during the early signing period.

A native of Blacksburg, Va., Allen, a forward, comes to Akron after playing her freshman campaign at West Virginia. She appeared in one game for the Mountaineers this past season. She played at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., where she helped guide her squad to a national finalist appearance in 2021 and a national semifinalist berth in 2022. Her team captured conference titles during both the 2021 and 2022 campaigns. A member of the IMG Academy Top 150 players nationally as part of her graduating class.

A native of Chicago, Ill., Chesna, a defender, comes to Akron after being a member of the women’s soccer team at Marquette this past season. She appeared in eight contests this past season, including a pair of starts, and record an assist versus Mercyhurst, while helping her squad register a pair of shutouts. She has appeared in 39 career contests recording a goal and an assist on the strength of nine shots, including four on goal. A four-year letterwinner at Lyons Township High School, she posted 25 career goals and helped her squad to the state finals as a junior in 2021. As a freshman, she recorded 18 goals and garnered team MVP honors.

A native of Rochester, N.Y., Cregan, a midfielder, is a four-year letterwinner at Brighton High School where she finished her prep career registering 37 goals, while adding 55 assists. A four-time all-conference performer, including first-team all-league accolades as a junior and senior, while twice being tabbed an all-tournament selection. She helped lead her team to the sectional finals en route to being named to participate in the 2024 Senior Selection game, scoring four goals in the game. Additionally, she has gained valuable club playing experience with Western New York Flash (ECNL).

A native of Fishers, Ind., Touhey, a midfielder, comes to Akron after being a member of the women’s soccer squad at Charlotte this past season. She played in eight matches, including three starts for the 49ers this fall and has appeared in 21 career contests, recording three shots, including a pair on goal. Touhey was an All-Conference and All-District selection as a senior for Fishers High School en route to be named to the Indy Star High School Super Team. She helped lead the Indiana Fire to State Cup Championships in 2022, 2018, 2017 and 2016 and reached the USYA Regional Semifinals in 2017.

2025 Akron Women’s Soccer Signing Class
Taylor Allen, F, 5-7, So., Blacksburg, Va. (IMG Academy/West Virginia)
Freya Blatz, GK, 5-8, Fr., Bethel Park, Pa. (Bethel Park/Century United GA)
Fiona Buczak, MF, 5-2, Fr., Brunswick, Ohio (Brunswick/Internationals SC ECNL)
Rielly Chesna, D, 5-7, Sr., Chicago, Ill. (Lyons Township/Marquette)
Finn Cregan, MF, 5-4, Fr., Rochester, N.Y. (Brighton/Western NY Flash ECNL)
Luisa Fragnoli, D, 5-4, Fr., Medina, Ohio (Highland/Internationals SC ECNL)
Addison Hall, MF/F, 5-9, Fr., Manchester, Conn. (Manchester/Connecticut Football Club ECNL)
Bailey Kerins, D, 5-2, Fr., Dublin, Ohio (Bishop Watterson/Ohio Premier ECNL)
Olivia Pilato, F, 5-1, Fr., Rochester, N.Y. (Hilton Central/Western NY Flash ECNL)
Devyn Raymond, F, 5-11, Fr., Shelby Township, Mich. (Eisenhower/Nationals Blue GA/ECNL)
Lilly Touhey, MF, 5-5, Jr., Fishers, Ind., (Fishers/Charlotte)