Colgate University women’s soccer announces 8-player recruiting class

HAMILTON – Colgate University women’s soccer head coach Lyndse Hokanson has announced the addition of eight student-athletes who will be joining the program in the fall of 2020.

“After speaking to each of the student-athletes in this class and getting the chance to know them, I am thrilled about the collection of people and players who make up this group,” said Hokanson. “We as a staff are excited about this new adventure and what we’re hoping to build here in Hamilton. We know that they’ll be a contributing factor in laying the foundation. The talent and experience they bring will add to the core of what we feel to be a great group. August can’t come soon enough!”

Listed below are Colgate’s eight newcomers for the class of 2024 in alphabetical order.

Sara Anelli
Midfielder
Laval, Quebec/Sacred Heart School of Montreal

Before Colgate
Anelli was named to the RSEQ (Quebec Provincial Collegiate League) All-Star Team in back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019 as a key midfielder for Sacred Heart School of Montreal. She played her club soccer at CS Monteuil, where she helped lead her team to the U-18 AAA Quebec Cup Championship in two straight seasons 2018-19. Anelli was a team captain for four seasons and led her team to the PLSQ (Quebec Semi-Professional League) Championship as a senior in 2019. She was selected to the Quebec Provincial Team in 2015. Anelli also competed in basketball, flag football, and cross country.

Personal
Born: Sara Emily Anelli in Laval, Quebec.
Family: Daughter of Albert Anelli and Emilia Mattei…has one sister Carina.

Anneli on choosing Colgate: “It was Colgate’s top-notch academic and athletic reputation that first  attracted me to Colgate. After my official visit, there were no more doubts. As I watched the girls practice, I felt a real sense of healthy competition in a nurturing environment and I was sold on becoming a Raider!”

Maddie Cappillo
Midfielder
Wellesley, Mass./Milton Academy

Before Colgate
Cappillo registered 39 points by way of eight goals and 23 assists during her four-year varsity career as a center midfielder at Milton Academy. She posted four goals and eight assists for 16 total points as a team captain during her senior campaign. Cappillo competed for GPS MA Elite in club soccer and was selected to the All-Independent School League (ISL) Team in back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019.. She garnered Most Valuable Player honors in her senior season and also played four years of lacrosse.

Personal
Born: Madeline Conant Cappillo in Wellesley, Mass.
Family: Daughter of Dave and Noel Spahr Cappillo…has a brother Chris and sister Kaitlyn…both parents attended Colgate…father played men’s soccer from 1990-94…mother played field hockey (1992-96) and women’s lacrosse (1992-94).

Cappillo on choosing Colgate: “The close-knit community, and the school spirit and enthusiasm ultimately drew me to Colgate. On one of my visits, I got the feeling that Colgate was where I wanted to spend my next four years, and that feeling made me super excited to start the next chapter of my life. I knew Colgate was the perfect balance between academics, athletics, and size of the school.”

Ally Giovino
Forward
Westford, Mass./Westford

Before Colgate
Giovino racked up 74 goals and 34 assists for 108 points during a stellar high school career at Westford Academy. Giovino comes to Colgate as the second-highest goal scorer in Westford program history. She was named the Division I North Player of the Year by United Soccer Coaches in 2019 after leading her team to the Dual County League Championship with 23 goals and 12 assists in her senior season. Tabbed Lowell Sun Player of the Year in 2019, Giovino garnered Dual County League MVP honors in back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019. She was a three-time DCL First Team All-Star and two-time Eastern Massachusetts First Team All-State honoree. Giovino played club soccer for FC Scorpions, where she helped lead her team to a U.S. Soccer National Championship and was named to New England’s Top Players to Watch in 2018.

Personal
Born: Alexandria Elizabeth Giovino in Newton, Mass.
Family: Daughter of Anthony and Laurie Giovino…has two brothers Anthony and Nick.

Giovino on choosing Colgate: “As soon as I stepped on Colgate’s beautiful campus, I immediately knew that this is the school for me. The academic and soccer environment is everything I was looking for in a school. The positive atmosphere at Colgate made it feel like home.”

Emma Hickey
Goalkeeper
Rutland, Mass./Wachusett Regional

Before Colgate
A goalkeeper hailing from Rutland, Massachusetts, Hickey set the high school program record at Wachusett Regional with a mere .43 career goals-against average. She saw action in 57 games during her high school tenure and posted 34.5 shutouts as a two-time Division I State Champion in 2017 and 2018. Hickey was named a two-time league All-Star and All-State selection and was the team captain her senior season. She played club soccer for the FC Stars in the ECNL and was a member of National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and Latin National Honor Society.

Personal
Born: Emma Theresa Hickey in Worcester, Mass.
Family: Daughter of Shawn and Tess Hickey…has one brother Andrew and a sister Rachael.

Hickey on choosing Colgate: “I remember stepping onto the soccer field during my first visit, looking around and taking it all in, and so effortlessly being able to picture myself working hard, making close friends, and playing the game I love at Colgate. After seeing the campus that first day, I knew I didn’t want to spend my next four years anywhere else.”

Bella O’Rourke
Defender
West Chester, Pa./Villa Maria Academy

Before Colgate
A defender out of West Chester, Pennsylvania, O’Rourke enjoyed a strong playing career for Villa Maria Academy. She led her defensive unit with three goals and posted eight assists during her high school career. All three of her goals were scored during her senior season, plus she dished out five assists to anchor the back line. O’Rourke garnered All Main Line Team accolades by the Main Line Times after a stellar senior season. She played club soccer for Penn Fusion DA and helped lead her team to the U.S. Soccer DA National Quarterfinals in 2018. O’Rourke, a member of National Honor Society, was also Student Council Vice President at Villa Maria Academy.

Personal
Born: Isabella Mary O’Rourke in Philadelphia, Pa.
Family: Daughter of Thomas and Kimberly O’Rourke…has two sisters Ryan and Maggie.

O’Rourke on choosing Colgate: “Colgate is clearly a special place and I felt it as soon as I stepped on campus. The atmosphere of hard work in the classroom and on the field as well as the family I felt with the team and student body really stuck out to me. Everyone was so welcoming and I really felt at home, so I knew Colgate was the place for me.”

Lauren Rougas
Midfielder
Cranbury, N.J./Princeton

Before Colgate
Rougas enjoyed a stellar career at Princeton High School, where she was a two-time All-State and All-Colonial Valley Conference First Team selection. Rougas turned in 11 goals and six assists as a holding midfielder at Princeton, including an impressive eight tallies and four helpers on her way to being nominated for All-American status as a senior. A two-year captain, Rougas played her club soccer for PDA ECNL. She also competed in women’s basketball and lacrosse in high school, and helped lead her lacrosse team to back-to-back State sectional titles in 2018 and 2019.

Personal
Born: Lauren Elizabeth Rougas in Princeton, N.J.
Family: Daughter of Paul and Judy Rougas…has a brother Brendan and sister Megan.

Rougas on choosing Colgate: “When I visited Colgate, I immediately fell in love with the culture and the dynamic of the team. Everyone was so welcoming and friendly. With a good balance of academics and competitive soccer, I knew Colgate was the school for me.”

Lyna Schaffer
Defender
Clearwater, Fla./IMG Academy

Before Colgate
A midfielder out of Clearwater, Florida, Schaffer started over 40 games for IMG Academy, where she accumulated 17 points on five goals and seven assists as a four-year starter at center back. She started every game as a senior and recorded two goals and two assists to help lead her team to U.S. Soccer DA National Elite Eight in 2019. Schaffer played a pivotal role in the team’s advancement to the National Playoffs in 2018 and USYS Florida State Cup Finals in 2017. A two-time recipient of the IMG Academy Coach’s Award, Schaffer was also a member of National Honor Society.

Personal
Born: Rachel Evelyna Shaffer in Kherson, Ukraine.
Family: Daughter of Benjamin Schaffer and Stephanie Van Zandt.

Schaffer on choosing Colgate: “Colgate was everything I wanted in a university from the highly selective academics, to the competitive Division I athletics. The moment I stepped on Colgate’s beautiful and accepting campus, it felt like home.”

Carly Steinberg
Midfielder
Mahopac, N.Y./Mahopac

Before Colgate
A midfielder hailing from Mahopac, New York, Steinberg helped lead her high school to four straight sectional appearances. Ranked No. 25 on TopDrawer IMG’s Top 150 board, Steinberg hauled in All-American and All-State selections as a senior, amassing 68 goals and 31 assists in her four years at Mahopac High School. She helped lead her team to a USA Today Preseason Top 25 ranking as a senior. Steinberg competed in the 2019 All-American High School Game and earned an invitation to the 2019 ECNL Composite Division. Steinberg was a First Team All-State honoree as a junior and four-time All-League selection at Mahopac. A two-year captain, Steinberg also competed in basketball and was a member of National Honor Society.

Personal
Born: Carly Steinberg in Mount Kisco, N.Y.
Family: Daughter of Rob and Tina Steinberg…has one brother Pierce.

Steinberg on choosing Colgate: “When it came down to my final three schools, Colgate stood out. I knew a degree from Colgate would really mean something. I truly enjoyed economics in high school and after speaking to students at Colgate, attending classes and meeting the faculty, I felt right at home. My future soccer teammates were so welcoming, truthful and humble about their experiences. My family and I went to a lot of games over the past three years, and I’m excited to finally contribute to the team’s success and make a positive impact on and off the field! Go ‘gate!”