Duquesne women’s soccer unveils 2019 recruiting class

PITTSBURGH (Via Duquesne University) – Duquesne women’s soccer head coach Al Alvine has announced the 2019 five-woman recruiting class:

“We are extremely excited to welcome these exceptional student-athletes to the bluff for the fall of 2019,” said Alvine.

“Their accomplishments on the field, in the classroom and in the community will make them a fun group to watch develop over the next four years. I expect all of them to make significant contributions in the coming season and beyond.”

MEET THE NEWEST DUKES

Jaimi Araujo
5-6, Forward, Tabernacle, N.J./Seneca
Club: PDA

Seneca High School

• 2018 New Jersey All-State
• 2018 All-South Jersey All-Star Game
• Selected a top forward to watch in New Jersey
• Selected a Top 50 performer in the New Jersey state playoffs
• Named New Jersey Girls’ Soccer Elite
• Selected Burlington County Star of the Night
• Three-time All-Olympic Conference

PDA

• 2017 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Team
• 2013-16 ECNL Team
• 2014-16 ECNL Playoffs
• 2014 ECNL North East Conference Champions
• 2013 NJYS State Champion, Region 1 Champions, North East Conference Champion
• 2012 Conference Champions, NJYS State Champion

Coach Alvine on Jaimi Araujo
“Jaimi is a strong, athletic and versatile forward who has demonstrated an ability to score goals at every level. Primarily a center forward, she also has the ability to play in wide areas and as an attacking midfielder. One of Jaimi’s biggest assets, however, is her soccer IQ. Her movement off the ball and ability to get herself in dangerous situations will make her someone that we are counting on to score goals and create chances.”

Natalie Bell
5-2, Forward/Midfield, Hermitage, Pa./Hickory
Clubs: Century United/Beadling

Hickory High School

• 2018 All-District First Team & Pennsylvania All-State
• 2017 Regional Player of the Year, All-District First Team, Pennsylvania All-State, USC All-Region
• 2016 & 2018 District Champion
• 2016 All-District Second Team
• 2015 All-District First Team

Century United / Beadling

• 2017 & 2018 State Cup Runner-up
• 2016 State Cup Champion

Coach Alvine on Natalie Bell
“Natalie is a speedy and technically gifted attacking player who is comfortable playing out wide or as an attacking midfielder. Her ability to take players on off the dribble and score goals from a variety of situations will make her someone that competes for time immediately. Natalie may be small in stature but she’s feisty, aggressive and does not shy away from physical contact. She is a fierce competitor in every way.”

Maddie Genicola
5-5, Defender, North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin
Club: Century United/Beadling

Norwin High School

• Three-year starter
• 2018 All-American nominee
• 2017, 2018 All Big 56
• 2018 All-WPIAL
• 2017 PIAA Champions
• 2016, 2017 & 2018 All-Section
• 2015 & 2016 WPIAL Champions

Beadling/Century

• 2017 & 2018 State Cup Runner-up
• 2016 State Cup Champ

Coach Alvine on Maddie Genicola
“Maddie is an athletic, physical and completely fearless defender. She’s an outstanding ball-winner in the tackle and in the air. She is also a defender that is comfortable on the ball in every third of the field and loves to get forward and join the attack. Her versatility makes her an option to play anywhere along the back line.”

Kristina Skulte
5-7, Midfield, Leesburg, Va./Tuscarora
Cluf: FC Virginia

Tuscarora High School

• Three-year starter
• 2017 First Team All-Potomac
• 2016 Second Team All-Potomac
• 2015 Virginia District 5 finalist

FC Virginia

• Virginia State Cup Champion
• Virginia NPL Champion
• EDP Tournament Champions
• Super Y Nationals qualifier

Coach Alvine on Kristina Skulte
“Kristina is a true box-to-box central midfield player. She does everything well and is as good on the defensive side of the ball as she is in attack. She has the ability to pick out a final pass in the attacking third as well as drive through the midfield with the ball at her feet. We are excited to add her to an already talented group of midfielders.”

Jessica White
5-8, Defender/Midfield, Hermitage, Pa./Hickory
Club: Century United/Beadling

Hickory High School

• Three-year starter
• Hickory High School team captain
• 2016 & 2018 District Champions

Century United/Beadling

• 2017 & 2018 State Cup runner-up
• 2016 State Cup Champion

Coach Alvine on Jessica White
“Jessica is comfortable playing as a center back or as a holding midfielder. Her ability in the air and physical presence make her someone who will challenge for time immediately. Jessica’s ability to read the game and distribute are some of her best attributes … as is her ability to score goals off of set pieces.”