Northeastern University announces 2022 women’s soccer recruiting class

BOSTON — Northeastern University women’s soccer head coach Ashley Phillips has announced the addition of seven incoming freshman ahead of the 2022 season.

The group includes Lauren Ahles, Vivian Akyirem, Sabrina Araujo-Elorza, Maggie Cochran, Lauren Dupont, Vanessa Linke and Ava Nace.

“We are thrilled to welcome these seven awesome young women to our program,” remarked Phillips. “They are prepared to work hard to develop and grow throughout their careers both on and off the field. There is a lot of talent and commitment in these young women, which will blend with our current culture. This is a balanced class, which includes attacking players who will increase our ability to create goal scoring opportunities along with some reliable defensive minded players to add to our backline and goalkeeping groups. These young women will be great additions to the Northeastern community and we can’t wait to get to get them to campus.”

Lauren Ahles
Position: Forward/Midfield
Hometown: Lino Lakes, Minnesota
High School: Centennial
Club: Salvo SC GA

• Captain of her high school team
• Named a Miss Minnesota Soccer Finalist
• Earned All-Region, All-State and All-Metro first team honors
• Claimed Offensive MVP Honors

Vivia Akyirem
Position: Midfield/Forward
Hometown: Kumasi, Ghana
High School: Berkshire
Club: Black Rock FC

• Team captain of her high school team
• Named MVP and Class B All-NEPSAC
• Broke Berkshire’s single-season record for goals scored with 29
• Earned MVP honors from Black Rock FC

Sabrina Araujo-Elorza
Position: Defender
Hometown: Pembroke Pines, Florida
High School: Pembroke Pines Charter
Club: FC Prime

• Captain of her high school team
• Named Miami Herald All-County First Team in 2018-19 and 2020-21
• Helped FC Prime to the ECNL National Playoffs in 2021
• Made the ODP National Team in 2022

Maggie Cochran
Position: Forward/Midfield
Hometown: Cape Elizabeth, Maine
High School: Cape Elizabeth
Club: FC Stars

• Two-time captain of her high school team
• Three-time Maine State Champion (2018, 2019, 2021)
• Owns record for most goals scored in a single-game with six
• Earned All-State honors in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
• Named Maine Class B Player of the Year (2019, 2020, 2021), United Soccer Coaches Maine Player of the Year (2020, 2021), Maine Gatorade Player of the Year (2020) and Maine USA Today Player of the Year (2020)
• Helped FC Stars qualify for the ECNL National Tournament in 2021

Lauren Dupont
Position: Midfield
Hometown: Fairfax Station, Virginia
High School: South County
Club: BRYC Elite Academy

• Captain of her club team
• Named All-District and All-Region for her high school team
• Helped South County to a Virginia 6A State Championship in 2021, to pair with a 17-0 record
• Club team claimed three ECNL Mid-Atlantic Championships and five Jeff Cup Championships

Vanessa Linke
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: Carlsbad, California
High School: San Marcos
Club: City SC Carlsbad

• Averaged 4.9 saves per game to pair with a .826 GAA at San Marcos
• Earned the coaches award during the 2021 season
• Helped team to CIF Open Division Championships from 2019-22
• Spent 14 years with City SC Carlsbad

Ava Nace
Position: Midfield
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
High School: Winsor School
Club: New England Football Club/Scorpions SC

• Captain of her high school team
• EIL All-League selection as a freshman and junior, Massachusetts Prep All-State selection as a junior and named the Winsor Team MVP as a senior
• Named to the ECNL Northeast Conference All-Star team in 2019
• Played three seasons with the East Region ODP team