Pittsburgh Riverhounds Academy players celebrate Signing Day
PITTSBURGH (Via Riverhounds DA) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds Development Academy (RDA) held its annual Signing Day celebration this week at Highmark Stadium, as 25 athletes declared their intent to play collegiately.
Including All-American and championship distinctions, this 2019 RDA class has strung together a successful year competing in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) and Boys ECNL. Several additional players are expected to join this group and announce their intentions to play collegiately in the coming weeks.
“Signing Day is one of our favorite days of the year as an Academy staff,” Sporting Director Jason Kutney said. “These young players put forth a tremendous effort on the field, in the classroom and through the highly stressful recruitment process, so taking a night to celebrate all they have accomplished with their supportive family members is absolutely amazing.”
Two players on the RDA Boys side, Nathan Dragisich (Duquesne University) and Gabriel Haines (Marietta College), were members of the West Allegheny High School Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) state championship team.
Dragisich, an original player of the very first RDA training program in 2007-08, was named an ECNL and high school All-American, in addition to ECNL Midwest Conference Player of the Year. He also participated in the organization’s Pathway Program, allowing him to train alongside the Riverhounds SC professional team.
On the RDA Girls side, three commitments, Emily Clopp (University of Akron), Alaina Kalin(Indiana University) and Caroline Swan (Johns Hopkins University), were part of last season’s 1999/00 ECNL team that finished second in the Ohio Valley Conference. This team later advanced into the ECNL Champions League.
The 2019 RDA class commitments include a wide variety of schools, including the University of Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech and Duquesne University, among others.
Below is a list of RDA players who have declared their intentions to play collegiately.
RDA Girls:
Emily Clopp (Canon McMillan H.S.) – University of Akron
Courtney Coholich (Hampton H.S.) – Cleveland State University
Olivia DeLeonibus (Shaler H.S.) – Seton Hill University
Elisabeth Engle (Beaver Area H.S.) – California University of Pennsylvania
Faith Falick (South Fayette H.S.) – Waynesburg University
Elizabeth Gorman (Vincentian Academy) – Catholic University of America
Mackenzie Graham (State College H.S.) – Virginia Tech
Alaina Kalin (Pine Richland H.S.) – Indiana University
Abigael McEnroe (Moon Area H.S.) – Gettysburg College
Maria Miocic (Beaver Area H.S.) – California University of Pennsylvania
Ana Molnar (Moon H.S.) – Wheeling Jesuit University
Kendra Pampus (Norwin H.S.) – Youngstown State University
Adelina Roman (Canon McMillan H.S.) – Youngstown State University
Rebecca Rust (The Ellis School) – University of Rochester
Caroline Swan (Pine Richland H.S.) – Johns Hopkins University
Helina Van Bibber (South Fayette H.S.) – Case Western Reserve
Michaela Watkins (New Brighton H.S.) – Youngstown State University
Abigail Wert (Avonworth H.S.) – University of Pittsburgh
Grace Wirth (Quaker Valley H.S.) – Niagara University
RDA Boys:
Jacob Adams (Westmont Hilltop H.S.) – Marshall University
Nathan Dragisich (West Allegheny H.S.) – Duquesne University
Jesse Greyshock (Deer Lakes H.S.) – Grove City College
Gabriel Haines (West Allegheny H.S.) – Marietta College
Luke Mort (Greensburg Central Catholic H.S.) – University of Pittsburgh
Kolbe Rice (Steubenville Catholic Central H.S.) – Richmond University (United Kingdom)
