Princeton women’s soccer signs seven newcomers ahead of 2022 season

Seven members of the Princeton University Class of 2026 will join a Tiger women’s soccer program that has qualified for four of the last six NCAA tournaments in which the Ivy League has participated and has advanced in three of those tournaments, including making the NCAA quarterfinals in 2017.

“Every year, our staff navigates the inevitable sadness of our departing seniors with the excitement of the incoming first-year students,” Princeton coach Sean Driscoll said. “This year’s graduating class embodied everything a coach could ask for with their character and abundant passion for Princeton women’s soccer. They led with a heightened appreciation as well as a tangible grit that permeated throughout the team. Replacing the nine of them is simply not possible. However, we believe that the seven incoming student-athletes will continue the standard set by the 2021 team. They are a supremely talented group and are beyond excited to represent our program and alumnae base. I would like to thank former assistant coaches Courtney Hofer and Nicole McClure for their help in securing this class. A special thanks goes to associate head coach, Mike Poller, who has worked tirelessly alongside me for over seven years to help identify student-athletes for this incomparable university. The two of us take such immense pride in both representing Princeton and finding those people that we feel will enhance our culture and community. In Pia, Drew, Ally, Caroline, Summer, Pietra and Kelsee, we feel we have a truly special group. Ranked as Top Drawer Soccer’s No. 14 recruiting class, it is a class of exceptional ability, academic prowess and amazing human beings. It has been wonderful to get to know each of them over the past couple of years and it is our privilege to welcome the seven of them to our Princeton women’s soccer family.”

Pia Beaulieu
Height: 5-8
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Hometown: Boca Raton, Fla.
High School: Boca Raton Community High School
Club Team: Team Boca (Coach Patrick Baker) and Tampa Bay United ECNL (Coach Tricia Taliaferro)

• US Youth Soccer National Champion (2021)
• US Youth Soccer Golden Ball Winner (Top Goal Scorer) (2021)
• US Youth Soccer National Training Camp (2018 & 2019)
• ECNL ID2 National Training Camp (2017 & 2018)
• US Youth Soccer Region III Team (2016-2018)

Why Princeton?:
“There are simply not enough words to express the level of gratitude and excitement I hold within me about the overwhelming emotions I feel in finding the perfect university. As I came of age to dive deeper into the collegiate search, Princeton has been my dream ‘home’. From the close-knit community of the student body drawn from all around the world to the rigorous academics, beautiful campus, endless opportunities, and the well-developed characteristics one learns through the school’s unofficial motto, I know this is the environment that will allow me to become the best version of myself and tap into my untapped potential. Moreover, the Princeton women’s soccer team embodies not only what it means to be an unstoppable unit on the pitch but just as importantly what great role models are made off the pitch. The relentless determination, grit, respect, and love shown by this family, strongly supported by Coach Driscoll and Coach Poller, leaves no question in my mind that Princeton is the whole package. I am forever blessed to join a one-of-a-kind program and I can’t wait to represent the tiger family day in and day out, not only for the next four years but forever!”

Driscoll on Beaulieu:
“Pia is among the most versatile players we have recruited since my arrival. She can play any of the three forward positions, multiple positions in midfield, and we also feel she has the potential to be an attack-minded wide back. What makes her a bit more unique is that she has the vision and technical proficiency to play in the middle of the field and, at the same time, has the lungs to be a real asset in the wide areas. Perhaps our favorite aspect of her game is the fact that she takes as much pride in defending as she does in attacking.”

Drew Coomans
Height: 5-4
Position: Forward
Hometown: Long Beach, Calif.
High School: Chadwick School (Coach Luis Morales)
Club Team: Beach FC ECNL (Coach Jeff Joyner)

• Ranked #44 Nationally in Top Drawer Soccer Class of 2022
• Ranked #14 Forward in Top Drawer Soccer Class of 2022
• US U17 Women’s National Team Camps (2019-2021)
• US National Training Center Invitee (2019-2020)
• Chadwick School Team Captain 2020-2021 and 2021-2022
• Chadwick School MVP (2020-2021)
• Prep League first-team all-league (2020-2021)

Why Princeton?
“I felt an instant connection to Princeton the very moment I stepped onto campus. The school pride is incredible, its architectural beauty is breathtaking, and its soccer program is unmatched. Coach Sean and Coach Mike are the easiest people to speak with and have made me feel so welcome and included. Princeton embodies passion that will allow me to push myself academically and strive for me to be the best athletically. I’m looking forward to representing Princeton on the field. Go Tigers!”

Driscoll on Coomans:
“Drew’s acceleration is jaw dropping. Whether she is running off the ball or in 1-v-1 duels, her pace can change the complexion of a game quickly. While she has a propensity to get behind most defenses, she also offers the technique and awareness to play between the opposing midfield and back lines and be a facilitator for others. In addition to her attacking gifts, Drew’s transitional defending to put the opposition under immediate pressure is something that will help our collective defensive mentality.”

Caroline Kane
Height: 5-11
Position: Center Back
Hometown: Los Altos, Calif.
High School: Saint Francis High School (Coach Carlos Barboza)
Club team: MVLA ECNL 2003/2004 (Coach Erin Montoya)

• Ranked #100 Nationally in Top Drawer Soccer Class of 2022
• Ranked #24 Defender in Top Drawer Soccer Class of 2022
• WCAL Defender of the Year (2022)
• USYNT Regional Training Camp (2021)
• ECNL Regional Selection Camp (2019)
• Team captain MVLA 03 ECNL team (2015-2021)
• ECNL Champions League Playoffs (2018/2019)
• West Catholic Athletic League first-team all-league selection (2020)
• Top 11 at ECNL New Jersey Showcase (2019)

Why Princeton?
“Princeton’s combination of academic and athletic excellence aligned perfectly with what I had been searching for during my recruitment process. The coaching staff is endlessly supportive of and compassionate toward their players and I am confident that under their leadership I will develop to my full potential as a player and a teammate. Beyond my growth on the field, becoming a member of the Princeton soccer team will motivate me to become the best version of myself off the field. Playing with a team that embodies core values of service and selflessness, I’ll have plenty of opportunities to actively participate in the local community. I look forward to the equally unfamiliar yet inspiring environment that Princeton will provide, and couldn’t imagine taking these next steps in my life elsewhere!”

Driscoll on Kane:
“Caroline is a wonderful combination of technical ability and calm under pressure. Her vision and range of passing along with a terrific left foot will bring added depth and balance to our back line. She also takes tremendous pride in her individual defending and has great awareness with her covering responsibilities. Caroline is the consummate team player and has shown exceptional communication and organizational skills as a center back.”

Ally Murphy
Height: 5-10
Position: Forward
Hometown: Winchester, Mass.
High School: Winchester High School (Coach Rick Emanuel) and Worcester Academy (Coach Jennifer Marino)
Club Team: FC Stars of Massachusetts ECNL (Coaches Jason Dewhurst, James Blackwell and Graeme Blackman)

• NEPSAC Class A/B Player of the Year (2021)
• Team MVP (2021)
• NEPSAC Class A Finalists (2021)
• All-State, All-New England, All-League (2018-2021)
• Boston Globe All-Scholastic (2019-2020)
• Boston Herald All-Scholastic (2018-2020)
• All-Decade Team (2020)
• ECNL National Semi-Finalist (2019)
• ECNL Player to Watch (2019)
• Top Drawer Soccer All-State team (2019)
• ECNL AIl-NE Conference (2018)
• State Champion (2018)

Why Princeton?
“Princeton University offers an elite combination of academics and athletics. The sense of community and the kindness that pervades each individual I met while on campus solidified that Princeton is the place for me. The coaching staff was both warm and welcoming from the start and I quickly learned that the Princeton soccer team is truly a family; it permeates in everything they do. I want to compete at the highest level with the Princeton soccer family as well as study at such an extraordinary university. This is an opportunity for which I will always be grateful and I am so excited to spend the next four years in such an amazing environment. Go Tigers!”

Driscoll on Murphy:
“Ally will bring speed, athleticism and a goal scoring threat to our front line. Her willingness and technical proficiency to shoot with both feet from distance along with her comfort in 1-v-1 situations are attributes we are excited to add to our attacking group. The fact that she can play on either flank or through the middle with confidence is a massive bonus. Our staff also really admires Ally’s ability to adapt to physically demanding games. She never shies away from contact and that is a mindset we love to see with our forwards.”

Summer Pierson
Height: 5-8
Position: Central Midfielder
Hometown: Framingham, Mass.
High School: The Rivers School (Coach Susanna Donahue)
Club Team: FC Stars of Massachusetts ECNL (Coach Graeme Blackman)

• NPL National Champion (2017)
• USYNT Training Camp (2017)
• All-ISL (2019 & 2021)
• All NEPSAC (2019 & 2021)
• All-State (2019 & 2021)
• All-Region (2019)
• Rivers High School Captain (2021)

Why Princeton?:
“For me, the recruiting process and eventual decision to play soccer for and attend Princeton was an easy one. Coming from a family of college athletes and soccer players, as well as teachers, I’ve always known how essential the combination and balance of an academic challenge and something I love, like soccer, is to my well-being. Princeton is unique in the way that it not only satisfies those needs, but also caters to my passion for social change and mental health advocacy with renowned courses in SPIA and Public Efficacy. While all of these aspects pulled me towards New Jersey, there are few words to describe the family Princeton women’s soccer, especially Sean and Mike, have created for their players and each other, making my decision to become a Tiger a no-brainer.”

Driscoll on Pierson:
“Summer brings a different mentality and aspect to our team. She is a physically gifted and fearless player that we feel can play in the defensive midfield or center back position. She offers a welcome presence in the air as well as a commitment to destroying play in midfield. With the ball, Summer provides great vision, composure and a range of forward passing that our staff feels is an area we need to continue to enhance within our team.”

Pietra Tordin
Height: 5-6
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Hometown: Doral, Fla.
High School: Doral Academy Charter High School (Coaches Diego Casnales, Jessier Dominguez, and Omar Persad)
Club: Sunrise Prime ECNL (Coaches Allan Hough and John Markey)

• Ranked #109 Nationally in Top Drawer Soccer Class of 2022
• Ranked #34 Midfielder in Top Drawer Soccer Class of 2022
• 2021 USYNT Training Camp
• 2018 US Youth Soccer ODP National Pool
• 2019, 2020, and 2021 Team Captain Doral Academy

Why Princeton?
“When people talk about the concept of ‘home’ I have always thought about my family. I have only ever considered my family my true ‘home,’ which scared me when I decided to apply to a university very far away. I knew Princeton was a great option for me because of the combination of extraordinary education and a competitive soccer program, but I was still worried about leaving. My fears of leaving home virtually disappeared when I visited the campus and spoke to some of the staff and soccer players. I realized that I fit into Princeton’s environment and that it could become my new home. Knowing that I am headed to a place where I feel welcome and comfortable is the best feeling I could ask for. I can’t wait to become a Tiger and make a second home at Princeton!”

Driscoll on Tordin:
“Pietra is a prolific attacking personality that can feature anywhere along the front line or as an attacking midfielder. She is exceptional in 1-v-1 situations and has the innate ability to create something out of absolutely nothing. Pietra possesses an accurate shot from distance and has the confidence to score from a variety of angles inside the box. Her vision and comfort with the ball also allows for dangerous final passes to put her teammates in positions to score.”

Kelsee Wozniak
Height 5-8
Position: Forward
Hometown: Raynham, Mass.
High School: Whitman-Hanson Regional High School
Club Team: FC Stars of Massachusetts ECNL (Coach Graeme Blackman)

• Ranked #13 in Northeast Region in Top Drawer Soccer
• 2021 ECNL First Team All-Conference
• 2019 ECNL Best XI Northeast All-Conference Team
• 2018 US ODP Girls Thanksgiving Interregional All-Star Team
• 2018 & 2019 Patriot League All-Star
• 2018 & 2019 Enterprise All-Scholastic
• 2018 & 2019 EMASS first-team all-star
• 2019 EMASS first-team all-state

Why Princeton?:
“From the beginning of my recruiting process, my mind was always set on Princeton. The idea of receiving a beyond exceptional education, along with being a part of such a successful soccer program was more than appealing. I wanted to grow as a person, and be pushed everyday. When I stepped foot on campus, I immediately had a gut feeling that this was my new ‘home.’ By no surprise, my feeling was reassured after attending the ID camp over the summer. A family-like environment was on full display, making it such a positive atmosphere. An atmosphere where one is inspired by the rich tradition of the school and team to be at their best every day. Without a doubt, I know Princeton will grant me endless opportunities, and teach me lifelong lessons. I’m beyond excited to join this family! Go Tigers!”

Driscoll on Wozniak:
“Powerful, direct and a nose for goal, Kelsee will bring a different style to our attacking group. She is fearless, relentless and committed to making an impact in every game in which she plays. Her skill set allows her to both play back to pressure as well as turn and run at opposing defenses. In addition, she is a relentless and physical defender that understands the value and need to defend from the forward position. Whether she has the ball or she is defending, she can be a nightmare for her counterpart.”