Richmond United ECNL product Layla Shell transfers to Brown from Tennessee

Brown University head women’s soccer coach Kia McNeill has announced the addition of Tennessee transfer Layla Shell to the team’s 2023 roster.

“Layla is going to be a tremendous addition to our team,” McNeill said. “She is a fierce defender who reads the game very well, is good in the air, and her tactical sophistication and composure on the ball is unmatched. From the moment I met her and we discussed her passions on and off the field, I knew that Brown would be a great place for her to thrive as a student-athlete.”

Coming out of high school, Shell was ranked in TopDrawerSoccer as the 17th best defender in the country, and 76th best player overall.

“Her experience at the Power 5 level at University of Tennessee will translate well to our program success at Brown, and I can’t wait to welcome her to our community here on College Hill,” McNeill concluded.

Shell was a freshman during Tennessee’s 2022 season.

Graduation: 2022

Ranked #76 overall and #17 Defender by Top Drawer/IMG Academy
Earned VHSL First Team All-Region and First Team All-State honors
Won a 2019 Region 4B Championship
Named to 2020-2021 ECNL Mid-Atlantic U17 All-Conference First Team
Four-time ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference Champion
Attended U18/U19 WNT Virtual Camp
Invited to YNT Regional ID in Columbia, SC
Made the ECNL National Playoffs Final Eight on two occasions
Attended U.S. U-14 YNT Camp
Member of National Spanish Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, National Business Honor Society, and National Art Honor Society