UConn women’s soccer unveils 7-player recruiting class
STORRS, Conn. (Via University of Connecticut) – The UConn women’s soccer team announced the addition of seven incoming freshman to the class of 2023 on Friday evening.
Read up on all seven incoming Huskies and what they and head coach Margaret Rodriguez are saying about their arrival to Storrs.
Eman Karimi | Defender | Springfield, Va.
Lettered four seasons under head coach Nina Pannoni at South County High School in Lorton, Va. She helped lead her team to a 2018 District Championship and was a two-time captain and three-time All-Conference honorable mention.
Eman Karimi: As I begin my college career at UConn. I am super excited to be able to be a part of a great soccer program and to create new friendships with my future teammates. I am also excited to further my education at UConn and I am happy to be able to pursue my dream of soccer at the collegiate level.
Margaret Rodriguez: A technical player with good size and strength who can play in the midfield or as a center back. She unfortunately suffered an ACL injury and will most likely red shirt the 2019 season. It will be a great time for her to adjust to this level and rehab and recover in a very good environment.
Cara Jordan | Midfielder | Cromwell, Conn.
Lettered two season at Cromwell High School under head coach Marcelo Caetano. She was an All-State performer in 2016 and earned All-Shoreline Conference honors in 2015 and 2016. After her sophomore year left high school soccer to participate in developmental academy. Played with Oakwood Soccer Club. Helped team qualify for NPL Finals in 2016 and 2017 and reached the championship match in 2016. She also lettered three seasons in track and earned All-State and All-Conference honors in 2017. Jordan was the Valedictorian of her class, member of the National Honor Society and Nutmeg Scholarship nominee.
Cara Jordan – I chose to attend UConn because of the positive team environment. Even before I committed, the coaches treated me like one of their players and helped me tremendously when I faced a major injury. I can’t wait to earn a great education and live on a beautiful campus all while being a part of an amazing team.”
Margaret Rodriguez: Cara is a left footed flank player who can play up top, in the midfield or in the back. Her greatest strength is her speed, and she has a knack for scoring goals. Cara will be a force on the left flank for us next season and can help set up our attack nicely.
Anna Salvucci | Defender | Glen Hills, Pa.
Lettered four seasons under head coach Andy Fraggos at Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square, Pa. She was a 2018 First Team All-Southeastern Pennsylvania while earning Second Team All-Delco in 2018. During the 2017 season, she made First Team All-Delco and First Team All-Inter-AC while leading the team to a runner-up finish in the state tournament. Led her team to Inter-AC titles in 2015 and 2017. Played club soccer at Penn Fusion from U-13 all the way through U-18. She was a USA Soccer Training Invitee for Philadelphia area. Named to IMG Top 150 class in 2019 with a nationally ranking of No. 136 and regional ranking of No. 6. She participated in 2015 ODP National Training Camp. Salvucci also lettered in basketball and track in high school.
Anna Salvucci: “I chose UConn because I will have the opportunity to play the sport I love and study at the level where my talents will continue to grow throughout my college experience. I am excited to be joining a team that truly knows the meaning of family and hard work.”
Margaret Rodriguez: A very quick and feisty player. Anna will come in and look to compete right away for a spot on the flank. She has gained experience as both a defender and attacking playing and this versatility should help us next year. Anna is very comfortable with the ball at her feet and she should transition very well to this level of play. She is very active on both sides of the ball and will be a great addition on the flank for us.
Giavanna DeLorenzo | Forward | Monroe, Conn.
Lettered four seasons under head coach Jayson Golesky at Masuk High School in Monroe, Conn. Was a two-time All-State selection, three-time All-SWC pick and a team captain. She scored 58 goals and registered 36 assists. DeLorenzo received Offensive Player of the Year recognition and landed on the Hearst Connecticut All-Media team. Played club soccer at Yankee United and helped lead team to City Showcase Tournament Championship. She also played basketball in high school.
Giavanna DeLorenzo: I’m so excited to have the opportunity to be a student at the University of Connecticut, receive a quality education, to play for an amazing soccer program, and to be a part of the Husky family!
Margaret Rodriguez: Gia is a spark either in the midfield or up top. She is quick and technical and has a great work rate. We are looking forward to see what she can bring to our attacking side of the roster.
Jackie Harnett | Defender | Wantage, N.J.
Played two seasons under head coach Aaron Berger at High Point Regional High School in Wantage, N.J. During her two seasons on the field, Harnett earned First Team All-Conference, All-Academic team and First Team All-Herald in both campaigns. She was the leading scorer on her team with 16 goals as a freshman and set a single-season record with 34 goals as a sophomore. After her sophomore season, Harnett received NJ Herald, MaxPreps and Mugs Media Player of the Year honors. Harnett did not play her junior (developmental academy) or senior year (ACL Injury). She played club soccer at PDA, a powerhouse in the New Jersey area. She helped lead PDA to a pair of ECNL Northeast Conference Championships in 2016 and 2017.
Jackie Harnett: As I begin my college career at UConn, I am excited and blessed to be joining a great soccer program and have the opportunity to further my education at an amazing school. I can’t wait to be a part of the Husky family and make things happen on the soccer field!”
Margaret Rodriguez: Jackie will look to make an immediate impact in our back line. She has the athleticism to make a great attacking outside back. She is disciplined, understands the game, and is technically very good on the ball. We are excited to see her succeed as a Husky.
Emma Zaccagnini | Midfielder | Oakville, Conn.
Lettered two seasons at Watertown High School under head coach Christina Caron. She earned All-State honors in 2016 while leading her team to an NVL Championship season. In 2015, the team finished runner-up in the NVL and Zaccagnini received All-NVL recognition. She played club soccer at Oakwood Soccer Club and helped lead her team to a New England NPL Championship in 2016 and a US Club NYCSL NPL Championship in 2013. Also won the 2016 National Elite Women’s Soccer Showcase (NEWSS). She also lettered in track and field in high school and was the Most Outstanding Overall Female Performer in the NVL in 2019. Zaccagnini was a member of the National Honor Society and World Language Honor Society.
Emma Zaccagnini: “I chose UConn because the atmosphere is amazing. The campus is gorgeous, the education is great, and most importantly I love the team. The coaches are all very experienced and kindhearted women. I can’t wait to be a part of the women’s soccer program. ”
Margaret Rodriguez: Emma is one of the most efficient players I have seen in a while on the ball. She is very clean technically and plays within 1-2 touches very well. She is very competitive and constantly on the move making it very difficult for opponents to deal with. We love her speed of play and her movement on and off the ball. We are very excited to have Emma join us and we will look for her to be the link between our backs and our forwards next season.
Jessica Mazo | Midfielder | Bridgeport, Conn.
Played high school soccer at Saint Joseph High School in Trumbull, Conn. 2018 High School Girls’ National Player of the Year, becoming just the fifth Connecticut player to take home the honor. She helped Saint Joseph win three Class-L State Championships and the 2017 FCIAC title. While at St. Joseph, she was a two-time captain, three-time All-State, four-time All-FCIAC and three-time All-Region honoree. Mazo played club soccer at Yankee United and was a three-time All-American while also taking home CHSCA Girls Soccer Player of the Year honors. Off the field, Mazo earned National Honor Society status and was an honor roll student every year of high school.
Jessica Mazo: “I chose UConn not only for its beautiful campus, but also because I knew I would be joining a program that was going to push my limits and make me a better player and person.”
Margaret Rodriguez: She is gifted in every aspect of her game. She is a center mid that can attack on the dribble, play a final pass, and can finish. In the midfield, she is relentless on both sides of the ball and is a force to be reckoned with. Jess is a class act on and off the field, and off we cannot wait to see her to impact our program next fall.
