University at Albany women’s soccer signs seven freshmen and one transfer

ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany women’s soccer program and first-year head coach Sade Ayinde have announced the addition of eight student-athletes ahead of the Fall ’22 season.

This group consists of one transfer and seven incoming freshmen that will add to a returning group that reached the semifinals of the America East Conference last fall.

“It will be great to have this incoming class, that are primarily attacking players, integrate with our returning group,” said Ayinde.  “I look forward to seeing our current team welcome the freshman in a similar way that I was able to witness with Ashley this past spring.  There is some young talent in this class that our staff looks forward to developing over the next four years, but we also know that each of these players are coming in ready to compete and add to our team culture in a positive way.”

Selma Elverum: F | 5-4 | Oslo, Norway (Norges Toppidrettsgymnas)

Quick Facts: Elverum, the only international recruit among the 2022 class, comes from Norway where she played for Stabæk Fotball.  With Stabæk, she won multiple league titles, won a Norwegian title in 2021, and scored the most goals in the division in both 2019 and 2022.  Additionally, Elverum has been invited to train and dress for the Stabæk Fotball women’s team which competes in the top women’s professional soccer league, Toppserien.

Why UAlbany? “UAlbany made a good first impression that made me feel welcome and has a high-level soccer team.  I am excited to meet all of the girls on the team and the coaches.”

Hailey Hnis: M | 5-5 | Wantagh, N.Y. (General Douglas MacArthur)

Quick Facts: Joining the UAlbany program with her twin sister Madison, Hailey won the 2021 Northeast ECNL Conference in 2021 with her SUSA G04 club team and was named 2019 Attacking Player of the Year for FC Fury.  In her three years of varsity soccer at MacArthur High School, she scored 54 goals and received recognitions of All-State, All-County, All-Long Island, Class A Conference Player of the Year while helping her team to three Class A Conference Championships and a Class A County Championship in 2019.  Hnis is also a member of the National Honor Society.

Why UAlbany? “UAlbany has checked all my boxes. It allows me to follow my dreams of playing Division I soccer while attending a school with a direct path in my major, Education.  I am beyond excited to be a part of the Great Danes’ women’s soccer program.”

Madison Hnis: D | 5-4 | Wantagh, N.Y. (General Douglas MacArthur)

Quick Facts: Joining the UAlbany program with her twin sister Hailey, Madison won the 2021 Northeast ECNL Conference in 2021 with her SUSA G04 club team.  As a three-year varsity soccer player, Hnis earned All-Class, All-County, and Second Team All-Long Island while helping her MacArthur team earn three Conference Class A Championships and a Class A County Championship in 2019.  She is also a member of the National Honor Society.

Why UAlbany? “UAlbany felt like a perfect match for me.  It is amazing that I will play Division I soccer while studying to become a teacher.  This fulfills all that I have dreamed of.  I can’t wait to wear purple and gold, play soccer with new people in a new environment, make friends, and start a new chapter in life.”

Emily Jozak: F | 5-8 | Wayne, N.J. (Wayne Valley)

Quick Facts: Jozak most recently played with FC Copa with UAlbany teammate, Caroline Mascone, and four-years of varsity soccer with Wayne Valley High School.  With her previous team, PSA, she won the 2018 New Jersey Youth State Cup, the 2019 USYS National Championship State Cup, 2019 USYS Eastern Regional Championship, and was a 2019 semi-finalist for the USYS National Championship.  With her four-time conference championship high school team, Jozak scored 59 goals, had 30 assists, and received All-State and All-County honors.  In 2021, her high school team won the County Championship, State Sectional Championship, and for the first time in school history wone the State Group Championship.   Jozak is also a member of the National Honor Society.

Why UAlbany? “The first time I visited, I just knew this was where I saw myself.  I am most looking forward to the campus life, with all that the school has to offer, and to being able to compete at the highest level of soccer.”

Ashley Ladner: M | 5-3 | Oceanside, N.Y. (Oceanside)

Quick Facts: Ladner comes to UAlbany as a transfer from University at Buffalo.  The Oceanside, N.Y. native competed for four years in the midfield for Oceanside High School where she garnered All-Class, All-Conference, All-County, and All-State honors.   In 2018, Ladner was also named Conference Player of the Year.  In her club career, she was recognized as a three-time ECNL Player to Watch and was named to the 2020 Girls IMG Top 150.  In 2016, she was a US Soccer Training Center invitee, as well as an ENY ODP National Camp representative.   Ladner played club soccer for Albertson Fury and FC Fury DA, and has most recently played WPSL with DUSC/Gotham FC Reserves.

Why UAlbany? “When transferring, I wanted to pick a school that played at a high level, yet still had fun, which is exactly why I love UAlbany’s Soccer program.  I knew that the style of play aligned with mine, which was something that helped in my decision as well.”

Caroline Mascone: M | 5-8 | Middletown, N.J. (Middletown North)

Quick Facts: Mascone was a member of the same FC Copa as UAlbany teammate Emily Jozak.   A former MVP of Middletown North High School, she played two years of varsity soccer, serving as team captain for one.  Additionally, Mascone was a member of Middletown North’s track & field team and annually will volunteer her time with the Holiday Express program during the winter holiday season.

Why UAlbany? “I chose UAlbany because of the high level of soccer and academics.  I am looking forward to making friends while playing soccer and being able to experience new things.”

Charlie Pawli: D | 5-9 | Lake View, N.Y. (St. Mary’s of Lancaster)

Quick Facts: Pawli joins UAlbany from St. Mary’s of Lancaster High School, where she played four years, served as team captain as a senior, and led her team to two Division A Championships.  Pawli, received All-State honors and was named to the MMHSAA Division A All-Catholic First Team.  She was a member of the Western New York Flash Academy where she won an ECNL North American Cup title.  Pawli was also a standout track and field athlete, in addition to being a member of the National Honor Society.

Why UAlbany? “I love the campus, the education UAlbany has to offer, and the opportunity to continue playing soccer.  I am also excited to meet new people and experience new things.”

Casey Stowell: M | 5-7 | Wingdale, N.Y. (Arlington)

Quick Facts: Stowell played for Arlington High School and Nirvana FC before joining UAlbany’s program.  Stowell earned All-League honors in four-straight seasons, All-Section honors as a junior and senior, and All-State honors as a senior.  In addition, she was named a 2021 Regional All-American, a 2020 Regional Tournament Elite team selection, and an Elite 11 selection in 2021 and 2020.  Stowell is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Math Honor Society, and has volunteered her time as a youth soccer coach as well as with other community organizations.

Why UAlbany? “UAlbany has an excellent Biology program and Albany has its own hospital that I hope to go to after my four years of undergraduate studies.  I also have the opportunity to play Division I soccer here.”