Yale women’s soccer program welcomes eight incoming recruits

No. 1 Maya Bellomo
Goalkeeper
Rochester Hills, Mich.
Rochester Adams High School
Michigan Hawks

Notes: Transfer from Baylor… Made two appearances for the Bears in 2019… Played the second half of the season opener against Northwestern State before earning the start at Drake.

High School: Played one year at Rochester Adams High School.

Club: Played three years for the Michigan Hawks… Attended ECNL National training camp in the summer of 2017… Honored as one of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy Best XI for the Central Conference after Nationals in 2018.

ODP: Played on the Michigan ODPr team in 2016 and won the Midwest Region ECNL U16 title in 2016-17.

Personal: Daughter of Ben-Jon and Jill Bellomo … Member of the French and National Honor Society … Is an accomplished artist … Volunteered in multiple charities, including food banks, soup kitchens and charity fundraisers.

Why Yale? Because I want to get the best possible education I can, play soccer at the highest collegiate level and because of the supportive people who have helped me along the way.

Favorite Sports Team: USWNT
Favorite Athlete: Carli Lloyd
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Movie: Guardians of the Galaxy
Favorite Artist or Song: Adele
Game Day Superstition: Left shin guard on before the right shin guard
Biggest Inspiration: My parents

Coach Martinez on Bellomo: Maya is an experienced goalkeeper who is ready to make her mark at the collegiate level. With professional aspirations and a work rate to match, Maya brings a maturity and professionalism that will help our entire group grow. Her leadership will make an immediate impact on our program.

No. 13 Annika Bryant
Defender
Atlanta, Ga.
Marist School
Atlanta Fire United

Notes: All-Star club player who also played four years of high school soccer.

High School: Four-year varsity letter winner and captain her senior year at Marist School… GA Positive Athlete Nominee (2021), WSBTV Athlete of the Week (2021).

Club: Played five years with Atlanta Fire United… GA Positive Athlete Nominee (2021)… WSBTV Athlete of the Week (2021)… GHSA All-Region Team (2019-2020)… ECNL Best 11: Texas ECNL (2018)… Southeast All-Conference Team (2017-2018).

Other Sports: Played one season of high school softball.

Personal: Daughter of Alvin and Terri Bryant… Has two older siblings, A.J. and Alexander… Member of high school German Club and hopes to study abroad in future. Has a German exchange partner that she has yet to meet because of the pandemic… Enjoys baking, video editing, dance and playing sports with siblings (tennis, golf, snowboarding).

Why Yale?: Yale offers a world class education and produces leaders in all fields. I know that no matter what path I choose at Yale, I will be able to positively impact my community. From the moment I met the coaching staff I felt welcome and supported. I look forward to playing at the highest level and being instructed by coaches who can take me to the next level.

Favorite Sports Team: Seattle Seahawks
Favorite Athlete: Serena Williams
Favorite Food: Chips & Queso
Favorite Movie: Knives Out
Favorite Artist or Song: Louis the Child
Game Day Superstition: Drinking Pedialyte.
Biggest Inspiration: Things that bring people together.

Coach Martinez on Bryant: Annika is a raw defender with so much upside to her game. We believe, in the right environment and system, Annika has the ability to grow tremendously. Her size, athleticism and ability to recover defensively gives her freedom to get up and down the field. Annika will impact our program on and off the field with her positive attitude and love of soccer.

No. 16 Alanna Butcher
Forward, Midfield
San Diego, Calif.
La Jolla Country Day School
San Diego Surf

Notes: Versatile athlete who competed in many sports.

Club: Played 11 years for the San Diego Surf… Ranked No. 1 in DA in 2020… 2018 ECNL National Playoff Finalists… Selected as an ECNL National Finals standout player by TopDrawerSoccer.com (2018)…  2018 Surf Cup Champions… 2017 Far West Regional Finalists… 2017 ECNL National Playoff Quarterfinalists… 2016 Far West Regional Champions.

High School: Played four years… Selected to All-Pacific League first team (2018)… San Diego Hall of Champions Star of the Month (2018)… Coaches’ Award recipient (2018)… San Diego County High School Athlete of the Month (2017)… San Diego Union Tribune Athlete of the Week (2017, 2021)… Donald Pringle Athlete of the Year Award (2017)… Holds the record at La Jolla Country Day School for most goals (52) scored in a season… Led team to a 19-3-1 record and the Pacific League championship (2018).

Other Sports: Track & Field (2018), Surf (2018, 2019, 2020), Swimming (2019, 2020)… Top six finish for both shortboard and longboard in 2018-19 surf competition season… Sixth overall for shortboard in San Diego (2019)… Surf team MVP award recipient.

Personal: Daughter of Dan and Letty Butcher… Older brother, Jake… Enjoys soccer, surfing, golf, community service and tennis… Inducted into Cum Laude Society (2021), Community Service Board member where I plan and organize over 35 service projects for La Jolla Country Day School and participate in off-campus community service. St. Lawrence Book Award recipient for citizenship and character in my community.

Why Yale? With outstanding academics and athletics, I chose Yale because I would be able to be both a scholar and an athlete. When I visited the campus and experienced its ambience, I knew it was the right place for me. I am so excited to be a Bulldog!

Favorite Sports Team: Dallas Cowboys
Favorite Athlete: Serena Williams
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Movie: Chicken Little
Favorite Artist or Song: Kanye West
Game Day Superstition: I drink an iced coffee.
Biggest Inspiration: My Grandpa

Coach Martinez on Butcher: Alanna is an athletic, gritty competitor with a knack for the goal. She is the type of player who will run through a wall for her coaches and teammates. Her contagious work ethic allows for Alanna to improve herself as well as her teammates every time she steps on the field.

No. 28 Abby Moos
Defender
Los Altos, Calif.
Los Altos High School
Mountain View Los Altos

Notes: Played club soccer exclusively and played on state and regional champions.

Club: Played 11 years for MVLA… State Cup Champions 2013… ECNL Northwest Region Champion 2018-19.

High School: Did not play varsity soccer at Los Altos High School… College Board National Recognition Award for PSAT score, Los Altos High School Academic Scholar Award

Personal: Daughter of Kevin and Toni Moos… Siblings are Seth, Kai (Yale Soccer player) and Kenan… Loves to read and bake cinnamon rolls and sourdough bread.

Why Yale?: I chose Yale because of their commitment to attracting students from diverse backgrounds and because I loved the feel of the tight-knit community when I visited campus.

Favorite Sports Team: Liverpool FC
Favorite Athlete: Crystal Dunn
Favorite Food: Mexican Food
Favorite Movie: Madagascar
Favorite Artist or Song: Lauryn Hill, Raveena, Noname
Biggest Inspiration: Muhammad Ali and other athletes who use their platform with sports to raise awareness about important social issues.

Coach Martinez on Moos: Abby’s growth over the past year and a half is truly special. She is another left-footed left back with a passion to improve. Abby comes from a club that produced our most recent All-American and NWSL Draftee in Aerial Chavarin and has been coached by some of the best. Abby is the sister of current Yale men’s player, Kai Moos.  She is coming from a family that has prepared her to play at this level.

No. 14 Ellie Rappole
Winchester, Mass.
Midfield, Forward
Winchester High School
New England Football Club

Notes: Seasoned club player with Olympic Development Program experience who played a high school season when the pandemic hit.

High School: Played one (senior year) varsity season at Winchester… 10 goals, 6 assists in 10 games… Middlesex League All-Star… Eastern MA All-Star… All-State Team and New England Soccer Journal All Region… Middlesex League Champions (no state tournament)… No. 1 in New England by New England Soccer Journal… No. 1 in New England, No. 4 in the nation by United Soccer Coaches… No. 1 in New England, No. 5 in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer… 2020 National Team Academic Award by United Soccer Coaches… 2020 National Team Sportsmanship and Ethics Platinum Award by United Soccer Coaches.

Club: Played 10 years for the New England Football Club… Attended National Training Centers from 2013-2017… Region One 2003 ODP Team (2017)… ODP National Camp, Jan 2017…  U15 U.S. Soccer YNT Camp, Carson CA, Feb 2017… ODP 2002s International Trip to England…  U15 U.S. Soccer YNT Camp, College Station, April 2017… Named Northeast Player to Watch by ECNL 2017… Quarterfinalist in 2002s ECNL Champions League at Nationals (2017)… State Cup Champions 2016 & 2017… National Cup Champions 2017… Quarterfinalist in DA National Cup 2019… No. 1 in DA standings before COVID shutdown league in 2020.

Other Sports: Winter Track Team first and sophomore years… Took first in 4x200m Massachusetts both years… Middlesex League All-Star both years… Fifth place in 4x200m Massachusetts Division 3 States (Sophomore)… Fifth place in 4x400m Massachusetts Division 3 States (Sophomore).

Personal: Whit and Jenny Rappole (captained Ohio State rowing team)… Older brothers William and Christopher… Dog named Sydney… National Honor Society (2021), National Spanish Honor Society (2020), Social Studies Junior Scholarship Award (2020), Excellence in Social Studies Award (2021)…  Senior superlative: most likely to become a soccer mom… Enjoys reading, skiing, hiking and traveling.

Why Yale? I chose Yale because the school supports excellence in academics, athletics, and extracurriculars. I loved the residential colleges’ ability to bring together people from a variety of backgrounds into tight knit communities.

Favorite Sports Team: USWNT & Liverpool
Favorite Athlete: Julie Ertz
Favorite Food: Ice Cream
Favorite Movie: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Favorite Artist or Song: Taylor Swift
Game Day Superstition: I must wear green pre-wrap.
Biggest Inspiration: My mom

Coach Martinez on Rappole: Ellie is a skillful attacking player that can beat players on the dribble or in combination. She is shifty, athletic and creative and will be tough to defend because of her versatility. One of the best things about Ellie is her ability to play multiple positions and we truly believe she can make an impact at our level in any of them.

No. 29 Rebeka Róth
Midfield, Defender
Budapest, Hungary
Veres Péter Gimnázium
Ferencvárosi TC

Notes: Played on perennial national championship contender most of her career.

High School: Attended Veres Péter Gimnázium in Budapest but did not play soccer there.

Club: Played eight years for Ferencvárosi TC… National U15 Girl’s Championship: winner (2017)… National U17 Girl’s Championship: winner (2016), 2nd (2015)… National U18 Girl’s Championship: 2nd (2017)… National U19 Girl’s Championship: winner (2019), 2nd (2020 – unofficial due to pandemic), 3rd (2018)…  Senior Team National Championship: winner (2019, 2020)… Senior Team National Cup: winner (2019), semi-finalist (2020 – competition canceled due to pandemic).

Personal: Daughter of Dénes Róth and Erika Szakáli… Has a younger brother, Rajmund Róth… Named “Excellent pupil – excellent athlete of Óbuda District” five of her last six years… “Excellent pupil – excellent athlete of Hungary” four of her last six years… Enjoys board and card games

Why Yale? I wanted to continue both my academics and soccer career at the highest level possible, so Yale was simply the best choice for me. It offers a world class education and an exceptional soccer program, with the prospective of a pro career, at the same time.

Favorite Sports Team: FC Barcelona
Favorite Athlete: Sergio Busquets
Favorite Food: Spaghetti Alla Carbonara
Favorite Movie: The Hunger Games
Favorite Artist or Song: Avicii
Game Day Superstition: I don’t have any particular one. Although, I often watch videos about my favorite soccer players’ in-game movements.
Biggest Inspiration: Close family

Coach Martinez on Róth: Rebeka’s international playing experience with Hungary and her club Ferencvárosi TC has set her up well to play at this level. She can connect lines in the midfield but is also a physical and tough defender in the middle of the park. Rebeka comes from a family who holds her to high standards athletically and academically, and we know she will make the most of this opportunity.

No. 99 Annie Welch  
Goalkeeper
Northbrook, Ill.
Glenbrook North High School
FC United

Notes: Camp Shutout Michigan Roadshow Number 1 Female GK in Summer 2020… Camp Shutout Number 1 Female GK in Summer 2020… Hope College Top Female GK in Summer 2017… Camp Shutout Roadshow Number 1 Female GK in Summer 2017.

High School: Played one year of varsity soccer at Glenbrook North and served as captain in 2021.

Club: Played eight years for FC United… Nominated captain the past two seasons.

Personal: Daughter of Jim and Heather Welch… Has a younger, Lilly, and older, Torrie (soccer player at University of Rochester)… Loves listening to music and discovering new artists… Interested in studying engineering… Project Lead the Way course in school… Founding member of the Women in Engineering club at high school… Illinois State Scholar.

Why Yale? I chose Yale because I was able to connect with the coaching staff very quickly and thoroughly enjoyed training with them when I came to ID camps on campus. While visiting campus I loved the urban feel of New Haven and was especially excited about the residential college system. Yale also offers incredible research opportunities which would allow me to take part in cutting-edge research and the development of new technology which is huge for me as a prospective engineer.

Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Favorite Athlete: Serena Williams
Favorite Food: Pasta
Favorite Movie: Inception
Favorite Artist or Song: Kendrick Lamar and Mac Miller
Game Day Superstition: I usually touch the crossbar with both hands when I come onto the field and clap three times before the ref blows the whistle.
Biggest Inspiration: My older sister

Coach Martinez on Welch: Annie has the size, hands, and athleticism you want in a goalkeeper. She comes from a well-respected club and goalkeeper coach who we know has prepared her for the next level. She has the ability to make big-time saves and organize the back line. We are excited to see her growth as a GK within our program.

No. 8 Nana Yang                                               
Defender, Forward
Espoo, Finland
Etelä-Tapiolan Lukio High School
FC Honka (Finland)

Notes: Finnish Youth National Team 2016-present (U15, U17, U19, U23)… U17 FIFA World Cup in Uruguay… Team of the Tournament at U17 European Championships 2018… Third-place U17 European Championships 2018.

High School: Attended Etelä-Tapiolan Lukio but did not play soccer there.

Club: Second place in Finnish Championship League 2019… Played six years with FC Honka in Finland.

Personal: Daughter of Erlin Yang and Sigrid Booms… Has an older sister, Lily, and brother, Colin… School’s best 9th grade GPA (middle school diploma in Finland)… Enjoys skateboarding, downhill skiing, snowboarding, golf and shooting hoops.

Why Yale? I chose Yale because of the amazing opportunity to combine high level soccer and academics. The coaches are super nice and the Yale community as well as the campus seem great!

Favorite Sports Team: FC Barcelona
Favorite Athlete: Serena Williams
Favorite Food: Sushi, Pasta Bolognese, and Pizza
Favorite Movie: Ocean’s 8
Favorite Artist or Song: One Direction
Game Day Superstition: I put everything on my left foot first.
Biggest Inspiration: My good friend Amanda who shows me an example of how to overcome obstacles and still see the good in the world—she is strong, confident, and kind-hearted.

Coach Martinez on Yang: Nana is a left-footed left back with an attacking mentality that we love as a staff. She can impact the game on both sides of the ball because of her 1v1 defending and her soccer IQ. Finishing up camp with Finland’s U23 national team, Nana’s recent playing experience will allow her to transition to the college game very quickly.