Yale women’s soccer unveils 7-player signing class

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Sarah Martinez, The Loring Family Head Coach of Women’s Soccer, has added a strong Class of 2024 to the Yale roster.

Laila Booker, Tanner Cahalan, Nikki Debayo-Doherty, Kayla Parsons, Meredith Phillips and Tina Teik all bring strong credentials both on and off the field. In addition, Martinez will welcome goalkeeper Maya Bellomo, a transfer from Baylor.

“I am beyond thrilled to welcome our 2020 recruiting class to Yale University and our women’s soccer program,” Martinez said. “After a successful 2019 campaign, we are eager for these seven student-athletes to arrive on campus and add to the strong culture and community that is Yale women’s soccer. We pride ourselves in creating a locker room full of empowering, intelligent and successful young women and this group will continue to elevate us both on and off the field.”

Here is a closer look at the newcomers:

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 a number of 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

No. 24 Laila Booker
Defense
Potomac, Maryland
Our Lady of Good Counsel
Maryland United Club

High School: Earned all-state recognition as a senior at Our Lady of Good Counsel… Two-time all-conference selection… Four-year varsity letterwinner… Team captured WCAC Championship in 2018 and 2019… Our Lady of Good Counsel posted a 30-3-5 overall record over her final two seasons… Recipient of the team’s Coaches Award in 2017, Unsung Hero Award in 2018 and Coach “I” Award in 2019.

Club: Played seven years for Maryland United… Team captain from 2017 to 2020… PDP Regional Selection in 2018, 2019… Club was North American Cup Champions in 2016 and a Maryland State Cup Finalist in 2014.

Personal: Daughter of Bill Booker and Sonya White… Brother Quint plays AAU basketball… Performed at the Kennedy Center in sixth grade… Participated in many community service projects as a part of Jack and Jill from the age of 4.

Why Yale? “Because of the warm and inviting community.”

Favorite Sports Team: USWNT
Favorite Athlete: Lebron James
Favorite Food: Asian Cuisine
Favorite Movie: WALL-E
Favorite Artist or Song: H.E.R.
Game Day Superstition: Socks have to be on the wrong feet—left sock on the right foot and right sock on the left foot.
Biggest Inspiration: My parents

No. 27 Tanner Cahalan
Midfield
Redondo Beach, California
Redondo Union High School
Beach FC

High School: Earned Division II All CIF Southern section honors at Redondo Union High School… All-conference selection… Named team’s Most Outstanding Player in 2018 and Most Clutch Player in 2017… Helped lead Redondo to Bay League championship in her sophomore season… Recipient of school’s Scholar Athlete Award.

Club: Played eight years for Beach FC… Cluc lost in the Semi-Finals of the Girls Developmental Academy National Championships in 2019 and reached the semi-finals of Far West Regionals in 2017).

ODP: Played for ODP Regional team in 2018.

Personal: Daughter of Eric and Jackie Cahalan…Sister Payton played soccer at Cal State East Bay… Volunteer referee and youth soccer coach.

Why Yale? “Because I believe it is a place where students can grow and flourish and be supported throughout their college experience. Yale is just such a great environment for students to become who they want to be and provides students with amazing resources to be successful in whatever they want to do. I also love the diversity, school pride, and the athletics of course.”

Favorite Sports Team: New England Patriots
Favorite Athlete: Tom Brady
Favorite Food: Chicken
Favorite Movie: My Best Friend’s Wedding
Favorite Artist or Song: Fleetwood Mac
Game Day Superstition: I have two specific music playlists that I listen to before games–one on the way to the field and one when I get to the field.
Biggest Inspiration: My family. I always want to make them proud and work hard for them, the same way they do for me.

No. 14 Nikki Debayo-Doherty
Forward
McLean, Virginia
The Potomac School
McLean Youth Soccer

High School: Played one year of varsity soccer at The Potomac School, helping team to ISL Division AA co-championship.

Club: Played for McLean Youth Soccer from 2008 to 2020… Club won four Mid-Atlantic Conference championships, was the U18/19 ECNL national champion finalist in 2019, was ranked No. 1 in the ECNL Champions League in 2019-20 and reached the quarterfinals of the U17 ECNL national championship in 2018.

Personal: Daughter of Aki and Kim Debayo-Doherty… Older brother Alex plays soccer at Harvard (Class of 2022)… 2018 National Spanish Exam Silver Medalist.

Why Yale? “Because of its strong sense of community, the incredibly welcoming people, as well as the rigorous academics and beautiful campus.”

Favorite Sports Team: Chelsea FC
Favorite Athlete: Kylian Mbappe
Favorite Food: Mexican Food
Favorite Movie: Avatar
Favorite Artist or Song: Drake
Game Day Superstition: I always have to wear pre-wrap or a headband.
Biggest Inspiration: My family – their work ethic, kindness, and constant support inspires me to be a better person and continue to work towards my goals.

No. 4 Kayla Parsons
Midfield
Livingston, New Jersey
Livingston High School
STA DA Club

High School: Two-time first team All-Super Essex Conference selection at Livingston High School… Scored 36 goals in her four years… Team captain as a junior and senior… Helped lead Livingston to a pair of conference and county championships… Team captured sectional title in 2016… Also a four-year letterwinner in basketball and ran track one year… Female Scholar-Athlete for the 2019-2020 school year.

Club: Played for STA DA for seven years… Helped lead team to 2016 U.S. Club Regional Championship US Club Finals in 2016… Ranked as a top 20 midfielder in New Jersey.

Personal: Daughter of Scott and Waranya Parsons… Father played baseball at the University of Miami and in the San Diego Padres organization… Brother Taylor played baseball at Montclair State and sister Sarosha played basketball at Franklin & Marshall… Volunteered at Kessler Rehabilitation Center and for Autism Awareness.

Why Yale? “Because of its unparalleled reputation as a premier academic institution with a high level Division I soccer Program. Yale offers excellent resources that I can use to become not only a better player and student but also, a more well-rounded individual. Above all, I chose Yale because of the people I met on my visit that managed to inspire me in such a short period of time. I can’t wait to be a part of such an active and dedicated student body.”

Favorite Sports Team: Red Sox
Favorite Athlete: Lionel Messi
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Movie: Devil Wears Prada
Favorite Artist or Song: I Lived by One Republic
Game Day Superstition: I have to put my right sock and right shoe on first
Biggest Inspiration: My family

No. 12 Meredith Phillips
Forward
Wilmette, Illinois
Loyola Academy
FC United

High School: Earned all-section honors in 2019 at Loyola Academy… Loyola Academy Offensive Player of the Year in 2019… All-Area selection… Led team with 10 goals in 2019… Helped Loyola capture two Chicago Catholic League championships… Team was 2018 IHSA regional champions.

Club: Played for FC United for six years… FC United was a two-time National League qualifier (2017-18 & 2018-19).

Personal: Daughter of Jim and Laura Phillips… Cousin, Frank Giadina, played football at Yale (Class of 1999)… Brother Luke runs track at Notre Dame (Class of 2022)… Part of Insignis Leadership and Arrupe Community Outreach programs… Youth Soccer coach.

Why Yale? “Yale offers the perfect fit for me, coupling the opportunity to play competitive Division I soccer and pursue a rigorous, liberal arts education. Add in students from around the globe, accessible professors at the top of their fields, and the unique culture of the residential colleges, and I know that Yale is my ideal college home. From attending classes, walking campus and staying at a residential college, my interactions with the students and faculty showed me the integration of smaller support groups within the larger Yale community. I am excited to bring my outgoing, open and energetic mindset to a place that challenges students to develop and share knowledge.”

Favorite Sports Team: Chicago Cubs
Favorite Athlete: Simone Biles
Favorite Food: Ice Cream
Favorite Movie: Legally Blonde
Favorite Artist or Song: Maroon 5
Game Day Superstition: I eat a GoGo-Squeeze before every game.
Biggest Inspiration: My parents

No. 6 Tina Teik
Forward/Midfield
Barrington, Illinois
Barrington High School
FC United

High School: Earned All-America honors as a senior at Barrington High School… Named to Chicagoland soccer All-State team as a junior and senior… Two-time all-conference selection… Scored 10 goals and added 15 assists in 2019… Helped lead Barrington to the 2017 and 2018 IHSA state championships and a runner-up finish in 2019… Team captain as a senior.

Club: Played four years for FC United

ODP: Selected to the 2015 ODP state team.

Personal: Daughter of Robert and Nikki Teik… Researched proton therapy at the University AF4 of Cape Town in South Africa and volunteered at the local church for displaced mothers and their children in the summer of 2019.

Why Yale? “Because of its rich history of success, abundant resources, and focus on building a supportive community on and off the field.”

Favorite Sports Team: Green Bay Packers
Favorite Athlete: Julie Ertz
Favorite Food: Teriyaki Chicken
Favorite Movie: Bridesmaids
Favorite Artist or Song: Tripple Redd
Game Day Superstition: I put on my left sock on before my right one and write RN on my ring finger.
Biggest Inspiration: My family