BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Lehigh head women's soccer coach Eric Lambinus announced on Thursday the addition of seven Mountain Hawks as part of the incoming class of 2020. The class includes student-athletes from across the country, including five different states.
 
"We are very excited to welcome the incoming class of women's soccer student-athletes to Lehigh," said head coach Eric Lambinus. "This class not only meets our needs positionally, but each player will also bring a specific skill set to our program. It is a balanced class throughout the field with a goalkeeper and a good mix of both defensive and attacking players. They are all very good fits for our program culturally as they chose Lehigh because it offers them the perfect opportunity to compete at high level, both in the classroom and on the soccer field. It is our goal to have our current players start ingraining them into culture this summer so they can maximize their impact in the fall."
 
Kayla Arestivo – M – Northport, N.Y. – Arts and Sciences
Arestivo was a three-year varsity letterwinner and senior captain for Saint Anthony's High School, which ranked 22nd nationally and second in New York. She helped lead her team to two NSCHSGAA state championship victories during her junior and senior years, earning All-League three years in a row and All-Long Island and All-State first team as a senior. Arestivo was also named to the MSG Varsity All-Metro first team. She attended the first National Camp of her age group in 2012 in Carson, California and in 2015, played in the Girl's High School All-America game along with being named Most Valuable Player on her high school team. Arestivo was ranked No. 60 nationally by TopDrawerSoccer, finishing her varsity career with 19 goals and 14 assists. Also strong in the classroom, Arestivo was a part of the National Honor Society and received the Dun Scotus and St. Bonaventure academic achievement awards.
 
Why Lehigh?
"I chose Lehigh for the great academics and soccer program."

Coach Lambinus on Arestivo: "Kayla is a dynamic attacking player who can be a difference maker when she has the ball at her feet. She can go at defenders 1v1, but can also see the field and make the final pass. We are looking forward to seeing what she can add to our attacking group."
 
Kathryn Jacobellis – D/M – Fountain Hills, Ariz. – Engineering
A four-year letterwinner for the varsity soccer team at Scottsdale Preparatory Academy, Jacobellis was named her high school's MVP. As a sophomore, she was invited to the ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) Players Development Program National Training Camp. Jacobellis earned elite club level status and was recognized as one of the top high school aged soccer players in the United States. A multi-sport athlete, Jacobellis won a state championship with Scottsdale Preparatory Academy for varsity cross country and track and field. Personally, she won a state title in the 1600m relay and was a runner-up in the 400m. Strong in the classroom, Jacobellis received Magna Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam in 2013 and was a finalist for the P.E.O. scholarship for high school women across the country. Jacobellis received the Academic Excellantia Award all four years, maintaining a weighted GPA of 4.5 or higher throughout her entire academic career. In the community, she was a six-year member of the Sonoran Centennial chapter of the National Charity League. Jacobellis accumulated over 300 hours of community volunteer work with over 20 Philanthropies, serving in many positions over her tenure. In addition, she was Vice President for the National Junior Classical League as both a sophomore and junior. Jacobellis also co-founded Kicks for Kids, an established and organized program for soccer families from across the Phoenix metro area to donate used soccer cleats to needy families in Arizona and Mexico.

Why Lehigh?
"Of course, the gorgeous campus, change of seasons, the chemistry of the soccer team and the academics."

Coach Lambinus on Jacobellis: "Kat is technical left-footed player who can play as an outside back or wide forward. Even as an outside back, she always gets involved in the attack and will be a nice option on the left side. Kat makes the game look simple and that is a sign of a smart, tactical player."
 
Annika Jansa – M/D – Potomac, Md. – Business
Jansa was a four-year starter for the Bullis School varsity soccer team. A team captain and MVP, she helped the school win its first regular season and tournament titles in 2015 in the Independent School League AA Division (Washington, D.C. metro area). The team went undefeated and untied in the league as Jansa scored goals in the semifinal and final of the tournament. Jansa was named to the All-League team while The Washington Post recognized her with honorable mention All-Met laurels. Jansa was among the assist leaders in the entire Washington, D.C. metro area. Since 2008, she was a member of the Maryland United Coyotes, the 2012 USYS National Champions, 2013 USYS National Semifinalist, 2013 and 2015 National League Champions and four-time USYS National Championships qualifiers. The Coyotes also won numerous USYS Region 1 and Region 1 Premier League titles as well as the Maryland State Cup five consecutive years (2011-15) and many top youth tournament titles over the years. The team has consistently been recognized as one of the top teams in the country in their age groups. After the Coyotes moved to the Maryland United Club in 2015, Jansa dual rosters and played on the Maryland United U18 ECNL team for the 2015-16 season. She also played in the Maryland Olympic Development Program in 2013.

Why Lehigh?
"I chose Lehigh because the school provides me with both great academics and a solid Division I soccer program."

Coach Lambinus on Jansa: "Annika is a very versatile player who has a strong presence on the field, whether she is playing as an outside back or central midfield.  She is highly technical, has a high soccer IQ and plays with bite - all areas we prioritize in our team."
 
Samantha Miller – GK – Commack, N.Y. – Arts and Sciences
A four-year member and two-time captain of the Commack High School varsity soccer team, Miller garnered All-County twice in her career and All-State once. An All-Conference honoree, she was a multi-sport athlete who also excelled in basketball as a four-year player and captain for one season. Miller helped her squad to Suffolk County and Long Island titles. She was a captain of the East Meadow Explosion and a three-time top 32 finisher in the Elite Clubs National League. Miller was a member of the New York State Olympic Development Program soccer team four times and Region I ODP team once. She was also a four-year varsity badminton player. In the classroom, Miller was a High Honor Roll student and Vice President of the Italian Honor Society. She was an IB Diploma Candidate and a News 12 Scholar-Athlete. Active in the community, Miller was part of the Athletes Helping Athletes club and volunteered at the soccer and basketball cougar camps.
 
Why Lehigh?
"I have never heard anyone who went there say anything but great things about it."

Coach Lambinus on Miller: "Adding a goalkeeper in the class was one of our biggest priorities and we were fortunate to be able to bring Sam to Lehigh. She has soft hands, solid footwork, great distributions, plays with a confident presence and fully understands the position. Sam also plays basketball and badminton at a highly competitive level and that speaks to our overall athleticism and competitive nature."
 
Erin Racano – D/M – Wyckoff, N.J. – Business
Racano was a three-year varsity soccer player and two-year starter at Ramapo High School, helping lead her squad to a 19-3-2 record as a senior. Ramapo finished ranked 11th in New Jersey, third in Bergen County and was the North I Group 2 Sectional Champions. The team went on to win the Group 2 State Championship and was named the Bergen County Team of the Year. Individually, Racano was named second team All-Big North Conference and third team All-Group. Racano finished her high school career with six goals and 13 assists. She was also a varsity starter as a junior, helping Ramapo to a 20-4-0 record and a North I, Group 2 State Championship, finishing as the Group 2 State Runners Up. Individually, Racano was named honorable mention All-Big North Conference. She also played for three club teams, the New Jersey Crush FC Strikers (2011-15), Quickstrike FC '98 (2004-15) and New Jersey Stallions Academy (2005-present). Racano was also a standout athlete in track and field, highlighted by becoming the long jump school record holder as a senior. She was also first team All-Big North Conference in the long jump and first team All-Conference in the 4X400 relay. Racano garnered several All-Bergen County honors in track over her career and owns the Bergen County 4X400 relay record. In the classroom, Racano posted an impressive 4.1 GPA and was a member of the High Honor Roll, Superintendent's List, National Honor Society and World Language Honor Society. She was the newspaper editor, yearbook treasurer and Italian Club Senior Ambassador.

Why Lehigh?
"From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew that Lehigh was the school for me. It had everything I was looking for and more - a great balance of challenging academics and a competitive soccer program, a beautiful campus and a lot of school spirit. Meeting all of the coaches and current players further validated my decision and made me that much more excited to become a student-athlete at Lehigh." 

Coach Lambinus on Racano: "Erin will be another player who is fast, athletic and has great soccer ability. Her success in track meets over the last two years matches our confidence in her to make an impact with our team. She is a versatile player who will probably play on the outside and will be effective both on defense and in the attack.  Erin is exactly the type of student-athlete we like to attract to our program."
 
Maggie Wadsworth – F/M – Weddington, N.C. – Arts and Sciences
Wadsworth was a four-year starter at forward and attacking midfield at Weddington High School. The team's top goal scorer in 2014, 2015 and 2016, Wadsworth exceeded 100 career high school goals. She led her squad to the North Carolina State Championship in 2014 and conference championships from 2013-16. Wadsworth earned All-Region and All-Conference honors from 2013-15 and garnered All-State in 2014 and 2015. She was also named first team All-Observer, first team All-Union County and was part of the County Super Team in 2014 and 2015. Wadsworth was a recipient of the Greater Charlotte Soccer Gala Golden Boot Award and was a Player of the Year honoree in 2014. A 3v3 National Champion in 2010 and 2013, she participated in the Olympic Development Program North Carolina State Team and Region Camp in 2011. In the classroom, Wadsworth was a member of the National Honor Society, National Beta Club and Future Business Leaders of America. She was also a Scholastic Gold Key Award recipient for Excellence in Visual Arts.
 
Why Lehigh?
"I chose Lehigh because it's a competitive and balanced program, both academically and athletically, that will challenge and prepare me for my future. The campus feels like home to me, despite being eight hours away, and I get to play the sport I love."
 
Coach Lambinus on Wadsworth: "Maggie has the ability to put the ball in the back of the net, and that is something all teams need. She is dynamic on the ball and plays way bigger than her size. At her very best, Maggie can be a player that makes a play that decides a game. We have seen her score goals from all over the field and look forward to see what she can do at Lehigh."
 
Sidonie Warnecker – F/M – Downingtown, Pa. – Arts and Sciences
A four-year varsity starter at Bishop Shanahan, Warnecker was voted team captain as a senior and received the award for Best Offensive Player in 2013. She was voted Player of the Year in the ChesMont League by all coaches in 2015, earning first team All-League as a senior and second team All-League as a junior. Warnecker helped her team reach the playoffs in three of her four years, playing both offensive and defensive positions. She was invited to play in the 2013 TopDrawerSoccer: Combine – Best XI. Warnecker was mentioned among ECNL (Elite Clubs National League) Standouts twice while attending U.S. Club Soccer's ID2 Program in December, 2012. Warnecker played club soccer for Penn Fusion at the Elite Clubs National League level. With Penn Fusion, her squad reached the ECNL playoffs during the 2013-14 season in the Champions League, one year after reaching ECNL Nationals in the North American League and finishing third nationally. In 2013, Warnecker was ranked among the top 150 players in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer for the high school class of 2016. Also strong in the classroom, she held First Honors throughout high school. Warnecker was a member of the National Honors Society and French Honor Society while finishing in the top 10 percent of her graduating class.
 
Why Lehigh?
"It has a great combination of high academics and DI soccer, which was what I was looking for in a school. I also loved the campus and the team right away."
 
Coach Lambinus on Warnecker: "Sidonie is a dangerous wide player who puts pressure on the defense with her work rate, dribbling ability and confidence to use both feet. With her size and ability, she can both create and finish goal-scoring chances. Combining that with her willingness to defend makes Sidonie a pretty complete player as a wide midfielder or forward."
 

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