Siena Women's Soccer Announces Class of 2024
LOUDONVILLE, NY – Siena Women's Soccer Head Coach Steve Karbowski has announced the program's Class of 2024. A total of eight freshmen are set to join the Saints next fall to comprise the program's second eight-member recruiting class in three seasons, matching Siena's largest since also signing an octet of newcomers in the Spring of 2007.
"We excited to announce the signing of this class which is very talented, versatile, and deep both offensively and defensively," said Karbowski, who recently completed his 21st season leading the Saints. "In addition to their talent, this class is a high character group that has shown great enthusiasm for Siena College during the recruiting process. They will all be great additions to the culture and community of Siena College, the athletic department, and the women's soccer program."
Annie Bagnall is a 5-7 striker from West Wyoming, Pennsylvania who finished her brilliant four-year varsity career ranked second all-time in Wyoming Valley Conference history with 157 goals. The all-time career record holder for both goals and assists in Holy Redeemer history, she amassed 37 goals and 25 assists this past season to lead the Lady Royals to their first-ever D2 2A silver medal. A three-time team captain, Bagnall was a four-time Team MVP and The Citizens' Voice All-Star, a three-time Times Leader All-Star, and a 2018 Pennsylvania All-State selection. She led her Lehigh Valley United club team to Eastern PA State Championships in each of her three seasons on the squad, while also playing for the two-time US Region 1 Champions PA ODP '02 team where she was a two-time East Region Player.
"Annie is a very complete striker," noted Karbowski. "Physically, she will be able to make the transition with her speed, power, and athleticism. She has the ability to score goals in a variety of ways, and is strong technically with her distribution and in possession."
Gabby DeAngelis is a 5-9 midfielder from Bedford, New Hampshire. A 2019 First Team All-State and All-New England selection, she helped guide Bedford to a pair of state title game appearances over her four-year varsity career. DeAngelis has served as a six-time team captain spanning 11 years playing for her Global Premier Soccer club team, which she led to a pair of New Hampshire State Cup Runner-Up finishes.
"Gabby is a versatile player who we have been watching play for several years," explained Karbowski. "She has developed and emerged as a really complete player. Gabby is technical, plays with both feet equally well, and her athleticism allows her to play almost any position on the field."
Grace Dimkopoulos is a 5-8 midfielder from Fayetteville, New York who is one of four nominees for 2019 Central New York Player of the Year, which will be announced this coming summer. She joins her older sister, Sophia, and her older brother, Niko, who are both currently members of the Siena Women's and Men's Soccer teams. Dimkopoulos earned First Team All-State honors while tallying 18 goals and nine assists this past fall to lead Jamesville-DeWitt to a 17-3-1 record and a State Final Four appearance for the second time in three years. A three-time All-League and two-time All-CNY selection, she amassed 64 goals and 26 assists over her high school career. Dimkopoulos has played for 12 years with the Syracuse Development Academy which she helped guide to four state championships titles, and has also competed for three years at the ODP level.
"Grace is a technical, hardworking midfielder," remarked Karbowski. "She has both the ability and willingness to join the attack and create scoring opportunities. Her fitness level and technical ability will be a nice fit for our possession style."
Angela Fini is a 5-6 goalkeeper from Monroe, New York who helped guide Monroe-Woodbury to a 73-6-3 record, four Section 9 titles, three regional championships, and back-to-back NYSPHSAA Class AA State Championships spanning her four-year varsity career. This past season, she led the Crusaders to a 20-1 record and No. 5 national ranking, while being named the Most Outstanding Goalie at the state championships. A Monroe-Woodbury Hall of Fame inductee, Fini was named Fifth Team All-State, First Team All-Section, and a Times Herald Record All-Star this past season. She has played five years of club soccer for Force FC NY.
"Angela is an athletic and technical goalkeeper," said Karbowski. "She is quick and aggressive to get off her line and control the box, and has the ability to make saves post to post. Her energy and competitiveness will be a great addition."
Grace George is a 5-2 midfielder from Wernersville, Pennsylvania who amassed 171 points on 76 goals and 19 assists over her four-year varsity career at Conrad Weiser. She was named the Berks County Player of the Year, First Team All-State, and First Team All-County after scoring a County-high 69 points on the strength of a school-record 32 goals last fall. Also named a 2018 First Team All-County honoree, George helped guide Conrad Weiser to a pair of Division Championships. She has played nine years of club soccer for the Reading Rage, and started at center back this past season for the No. 1 ranked squad in Pennsylvania which was ranked sixth nationally.
"Grace is really sharp technically, and reads the game very well," noted Karbowski. "She is very efficient on the ball, and her timing and decision making will fit in well possession-wise and in leading to attacking opportunities. Her skill set allows her to play a variety of positions from the back to the midfield."
Melina Ortiz is a 5-4 back from Waverly, New York who was a two-time First Team All-State and a four-time First Team All-IAC selection at Waverly, where she totaled 63 goals and 49 assists over a five-year varsity career. She was named the 2019 Region Player of the Year after tallying 31 points for the Wolverines, which she led to a pair of IAC Championships. Ortiz has played eight years of club soccer for BC United 01 Select, which was ranked No. 1 nationally in 2018, and won five New York State Cup Championships, three Region I Championships, and made two appearances in the US Soccer National Championships. She was also a three-time ODP state qualifier.
"Melina is a relentless defender who can get forward in the attack," explained Karbowski. "Her speed and fitness level will be valuable defensively, but equally important running the wing to support the offense. She has the ability to strike the ball with either foot, and can be a threat 1v1 with her speed on the width."
Marina Poljak is a 5-9 back from Brewster, New York who has starred at the US Soccer Development Academy level. She has played eight years for the New York Soccer Club, and in 2018 competed for New York City FC. Poljak led her squads to three State Cup Championships, and participated in USSF trainings, id2 camps, and the Talent Identification Program.
"Marina has all the qualities of a top center back," remarked Karbowski. "Her leadership, technique, and composure will provide stability and depth for the backline. She has the potential to control the game from the back with her positioning and decision making."
Rebecca Rolland is a 5-5 striker from Penfield, New York who amassed 32 goals and 18 assists over her career at Penfield. She earned First Team All-County and NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete acclaim this past fall while leading the Patriots to the Section V Class AA Championship. A two-time First Team All-County selection overall, Rolland also helped guide Penfield to a pair of additional Section V Class AA Championship appearances. She has played her club soccer for both the GPS NY Regional and Rochester Junior Rhinos Elite squads.
"Rebecca is a smart, patient player in possession," said Karbowski. "She makes good decisions on the ball, and can play in multiple offensive positions. Her ball striking and burst of speed will contribute on the offensive end."
The eight incoming freshmen join a Siena Women's Soccer program which is expected to return six starters and six of its seven goal scorers in 2020.
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