BOSTON – The 2016 CAA champion Northeastern women’s soccer program and head coach Ashley Phillips announced the addition of six talented newcomers for the 2017 incoming class on Tuesday: Megan Adams, Chelsea Domond, Mikenna McManus, Katarina Nilsson, Julianne Ross and Sophia Thompson.

 

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome these six young women to the Northeastern family,” Phillips explained. “We are extremely happy with the caliber of this class as players, but more importantly as people; they are all highly-motivated, hard-working and dedicated young women who have very bright futures ahead of them at Northeastern.”

 

Megan Adams • Goalkeeper • Franklin, Mass. • Franklin High School • FC Boston Academy

 

Franklin, Massachusetts native Megan Adams joins the Huskies from Franklin High School and the FC Boston Academy of the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). As a four-year starter at forward for Franklin High School, Adams helped her team to Hockomock League championships in 2013, 2014 and 2015, as well as a South Sectional championship and a state semifinal appearance in 2013. Adams also excelled as a goalkeeper for FC Boston, and in fall 2016 was named the No. 21 player in the Northeast Region in the IMG Academy ranks.

 

Phillips on Adams: “Megan is going to be a fantastic addition to our goalkeeper group. Her athletic ability and drive will allow her to succeed at the collegiate level. She is determined to grow both on and off the field and we are delighted to have her join us.” 

 

Chelsea Domond • Forward • Stamford, Conn. • Westhill High School • Yankee United FC

 

A native of Stamford, Connecticut, Chelsea Domond joins the Northeastern family from Westhill High School and Yankee United FC. As a four-year starter at Westhill, Domond scored over 70 goals in her career and was a three-time All-League honoree, a two-time All-State performer, and an NSCAA All-East Region recipient as well. Domond was also recognized as a US Youth Soccer ODP All-Star in 2015 and a Hearst Connecticut Media All-Star in 2016.

 

Phillips on Domond: “Chelsea is a great player that is going to add a lot to our attack. She is extremely dynamic, has great pace on and off the ball and works extremely hard. She is a very positive and determined person and is going to thrive as a Husky.”

 

Mikenna McManus • Defender • Lake Forest, Calif. • El Toro High School • West Coast FC

 

A native of Lake Forest, California, Mikenna McManus comes to Northeastern from El Toro High School and West Coast FC. McManus helped El Toro to the Sea View League championship in 2016 and was named to the All-League First Team. While competing for West Coast FC, McManus earned an invitation to the U.S. U-18 Women’s National Team training camp. McManus was also recently ranked as the No. 21 player in the Southern California Region by the IMG Academy, and earned a national ranking of 115 as well.

 

Phillips on McManus: “Mikenna is a natural leader that is very comfortable on the ball and likes to be a playmaker. She will help us attack out of the back and is going to have a bright future at NU.”

 

Katarina Nilsson • Forward • Titusville, N.J. • Hopewell Valley Central High School • FC Copa Academy

 

A native of Titusville, New Jersey, Katarina Nilsson will join the Husky family after standout careers with Hopewell Valley Central High School and the FC Copa Academy. The all-time leading scorer at Hopewell with 88 goals and 223 career points, Nilsson led the team to four straight league championships as well as the Mercer County tournament title and sectional state championship in 2016. Nilsson was named an NSCAA High School All-American following her senior season, and earned Colonial Valley Conference and Area Player of the Year distinctions as well. 

 

Phillips on Nilsson: “Katarina is a natural goal scorer that will be a great addition to our front line. She is an extremely driven individual and will be a great contributor for us, on and off the field.”

 

Julianne Ross • Defender • Cumberland, R.I. • Cumberland High School • NEFC-Breakers

 

Cumberland, Rhode Island native Julianne Ross comes to Northeastern after lettering in five sports (soccer, basketball, outdoor track, indoor track and softball) at Cumberland High School. Ross was named a 2015 NSCAA All-American (soccer) and was honored as an NSCAA All-New England performer in 2016. Operating as a forward, Ross racked up 71 career goals for Cumberland and was the top goal scorer (30) and assist leader (16) in Rhode Island’s Division One in 2016. Ross was named All-State in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and helped her team to the state finals in 2015 and a regular season championship in 2016. In addition, Ross helped her NEFC club team to back-to-back NPL national championships as a defender in 2015 and 2016.

 

Phillips on Ross: “Julianne is a competitor. She is very athletic, tough and comfortable on the ball. She is motivated to be successful and is going to be a great addition to our backline.”

 

Sophia Thompson • Midfielder • St. Johns, Fla. • Creekside High School • Jacksonville FC

 

A native of St. Johns, Florida, Sophia Thompson will bolster the Northeastern midfield after starring for Creekside High School and Jacksonville FC. As a four-year starter for Creekside, Thompson was named All-City in 2014, 2015 and 2016, and All-State in 2015 and 2016, while leading the team to regional final appearances in 2015 and 2016. Thompson also helped Jacksonville FC to back-to-back US Youth Soccer national championships in 2014 and 2015, as well as the ECNL Southeast Conference title in 2016. 

 

Phillips on Thompson: “Sophia possesses the perfect combination of grit and composure. She can help you win the ball and then help you keep it. She is a hard worker and has what it takes to be successful here at Northeastern.”