BRIANNA AZEVEDO

Midfield
Oradell, N.J.
PDA
River Dell High School

About Azevedo: Brianna Azevedo comes to Rutgers after earning First Team All-County and State Section Top 20's in 2022, following her senior season where she recorded 14 goals and five assists. She also earned First Team All-League and All-State Honors in 2021 and 2022. In just two high school seasons, she totaled 25 goals and 15 assists.

She is the daughter of Jose Jr. and Cymara, and has three siblings, Jeremy, Josiah, and Brittany.

Why Rutgers: “I’ve always wanted to attend Rutgers University because I love the school and as a Jersey girl, staying home was very important to me! It has the major I want to pursue and one of the most dominant soccer programs in the country.”

ASHLEY BARAN

Forward
Burlington, N.J.
PDA
Holy Cross Preparatory Academy

About Baran: Ashley Baran begins her career as a Scarlet Knight after receiving back-to-back Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) Player of the Year honors and Second Team All-State accolades in 2021 and 2022. She was named to the BCSL First Team following all four of her high school seasons, including the 2019 season where she recorded the most goals in Burlington County. In her senior season, she netted 31 goals and five assists to lead her high school team to the BCSL Liberty Division title. Baran is the Holy Cross Preparatory Academy soccer record holder with 114 total goals in her four years with the team. Her 33 goals in 2021 are a single-season record at the institution. With PDA, she made the North Atlantic All-Conference First Team in 2021 and 2022.

Baran also volunteers working with Special Olympics and participates in ski club. She is a member of the National Honor Society. 

Ashley is the daughter of Michael and Jennifer. She has a twin sister, Madison.

Why Rutgers: “I choose Rutgers because I love the family environment, the coaching staff, and the willingness to succeed. I love that I am able to go to college close to home so my family and friends are able to visit me and watch me play. Lastly, I chose Rutgers because of the facilities they have provided for their athletes to succeed.”

AVA BRASS

Defender
Pennington, N.J.
PDA
The Pennington School

About Brass: Ava Brass comes to the Banks after being named an All-American in 2022. She competed and represented the East in the All-American game in Panama City Beach, Florida. Brass was named to the 2023 Prep A All-State Team, and received the NJGSCA and Mercer 33 Awards. Brass was also recognized in 2022 as a New Jersey State Defender to Watch. She was a NJSIAA Top Three Assist Leader in 2021, and led the nationally ranked Pennington School to Mercer County Tournament titles in 2019, 2021, and 2022, and a state Prep A title in 2019. With Brass on the backline, the team combined for 31 shutouts in four years in addition to chipping in six goals and 14 assists from the back. She's also a two-time ECNL All-Conference Second Team selection with PDA in 2020 and 2021.

Extracurricularly, Brass participates in Home Front, Green Team, and the Horizon Programs. 

She is the daughter of Kevin and Kristine, and has two siblings, Max and Isabella. 

Why Rutgers: “I choose Rutgers for its exceptional academic and athletic reputation. I wanted to be a part of a large school, that offered a sense of community, which I will luckily receive from being a part of such a successful women's soccer program. I know that Rutgers will give me the academic freedom and support I need to be successful when I enter the professional world.”

AUDREY CAIN

Defender
Philadelphia, Pa.
Penn Fusion
Academy of Notre Dame de Namur

About Cain: Audrey Cain comes to the Banks after being named an All-American in 2022. She competed and represented the East in the All-American game in Panama City Beach, Florida. She was also named to the First Team All-Mainline, First Team All-League, and First Team All-Delco in 2021 and 2022. In 2020 and 2019, she was named to the Second Team All-Delco. Cain was on the 2019 Second Team All-Mainline, as well. With Cain leading the way, Notre Dame made a run to the state championship game in 2021.

She is the daughter of Patrick and Colleen. Audrey is one of three siblings with one brother, Patrick and one sister, Ava.

Why Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers University because it checked all the boxes for my collegiate experience, both in the classroom and on the field. When you combine the family culture, the best coaches around, and the opportunity to play in the Big Ten and win a national championship, I know this is the place I want to be."

ELLIOT FORNEY

Forward
Doylestown, Pa.
FC Bucks 
Central Bucks High School

About Forney: Elliot Forney was named to the Pennsylvania All-State Team in 2022, and was also named three-time All-League (2020-2022). Following her mention on the 2022 Players to Watch List, Forney netted 12 goals and assisted nine while leading Central Bucks to a district final and state tournament in her senior season. In three high school seasons, including the shortened 2020 year, Forney totaled 16 goals and 25 assists while playing in high-stakes games - the conference championship, the district finals, and the state tournament.

Elliot is the daughter of Travis and Marta and has one sister, Mia. 

Why Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers mainly due to the mix of athletic and academic competition. I knew that I could get a great education and compete at the highest level of collegiate athletics simultaneously, while also getting the support I need to succeed. I also loved where the campus was located, it's only about an hour away from my house. One thing that really intrigued me was how there were five different campuses within the university. It wasn't just one large campus, but multiple smaller, unique campuses. Most importantly, the Rutgers coaching staff made me feel like I was joining a family, not just a team.”

GABRIELA GIL

Midfielder
Westfield, N.J.
PDA
Union County Vocational-Technical Schools

About Gil: Gabriela Gil enters her collegiate career with Top 20 All-County (2020) and First Team All-Conference (2020) honors under her belt. In 2021, she led her high school team to state, sectional, and Union County championships. With PDA, she won the 2019 National Championship and earned an invitation to the ECNL National Training Camp in 2022 after earning North Atlantic All-Conference First Team honors.

Off the pitch, Gil participates with the Relay for Life Club. 

Gabriela is the daughter of Daniel and Amy. She also has one sister, Sofia. 

Why Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers because I felt an immediate connection to the school when I visited. I loved the ambience of the campus, as well as the professional environment that the soccer team is engrossed in every day. The athletic facilities are top tier, and the coaching staff is amazing. In addition, I am close to home which enables my family and friends to support me at my games. It also allows me to visit home frequently.”

ALYSSA MARTINEZ

Forward
Westfield, N.J.
PDA
Westfield High School

About Martinez: Alyssa Martinez comes to Rutgers after being named the Star-Ledger New Jersey Player of the Year, the NJ.com Union County Player of the Year, and the Courier News Player of the Year. She tallied 31 goals and 8 assists in 2021, leading Westfield to a state championship victory. She was also named to the Star-Ledger First Team All-State and First Team All-Group IV in 2021. In the 2019 to 2021 seasons, she was awarded All-County First Team. In three high school seasons, Martinez netted 41 goals with 17 assists. With PDA, she won the 2019 national championship and made a run to the 2021 national championship game.

Martinez is a member of the National Honor Society and earned Honor Roll from 2019-2022. 

She is the daughter of Marlon and Marisol, and the sister of Sofia.

Why Rutgers: “I loved everything about Rutgers. The family environment, the excellent education, and also following in my dad's legacy the same way my sister has by going to Rutgers.”

Reilly McGlinn

Forward
Cherry Hill, N.J.
PDA 
Cherry Hill West High School

About McGlinn: Reilly McGlinn is a New Jersey All-State forward out of the PDA program and Cherry Hill West High School. Her breakout 2022 season featured an All-East Region Team selection by United Soccer Coaches, Second Team All-State honors, and First Team All-Group accolades, along with being named the Olympic Conference Comeback Player of the Year while leading her team to the 2022 Group 3 conference championship. In just three seasons, the dynamic striker totaled 50 goals and 30 assists, including a 19-goal, 21-assist campaign as a senior in 2022.

Off the pitch, McGlinn participates in Athletes Against Bullying and is a member of the National Honor Society and Computer Science Honor Society. 

She is the daughter of Chuck and Karen with three sisters; Sarah, Kathleen, and Meghan. 

Why Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers because of the excellent academic reputation of the school as well as the high level of women's soccer that is played. Rutgers allowed me to stay in my home state and close to my family while still getting an excellent education and playing a high level of soccer. I also chose Rutgers because of the family culture created by an excellent coaching staff.”

Shannon Reiser

Defender
Matawan, N.J.
PDA
Matawan Regional High School

About Reisser: Shannon Reiser is a New Jersey All-State selection from Matawan and a member of the PDA. The all-time leading scorer at Matawan with 41 career goals, Reiser netted 18 in 2022, the Matawan single-season record, while being named Third Team All-State and the B North Division Player of the Year. 

In the classroom, Reiser made honor roll from 2020-22 and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is involved in Peer and Civic Leadership and volunteers with Husky House. 

She is the daughter of Jason and Heather and sister to Donovan and Brynn.

Why Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers because of the amazing academics and opportunities it has to offer. The culture of the team and family atmosphere made my decision so easy, as it felt like home since day one. I have wanted to play here since I was eight years old and wouldn't want to go anywhere else. I am so excited to be playing such competitive Big Ten soccer and for the new family I am going to be a part of.”

Olivia Russomanno

Forward
Cranford, N.J.
PDA
Cranford High School

About Russomanno: Olivia Russomanno is a versatile All-State player out of Cranford High School and the PDA club program in New Jersey. She made a quick impact at Cranford, where she helped lead the team to the 2020 NJSIAA Central East D state championship in her first season. By 2022, she had set the school record for goals in a season with 30, adding nine assists in a season that was lauded with First Team All-State, All-Group, All-County, and All-Conference. In just three season of soccer, she also owns the school career scoring record with 53 goals.

A four-time high honor roll recipient, Russomanno is also a member of the Mathematics, Computer Science, Science, and History National Honor Societies. 

She is the daughter of Rocco and Dawn and sister to younger brother Rocco. 

Why Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers because it feels like home. Being at Rutgers made me feel comfortable and like I belonged. Being with the women's soccer coaching staff made it feel like a family. I also enjoyed the competitive sports environment and the high academic standard with a wide variety of majors. Lastly, I love being close to my family and that my family will be able to support me at all of my home games.”

Tehya Scheuten

Midfield
Mount Olive, N.J.
PDA
Mount Olive High School

About Scheuten: Tehya Scheuten is an All-State performer out of Mount Olive High School and a national champion with the PDA club. The all-time leading scorer in Mount Olive history, she has totaled 64 goals in just three seasons, including 29 in 2022, the single-season record at the school and her ticket to Third Team All-State as a senior and the 2022 NJAC Comeback Player of the Year while playing for the 2022 NJAC champions. She also garnered First Team All-Conference honors three times and two First Team All-County nods. At PDA, Scheuten was a four-time ECNL league champion and earned a spot at U.S. Soccer Identification Camp from 2016-18.

A four-year honor roll member, she was also named MO Student of the Month twice for the month of November in 2020 and 2022. 

She is the daughter of Carl and Michelle, and sister to Jack and Jenna.

Why Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers because of the welcoming environment. Visiting Rutgers felt like a second home the minute I stepped on the campus. The high quality of education and the wide variety of majors and opportunities it gives made it appealing academic wise, while also the people and community of Rutgers all together made it a place I knew I wanted to be.”