McLean’s current class of 2021 commitments celebrated National Signing Day on Tuesday, Nov. 10.

A total of 22 players signed their National Letters of Intent at a ceremony at Lewinsville Park surrounded by their families and MYS staff members. Both the boys and girls sides were represented, as well as players from both ECNL and travel programs.

Many of the girl’s commitments come from the ECNL 02/03 team, who have gone undefeated for the last 45 ECNL conference games. Three players from the ECNL boy’s side are also represented.

15 players will be continuing their careers at NCAA Division I institutions, while the remaining seven will be heading to NCAA Division III schools. While our DIII players were celebrated this week with our other commitments, they will not be officially signing their Letters of Intent until spring 2021.

Scroll for further details on each player. Congratulations to our Class of 2021!

Noah Alexander - Bowdoin College
High school: The Potomac School
Primary position: Midfield

Noah joins the Polar Bears next fall in Brunswick, Maine. The DIII program touts back-to-back
NESCAC Championships in 2014 and 2015 under head coach Scott Wiercinski.

Carter Berg - University of Mary Washington
High school: South Lakes High School
Intended major: Undecided
Primary position: Forward

Currently a discovery player for MYS for the 2020-21 season (playing also with Herndon Youth Soccer),
Carter will move on to UMW next fall. The Eagles won their third straight CAC Championship in 2019
in a PK shootout, and made it to the second round of the NCAA DIII tournament.

Danielle Burke - Dartmouth College
High school: Georgetown Day School
Intended major: Undecided
Primary position: Midfield

Danielle heads to the Ivy League in 2021, joining the Dartmouth roster with current teammate Kellie Sutton.
The Big Green did not compete for the 2020 season due to COVID, so Danielle will look to get on the field for the
long-awaited season next fall. She was joined by coaches Nadir Moumen, Brent Leiba, and Clyde Watson on Tuesday evening.

Zara Chavoshi - Wake Forest University
High school: Thomas Wootton High School
Intended major: Movement and Sports Science
Primary position: Defense

Zara’s time on the esteemed ECNL 02/03 roster (and previously the 01/02s) has prepped her to join the
Demon Deacons next fall. Zara will be the second MYS alum to continue at Wake Forest, the first being current
NWSL player Madison Hammond. She was joined by her parents on Tuesday evening.

Isabelle Ching - New York University
High school: Oakton High School
Intended major: Hospitality and Tourism Management
Primary position: Forward

Another DIII commit, Isabelle heads to Manhattan in 2021. The Violets, like many other city schools, opted out of the
2020 season but are looking to come back strong next fall in the UAA Conference. She was joined by
coaches Nadir Moumen, Brent Leiba, and Clyde Watson on Tuesday evening

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Ayana Curto - Carnegie Mellon University
High school: Georgetown Day High School
Primary position: Forward

Ayana will join MYS alum Ashley Hong on the Tartans roster next fall. CMU posted an impressive 2019 record,
finishing their season with a PK shootout in the DIII Final Four.

Cassidy Duncan - Amherst College
High school: Patriot High School
Primary position: Defense

Cassidy moves on to Amherst, Massachusetts in 2021, becoming the second MYS alum on the roster — she will join Kim Zhou
and just miss MYS GK Erica Sanders who is set to graduate in the spring. The Mammoths did not participate in the 2020 season,
but finished 2019 in the second round of the DIII NCAA Tournament. Cassidy is a part of the elite 02/03 ECNL group,
and was recognized as part of the Girls ECNL/United Soccer Coaches All-Conference Team for the 2017-18 season.

Jordan Felton - University of Miami
High school: North Point High School
Intended major: Undecided
Primary position: Midfield

Jordan, a highly-decorated ECNL player, will head to Miami in 2021 with current teammate Lauren Meeks. They both will join Annie Blair,
another MYS alum of the 02 team. Jordan’s list of accolades includes the 2019 United Soccer Coaches All-East Region Team and 2019 ECNL Mid-Atlantic All-Conference Team. She was joined by coaches Nadir Moumen, Brent Leiba, and Clyde Watson on Tuesday evening.

Erika Harwood - Georgetown University
High school: T.C. Williams High School
Intended major: Business
Primary position: Forward

Erika moves on to Georgetown in 2021, joining a slew of MYS alums. Currently, the roster holds Julia Leas, Caitlin Moon, and
02 newcomer Alex Bair. Current teammate Eliza Turner will also become a Hoya next fall. Georgetown posted
only one loss in regular conference play in 2019, and have made appearances in the NCAA Final Four twice in the last
four years. She was joined by her parents on Tuesday evening.

Isabela Jesse - Dickinson College
High school: Justice High School
Intended major: Biology
Primary position: Midfield

Isabela joins Dickinson’s DIII program next fall, where the Red Devils climbed to the third round of the NCAA Tournament in 2019.
Dickinson went undefeated in conference play last year winning the CCC regular season title, only losing in the
conference championship match. She was joined by her mother on Tuesday evening.

Halle Johnson - UNC Wilmington
High school: The Madeira School
Intended major: Undecided
Primary position: Defense

Halle heads south in 2021 to join the Seahawks. Making the CAA tournament in 2019, UNCW looks to have a successful season next fall after taking 2020 off. Halle was a member of the East Region ODP Pool in 2017-18. She was joined by her parents on Tuesday evening.

Kendall Lincoln - University of South Florida
High school: Sherando High School
Intended major: Pre-Med
Primary position: Midfield

Kendall Lincoln joins the Bulls after a record-setting season. USF posted 16 wins, an AAC tournament title, and the program’s first ever
NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. Kendall joins the team as they return to play in 2021 after opting out of the 2020 season.
She was joined by coaches Nadir Moumen, Brent Leiba, and Clyde Watson on Tuesday evening.

Sophie Maltese - Virginia Tech
High school: Briar Woods High School
Intended major: Undecided
Primary position: Forward

Sophie becomes a Hokie next fall, joining MYS alums Grace Sklopan and Holly Weber. VT is in the midst of
ACC conference play for 2020, after making the NCAA Tournament in 2019. She was joined by her mother on Tuesday evening.

Jessica McDonald - Liberty University
High school: Hayfield Secondary School
Intended major: Undecided
Primary position: Midfield

Jessica moves on to Lynchburg next fall as the most recent MYS commitment of the 2021 class. The Flames advanced to the
quarterfinals of the ASUN tournament last year, and look to compete in 2021 after taking the 2020 season off.
She was joined by her father on Tuesday evening

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Andy Medrano - Virginia Military Institute
High school: Justice High School
Primary position: Forward

Andy will join the Cadets in 2021 after VMI opted out of 2020 competition.
It will be the second building year for head coach Max Watson down in Lexington.

Lauren Meeks - University of Miami
High school: Lake Braddock Secondary School
Primary position: Midfield

Lauren will head down to Miami next fall with current teammate Jordan Felton. Like Jordan, she’s had her share of success in
McLean’s ECNL program — she was named to the ECNL Mid-Atlantic All Conference Team for both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons. 

Jordan Phillips - Radford University

 High school: South County High School
Intended major: Sports Management
Primary position: Goalkeeper

Jordan joins the 2019 Big South Conference tournament champions next fall. The Highlanders posted an impressive 2019 season ending in the NCAA Tournament, and have taken this fall off due to COVID. Jordan has been part of the illustrious 02 and 03 ECNL teams in net, posting significant minutes over the last few years. She was joined by coaches Nadir Moumen, Brent Leiba, and Clyde Watson on Tuesday evening.

Carley Rynex - Virginia Commonwealth University
High school: Chantilly High School
Intended major: Pre-Med
Primary position: Defense

Carley moves on to VCU in the fall of 2021. The Rams currently house MYS alum Amber DiOrio, and look to get back into action
next year after taking the 2020 season off. She was joined by coaches Nadir Moumen, Brent Leiba, and Clyde Watson on Tuesday evening.

Emily Smith: Davidson College
High school: St. Stephens & St. Agnes School
Intended major: Engineering
Primary position: Goalkeeper

Emily will join the Wildcats in fall of 2021. Another team that has taken the 2020 season off, they look forward to
returning to action next fall. Emily currently plays in goal with the currently undefeated 02/03 ECNL group.
She was joined by coaches Nadir Moumen, Brent Leiba, and Clyde Watson on Tuesday evening.

Sophia Stimson: William Smith College
High school: Bishop O’Connell High School
Intended major: Psychology
Primary position: Defender

Sophia heads to Geneva, New York in 2021 to join the illustrious HWSC program. Though taking a break for 2020, the Herons
were regular season Liberty League champions and were NCAA DIII National Finalists. She was joined by her parents on Tuesday evening.

Kellie Sutton: Dartmouth College
High school: Homeschool
Intended major: Undecided
Primary position: Midfield

Kellie joins the Big Green with current teammate Danielle Burke in the fall of 2021. Dartmouth returns to Ivy League play after opting out of the 2020 season due to COVID. She was joined by coaches Nadir Moumen, Brent Leiba, and Clyde Watson on Tuesday evening.

Eliza Turner: Georgetown University
High school: National Cathedral School
Intended major: Undecided
Primary position: Midfielder

Eliza Turner heads to D.C. next fall to join the Hoyas with current teammate Erika Harwood. One of the most decorated current MYS players, Eliza was named the ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference Player of the Year for 2018 and 2019 and was on the All-Conference team back to back for those years as well. She was joined by coaches Nadir Moumen, Brent Leiba, and Clyde Watson on Tuesday evening.

McLean Youth Soccer is thrilled to announce that 24 student-athletes from the club’s ECNL soccer program will continue their academic and athletic careers in college this fall. McLean’s Class of 2020—17 young women and seven young men—have excelled on the soccer pitch and, most importantly, in the classroom during their high school years.

“I want to congratulate McLean Youth Soccer’s graduating class of 2020 and I am looking forward to all of their impacts at the next level,” said Alan Portillo, Head Coach of the MYS Boys 01/02 ECNL team.

The 24 players will compete on behalf of 23 different colleges and universities (two players will be teammates on the U.S. Naval Academy’s women’s soccer team) across ten states and the District of Columbia. Sixteen will compete in Division I, two in Division II, and six in Division III conferences.

The 2020 soccer season was cut short due to the global coronavirus pandemic and these players persevered through an extraordinary set of circumstances (including the sudden cancellation of practices, tournaments, and league play) to maintain their physical fitness and complete their high school educational requirements. We salute their resilience and hard work in realizing their dreams to play at the collegiate level.

Nadir Moumen, Head Coach of the McLean 02 Girls ECNL team said, “It has been an honor working with these girls. Not only are they great players, but they are unbelievable people. The various universities will be very lucky to have them.”

Since 2007, MYS has helped more than 300 student-athletes play soccer in college. As a point of reference, according to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), nationally a mere 2.4% of female high school athletes move on to play soccer at Division I (DI) schools, and about 4.8% play at Division II and III schools; 1.3% of male high school soccer players play at the DI level, and about 4.2% play at the DII or DIII level.

"McLean Youth Soccer has a rich tradition of college placement within the program and this year's class does not disappoint,” said Louise Waxler, MYS Executive Director. “We are proud of our seniors who have chosen to further their playing career at the collegiate level and look forward to their successes both on and off the field.”

Thirteen female players from McLean's storied ECNL program celebrated their commitment to play soccer in college on National Signing Day, November 13. The Class of 2020 will compete for 12 schools (two players will attend the same school) across nine different states and athletic conferences.

These players join the ranks of more than 235 former and current MYS players who have played-or committed to play-collegiate soccer over the last eight years. In the Fall of 2019, the 72 former MYS players who are currently active in college programs played in a total of 940 games, starting in 585 of those matches, scoring 62 goals and adding 76 assists.

Signing Day represents a milestone reached only after sustained effort and dedication on the part of these young student-athletes, who have excelled at the highest level of youth soccer in the competitive ECNL, as well as at nationally ranked tournaments.

"Signing day is always fun for the girls as they are celebrating a culmination of years of hard work," said Nadir Moumen, MYS ECNL Head Coach and United Soccer Coaches' 2018 Youth National Coach of the Year. "This group has worked very hard and I expect them to continue to be successful on the field and in the classroom as they move on to their respective colleges."

See below for a list of all the players and their college destinations and for pictures from Signing Day.

McLean Youth Soccer's Class of 2019 is storming the college pitch - and most teams have not even begun conference play. A total of 21 players from the MYS ECNL program launched their college careers in August and September, after graduating from high school and completing their youth soccer careers last June. These players now compete on behalf of 21 different colleges and universities across 13 states (see the table below for a complete list of players and schools).

As of Thursday, September 26, players from the Class of 2019 have played in a total of 117 games, making 69 starts. They've scored 12 goals (four of them game winners) and provided a whopping 19 assists. The largest concentration of players (four total) play in the Ivy League, and other conferences with multiple players include the ACC (three players) and Division III's NESCAC (three players).

Most colleges warm up for conference games by playing exhibition matches in mid-August and then non-conference opponents from late August through mid-September. Once conference games begin, every match counts toward post-season playoff standings.

Several freshman players have had stellar starts:

• Angela Caloia has started all eight games for the Harvard Crimson and she leads the Ivy League in points (16), with four goals and eight assists. On Sept. 9, she was named Ivy League Rookie of the Week and on Sept. 23, she was named Ivy League Co-Player and Rookie of the Week. She is currently one of just three players in the nation with eight assists.
• Julia Leas has also started every game of her college career at Georgetown thus far. In nine games, she's added two goals and three assists for the Hoyas, who were ranked 12th in the nation by United Soccer Coaches (USC) on Sept. 18.
• Aleigh Gambone, who plays for the storied University of North Carolina team under Coach Anson Dorrance, has started seven of nine games and provided one assist. The Tar Heels are currently ranked 4th in the nation by USC.
• Macy Monticello, a stalwart defender for the Wisconsin Badgers, has started nine of nine games and has helped her team to four clean sheets.
• Serena Pham has started seven of eight games at the University of Alabama and provided three assists.
• Beky Myers has scored one goal and one assist for the Elon Phoenix, while starting five of nine games. She won CAA Rookie of the Week honors on Sept. 9.
• Gabby Nastasi has scored two goals for Morehead State College and has started six of nine games thus far.
• Faith Lee has started six of seven games for the Air Force Falcons, notching one goal and one assist along the way.

When players from the Classes of 2018, 2017 and 2016 are added to the 2019 players, there are more than 75 MYS ECNL alums actively playing college soccer. Our next update will include statistics from all MYS college players.

McLean Youth Soccer's ECNL Class of 2019