2024-07-11 20:10:01
NEW YORK – Head coach Tracey Bartholomew officially introduced 12 newcomers to the 2024 Columbia women’s soccer roster on Wednesday. The incoming class features several highly talented players ranked by Top Drawer Soccer.
“We are thrilled to announce the Columbia women’s soccer incoming 12 members in the class of 2028,” Bartholomew said. “They are an outstanding group of women that have tremendous technical ability on the ball and next level tactical understanding that meet the standard of excellence we strive for on the field and in the classroom.”
Columbia enters the 2024 season looking to build on its success last fall. The Lions secured the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history by defeating Rutgers.
“This recruiting class received ranking votes by Top Drawer Soccer, and they will add to an experienced returning group who helped lead the 2023 team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament and was ranked as high as No. 22 in the Top Drawer Soccer National poll,” Bartholomew said. “We lost an incredible group of 11 seniors last season that can never quite be replaced, but we are confident our newcomers have top-notch ability and will adjust quickly to help replace the seniors we lost from last season.”
The incoming class and returners will be put to the test with three road contests to start the 2024 slate. Columbia kicks off the season on Friday, August 23 at Hofstra before traveling to Tennessee a week later to face Vanderbilt and Tennessee Tech.
“I want to thank Amphone Keovongmanysar, Jack Abelson and Celia Balf for helping bring the next wave of talent and most importantly, charisma and character we look for in our program,” Bartholomew said. “They will offer us the ability to play an entertaining brand in attack by keeping poisons and ultimately through their goal scoring abilities. We will be adding versatility and dynamic midfielders to the team and of course the grittiness we love in defense and shot stoppers in goal. Our staff believes this group will add a sense of pride for Columbia, be standouts in the classroom and our community. We cannot wait for their arrival for preseason when we can finally work together with them and the rest of our incredible returning group of student-athletes.”
Details on this season’s incoming class are below. Fans can access the complete 2024 Columbia women’s soccer roster by clicking this link.
2024 Women’s Soccer Signees
ISABEL ACKERMAN – GK – 6’0 – FY – BC – Belleair, Florida / Largo / Tampa Bay United
PRE-COLUMBIA
Played goalkeeper two years at Largo High School and two years for Tampa Bay United ECNL … Two-time high school varsity team captain … Two-time Tampa Bay United ECNL captain … Helped lead Largo to two district championships … Named Florida High School All-State First Team in 2022 … Florida High School All-State Academic First Team (2022) … Holds the Largo High School record for regular season goals against average (0.50) set in 2021 … Helped lead Tampa Bay United USL to a division championship in 2023 … Played on Puerto Rico Youth National Team in 2023 and 2024 … Also competed in high school and club swimming.
PERSONAL
Born February 24, 2006 … Daughter of Bradley and Rebecca Ackerman … Has three siblings … Brother, Aaron played baseball at NYU … Enrolled at Barnard College.
ANGEL AKANYIRIGE – FWD – 5’10 – FY – BC – Pleasanton, California / Amador Valley / Bay Area Surf
PRE-COLUMBIA
Won three letters playing varsity soccer for coach Grant Matsumoto … Two-time EBAL First Team selection (2023, 2024) … ECNL West Coast Section Second Team (2022, 2023) … Helped lead the team to an EBAL League championship in 2024 as team captain … Three-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer, ranked 17th in Northern California Region…Played club soccer for Bay Area Surf, CA in the Elite Clubs National League.
PERSONAL
Born June 4, 2006 … Daughter of Emmanuel and Margaret Akanyirige … Has two siblings … Brother, Jacob plays professional soccer for New England Revolution 2 … Sister, Precious played soccer at Baylor … Enrolled at Barnard College.
AKSHAYA BAHUGUDUMBI – MID – 5’5 – FY – SEAS – San Jose, California / Leigh / San Diego and Bay Area Surf Clubs
PRE-COLUMBIA
Won two varsity letters as an attacking midfielder under coach Nick Hatzke at Leigh High School … Led the team with 18 goals as a sophomore … Helped lead the team to the NorCal CIF Championship in 2022 … Played for San Diego Surf, CA and was part of the team that won the SoCal ECNL Southwest Championship and advanced to the ECNL Quarterfinals in 2023 … Three-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer, ranked 45th in Southern California Region … Played club soccer for both San Diego and Bay Area Surf, CA in the Elite Clubs National League.
PERSONAL
Born April 25, 2006 … Daughter of Suresh and Hema Bahugudumbi … Has one sister … Enrolled at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.
GABBY CHAN – MID – 5’3 – FY – CC – New City, New York / Albertus Magnus / World Class Football Club
PRE-COLUMBIA
A four-year standout at Albertus Magnus High School … Starting striker all four years, totaling 70 goals and 36 assists … Led the team to a NYS championship in 2022 and league championships in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 … Three-time United Soccer Coaches High School All-American … Two-time United Soccer Coaches NYS Player of the Year … ECNL New England Conference Player of the Year, U16 … ECNL All American, U16 … ECNL Best Xi, U16 … ECNL New England Conference First Team, U15 and U16 … Four-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer, ranked 66 overall, 27th best midfielder in the country, and 4th in New York Region … Member of the National Honor Society … Earned First Honors (95 GPA or higher) all four years of high school … Played club soccer for World Class Football Club, NY in the Elite Clubs National League.
PERSONAL
Born August 24, 2006 … Daughter of Frank and Pauline Chan … Has three siblings … Enrolled at Columbia College.
DEMA ELDER – MID – 5’8 – FY – CC – Dearborn, Michigan / Dearborn / Michigan Hawks Soccer Club
PRE-COLUMBIA
Played club soccer with the Michigan Hawks, MI for 11 years competing in the Elite Clubs National League, a top 8 soccer club in the country … Selected to the Super Cup team … Selected as a standout player by Top Drawer Soccer for ECNL events…Played Summer 2024 with Michigan Jaguars, UWS Semi Pro Team … Did not play High school soccer and focused on club and training with elite coaches instead … Volunteer with Amity Foundation.
PERSONAL
Born May 21, 2006 … Daughter of Doraid and Shirine Elder … Has three siblings … Brother, Naji plays soccer at Santa Clara … Enrolled at Columbia College.
ANNIE FARAONE – MID – 5’5 – FY – CC – Gaithersburg, Maryland / Quince Orchard / Bethesda Soccer Club
PRE-COLUMBIA
Played four years as a center mid and forward for coach Peg Keiller at Quince Orchard High School … Named First Team All-State as a sophomore, junior and senior … Earned All-American honors as a senior … Garnered First Team All-MET status as a sophomore, junior and senior … Named All-Region South as a junior and senior … Helped lead the team to an undefeated regular season and division championship in 2023 … Reached the region championship in 2021 and 2022, finishing as the state championship finalist in 2022 and semi finalists in 2021 … Three-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer, ranked 32nd in MidAtlantic Region … Played club soccer for Bethesda Soccer Club, MD competing in the Elite Clubs National League.
PERSONAL
Born January 1, 2006 … Daughter of Richard and Cathy Faraone … Has three siblings … Enrolled at Columbia College.
SEVRIN KAESE – FORWARD – 5’8 – FY – BC – San Diego, California / Francis Parker / Rebels Soccer Club
PRE-COLUMBIA
Played three years as a striker under coach Zuri Walker … Also competed in track and ran sprints for one year during high school … Helped lead the team to Coastal League championships as a sophomore and senior … Three-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer, ranked 48th in Southern California Region … Played in Portugal and Canada as a USA Futsal co-captain … Played club soccer for Rebels Soccer Club, CA in the Elite Clubs National League.
PERSONAL
Born June 30, 2006 … Daughter of Jim and Erin Kaese … Has one younger brother, Owen … Mom, Erin played soccer at Georgetown … Can speak Mandarin and Spanish … Enrolled at Barnard College.
SAMANTHA MAHONEY – GK – 5’9 – FY – CC – Brookline, Massachusetts / Buckingham Browne & Nichols / FC Stars
PRE-COLUMBIA
Played goalkeeper for coach Hailey Katkowski at Buckingham Browne and Nichols High School … Named ISL First Team in 2023 … Named ECNL New England First Team in 2022 … Helped lead the team to NEPSAC Class A championships in 2021 and 2022 … Led the team to ISL championships in 2021, 2022 and 2023 … Played club soccer for FC Stars, MA in the Elite Clubs National League.
PERSONAL
Born July 1, 2006 … Daughter of Scott and Jennifer Mahoney … Father, Scott played football at Yale (1989-93) … Has three siblings … Enrolled at Columbia College.
SAMMIE MONCION – MID – 5’2 – FY – CC – Bergenfield, New Jersey / Dwight-Englewood / World Class Football Club
PRE-COLUMBIA
Played as an attacking midfielder for three years of high school … Helped the team finish first in the conference during all three years of high school … Named First Team All-League Midfielder in 2021, 2022 and 2023 … A three-time Most Valuable Player award recipient … Named B.C.W.C.A All-County First Team in 2023 … Three-star recruit by Top Drawer Soccer, ranked 12th in New York Region….Recognized as an honor roll student all four years of high school … Played club soccer for World Class Football Club, NY in the Elite Clubs National League.
PERSONAL
Born February 23, 2006 … Daughter of Carlos Moncion and Lezette Cruz-Moncion … Has two siblings … Enrolled at Columbia College.
NOSA OMOROGBE – DEF – 5’8 – FY – CC – Colonie, New York / Colonie Central / World Class Football Club
PRE-COLUMBIA
Earned four varsity letters under the direction of coach Ryan Edson at Colonie Central High School … Named First Team All-State in 2023 … 2023 Section 2 Player of the Year … 2023 Large-Schools Time Union First Team All-Star … 2022 Third Team All-State … 2022 Suburgan Council First Team … 2022 Section 2 Class AA All-Star Team … 2022 Large-Schools Time Union First Team All-Star … Team captain as a senior … Named to the high honor roll all four years of high school … Played club soccer for World Class Football Club, NY in the Elite Clubs National League.
PERSONAL
Born September 15, 2006 … Daughter of Amen and Tina Omorogbe … Has two siblings … Brother, Uyi played soccer at Colgate … Sister, Uwa ran track at Buffalo … Enrolled at Columbia College.
ANI SAFARYAN – FWD – 5’1 – FY – CC – Red Hook, New York / Red Hook / Player Development Academy
PRE-COLUMBIA
Played for coach Jason Pavlich at Red Hook High School … Two-time team captain as a junior and senior … A Class A All Start Team selection (2019-23) … Named All Section Team (2020-23) … Named to the New York All State Team (2021-23) … Recipient of the Scholar Athlete Award (2019-23) … Helped lead the team to two Mid Hudson Athletic League championships (2019, 2021) … Played club soccer for Player Development Academy (PDA), NJ in the Elite Clubs National League.
PERSONAL
Born March 2, 2006 … Daughter of Alexandr Safarov and Mary Yegoryan … Has two siblings … Enrolled at Columbia College.
AOIFE TURNER – DEF – 5’8 – FY – SEAS – Los Altos, California / Los Altos / Mountain View Los Altos Soccer Club
PRE-COLUMBIA
Member of the Ireland U16, U17 and U20 Women’s National Team … Competed in the 2024 European Championships as one of the top eight teams in Europe … Named El Camino All-League First Team all three years of high school … Named All-League Most Valuable Player as a senior … Tallied 20 goals and four assists as a senior … Member of the National Honor Society … Played club soccer for Mountain View Los Altos Soccer Club (MVLA), CA in the Elite Clubs National League.
PERSONAL
Born February 25, 2006 … Daughter of Paul Turner and Wei-Yu Yang … Has one sibling … Enrolled at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
For the latest on the Columbia women’s soccer program, follow @CULionsWSOC on X, Instagram, Facebook at Facebook.com/ColumbiaWSoccer and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
