Villanova, Pa.- Villanova women's soccer head coach Chris McLain and his staff have announced the fourth signing of the 2024 class, midfielder Emma Weaver.

"I've known Emma for many years, said head coach Chris McLain.  "She has been a player that I've always wanted in my team. She brings the x factor to everything she does. She is talented but what excites me the most is her appetite to be the best player not only at Villanova but in the Big East Conference. That drive and determination is hard to find!"

Weaver earned four varsity letters at attacking midfielder/forward at New Trier.  She was named to the 2020 Illinois Soccer All Decade Team, 2019 Gatorade Illinois Soccer Player of the Year, All-State All-American, Chicagoland Soccer Player of the Year.  During Weavers senior year she scored 33 goals and dished out 13 assists and earned IHSA State New Trier Girls' Soccer Offensive Player of the Year, New Trier Girls' Soccer Most Valuable Player, and Pioneer Press Girls' Soccer Player of the Year.  She also played for FC United Development Academy (DA) 2016-2017, Eclipse ECNL 2017-2018, FC United National League 2018-2019, and was FC United Midwest Regional Champion in 2018, Eclipse ECNL 2019-2020, Top 5 ECNL teams in the nation 2019.

McLain continued, "Emma will bring a strong versatility to our squad, she can play in numerous roles on the field and will always perform at the highest of levels. Her standard does not drop because she is playing in a new position. It's a luxury as a coach to have a player like this in our squad".

Weaver chose Villanova because, "when I started looking at schools, my older sister was a current athlete at Villanova and spoke highly of the programs. This peaked my interest and led me to Chris McLain. I love the mix of highly competitive athletics with rigorous academics."