VILLANOVA, Pa. – Five players inked National Letters of Intent on Wednesday to join the Villanova Women's Soccer team in 2025.

The incoming group of 'Cats comprises of two defenders, a midfielder, a forward and a goalkeeper.

"I am excited to welcome this class to Villanova University," head coach Samar Azem said. "I want to thank our coaches, our support staff, our admissions office, our players, club coaches and the families of our class for helping us put together a strong class of elite players and people.

"We have significantly enhanced our athletic profile with this class as well as the culture of our program, as we pursue our goals of winning the BIG EAST Conference and sustaining success. This group of five will also join our current players in enhancing the overall mission of our program within our Villanova community, serving others and growing as they pursue academic and athletic excellence."

Jaden Aaronson | Midfield | Medford, N.J. | Real Jersey Football Club
Aaronson is an All-South Jersey and All-Conference player as a sophomore who has also spent her junior and senior years playing with MLS Next boys. She has played in the club ranks for 10 years with Real futbol academy and was selected for GA regional team and the Capelli Sport National Select team which toured the UK. Aaronson comes from a soccer family – her dad, Rusty, played at Monmouth and both of her brothers, Paxten and Brenden, have played at the national and professional levels, both suiting up for the US Men's National Team while also playing internationally for FC Utrecth and Leeds United, respectively.
Azem on Aaronson: "Jaden is a very smart midfielder with excellent vision. She's constantly looking to break lines and create goals. She will bring an exciting dynamic to our attack."

Téa Gambardella | Defender | Guilford, Conn. | Connecticut Rush
Gambardella played with Connecticut Rush Select ECRL for 12 years and Connecticut Rush UWS for the last four years. She helped the team to a runner-up standing in the DPL National Championships and played on Rush national team from grades fifth-ninth. She has been a dual-sport athlete at Guilford High School playing soccer and lacrosse. On the pitch, she has been a three-time All-SCC selection and has been named an All-State athlete twice. She has scored 65 goals, 24 of those coming in her junior season alone.
Azem on Gambardella: "Tea is a physical, fast and tenacious defender. She has the versatility to play across the back line or in the midfield.  She has great range and a lot of speed." 

Lillian Mitchell | Goalkeeper | Ashburn, Va. | TSJFCV
Mitchell has played 12 years with the St. James Football Club and was called into two USYNT ID Camps and. She has also been to three GA Talent ID events. She was a member of the 2021 Girls Academy U15 National Championship squad and named the U15 Golden Glover winner that same year. She been a First Team All-Region and All-District selection in high school, helping the Independence High School squad to a state championship in 2023. In net, she racked up over 100 saves in 2024.
Azem on Mitchell: "Lillian is a technically sound goalkeeper with great vision on the ball and positionally.  She will bring a dynamic that will continue to enhance the strength of our back unit."

Avrie Nelsen | Forward | Dix Hills, N.Y. | SUSA
Nelsen has played at the club level with SUSA for six years, earning Player of the Month laurels in 2020 and All-Conference First Team status for the 2023-24 season. At Saint Anthony's High School, she has been an All-League, All-Long Island second team and All-State First Team selection. She earned CHSAANY Offensive Player of the Year status in 2023 and has been a part of Newsday Top 100. Over the last three years, she has scored 30 varsity goals.
Azem on Nelsen: "Avrie is a relentless attacking and pressing player. She will wear teams down in the press and has the work rate, speed, and grittiness to create fantastic goals."

Kayla Raghunandanan | Defender | Newton, Pa. | Philadelphia Ukrainians
Raghunandanan has spent six seasons with Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals, helping the team to three Mid-Atlantic Championshpis and three undefeated seasons, and just recently joined the U20 Jamaican camp. She has played varsity soccer at The Pennington School and Council Rock High School North. She has played state championship squads in 2023 and 2024, also earning a pair of MAPL Championships in both of those seasons.
Azem on Raghunandanan: "Kayla is a versatile defender who can play anywhere in the back line.  She's a homegrown talent with a lot of athleticism and intelligence to her game."