Women's Soccer Announces the Signing of Six Newcomers

PHILADELPHIA - Drexel women's soccer head coach Ray Goon announced the signing of six student-athletes for the fall 2016 season. Elizabeth Baeza, Emily Baeza, Maria Garofolo, Laura Hamilton, Joanna Seca and Ali Shick all signed National Letters of Intent recently and will join the Dragons as freshmen this coming fall. Each bring a unique set of talents and experience that will help the Dragons as they attempt to get back to the women's soccer CAA post-season and challenge for the CAA title this fall.

"We are excited about the potential that our 2016 freshmen class has demonstrated throughout their youth development. All six of our new signees are bright students, talented athletes and bring a wealth of experience to our already strong group of returning team members," commented Goon. "The goals that our team has set for themselves are designed to guide us to the CAA Championship in 2016. This off-season has been very promising so far and we will continue to grow throughout the spring. We firmly believe that Libby, Emily, Maria, Laura, Joanna and Ali will all play significant roles in helping our program reach new heights this fall."

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Elizabeth "Libby" Baeza, from Irvine, Calif., will challenge right away for the goal keeper vacancy left by Badana and Fye who completed their NCAA eligibility with the 2015 season. Having been a four-year starter and three-year captain for her Arnold O. Beckman High School team, Baeza brings experience to the Dragons. She was recognized as her team's MVP as a sophomore and junior after leading them to the CIF Playoffs both seasons in addition to being named Goal Keeper of the Year in the Pacific Coast League her junior and senior years.

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Emily Baeza, also from Irvine, Calif., is a defensive leader who brings an incredible work rate and in-depth tactical understanding of the game. Baeza was a consistent starter as a central back in front of her sister, Libby, for Arnold O. Beckman High School all four years of her career. Her presence as a shutdown defender helped her team to the CIF playoffs three years in a row and also earned her Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-League honors in the Pacific Coast League.

The Baezas also competed together at the highest club level in the country as members of West Coast FC in the ECNL, making the national playoffs three years in a row. Both Emily and Libby are standouts in the classroom as well, having made the principal's honor roll and earned scholar athlete awards all four years of high school. Emily plans to major in physical therapy, while Libby plans to major in sport management at Drexel.

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Maria Garofolo, from Barto, Pa., will not only be a dominant presence for the Dragons in the air but is just as effective at winning and possessing the ball on the ground. Garofolo should quickly establish herself as a go-to central player with her ability to control the ball and the game with her size and ability. Typically a defensive mid-fielder, she was an all-purpose player for her Boyertown High School team, earning PAC-10 All-League and Mercury All-Area honors each of her four seasons as a varsity starter. In addition to helping lead the Eastern Pennsylvania Olympic Development Program U17 team to the 2014 Region I Championship, she was also selected to play with the Region I ODP Team at the inter-regional event and in Croatia. Academically, Garofolo was an member of the honor roll and plans to major in criminology and justice studies at Drexel.

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Laura Hamilton, from Floral City, Fla., joins the Dragons with National Championship experience having won the U17 US Youth Soccer title in 2015 and finishing as finalists in 2014 with her club team Tampa Bay United. Hamilton's versatility as both a strong defender and attacker will be a welcomed addition to the team as she will play a prominent role in every facet of the game. As a captain for her Trinity Catholic High School team, she has earned such honors as Rookie of the Year as a freshman, MVP as a junior and senior as well as Marion County First Team recognition. Hamilton's academic achievements includes being a member of the academic honor roll as well as the National Honor Society in each of her high school years. She plans to pursue a major in health sciences.

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Joanna Seca brings a vast domestic and international background to the Dragons this fall. A native of North Arlington, N.J., Seca has been a regular on the Portuguese U17 and U19 National Teams. While at home she plays for PDA O'Reilly, recognized as one of the top club teams in the country. With an advanced ability to read the game, Seca is a possession-oriented play maker that will help solidify the midfield and provide a balance of both attacking and defending threats. She was a three-year starter for her North Arlington High School team when she was not fulfilling her international commitments. In addition, Seca was named to the honor roll throughout her high school career and was a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. She plans to major in physical therapy.

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Ali Shick, from York, Pa., is an athletic and versatile player whose talent, size and strength will provide her the opportunity to compete at the highest level in the CAA. Primarily a defender in her youth career for Dallastown Area High School, she was named to the All-County team as sophomore, junior and senior. Additionally, Shick lead her team to the county championships and was recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year in her senior season as well. Shick played club soccer for Penn Legacy, FC York and was a member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Olympic Development Program U17 team that won the Region I Championship in 2014. She is a member of the National Math Honor Society and plans to major in business.

Drexel University Athletics

Women's Soccer Announces the Signing of Six Newcomers

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