Eight Recruits Ink NLI to Play Women's Soccer

Temple women's soccer head coach Seamus O'Connor is pleased to announce the addition of eight recruits to the Owls 2017 recruiting class.

"I consider it an honor that these eight amazing young ladies have selected Temple University and our women's soccer program to continue their education and their athletic careers," O'Connor said. "I am pleased with the quality of recruits we have added with this class. I envision some of these recruits competing immediately for key roles as starters and the remaining ones providing depth in various other positions."

Joining the Owls will be Aisha Brown, Marissa DiGenova, Julia Dolan, Djavon Dupree, Natalie Druehl, Morgan Rollins, Bella Sorrentino, and Emma Wilkins.

Rollins is a 5'7" goalkeeper from Wilmington, Del. Rollins played her high school ball at Tower Hill School where she earned Second Team All-State and First Team All-Conference during her junior campaign. The three-sport athlete also earned letters in basketball and volleyball during her high school career.

In the classroom, Rollins was a three-time academic scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. At Temple, she plans to major in biomedical engineering.

Rollins knew she wanted to play on North Broad after her first visit.

"After visiting the first time I definitely knew I wanted to go to Temple," Rollins said. "It was due to the immense sense of family the coaches and the players displayed throughout the program. I knew that I wanted to be at a place that had a great sense of family, and that is what they showed me."

Druehl is a 5'5" midfielder from Stamford, Conn. She went to Westhill High School and is a two-time team captain of her soccer team. She was also selected All-State during her senior year and All-FCIAC First Team in back-to-back years to end her high school career.

The three sport varsity athlete (outdoor track and tennis), had success on the pitch outside of high school. Druehl captained the U15 and U17 Beachside of CT Premier State Cup Championship teams.

She also comes from a family of athletes as her sister Heidi is currently a sophomore defender for the UConn women's soccer team and sister Victoria was a rower at UConn (2010-12).

The Owls signed two high school teammates from Absegami High School in Galloway, N.J. –Dolan and Wilkins.

Dolan is the sister of current Temple women's soccer defender, Kelcie Dolan. Julia is a 5'3" midfielder from Egg Harbor City, N.J. She was a back-to-back team MVP, captain and All-Conference selection. In her senior season, she was also selected to the All-South Jersey Team.

Julia was a three-sport athlete in high school, lettering in basketball and track and field.

Academically, Dolan was an honor roll student and member of the National Honor Society. At Temple, she plans to major in business.

Wilkins is a 5'5" forward from Galloway, N.J. She led her team in goals her senior year and was a team captain. Wilkins was also selected First Team All-Conference in back-to-back years to end her high school career.

Outside of high school, Wilkins played for PDA United U17-18, where she led the team in goals and was a three-time State Cup Champion.

In the classroom, Wilkins was a four-year varsity scholar. Her major is currently undecided.

Sorrentino is no stranger to the Philadelphia soccer scene. The 5'10" Bryn Mawr, Pa. native played her high school soccer at Archbishop John Carroll High School, which is a part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

Sorrentino played midfield in high school and was a two-time team captain, team MVP, First Team All-Catholic League, First Team All-Main Line, and First Team All-Delaware County. She also served on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee for Archdiocese of Philadelphia during her senior year.

Not only could you find Sorrentino on the pitch, but also on the hardwood. Sorrentino was a four-year letter winner in girls' basketball. During her junior campaign on the court, she was selected First Team All-Catholic League, First Team All-Main Line, and First Team All-Delaware County.

Sorrentino always knew she wanted to be at Temple and play in the cherry and white.

"In my heart, I have always been a Temple Owl," Sorrentino said. "My father played Varsity tennis, graduated and returned to coach at Temple for 8 years. My family and I have been attending Temple Basketball games since I was a baby. When I came on my unofficial visit, I had a great time with the girls on the soccer team, I loved the campus and I knew that this is where I wanted to spend my next four years!"

Her father, Andrew Sorrentino, played men's tennis at Temple from 1982-86 and was a three-time team captain. He would later return and coach the men's and women's teams from 1990-98, being named the A-10 Coach of the Year in 1997.

Aside from high school, Sorrentino was selected as a top 100 player for the National Rush Travel Soccer Team, where she was chosen to represent the team in the San Marino Cup in Italy.

Academically, Sorrentino plans to major in exercise science.

Another student-athlete familiar with the Philadelphia soccer scene is Dupree. The Philadelphia native played at Central High School where she was an outside back. In her senior campaign, the outside back was voted team captain and earned All-Public, All-District and All-Southeastern honors. During her senior campaign, her team won the Philadelphia Public League and District 12.

Aside from playing on the pitch, Dupree was also a four-time letter winner in basketball and two-time letter winner in track and field.

Academically, the high school honor student plans on majoring in business marketing and credits the Fox School of Business for influencing her decision to become and Owl.

"What influenced me the most was Temple's great business school and also very competitive sports teams," Dupree said. "I wanted the best of both worlds."

Also joining the Owls will be DiGenova. The King of Prussia, Pa. native went to Villa Maria Academy where she was a four-year starter on the pitch. Racking up a career total of 55 goals and 25 assists, DiGenova was team captain in her senior campaign and earned the team's Offensive MVP award, All-Catholic Academies League All-Star, First Team All-Main Line, and Second Team All-Local Daily News.

Outside of high school, DiGenova played for Continental FC where she is a team captain. DiGenova is Top Drawer Regionally Ranked and a Top Drawer Three Star Player.

Academically, the math and science honors student plans on majoring in kinesiology.

Brown signed her NLI with the Temple Track and Field team, but will also play soccer. The Nokesville, Va. Native went to Patriot High School where she lettered in both sports.

Outside of high school, Brown played for McLean ECNL. Academically, she plans on majoring in neuroscience.

Click here to watch interview with head coach Seamus O'Connor.

Temple University Athletics

Eight Recruits Ink NLI to Play Women's Soccer

Players Mentioned

Kelcie Dolan

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