MIDDLETOWN, Pa. - Penn State Harrisburg women's soccer head coach Brandon West has announced the program's incoming class for the 2025 season. The group is comprised of eight talented players and will join a collection of experienced returners coming off a memorable 2024 campaign that saw the Lions earn the program's second NCAA Tournament berth after winning the United East Championship for the second time in four years.


"I am very excited to announce this class as I think these players will fit in great with our group that is basically intact from last fall," said West about his newest collection of talent. "Overall, this class has great athleticism, is high in moral character, is extremely hard working and loves the game of soccer. This class is very talented but what excites me most about this group is who they are as people and how I know they will buy into the program from day one."

 

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Penn State Harrisburg Women's Soccer Incoming Class



Kayla Ash
Orange County High School / Skyline Elite GA

Why Penn State Harrisburg? I chose Penn State Harrisburg because I wanted a school that felt like a second home. I've never felt more welcome than when I went to Penn State Harrisburg. The girls on the team are so nice and fun to be around and overall, they made the experience so enjoyable. Coach West promotes a very positive environment both on and off the field which is exactly what I was looking for.

Coach West: Kayla has incredible pace and is extremely dynamic and versatile. I have seen her play outside back and the nine and her athleticism and brain for the game allow her to play two very different positions at a high level. Kayla came to one of our ID Camps and was dominant in the environment and fits how we want both our outside backs and forwards to play. Kayla is a tireless worker and has a positive attitude with how she plays. She will be a great addition to our program and I am excited to have her a part of the program.



Tori Heath
Rising Sun High School / Pipeline SC ECRL

Why Penn State Harrisburg? I chose Penn State Harrisburg because when I came to play with the team during my visit, they were highly competitive, yet also felt like a supportive family. All of the players, coaches and staff members were very welcoming and made the school feel like home. Penn State Harrisburg is the perfect place for me to get a good education to later go on to medical school.

Coach West: Tori is a very technical nine with pace to match her technical ability. She is strong back to goal and is great at linking up with players under her. Tori also has the ability to stretch the line and get behind defenses with her pace. She can also play in the attacking midfield role as well. Tori is a positive life force who always has a smile on her face. She will be a great addition to our team next fall and I am excited to have her a part of our program



Tessa Morehead
Stratford Academy / Legion FC Elite

Why Penn State Harrisburg? I chose Penn State Harrisburg because the team and coaches have a great environment on and off the field. Penn State Harrisburg as a whole makes me feel at home.

Coach West: Tessa is an athletic goalkeeper with great technique who is very clean in her save zone. She is also someone who has a growth mindset and always desires to learn more. I was impressed with the number of detailed questions she had for us and her capacity to want to learn and know more. Tessa will be a great addition to our already strong goalkeeper core. 



Teagan Paragon
West York High School / PA Classics GA

Why Penn State Harrisburg? I chose Penn State Harrisburg because after leaving the school it felt right. The team was very inviting and open for having just met me. Coach West made me feel wanted as a player and a person. I've heard good things about this school and their program from both players and professors. I can't wait for this new chapter in my life.

Coach West: When I first watched Teagan on film, her pace and tenacity really stood out. Teagan is a dynamic 1-v-1 player who can attack from the flank, up top and in the attacking center midfield role. She has played club at the highest level and this will suit her well when she makes the jump to the college game. Teagan is also very respectful and coachable. She wants to learn and get better. She is an awesome addition to this class and our program and I am excited she has chosen us.



Grace Rothenberger
Warwick High School / Lancaster Elite

Why Penn State Harrisburg? I chose Penn State Harrisburg because I loved the environment and how good the soccer is. It is the perfect size\ and the team was like a family even after just meeting them for the first time.

Coach West: Grace came to our ID Camp this past summer and was dominant as a center back. She has power, pace and athleticism but also a great IQ to put herself in good positions early on defensively. She is also composed on the ball and a great entry passer which is crucial to play center back here. Grace is also someone who never gives in or quits, she is mentally tough and a great teammate. She has all the tools to be a great center back here.



Ella Shirk
Warwick High School / Lancaster Elite

Why Penn State Harrisburg? I chose Penn State Harrisburg because of how welcoming the players were and how the coaches look for not only great players but great women of character. I instantly knew this campus was where I wanted to be.

Coach West: The first time I saw Ella was actually at one of her high school district games this past fall. She is a wide player who knows how to interplay with central players and is dynamic with her athleticism, technical ability and brain. She also has the versatility to play centrally and at outside back. She is a fighter and extremely competitive and you see that most in how she presses backs defensively which is a crucial quality for all our attacking players to have. Ella is great fit both on the field and for our culture and environment here. I am excited she chose to join us here at Penn State Harrisburg.



Janae Swartz
Lower Dauphin High School

Why Penn State Harrisburg? I chose Penn State Harrisburg because I felt it was a great fit both on and off the field. The soccer program is competitive, the coaching staff really believes in developing players and I felt like I could grow here as both an athlete and a student.

Coach West: Janae is a very athletic and smart defender. She is good in 1-v-1 defending situations, hard-nosed in the tackle and makes great decisions on the ball. She has a great vision for the game and is a dynamic passer out of the back and has the potential to play as an outside back or center back for us. She has also won at the highest level in both club and high school, winning the USYS National Title in 2025 and was a State finalist with Lower Dauphin this past fall. She is a great competitor who is mature and extremely respectful. She will be a great addition to our program both on and off the field and I am excited she is joining our program.



Gaby Zullo
Holy Cross Preparatory Academy / Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals ECRL

Why Penn State Harrisburg? I chose Penn State Harrisburg because it has everything I am looking for in terms of athletics and academics. I felt very comfortable while on campus and I feel it will enable me to accomplish my academic goals while playing the sport I love.

Coach West: Gaby is another versatile player. She can play in the midfield and in the back. She has a good engine and strong technical abilities that will lend themselves well to our possession style of soccer. Gaby works extremely hard on the field and I am excited to have her joining our program this fall.


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