HACKENSACK, N.J. – Head coach Eric Teepe and the Fairleigh Dickinson women's soccer program have announced a nine-member class for 2021.

"I feel this class has the potential to have as big of an impact as last year's group did," said Teepe. "We have added depth at every position and expect many of these players to have large role or impact during the 2017 season. We are extremely excited to have these athletes joining the Fairleigh Dickinson women's soccer family."
 
Andrea Carina Costa Garcia comes from to Fairleigh Dickinson from Aurora, Ontario and Cardinal Carter Catholic High School. Costa Garcia was a captain of the team at Cardinal Carter and was a three-time most valuable player on the team. Also led Cardinal Carter to the 2016 league title and an undefeated season in 2016. Costa Garcia played her club soccer for Aurora FC and graduated with honors.

"Andrea is a relentless player who can play centrally or out wide in an attacking role," said Teepe. "We feel she will compete at the highest levels for us."

Chloe Chefero is also from Aurora, Ontario, went to Aurora High School and also played for Aurora FC for her club soccer under coach Marc Hamilton. Chefero was an honor roll student throughout high school. Chefero won back-to-back OYSL championships – highest level of play in Ontario – and won the Inter-Provincial Cup (Ontario/Quebec).


Teepe on Chloe, "A smart player who can help us in many areas on the field. That maybe in the midfield or attack and can combine and find ways to get in behind the opposing defense."

Cassandra Marcoux hails from Sainte-Julie, Quebec and College Francais de Longueuil high school. The goalkeeper was nominated for player of the year in 2016 at Champlain Regional College. Marcoux was also a five-year honor roll student before Fairleigh Dickinson.

"[Cassandra] is a super athletic keeper, who has a real presence in the box, and a high level of distribution especially with her feet," said Teepe.

The next signee – Victoria Smith – also makes the trip down from Canada to Teaneck. Smith is from Hamilton, Ontario, and St. Jean de Brebeuf high school – two-time high school team MVP. The defender played her club soccer for the Saltfleet Explosion and coach Remo Reale. Smith was an Ontario Cup champion once and a three-time finalist. Smith has also won a bronze medal at the International Children's Games in Australia.

Teepe on Smith, "A clean technical back. She will help us keep possession playing out the back and get forward and can create matchup problems on the attack."

Viktorija Miseljic is a midfielder from Nis, Serbia. In Serbia, Miselic was the captain of the U19 Serbian National team. She was also the best scorer in 2015 in the tournament in Nis and the 2016 international tournament in Craiova, Romania in 2016.

"[Viktorija] is a dynamic and athletic attacking midfield player. She is a proven leader as her captaincy of the national team shows, and we expect to be able to carry those same traits over to our team," said Teepe.

Lake Ronkonkoma, New York and Sachem North High School is where Gabriela Garcia hails from. The midfield/forward is a member of the National Honors Society and earned a community service honor from the Sachem Board of Education during her high school time. On the field, Garcia played her club soccer for Lake Grove Newfield Tsunami with Frank Stagnitta as coach. For Sachem as a senior, Garcia scored three goals and had two assists.
 
"[Gabby] possess a high soccer IQ, which helps her on and off the ball," said Teepe. "She finds good spots on the field to break pressure and knows how to play that probing ball in the attack."

Sofia Albertsson comes to Fairleigh Dickinson from Stockholm, Sweden and Brooma Gymnasium. The midfielder/forward played club for IF Brommapojkarna and coach Staffan Jacobsson. Sofia won gold, silver and bronze at the Gothia Cup in different years. Her father, Per Albertsson, played soccer and tennis at Gardner-Webb (N.C.).

Teepe on Albertsson, "A tall and athletic player who typically plays out wide, using her one-on-one skills and her service ability will become an instant threat on attack whether wide or central."

Alyssa Caggiano arrives in Teaneck from Union, New Jersey, and Union High School. The forward was a four-year varsity player for Union. Caggiano was named UCGSCA All-Star in Watchung Division in 2016, UCGSCA All-Conference in 2016 and 2014 UCGSCA All-Watchung Division II. Caggiano played her club soccer for the Players Development Academy.

"Teepe on Caggiano, "She is a quick tenhnical player with an edge. [She] wants to attack whenever she gets the ball and knows how to beat players one-on-one."

Alexiane Marquis comes from St. Hubert, Quebec and College Francais Longueuil High School. The forward was a member of the Quebec Provincial Team at the U14, U15, U16 and U17 levels. She also won the Golden Boot with 14 goals and the Silver Ball – second-place in MVP – during the summer season of 2016. Played club soccer for St. Hubert at U14, Lakeshore at U16, Varennes at U18 and Champlain College.

"[She] is a pure attacking player, one who reminds us what Carly Tice did for us in the past. Explosive enough to beat you straight on but also technically adept at beating off the dribble and can score from a distance with either foot," said Teepe.

This group of newcomers will join the Knights in the fall of 2017. Fairleigh Dickinson is coming off a season in 2016 in which they made the Northeast Conference Tournament for a fourth straight season – first time in program history.