University at Albany women’s soccer program secures 6 recruits from 4 states

ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany women’s soccer program and head coach Sade Ayinde have announced the addition of six student-athletes ahead of the 2025 season.

The group consists of all freshmen from four different states (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia).

“With a new season comes a new incoming class! As a group, we have been itching to get back on the field, and I can’t wait to see how these six new faces help our group compete this fall,” said Ayinde. “I have no doubt that the leadership and drive of our returning players will guide and push this freshman class. We welcome Tamia, Sara, Lauren, and Angie, to the Capital Region, and are excited for local talent, Julia, and Anna, to join us as we look forward to seeing how they grow and contribute to this program over the next four years!

Tamia Nelson
5-8 | Forward | Stafford, Va. | Mountain View High School

Quick Facts: Nelson played for Fairfax VA Union ECNL in McLean, Virginia, where she was a member of the team that won the 2021-2022 Mid-Atlantic League Championship. A four-year varsity member at Mountain View High School, where she was a three-year captain, and finished her high school career with 41 goals and 26 assists. Her athletic accolades include three First-Team All-District honors from 2023-2025, Second Team All-Region in 2023, and All-Area in 2023. Off the field, she was a member of the National Honor Society and volunteered her time coaching soccer and basketball.

Why UAlbany? “I chose UAlbany because of the coaches and teams’ welcoming atmosphere, along with being able to play in colder weather.”

What are you most looking forward to at UAlbany? “What I’m looking forward to the most at UAlbany is building new friendships.”

Sara Tyler
5-9 | Midfielder | Newtown, Pa. | Council Rock North High School

Quick Facts: Tyler spent seven seasons playing club soccer for the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals ECNL, located in North Wales, where the team won back-to-back Pennsylvania State Championships in 2017 and 2018 while being named National Qualifiers for four consecutive seasons from 2020-2024. A four-year member of her varsity soccer program and Council Rock North High School in Newtown, Pa., she was named a team captain in her senior year, while being named Suburban One League First team in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Outside of athletics, Tyler volunteers at local schools for tutoring and educational activities.

Why UAlbany? “I chose UAlbany because of the culture between the student body. Specifically, I loved the relationships athletes have with other athletes and the welcoming sense of home it had.”

What are you most looking forward to at UAlbany? “I am most looking forward to meeting new people and getting to go to class with a diverse group of people.”

Lauren Villasin
5-7 | Defender/Midfielder | West Orange, N.J. | West Orange High School

Quick Facts: Spending years playing for Cedar Stars Academy – Bergen GA for club soccer, in which she was named a team captain, Villasin was also a four-year member of her varsity soccer team at West Orange High School. While with the Mountaineers, Villain recorded 34 goals and 15 assists. During her senior campaign, she scored 12 goals with five assists and was named to the 2024 All-Group 4 First Team. Villasin has also represented the Philippines at the youth national team level and was invited to two senior team training camps. Outside of athletics, Villasin is a member of the National Honor Society and Math Honors Society.

Why UAlbany? “I chose UAlbany because of the competitive and welcoming soccer environment, along with the amazing campus and city life around it.”

What are you most looking forward to at UAlbany? “What I’m looking most forward to at UAlbany is playing soccer and meeting new people.”

Angie McLoughlin
5-5 | Forward/Midfielder | Montclair, N.J. | Montclair High School

Quick Facts: McLoughlin competed for three years with Match Fit Academy ECNL in Deville, NJ. During her high school career with the Mounties, McLoughlin played four years on varsity, totaling 15 goals and eight assists. She was named First Team All-County in 2025, alongside being named the Player’s Player of the Year. In 2024, she was named Team MVP. Additionally, McLoughlin volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, where she helps with home construction in low-income areas.

Why UAlbany? “I chose the University at Albany because it’s the perfect place to pursue both my academic and athletic goals. I’m excited to study psychology and play Division 1 soccer for the Great Danes. From the start, the coaching staff was incredibly supportive, that I knew this was the right place for me.”

What are you most looking forward to at UAlbany? “I’m excited to face the challenges of Division 1 soccer and to meet new people and have new experiences.”

Julia DiRaddo
5-4 | Forward | Clifton Park, N.Y. | Shenendehowa High School

Quick Facts: DiRaddo played club soccer for the Albany Alleycats for three years in the ECNL Regional League. In high school at Shenendehowa, she competed for two years on varsity soccer. DiRaddo recorded the most goals on her team in 2023 and 2024 en route to being named All-State in 2024, First Team All-Section I in 2023 and 2024, and Offensive Player of the Year in 2024. Outside of soccer, DiRaddo ran track for two seasons, where she contributed to a second-place finish at state qualifiers in the 4×100 relay.

Why UAlbany? “I love the positive environment and the vibrant energy from everyone. It feels like home once you step on campus, and everyone feels like family on the team.”

What are you most looking forward to at UAlbany? “The fall season!!”

Anna Nassivera
5-8 | Goalkeeper | East Greenbush, N.Y. I Columbia High School

Quick Facts: Nassivera competed on the Albany Alleycats for three years where she earned ECNL-RL All-Region honors in 2024. During her four years on varsity soccer at Columbia High School, she set her school’s record with 17 shutouts in one season and finished with 44 career shutouts in total. Additional soccer honors include All-State Third Team, 2x Section II First Team, NYS Finalist (’24) and Semifinalist (’23), 2x Regional Champions (’23-’24), and 3x Section II Champions (’22-’24). Outside of soccer, Nassivera was the captain of her flag football team in 2024 and 2025, which made it to the state semifinals in both years after winning back-to-back section 2 Championships. As an individual player, she earned Times Union First Team honors, Section 2 All-Purpose Player of the Year in 2023, and Section 2 Offensive Player of the Year in 2024.

Why UAlbany? “I chose UAlbany due to its strong academic and athletic programs. I like the competitive vibe among the coaches and players; it’s the kind of team environment I want to be part of. On the academic side, the Massry School of Business has a strong reputation, and it feels like a great fit for what I want to study.”

What are you most looking forward to at UAlbany? “I am looking forward to making connections on and off the field as well as gaining more knowledge, whether it be on the field or in the classroom.”