NC State reveals 2024 women’s soccer recruiting class, adding 11 to the Wolfpack

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State women’s soccer head coach Tim Santoro announced the Wolfpack’s 2024 signing class. Five of the 11 members of the 2024 signing class will arrive in January and compete for the Pack in the Spring 2024 campaign.

The 2024 recruiting class features student-athletes from five different countries, including four players capped with international experience. The 2024 signing class also includes five transfers. The Wolfpack also welcomes the return of senior midfielder Jaiden Thomas, who missed the 2023 season due to a preseason injury.

“We’re adding a bunch of quality players along with Jaiden’s return, and we will have a much different look next fall,” Santoro said. “This recruiting class is a result of hard work and energy from the staff over the last eight months.

“We’ve been intentional and patient in reorganizing the program, and while this past season was tough, that’s sometimes part of a reset. But one season below our standard over a seven-year period is only that. This 2024 class will mesh well with our core returners, and we’ll be right back to the top-25 level we’ve been since 2016.”

Five of the newcomers (Kennedy Dunnings, Abi Hugh, Alivia Kelly, Janet Okeke and Paige Tolentino) join the Pack for the spring, while the remaining six will arrive later in 2024.

Thomas has played 69 games with 54 starts in her career and will enhance a revamped midfield.

“Having Jaiden back from her injury will add a lot to the lineup,” Santoro said. “We missed her tremendously in the middle of the field this past season, but she’ll return to 100% and will be ready to give us her quality next fall.”

See below for a look at each member of NC State’s signing class.

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Yuna Aoki | Defender | Shizuoka, Japan | Arizona Western JC

Aoki transfers to NC State from Arizona Western JC. She was a member of the Japanese National Team program at the U13-U16 levels through 2021. Aoki started all 18 matches at Arizona Western in 2023, logging five goals, seven assists and 17 points.

Santoro on Aoki: “We can’t wait to finally get Yuna to Raleigh. She’ll add a lot of quality to our backline and her ability on the ball and in reading the game defensively are traits we need.”

Kennedy Dunnings | Defender | Virginia Beach, Va. | Radford

Dunnings transfers to NC State from Radford. Dunnings made 67 career appearances with 58 starts at Radford, starting all 30 games for the Highlanders between the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Santoro on Dunnings: “Kennedy is a tenacious and competitive defender who will lead by example. A player like this brings something to a team that can’t be measured, so I’m excited to add her.”

Abi Hugh | Midfielder | Huntington, W.Va. | Marshall

Hugh transfers to NC State from Marshall University. Hugh was the Conference USA Freshman of the Year in 2021. She appeared in 62 career games for the Thundering Herd with 60 career starts, registering 10 goals, nine assists and 29 points over her four seasons in Huntington.

Santoro on Hugh: “Abi is a very accomplished, versatile player who has played over 5,000 minutes of college soccer. Her experience and quality will add a great deal of depth and competition in the midfield.”

Savannah Hutchins | Forward | Moorpark, Calif. | Slammers HB Koge

Hutchins comes to Raleigh from one of the country’s top clubs, Slammers HB Koge.

Santoro on Hutchins: “Savannah is a very direct, hardworking forward that can be effective at the collegiate level. She’s the type of attacking player we haven’t had much of, and we’re excited to add her to the mix of forwards.”

Alivia Kelly | Defender | Pembroke, Mass. | New Hampshire

Kelly transfers to NC State from New Hampshire. Kelly was the America East Defender of the Year in 2023. The New Hampshire transfer started all 60 games during her four-year career with the Wildcats, logging 5,451 career minutes with three goals, five assists and 11 points.

Santoro on Kelly: “Alivia had a great four-year career with a ton of honors. Adding an established collegiate defender is important because of her tenacity, size, athleticism and overall experience in the back.”

Antonella Mazziotto | Forward | Fray Bentos, Uruguay | Montverde Academy

Mazziotto comes to NC State from Montverde Academy. She has represented Uruguay at the U17 and U19 National Team levels and most recently at CONMEBOL U19 qualifying.

Santoro on Mazziotto: “Antonella’s soccer instincts and natural ability come from one of the world’s best soccer countries. Her ability to score goals in different ways is unique and is something we want to help translate at the college level.”

Madie Miller | Forward | Falls Church, Va. | Virginia DA

Miller arrives in Raleigh from Virginia Development Academy.

Santoro on Miller: “Madie is a player we noticed immediately because the rare skill you see in American youth soccer: dribbling. She has flare with the ball and to help her develop these qualities at the next level will be fun.”

Mana Nakata | Midfielder | Osaka, Japan | Cerezo Osaka

Nakata arrives in Raleigh from Cerezo Osaka in Japan.

Santoro on Nakata: “Mana is a highly skilled and versatile midfielder who brings the quality we need now in the midfield. We expect her to adapt quickly and add to our build-up play.”

Janet Okeke | Defender | Laval, Canada | Quebec REX

Okeke, who arrives in Raleigh from Soccer Quebec’s Women’s EXCEL Program, was a member of the Canadian National Team at the 2022 U17 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Santoro on Okeke: “Janet is a top defender, and her game will only improve at NC State and in the ACC. We’re excited to see her development over four years to not only help us, but to also prepare her for after college.”

Paige Tolentino | Defender | Pinehurst, N.C. | North Carolina

Tolentino transfers from North Carolina, where she played in 50 games with 12 starts over four seasons. The Pinehurst native logged seven assists over her four-year career in Chapel Hill.

Santoro on Tolentino: “Paige is a player we recruited originally, and we know what she brings. She’s a left-footed defender who can play on both sides of the ball and will bring ACC experience immediately.”

Sina Tölzel | Goalkeeper | Bamburg, Germany | FC Nürnberg

Tölzel arrives in Raleigh from FC Nürnberg in Germany’s Frauen Bundesliga. She’s been a member of both the U17 and U19 national teams.Santoro on Tölzel: “Sina is a player we identified early in the process and the fit for both sides was easy. With her quality and experience, she’ll help push the position depth to a higher level.”