Rutgers signs 8 recruits from PDA, NC Courage and Portland Thorns Academy

Rutgers women’s soccer head coach Mike O’Neill has signed eight first-year players to join the Scarlet Knights program for the 2025 season.

The class includes Kennedi Cotter, Lindsey Hailey, Julia Joseph, Jayme Malanda, Sarah Martinez, Gabriella Sanchez, Sophia Stiles and Lauren Swafford.

The group includes national team experience, championship resumes, and standout academic credentials represented throughout.

“This incoming freshman class is one of the most dynamic groups we’ve brought ‘On the Banks’,” said O’Neill. “Together, their talents add depth, creativity, and a hunger to win championships and we expect them to make an immediate impact. The group’s competitive mentality and commitment to our team culture align perfectly with the standards of our program. We’re excited to see how they elevate the level of our training environment and contribute to game day winning performances.”

Kennedi Cotter

Forward/Midfield
Bayonne, N.J.
PDA / Paisley Athletic FC USL W
Bayonne High School

About Cotter: A dynamic attacking presence, Cotter comes to Rutgers as one of the most prolific young players in the USL W League. She notched eight goals and four assists during the 2024 season and was recognized as one of TopDrawer Soccer’s “USL W League Club Players to Know.” Cotter made the Paisley Athletic FC USL W first team at just 15 years old and started every game at age 16.

As a high school freshman, Cotter tallied 18 goals and nine assists, earning First Team All-County and HCIAL Player of the Year honors. She also played multiple sports growing up and was named MVP in her baseball and basketball leagues. Despite only playing one year of high school soccer, she demonstrated the ability to dominate against older, experienced competition.

Off the field, Cotter is the owner of NJ Card Breaks and authored and illustrated a children’s book promoting girls’ baseball. She graduated from Bayonne High School in just three years and plans to major in business at Rutgers, with career goals of either playing professional soccer or becoming a general manager in professional sports.

Why Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers because of the program’s history of developing top talent. The program’s world class facilities and resources will support me in my development on and off the field. And I am excited to represent my home state: New Jersey!”

Lindsey Hailey

Defender
Raleigh, N.C.
NC Courage ECNL
Leesville Road High School

About Hailey: Hailey brings elite-level experience and leadership as a longtime captain of the NC Courage ECNL Academy, where she led her team to the 2024 USL W League Championship and numerous ECNL Mid-Atlantic titles. She’s been a mainstay in high-pressure environments, including the ECNL National Playoffs and the USL Academy Cup, and was named to the ECNL 06 Best XI at the 2024 postseason.

A model of consistency and work ethic, Hailey has captained her club team from 2018 to 2024, earning seven NCFC Sportsmanship Awards along the way. Though she played club exclusively instead of high school soccer, she’s also excelled academically—earning National Honor Society and English Honor Society recognition and maintaining Honor Roll status throughout high school.

She plans to major in exercise science and pursue a career in strength and conditioning.

Why Rutgers: “When I stepped foot on the campus, met the coaching staff, and the players, I knew that this was my home away from home. The amazing academic and athletic resources are going to be able to help me achieve the goals I will set for myself. I am excited to be a part of the Scarlett Knight family!”

Julia Joseph

Defender/Midfielder
Lake Oswego, Ore.
Portland Thorns Academy
Lake Oswego High School

About Joseph: Joseph enters the Banks from a strong Portland Thorns Academy side that reached the ECNL Final Four in 2024 and the Final 16 in 2023. She was also a member of the WPSL Thorns 2 team and was invited to train with the NWSL Portland Thorns, showcasing her development at the highest levels of club soccer.

At Lake Oswego High School, Joseph was a two-time All-League honoree and a four-year varsity starter, earning the role of team captain as a senior. Her team won the 2021 league championship and made the Oregon state semifinals and quarterfinals during her tenure. A standout in both athletics and leadership, she was also featured in the Lake Oswego Review.

Joseph is no stranger to the highest levels of the sport—her father, Miles, played in the 1996 Olympics, the MLS, and currently serves as Associate Head Coach at Charlotte FC. Her brother plays at Indiana.

Why Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers for its high academics and the opportunities Rutgers provides both academically and athletically. I love the family culture of the soccer program and the amazing facilities. I grew up in the Northeast so Rutgers felt like home to me.”

Jayme Malanda

Defender/Midfielder
Middletown, N.J.
PDA North Blue
Middletown North High School

About Malanda: Malanda brings a blend of versatility and scoring punch from the backline, having netted 28 goals across her first three seasons of high school. In 2023, she earned All-State recognition and was named her team’s Most Valuable Player after a 15-goal campaign. She helped lead Middletown North to a Shore Conference Coaches Cup Championship.

A product of PDA North Blue, Malanda helped her club win three ECNL conference titles and reach the national finals in 2022. She also earned National Honor Society distinction and was on the Honor Roll each year of high school.

Athletics runs in the family—her mother, Carolyn, scored 103 collegiate goals at Georgian Court University and was inducted into both the GCU and CACC Halls of Fame, while her father played football at TCNJ. Malanda will major in exercise science and plans to pursue a career in physical therapy.

Why Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers because of the competitive academics and athletics. The team culture is family oriented which is extremely important while still competing at a high level. The coaching staff is incredible and overall the program is amazing. Rutgers is close to home which makes it easy for my family and friends to come and watch me play which was a huge factor for me.”

Sarah Martinez

Midfielder
Apex, N.C.
NC Courage ECNL
Apex Friendship High School

About Martinez: Martinez arrives at Rutgers with a decorated resume at the club and international levels. She was named 2024 ECNL Mid-Atlantic Player of the Year and ECNL All-American, and previously helped her team win the 2023 USL Academy Cup. She has participated in multiple U.S. Youth National Team ID camps and represented Puerto Rico in five Concacaf events—including serving as captain for the U-17 squad.

An AP Scholar with Distinction, Martinez balanced her rigorous academic achievements with elite soccer competition. She is a member of HOSA and the Hispanic Honor Society and maintained Honor Roll status throughout her high school career.

Why Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers because of the competitive and passionate culture, and the high standards of its elite soccer program that are demonstrated through the team’s unrelenting mentality. I knew that the environment would challenge me to become a better player and person. The staff and the players also made it feel like a home away from home through their comradery and deep trust in one another both on and off the field. The academic rigor, extensive resources, and variety of career paths reinforced my decision further, as it will allow me to continue finding academic success while developing my soccer career.”

Gaby Sanchez

Midfielder
Wayne, N.J.
PDA Blue 07
DePaul Catholic High School

About Sanchez: A local product with a consistent track record of success, Sanchez tallied 14 goals in 58 career games at DePaul Catholic. She was named First Team All-County in both 2022 and 2023, and helped her high school win multiple county, sectional, and conference championships.

Her club résumé is just as impressive—PDA Blue 07 reached the ECNL Elite 8 in 2023 and the Round of 16 in 2024 while capturing their conference title. Off the field, Sanchez works youth soccer camps and enjoys baking.

She plans to major in exercise science and pursue a career in physical therapy.

Why Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers because it is a great academic and athletic school. The coaching staff for the women’s soccer is outstanding and will help me grow to my fullest potential. Also, the athletic facilities are amazing.”

Sophia Stiles

Defender
Portland, Ore.
Portland Thorns Academy
Jesuit High School

About Stiles: Stiles joins Rutgers after leading Jesuit High School to the 2022 Oregon state championship and four consecutive conference titles. She was named to the All-State Second Team twice and selected for the prestigious 2024 High School All-American Game.

On the club side, she played for the Portland Thorns Academy, where she earned First Team All-Conference honors and was selected for the 2022 ECNL Phoenix National Selection Game. Stiles also stood out in the classroom, earning academic honor roll at both the conference and school levels.

Stiles will major in education with a concentration in psychology and aims to become an elementary school teacher.

Why Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers because of the family culture that the team and staff create. I also loved the facilities and the resources available to the team.”

Lauren Swafford

Goalkeeper
Moorestown, N.J.
PDA South
Moorestown High School

About Swafford: Swafford brings a wealth of shot-stopping experience to the Banks, recording over 375 saves during her high school career. She earned All-Conference, All-South Jersey, and All-State honors from 2022 through 2024 and was named ECNL All-Conference with PDA South.

A consistent high honor roll student, she is known for her leadership in mentoring younger goalkeepers and her involvement in her family’s apiary business.

Swafford will major in business with plans to focus on leadership and management.

Why Rutgers: “I chose Rutgers for a few different reasons. Academics are very important to me and I wanted a school that matched those values. As for the athletics, I loved the family environment I saw on my visit and whenever I went to games. Lastly, Rutgers is close to my hometown, so my parents and family can come watch my games.”