Xavier University women’s soccer adds two transfers for 2019

CINCINNATI (Via Xaxier University) – Xavier women’s soccer head coach Nate Lie adds a pair of experienced transfers to the roster for the 2019 season. Ohio natives Gabrielle LoPresti and Jenna Prathapa join the Musketeers from a pair of in-state schools, each with two years of college soccer to their credit.

LoPresti, a native of Solon, comes to Xavier from the University of Cincinnati. The junior midfielder played two seasons for the Bearcats, 2016 and 2017, totaling three points in 36 appearances for UC.

As a sophomore in 2017, LoPresti appeared in 18 of UC’s 19 matches, starting in five. She recorded an assist in a 2-2 draw with Pitt in August 2017. She recorded a career-high four shots in that game as well.

As a freshman she appeared in 18 of the team’s 20 matches on the year, starting in seven. LoPresti scored the first goal of her career and the first for the team in 2016 when she converted a penalty kick in the opener with Dayton.

LoPresti, originally from Solon, Ohio, is a 2016 graduate of Walsh Jesuit High School, and was a four-year member of the program which went undefeated (84-0-7) and captured four state titles. During her time at Walsh Jesuit, LoPresti earned four team MVP awards. She also earned North Coast League MVP honors as a senior. She played at the club level with Ambassadors FC, going to the national tournament in 2012 and 2013.

LoPresti is majoring in biology at Xavier. She’s the daughter of Mickey and Michael LoPresti, and has two older sisters, Alex and Sam.

Prathapa, originally from Loveland, Ohio, joins Xavier from Cleveland State with two seasons of eligibility remaining. Prathapa totaled 25 points on 11 goals and three assists in 34 appearances for the Vikings.

As a freshman, Prathapa led Cleveland State with 15 points on a team-high six goals and three assists, on her way to becoming the Horizon League Freshman of the Year. The Vikings finished the year with a 9-9-1 overall record, then-tied for second most total wins in school history, and 5-4 in the Horizon League, which was then tied for the most in a season in program history.

As a sophomore, Prathapa played limited minutes due to injury, but scored five goals for a team that set school records for wins with an 11-7-1 overall record and a 6-2-1 Horizon League record. Three of Prathapa’s goals were game-winners, including the game-winner in a 2-1 win over Detroit Mercy in the Horizon League Semifinals for the team’s school record 11th win and the program’s first berth to the Horizon League Tournament Championship.

Prathapa played four years of varsity soccer at Mount Notre Dame High School. She led the team on offense as MND won back-to-back league titles in her final two season. As a senior, she was named conference Player of the Year, as well as second team all-state and first team all-conference.

Prathapa is majoring in Communications at Xavier. She is the daughter of Pamela Futrell and Jaya Prathapa. She has three siblings, Deven, Ketan and Xander.