FAIRFAX, Va. – Seven newcomers will join the George Mason women's soccer team in the fall of 2014 as head coach Diane Drake announced the National Letter of Intent signees today.

Comprising the 2014 signing class are Ashley Candeletti (Forked River, NJ/St. Rose High School), Abby Downey (Leesburg, Va./Tuscarora High School), Jenna Hamilton (Warrenton, Va./Paul VI Catholic High School), Jess Leonard (Manassas, Va./Forest Park High School), Niomi Serrano (Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge High School , Kaila Williams (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge Senior High School) and Kelsey Young (Fairfax, Va./Chantilly High School).

“With our 2014 signing class we have brought in a nice contrast of players who I would describe as “engines” to balance our already in place “artists,” noted Drake. “We will be able to utilize a more impacting system of play because we will have a significant increase in pace on the field. We expect immediate contribution from this group of players and selected them intentionally to balance the current players we already have.”

Ashley Candeletti (Forked River, N.J./St. Rose High School)
Defense
-Competed two years at Lacey High School and two years at St. Rose High School
-Sophomore defensive MVP at Lacey HS
-Multi-sport athlete competing in basketball and swimming
-Four-time Honor Roll student
-Two-time National Honor Society member
-Competed two years with Match Fit Academy United

“Ashley has an 'iron will mentality' on the pitch,” Drake stated. “She is very athletic and at almost 6'0” tall, she will land in the back line for the Patriots. We expect her to impact the program right from the start. She currently plays for Match Fit, one of the top clubs in the country in New Jersey.”

Abby Downey (Leesburg, Va./Tuscarora High School)
Defense
-2013 Loudoun Soccer Female Player of the Year
-High school captain all four years
-Team MVP in 2012 and 2013
-All-District First Team, All-County First Team, All-Region First Team, All-Met Second Team, All-State Second Team as junior
-Region I ODP 2012-13, traveling internationally to compete for US Soccer
-Four-year Honor Roll recipient
-Member of National Honor Society and Spanish, Science and English Honor Societies

“Abby is a polished and versatile player who will likely anchor the back line for the Patriots,” remarked Drake. “She can play anywhere up in the middle of the field and we expect her to be an instant impact on our team and in the A-10. She is a rare combination of student on the field with incredible athleticism as well and has experience playing with the best players with our US Regional Team.”

Jenna Hamilton (Warrenton, Va./Paul VI Catholic High School)
Midfield
-High school team won three State Cup Championships
-USYS Region I Finalist
-Team captain
-Four-year scholar athlete award recipient
-Participated in peer mentoring program at PVI
-ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference Champion with club team

“Jenna is very tidy with the ball at her feet and can control the central MF spot,” Drake noted. “She has a good sense around the net as well. She plays on one of the top ECNL teams in the country and will be a valuable addition to our squad.”

Jess Leonard (Manassas, Va./Forest Park High School)
Forward/Midfield
-Currently competes in the USYS National Premier League
-Earned four letters at Forest Park High School
-Received second team All-Cardinal District honors in 2012
-Tabbed Most Improved Player in 2012 scoring 19 goals and recording nine assists
-Helped lead the Bruins to a Cardinal District regular season and tournament championships in 2012 and 2013
-Received Academic Letter in both 2011 and 2013

“Jess is a technical central player who sets play well and rarely gets dispossessed,” commented Drake. “She sets up a lot of quality goals and we look forward to her presence in our program.”

Niomi Serrano (Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge High School)
Midfield
-Two-time Northwest Region VHSL AAA-All Region Award First Team Defense honoree
-Twice named Commonwealth District AAA-All District First Team Defense
-Two-time team MVP
-Helped lead Eagles to a 2012 Commonwealth District Championship
-Free Lance Star Soccer All-Area athlete in 2012
-Multi-sport athlete competing in soccer and field hockey

“Niomi is tough as nails and has an engine that never stops,” said Drake. “She is a fearless warrior in multiple positions and will immediately impact the Patriots in 2014.

Kaila Williams (Woodbridge, Va./Woodbridge High School)
Central Midfield
-2013 First Team All-District and Second Team All-Region
-2013 ECNL Player Development Program participant
-Currently competes with nationally-ranked ECNL McLean team
-Selected for 2014 IMG Academy 150 player pool
-National Honor Society member
-Part of Woodbridge Senior High School's Leadership Program

“Kaila is a very athletic and technically savvy central midfielder,” noted Drake. “She closes space particularly well and will be asked to link often into the attack from the withdrawn midfield position. We are expecting a strong contribution from her immediately.”

Kelsey Young (Fairfax, Va./Chantilly High School)
Defense
-First Team All-District
-Second Team All-Region
-ASL and WAGS club soccer player
-Four-year National Honors student
-Multi-sport athlete competing in basketball