KINGSTON, R.I. -- Rhode Island women's soccer head coach Megan Jessee announced the signing class for 2024. Nine student-athletes will continue their athletic and academic careers in Keaney Blue. The class includes eight true freshman and one grad transfer. "This class is a very talented class that brings a lot of different elements to our team," said Jessee. "These players add to an already great core of players, and will create great depth to every one of our lines. I expect multiple players to make an immediate impact on our team. This group of players brings a lot of experience at the highest youth levels of soccer both domestically and internationally. I'm really excited for these players to join the team this fall!" The nine new Rams join mid-year transfer Mie Carstensen. Carstensen comes to Kingston from Memphis.
SALEENA BANGA | 5' 7" | MIDFIELD/FORWARD | TORONTO, ONTARIO | HOLY CROSS CATHOLIC ACADEMY
Club: Vaughan Soccer Club
Before Rhode Island: Attended Holy Cross Catholic Academy… Member of the soccer team… Named FTF x Vaughan SC Spring Showdown MVP in 2022… Member of Team Ontario in 2023… Started all 22 games played for Vaughan Soccer Club… FTF x Vaughan SC Fall Showdown U17G Champions… In the classroom, was named to the Honor Roll and Principal's List… Was also a member of the flag football, cross country, and volleyball teams… Enjoys skiing and skating… Favorite athlete is Sam Kerr… Favorite team is Manchester United… Has a younger brother, Dewaan… Majoring in Kinesiology with hopes of becoming a Chiropractor.
Megan Jessee on Saleena: "Saleena is a versatile attacking player that can play in our midfield and forward line. She has the ability to connect our line, move the ball and switch the point of attack in the midfield. She can also be dangerous holding the ball for us in the forward line allowing us to get more players in the attack."
LINDSAY HINES | 5' 6" | MIDFIELD | ALLENTOWN, NJ | ALLENTOWN HIGH SCHOOL
Club: Matchfit Academy ECNL (2017-23), PDA South ECNL (2023-pres.)
Before Rhode Island: Attended Allentown High School… Member of the varsity soccer team for four years as a center midfielder… Captain at Allentown her senior year when she led the county in assists… Collected a handful of accolades in 2023, including First Team All-CVC Coaches, First Team All-County Coaches, All-County Midfielder of the Year, Trentonian First All-County, Trenton Times First Team All-County, NJ.com All-Area, and the Allentown MVP… Named First Team All-CVC, First Team All-County, and First Team All-ECNL in 2021… Garnered both Second Team All-CVC and Second Team All-County in 2022… Spent five years as captain for Matchfit Academy… County and State Finalists in 2022 and 2023… Spent time volunteering for Joey's Little Angels, where she helped organize fundraisers to provide financial aid and emotional support to families with a child undergoing medical treatments… Has one brother, Chris… Comes from a soccer family, as both her parents played at Rider and her brother Chris is a member of the Stonehill men's soccer team… Enjoys soccer, going to the beach, and being with friends… Favorite athlete is Alex Morgan and favorite team is Manchester United.
Megan Jessee on Lindsay: "Lindsay will help bring much needed depth to our midfield. She is a dynamic midfielder that is great in keeping positions and connecting lines. She will also help add to our attack as she has been able to score a number of goals from the midfield for her club team."
AMARYS JIMENEZ | 5'4 | FORWARD | WATERFORD, CONN. | WATERFORD HIGH SCHOOL
Club: CFC, FSA FC
Before Rhode Island: Attended Waterford High School and was a member of the soccer team… Captained the team her senior year… Collected 28 career goals… ALS Cup Champions in the fall of 2023… Has one brother, Isaiah… Enjoys jewelry making, running, and reading… Favorite athlete is Sophia Smith… Favorite team is the Portland Thorns… Majoring in Entrepreneurship… Spent all four years on the Honor Roll at Waterford.
Megan Jessee on AJ: "AJ is a dynamic attacking player who loves to take on defenders 1v1. Her ability to get herself in dangerous positions to create goals for herself or teammates will add a different dynamic to our attack. I am excited to see how she contributes to this team on and off the field."
MAEVE MATTHEWS | 5' 9" | DEFENDER | TRUMBULL, CONN. | ST. JOSEPH
Club: Yankee-Ole FC
Before Rhode Island: Attended St. Joseph High School… Played soccer as a center back and outside back for all four years… Named captain her senior year… Was All-FCIAC her sophomore, junior, and senior year… Was a State Champion for three straight years (2021, 2022, 2023) and back-to-back League Champs (2022, 2023)… Also a member of the indoor and outdoor track team… Enjoys running and spending time with friends and family… Also enjoys being outdoors, swimming, and traveling… Favorite athlete is Julie Ertz, and favorite team is the USWNT… In the classroom, was on the Principal's Honor Roll for two years… Earned 100 Hours of Community Service Award… Earned the Student Council Award… Member of the Student Ambassadors and Student Council… Was both a basketball manager and lacrosse manager… Member of Peer Ministry…Majoring in Kinesiology with hopes of opening her own physical therapy practice.
Megan Jessee on Maeve: "Maeve is a great center back who will add depth to our backline. She has developed a lot over the last couple of years. I'm excited to see how she contributes in our environment she is a very athletic and dynamic player."
CHELSEA MOHAMMED | 5' 8" | GOALKEEPER | SICKLERVILLE, N.J. | MOORESTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL
Club: SJEB FC (2018-22), PDA SOUTH ECNL (2023-24)
Before Rhode Island: Attended Moorestown Friends School… Member of the soccer team as a goalkeeper and earned four varsity letters… Captained the team her senior year… Totaled 463 career saves throughout high school, including 174 her junior season… Named All-Southeastern Pennsylvania All-Star Team in 2022… Was the Moorestown Friends Girl's Soccer MVP in back-to-back seasons… Vice President of the MLK Club… Four-time All-Year Honor Roll member… Enjoys hiking, fishing, and sightseeing… Favorite athlete is Briana Scurry… Planning to major in Business Marketing.
Megan Jessee on Chelsea: "Chelsea is a great goalkeeper with a high ceiling. She will bring some great depth to the position for us. She is extremely athletic and brings with her quality high level club experience. I am excited to see her play and develop in this environment and contribute to the team."
GABBY ORNS | 5' 7" | DEFENDER | POOLESVILLE, MD. | POOLESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Club: Great Falls Reston, MSI Academy
Before Rhode Island: Attended Poolesville High School… Earned four varsity letters as a member of the soccer team… Captained the team for two years… Also a member of the track and field team, earning three varsity letters… Member of the Honor Roll… Also a member of the National Honors Society… Our Minds Matter Club President… Has one sister, Jolie… Enjoys skiing, animals, weightlifting, and botany… Favorite athlete is Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone… Favorite team is the New York Rangers… Expected major is Communications
Megan Jessee on Gabby: "I'm excited to see Gabby play and develop in our environment. She comes from a smaller club team where she contributed in many different roles. I believe she is a player that has developed a tremendous amount in the last year and has a lot of potential. She will add another element and depth to our back line."
KAIA RICE | 5' 7" | MIDFIELD/FORWARD | WHITBY, ONTARIO | DONALD A. WILSON S.S.
Club: North Toronto Nitros
Before Rhode Island: Attended Donald A. Wilson S.S. … Member of the soccer team as a midfielder for three years… League Champions in the Fall of 2022 and again in the Summer of 2023… In the classroom, was a member of the Honor Roll… Has one sister, Brynn… Enjoy soccer, music, reading, fitness, travel, and art… Majoring in Finance…
Megan Jessee on Kaia: "Kaia is a great versatile attacking player that can play in the midfield or the forward line and will add another dimension to our attack. She brings with her a lot of experience playing at a high level and has potential to contribute right away."
KYRA SAMALONIS | 5'4 | MIDFIELD/FORWARD | BLACKWOOD, NJ | TRITON REGIONAL
Club: PDA South ECNL
Before Rhode Island: Attended Triton Regional High School… Four year varsity soccer as a center mid, forward, and center back… Named captain in back-to-back seasons (2022, 2023)… First-Team All-Conference for three straight seasons (2021, 2022, 2023)… Named All-State her junior and senior year… Was also a member of the track team for four years… In the classroom, was on the National Honor Society and Honor Society… Has one brother, Evan...Favorite Athlete is Rose Lavelle and her favorite team is the Philadelphia Phillies… Enjoys running track and hanging out with friends… Majoring in Nursing with future plans of becoming a Pediatric Oncology Nurse
Megan Jessee on Kyra: " I'm happy that Kyra is joining our program. She adds depth to our attack as a very versatile player that can play in the midfield and forward lines. She is good with the ball at her feet and can create for herself and her teammates. I look forward to seeing her impact in our program."
NICOLETTE SCARDUZIO | 5' 5" | DEFENDER | VOORHEES, N.J. | IDAHO STATE
Club: Penn Fusion (2019-21), PDA (2013-19)
Before Rhode Island: Grad Transfer from Idaho State, where she was a member of the women's soccer team… Played in 13 games in two years with the Bengals… Started in two matches in 2022… SAAC Rep at Idaho State… Also apart of FCA on campus… Named to the Dean's List (2021-23)… Outstanding Scholar of the Year in the College of Business in 2024… Attended Eastern Regional High School… Earned the 2018 Unsung Hero Award… Named All-State Team NJGSCA (2018)… All-Conference 2017-18… 2018 Sectional Recognition… Was a 4.0 student and a member of the National Honors Society… Named to the Camden County College President's List in 2021 after taking college credit in high school… Also a member of the Spanish Honors Society and History Honors Society… Was a Library Volunteer… Has one brother, Dean… Loves traveling, watching the sunset, going to the gym and thrifting… Favorite athlete is Tim Tebow… Favorite team is Philadelphia Eagles.
Megan Jessee on Nicolette: "Nicolette is a grad transfer that is going to add a great level of experience to our team and backline. She is a center back that will compete for one of our center back positions. She has played at a high college level playing against some of the best teams in the country."
