KINGSTON, R.I. -- Rhode Island women's soccer head coach Megan Jessee has announced the signing class for 2026. Six student-athletes will continue their athletic and academic careers in Kingston.

Sophia Bertino || 5' 4" || Midfield || Woodcliff Lake, N.J.

Club: Competed for PDA for six years under coaches Kevin Davies and Kevin McDermont.

Before Rhode Island: Attended Immaculate Heart Academy… A four-year varsity soccer midfielder and four-time letterwinner, she served as team captain her senior year…. As a senior, she led the team in both goals (11) and assists (10), finishing her career with 17 goals and 23 assists… She helped guide Immaculate Heart Academy to a No. 4 ranking in New Jersey in 2025, capturing the Non-Public A Championship, reaching the Bergen County Final, and winning a league title… The program also claimed the 2024 Non-Public A Championship and the 2023 Bergen County and League titles during her tenure..Individually, she earned Second Team All-Non Public, First Team All-County, First Team All-League, and NJGSCA recognition… As a junior, she was named Honorable Mention All-County, First Team All-League, and received NJGSCA recognition, and as a sophomore she earned Second Team All-League honors…Off the field, she volunteered at THRIVE, a retirement facility, and was an active member of the Business Club, Military Awareness Club, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, and National Art Honor Society.

Jessee on Sophia: "Sophia is a box to box midfielder that can help attacking and defending. She can break up plays in the midfield and start our attack. She is a very technical and creative player. She will bring some depth to a strong midfield."

Mckenna Davis || 5' 6" || Defender || Alexandria, Va.

Club: Competed for Virginia Development Academy from seventh through 12th grade under coach Matt Lacey, helping lead the ECNL squad to the National Semifinals in summer 2025.

Before Rhode Island: Attended Bishop Ireton… A four-year varsity forward on the soccer team…Earned four varsity letters…. Served as team captain her senior year (Fall 2025) and was named Varsity Girls Soccer MVP in Fall 2024… A two-time WCAC Second Team selection (2024, 2025)… Finished as the top high school goal scorer on the girls varsity team during the 2024-2025 seasons… Academically, she earned First Honors and Second Honors recognition throughout her high school career

Jessee on Mckenna: "Mckenna is a versatile defender who can play center or outside back. She is a great 1v1 defender that adds great depth to a defense who had 12 shutouts this past season. She also has the ability to get forward and add another element to our attack." 

Anna Mayer || 5' 10" || Defender || Frisco, Texas

Club: Competed for Solar 08G ECNL for three years under coaches Sara Bohannon and Adrian Solca as a central defender at the ECNL level.

Before Rhode Island: A four-year varsity center back under head coach Jimmie Lankford at Wakeland High School…. Helped lead her team to the 2024 Texas State Championship in women's soccer. Also competed in varsity track for two years

Jessee on Anna: "Anna is a great center back who can shut down attacking players and dominate in the box. She will also add a threat to our attacking set pieces being able to get on the end of balls with her head and score goals."

Molly Merkel || 5' 6" || Forward || Carol Stream, Ill. 

Club: Played 10 years with Chicago Sockers FC under coach JJ Ruane, earning multiple regional and Midwest identification honors during her club career… A two-time USYNT Regional ID event invitee and two-time GA Mid-West Talent ID selection

Before Rhode Island: Attended West Chicago Community High School… Competed in varsity soccer for two years… In the classroom, earned High Honor Roll recognition, was a member of the National Honor Society, and received the Blue Ribbon Math Award… Served as a student ambassador and founded "Wego Boutique," a non-profit dress exchange supporting high school girls in her community

Jessee on Molly: "I am excited to welcome Molly to the Rhody Women's Soccer Family. She brings another element to our already dangerous attack. She is a smart quick forward who can create and score goals." 

Emily Morgan || 5' 6" || Forward || Robbinsville, N.J.

Club: Competed for PDA South ECNL for nine years under coach John Jenks, serving as team captain for four years. Earned an invitation to the USWNT ID Clinic and consistently competed at a high level in ECNL play.

Before Rhode Island: Attended Robbinsville High School… Four-year varsity forward/midfielder… A team captain her senior year, she was the team's leading goal scorer her freshman and sophomore seasons… Earned honors including CVC All-Coaches Team, Trentonian County Team, and Robbinsville Rookie of the Year…. In addition to soccer, she competed in varsity winter and spring track for two years… Academically, she was a four-year Honor Roll and Principal's Honor Roll student and a member of the National Honor Society… Active in the Red Cross Club, Agricultural Club, and Multicultural Club, she also volunteered with the Special Olympics.

Jessee on Emily: "Emily is a great center forward who can hold the ball up and create in the build up. She can also get in behind with her speed. She has the ability to score goals from all different areas of the field. She can also create goal scoring opportunities for other attaching players in and around the box."

Riley Popp || 5'4" || Forward || Saint Louis, Mo.

Club: Competed for SLSG since 2016, progressing through SLSG Fire (2016–17), SLSG Premier (2017–18), SLSG Elite Green (2018–19), SLSG ECNL RL (2019–20), and SLSG ECNL Green (2020–Present). Trained under Scott McDoniel and Vince Gentile, competing at the ECNL level and earning ECNL Super Cup National Selection Team honors from 2022–2025.

Before Rhode Island: Attended Kirkwood High School and St. Joseph's Academy… Member of the varsity soccer team as a forward/winger,… Earned First Honor Roll recognition all semesters… Member of the Spanish Honors Society and completed more than 50 volunteer hours

Jessee on Riley: "Riley is a fast athletic forward. She will add even more speed to an already quick attack. She can create and score goals getting the ball at her feet or getting the ball in behind."