Four Sign on with GW Women's Soccer
2/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
WASHINGTON - Four student-athletes have signed to play for the George Washington's women's soccer team, head coach Sarah Barnes announced on Wednesday.
Claire Brier, Deena DeSilva and Olivia Di Cristofaro will join the Colonials for the upcoming 2016 season, while Erin Reilly will defer enrollment until the spring of 2017.
"The 2016 class will be a great addition to our program and we're excited for the opportunity to begin to develop Claire, Deena, Olivia and Erin," said Barnes. "All four student-athletes have a clear sense of our team's culture, in particular the individual commitment to team and work ethic that has driven our players and program forward. Their understanding and buy-in will help them make a positive transition into college and help our team leave its mark this season."
Claire Brier
Defense
Lancaster, Pa.
Garden Spot High School - FC Revolution Falcons
5-foot-9
Brier will join the Colonials after a stellar high school career for Garden Spot High School. The defender achieved Lancaster-Lebanon League First Team All-Star status during her junior and senior seasons and received Second Team All-Star recognition as a sophomore. In 2015-16, Brier tallied 18 goals and four assists and will graduate as her high school's record holder for career assists. The National Honor Society member currently plays for the FC Revolution Falcons club squad.
"Claire combines a very strong sense of discipline and focused work ethic with a high level of possession-oriented soccer that fits in nicely with our program," said Barnes. "She is confident and coachable, so we are eager to begin progressing her at George Washington."
Deena DeSilva
Center Back
Gaithersburg, Md.
Col. Zadok A Magruder High School - MD United Coyotes
5-foot-6
DeSilva will come to GW after a strong high school career that saw the Gaithersburg, Maryland, native earn First Team All-State and First Team All-Met honors after her senior season. In 2014, DeSilva was named an All-State Second Team and Montgomery Gazette All-County Second Team member. A recipient of her squad's Most Outstanding Player Award in all four years of high school, DeSilva helped her team reach the 2015 Maryland 3A region finals. DeSilva is also a dedicated student who has garnered the Team Academic Award in each year of her career. DeSilva also helped her club squad grab five consecutive Maryland State Championships (2011-15) as well as a 2013 USYS National League title and 2012 US Youth Soccer National Champion and Region I Champion status.
"Deena is a tactical, playmaking defender who is comfortable with our style of play, which has prepared her to impact our program," said Barnes. "She loves to play and is a high-achieving, goal-oriented, resilient athlete who we are excited to have at GW."
Olivia Di Cristofaro
Midfield
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
St. Aloysius Gonzaga S.S. - North Mississauga Soccer Club
5-foot-5
Di Cristofaro will become a Colonial after a a strong career throughout her high school years. In 2014, Di Cristofaro helped her squad become Ontario-Quebec Cup Champions and reach the finals of the Disney Showcase that same year. Di Cristofaro was a two-time Ontario Youth Soccer League Champion (2013-14) as well as a Provincial Fustal Champion in 2013. In 2012, the Mississauga, Ontario, product won a USA Cup championship as well as Provincial Indoor and Fustal titles. Di Cristofaro brings high level and international experience to GW after playing with Team Ontario in Barcelona in 2012 and competing against the Nigerian Women's Soccer National Team in an exhibition game in 2015. The St. Aloysius Gonzaga S.S. student also served as a frequent call-up for Woodbridge Soccer Club's League One semi-professional team in 2015. In addition to soccer, Di Cristofaro recorded a stellar cross county career for St. Aloysius Gonzaga S.S. as a three-time cross country MVP (2012-14) and two-time regional champion (2013, 2015).
"Olivia is hungry to play and progress, which is positively ignited by her confidence and self-discipline," said Barnes. "She is resilient in her pursuit of improving, which is fueled by a great engine and a strong soccer brain that will allow her to make a smooth transition to GW."
Erin Reilly
Center Defender
Fairfield, Conn.
Greens Farms Academy - Connecticut FC
5-foot-10
Reilly will join the Colonials in the spring of 2017 after traveling to France to play internationally in the fall semester. A 2015 defensive team MVP, Reilly earned All-League FAA honors in her junior and senior seasons. The two-time New England WWNEPSA All-Star helped Greens Farms Academy reach the New England Tournament quarterfinals and FAA Tournament semifinals in 2015 while serving as team captain. The four-year starter also earned All-Area selections in 2014 and 2015 and scored 18 goals in her high school career. Reilly has competed for Connecticut FC and helped her club squad become 2015 Gothia Cup champions - winners of the biggest youth tournament in the world held in Gothenburg, Sweden.
"Erin is passionate about her growth and development as a soccer player," said Barnes. "She combines an achievement-oriented mindset with focus, personal responsibility and positivity, which will all help her evolution as a player at George Washington."
