LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider University Women's Soccer Head Coach Drayson Hounsome has announced the commitments of five incoming freshman for the 2018 season. Ailis Martin (Mahopac, NY/Mahopac), Nikki Arrington (Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional), Teresa Richardson (Las Vegas, NV/Bishop Gorman), Gabriella Cook (Middletown, NJ/Middletown South) and Sarah Gellert (Severna Park, MD/Severna Park) comprise the incoming class.



Ailis Martin
Midfield – Mahopac, NY/Mahopac

A standout midfielder, Martin scored 13 goals with five assists en route to being named All-League and All-Section in 2017 for the Mahopac Indians. At the club level, Martin played in the National Premier League for Quickstrike FC, where she led her team to an NPL Championship and New York State Cup Championship.

Hounsome on Martin:
"Ailis is an athletic midfielder who has the ability to play as both a strong holding midfielder or as a dangerous attacking player. She is technically good on the ball and has good balance. She is an excellent addition to our midfield unit."
 


Nikki Arrington
Forward/Winger – Boxford, MA/Masconomet Regional

The leading point scorer for the Masconomet Chieftains in 2016 & 2017, Arrington led her team to two Cape Ann League Championships. As a senior captain in 2017, Arrington led the Chieftains to an unbeaten regular season record and was named an Eastern Massachusetts Girls Soccer Coaches Association First Team All-Star, a Cape Ann First Team All-Star and a Salem News First Team All-Star. At the club level, Arrington plays in the ECNL National league with FC Boston Scorpions and was a member of the Massachusetts ODP in 2015 & 2016.

Hounsome on Arrington:
 "Nikki is a tricky and tenacious player who has played with and competed against the very best in the ECNL league. She is technically very good, has excellent awareness and has all the attributes to be dangerous attacker in the MAAC."
 


Teresa Richardson
Defender – Las Vegas, NV/Bishop Gorman

A starting center back for Bishop Gorman High School, Richardson led the Gaels to a memorable 2017 season as a senior, capturing both the Sunset Regional Championship and Nevada State Championship.

At the club level, Richardson played in the ECNL National league with Heat FC and Strikers FC and was a member of the Nevada ODP team. She was invited to the Region IV ODP Camp and US Club Soccer id2 Training Camp in Beaverton, Oregon.

Hounsome on Richardson:
"Teresa is a strong and athletic defender who has defended against some of the best forwards on the west coast playing with Strikers FC. Defensively she reads the game well and in possession is very comfortable on the ball – two attributes that are important to our style of play. Teresa is a great addition to our defensive unit."
 


Gabriella Cook
Goalkeeper – Middletown, NJ/Middletown South

A starting keeper with Middletown South, Cook led the Eagles to the 2017 Group III Sectional Championship and an appearance in the State Cup Group III Final as a senior. Cook was named First Team All-Shore, First Team All-Division and received All-State Honorable Mention. At the club level, Cook played for MatchFit and competed in both the Elite Clubs National League and the National Premier League.

Hounsome on Cook:
"Gabriella is a physically strong player with the potential to develop into an excellent keeper in the MAAC. She is a strong shot stopper and comfortably deals with crosses and high balls."
 


Sarah Gellert
Midfield – Severna Park, MD/Severna Park

A two-time All-State midfielder, Gellert led the Falcons' with 22 goals and seven assists as a senior en route to the Class 4A East Region Championship game. With nine game winning goals, Gellert was named First Team All-County and First Team All-Metro in 2017. At the club level, Gellert played four years at the highest level in the ECNL National league with Maryland United FC.

Hounsome on Gellert:
"Sarah is a very versatile and technical player who will be a great addition to our team. She can defend well, create opportunities and has scored goals all at the very highest level."