The Muhlenberg women's soccer program has added seven freshmen to its roster for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign, head coach Kathy Prescott announced Friday.
"We are very excited to welcome seven new Mules in the class of 2030," Prescott said of her new charges. "This group will provide depth across the field with many players who are versatile and can contribute in multiple ways. They are also an incredibly positive group of players who are bought into our culture and our growth. We are looking forward to a great year welcoming them in and building on the foundation set in previous years."
The class features three backs (Emma Burns, Jillian Gaffney, and Abigail Stapleton), two midfielders (Molly Fannon and Sienna Gmelin), one forward (Pia DiGregorio), and one goalkeeper (Sophie Porter).
That group will be tasked with helping to replace three graduating seniors from last year's team:
Dani Klingener,
Anna May, and
Abby Azzinnari. May finished second on the Mules in points last season after tying for the team lead in 2024, and Azzinnari started nine games in an injury-shortened 2025. Klingener was Muhlenberg's lone all-conference representative last year after totaling 89 saves and three shutouts in 14 matches.
MEET THE CLASS
Emma Burns (via Emma Burns)
EMMA BURNS
Outside Back | Next Level Soccer Academy
Newtown, Pa./Princeton Day
Academic Interest: Undeclared
About Burns: Burns was the starting outside back on a Princeton Day School team that did a lot of winning during her time in high school. In 2023, she helped the Panthers to a NJSIAA Non-public A State Championship before captaining them to a 20-1-1 record and a Colonial Valley Conference (CVC) Tournament title as a senior in 2025. Individually, Burns was a CVC Third-Team selection in 2024 and a First-Team selection in 2025. For her senior year efforts, she was named Princeton Day's 'Fall Athlete of the Season'.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg because the school fosters a challenging academic environment while still allowing me to have time to participate in other extracurriculars, like soccer."
Pia DiGregorio (via Pia DiGregorio)
PIA DIGREGORIO
Forward | Match Fit Surf
Randolph, N.J./Randolph
Academic Interest: Business
About DiGregorio: DiGregorio was a four-year letterwinner and her team's offensive player of the year three years in a row. As a senior, she led the Randolph Rams to a 20-3 record and earned a second-team all-county nod for her efforts. Her future plans include being involved in physical therapy in order to help others recover from injuries.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg because of the competitive athletics and high-level academics, along with the tight-knit community surrounding it."
Molly Fannon (via Molly Fannon)
MOLLY FANNON
Defensive Center Midfield | Ukranian Nationals
Perkasie, Pa./Pennridge High School
Academic Interest: Undecided
About Fannon: Another player who's used to winning, Fannon helped Pennridge High School nab a SOL Colonial Division Championship and a PIAA District Championship in her senior season. She earned a pair of varsity letters in soccer but also played flag football for a season, where she was a linebacker and receiver, earning an all-league honorable mention for her play on the defensive side of the ball.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg because it was the perfect balance of academics, athletics, and social life."
Jillian Gaffney (via Jillian Gaffney)
JILLIAN GAFFNEY
Back | Next Level Soccer Academy
Bridgewater, N.J./Immaculata
Academic Interest: Biology
About Gaffney: One of three New Jersey natives on this list, Gaffney spent a year on varsity as a backer at Immaculata High School and played under head coach Jeremy Beardsley. Her future plans include becoming a PA and living in New York City.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg because it offers a strong balance of academics and athletics. The welcoming community, competitive conference to play in, and strong pre-med track made it feel like the perfect fit for me academically, athletically, and personally."
Sienna Gmelin (via Sienna Gmelin)
SIENNA GMELIN
Attacking Midfielder | AC Connecticut
Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield
Academic Interest: Environmental Science
About Gmelin: Gmelin, the lone member of the class to hail from Connecticut, was a three-sport athlete in high school. In addition to lettering twice in soccer, she spent three years as a varsity lacrosse player and was a sprinter on the indoor track team during the winter.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg because when I first visited the campus, I felt at home. I loved how the team is very close and works hard to collectively improve every day."
Sophie Porter (via Sophie Porter)
SOPHIE PORTER
Goalkeeper | NJ Crush
Montclair, N.J./Montclair
Academic Interest: Psychology
About Porter: Porter was a wall in net for Montclair High School, especially in 2024, when she set a school record with 12 shutouts in 21 games and led the Mounties to a NJ Sectional Championship. For that, she earned first-team all-conference honors before following it up with a second-team nod last season. In total, Porter recorded 283 saves during her high school career with a personal best of 124 as a senior.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg because of the rigorous academics, the competitive athletics, the incredible team culture, and the beautiful campus."
Abigail Stapleton (via Abigail Stapleton)
ABIGAIL STAPLETON
Outside Back | East Coast Surf
Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa
Academic Interest: Education
About Stapleton: Stapleton was busy during all three seasons during much of her time at Massapequa High School. She lettered three times in soccer and was captain of both the basketball and flag football teams. Stapleton was named first-team all-conference in soccer and all-conference as a quarterback in flag football. Her uncle, Christopher Sarkis `96, played football at Muhlenberg. In the future, Stapleton intends to become an elementary school teacher.
Why Muhlenberg?: "I chose Muhlenberg because of the size of the school, its location to home, the soccer team, and its coach."
Stay tuned to muhlenbergsports.com and our social media channels throughout the summer to learn about all of the newest Mules!
