Last week, Villanova field hockey welcomed three new recruits after wrapping up its 2023 season with a loss in the Big East semifinals. Molly Zimmerman, Avery Ritt and Evangeline Minnella all signed Villanova letters of intent after the Wildcats’ loss. Coming off a 9-9 season, these three new faces will look to make quick impressions and fast impacts to push Villanova over the .500 mark. 

Zimmerman is a midfielder from Landisburg, PA who attends West Perry High School. She recently hit 100 career points in her high school career. She helped lead the Mustangs to a 22-2 record this year, earning her team a spot in the PIAA Class playoffs. 

“I absolutely love it there,” Zimmerman said to Female Athlete News about her Villanova commitment. 

This past Saturday, Zimmerman and her team defeated Palmerton 6-1 in the program’s first ever semifinal appearance. The team advanced to the final four where they will face Oley Valley. Zimmerman will look to continue making history at West Perry before she transitions from a Mustang to a Wildcat. 

Ritt is a center-midfielder from Stewartsville, NJ. Enrolled at Phillipsburg High, Ritt has been a four-year starter. She has 15 goals and 12 assists in her senior season. She went for a season-high four goals against Monroe Township to help Phillipsburg finish with an undefeated record. 

Ritt also recorded her 100th career point, becoming the third player in eight years to achieve such a feat at Phillipsburg. 

Minnella is a midfielder from North Caldwell, NJ. She spent her high school playing career at West Essex High. As a senior, she recorded nine goals and 28 assists, helping her high school team finish the season with a 17-0-1 record. 

For her efforts, Minnella was voted first team all-Essex County, first team North Jersey Coaches Association and second team All-Essex Union Conference. She was also one of Max Field Hockey’s Top 100 2024 Players to Watch.