Villanova women’s soccer will be welcoming five new players for the 2025 season. This incoming class features midfielder Jaden Aaronson (Medford, NJ), defenders Téa Gambardella (Guilford, CT) and Kayla Raghunandanan (Newtown, PA), goalkeeper Lilian Mitchell (Ashburn VA) and forward Avrie Nelsen (Dix Hills, NY).
Head coach Samar Azem expressed excitement in regard to the new recruiting class joining the program, and has some big goals ahead for the new signees.
“We have significantly enhanced our athletic profile with this class as well as the culture of our program, as we pursue our goals of winning the BIG EAST Conference and sustaining success,” Azem said to Villanova Athletics. “This group of five will also join our current players in enhancing the overall mission of our program within our Villanova community, serving others and growing as they pursue academic and athletic excellence.”
Midfielder Jaden Aaronson will be coming in from Medford, New Jersey as a former member of the Real Jersey Football Club. She racked up all-South Jersey and all-Conference accolades as just a sophomore in highschool. She also toured the UK with the Capelli Sport National Select Team.
“Jaden is a very smart midfielder with excellent vision. She’s constantly looking to break lines and create goals. She will bring an exciting dynamic to our attack,” Azem said.
Defender Téa Gambardella is a Guilford, Connecticut native. She played with the Connecticut Rush Select ECRL for 12 years, and for Connecticut Rush UWS for four years. She has been a three-time All-SCC selection and has two All-State accolades. Gambardella scored a total of 65 goals during her time at Guilford High School. Along with that she was a dual sport athlete as a member of both the soccer and lacrosse teams.
“Téa is a physical, fast and tenacious defender,” Azem said. “She has the versatility to play across the back line or in the midfield. She has great range and a lot of speed.”
Villanova’s second addition to the defensive squad is Kayla Raghunandanan, a Newtown, Pennsylvania native who played six years with the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals and helped the team to three Mid-Atlantic Championships. Raghunandanan played varsity soccer with both The Pennington School and Council Rock High School North. She also played on two state championship teams.
“Kayla is a versatile defender who can play anywhere in the back line,” Azem said. “She’s a homegrown talent with a lot of athleticism and intelligence to her game.”
Goalkeeper Lillian Mitchell of Ashburn, Virginia was a First Team all-Region and All-District Selection in high school. She also won a state championship in 2023 as a member of the Independence High School soccer team. Mitchell played for 12 years with the St. James Football Club and was a member of the 2021 Girls Academy U15 National Championship squad, and was also named the U15 Golden Glove winner. She achieved more than 100 saves in 2024 alone.
“Lillian is a technically sound goalkeeper with great vision on the ball and positionally,” Azem said. “She will bring a dynamic that will continue to enhance the strength of our back unit.”
Last up to complete the recruiting class is forward Avrie Nelsen, who will be coming in from Dix Hills, New York. Nelsen was a member of the SUSA Club team where she played for six years. During her time at St. Anthony’s high school she racked up all-League and all-Long Island accolades along with being an all-State First Team selection. She scored 30 varsity goals and was CHSAANY Offensive Player of the Year in 2023.
“Avrie is a relentless attacking and pressing player,” Azem said. “She will wear teams down in the press and has the work rate, speed and grittiness to create fantastic goals.”
The recruiting class will begin their freshman years with the team in 2025, where they will hope to contribute to the mission of Villanova women’s soccer and achieve the goals Azem has set for them.