UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State women’s soccer and head coach Erica Dambach announced its signing class ahead of the 2025 campaign Wednesday afternoon, with the Nittany Lions welcoming seven student-athletes into the fold ahead of the program’s 32nd varsity season. The Blue & White’s signing corps was ranked sixth in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer and stands as the highest-rated group in the Big Ten Conference.
The Nittany Lions welcomed one forward in Nicole Crane, four midfielders in Riley Cross, Hannah Jordan, Lily Ann Phillips and Kennedy Ring, as well as a pair of defenders in Emma Fassora and Marlee Raymond. PSU’s seven signees hail from six different states, including Colorado, Delaware, Georgia, New Jersey, New York and Texas, with all seven members boasting individual player rankings inside the national top 160 per TopDrawerSoccer. Defending Women’s College Cup participant Duke boasts the nation’s No. 1 class, with Florida State, Clemson, Virginia and Texas rounding out the top five slots ahead of the Blue & White. Penn State is one of three Big Ten Conference member institutions with a top 10 signing corps, with No. 7 UCLA and No. 10 USC rounding out the trio.
“I am thrilled to announce our 2025 signing class and welcome these seven young women into the Penn State women’s soccer family,” Dambach said. “We have brought in a diverse array of talents from impressive club programs across the country, and I anticipate this group doing great things over the course of their time in Happy Valley. Having another signing class ranked inside the top 10 is a testament to the hard work these women have put in over the years, and I am thrilled to have an opportunity to work with them as they continue to develop in our game."
NICOLE CRANE | F | GLEN ROCK, N.J. / WORLD CLASS FC | TDS #121
Hailing from Glen Rock, New Jersey, Nicole Crane arrives in Happy Valley as one of the highest-rated attacking prospects in the 2025 signing class. During her stint as an athlete at DePaul Catholic High School, Crane capitalized on her talents to become a 2024 High School All-American, All-State and Conference Player of the Year selection while anchoring the offense. Crane participated in youth soccer with World Class FC in Orangeburg, New York, under the direction of coaches Fredy Guarin and Chris Kelly, working with that organization from 2016 through the conclusion of her development career. She was a 2024 ECNL All-American and was also named an ECNL All-Conference First Team selection a year ago. Crane enters the Nittany Lion program boasting the No. 121 individual player ranking according to TopDrawerSoccer.
“I believe that the coaching staff at Penn State is simply the best in the country,” Crane said. “The culture they’ve created here makes PSU a place where I can develop, both as a person and as a player. The high-level training environment and the team’s grittiness is one of a kind, and I am extremely excited to be a part of it.”
RILEY CROSS | M | CHATHAM, N.J. / PLAYER’S DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY | TDS #25
A native of Chatham, New Jersey, Cross arrives in Happy Valley as the highest-rated prospect in PSU’s 2025 class, boasting the No. 25 national ranking according to TopDrawerSoccer. Cross has been a dynamic prospect in a wide array of environments, including the high school, ECNL and U.S. Women’s Youth National Team ranks. Cross has participated in multiple domestic training camps with the U.S. U15 and U17 Women’s Youth National Teams, most recently being named an alternate for the 2024 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. While participating in youth soccer with the Players Development Academy, Cross was named a two-time ECNL First Team All-Conference choice and a 2024 ECNL All-American. She attended Oak Knoll High School from 2021 to 2023, scoring 55 goals in her first two years of high school soccer while landing a pair of First Team All-Conference honors. She wrapped up her high school soccer career at Chatham High School, earning Conference MVP accolades alongside First Team All-State laurels, guiding her squad to a state championship in the process.
“I chose Penn State for its elite culture, unmatched school spirit, and blend of academic and athletic excellence,” Cross stated. “The energy on campus and pride of being a Nittany Lion are contagious. With a top-notch coaching staff and a winning tradition, Penn State will push me to grow as a student and athlete. What truly sets it apart is the people – teammates, coaching and community who make it feel like family.”
EMMA FASSORA | D | LOUISVILLE, COLO. / REAL COLORADO | TDS #160
A versatile defender hailing from Louisville, Colorado, Fassora joins the Blue & White following an impressive ECNL career. Fassora participated in club soccer with the Real Colorado program under the guidance of coaches Lorne Donaldson, Lyle Lebere and April Kater from 2020 to 2025. She helped guide her club squad to a 2023 North American Cup title in addition to an ECNL Northwest Conference Championship in 2022 as the organization’s captain. She has been a crucial part of the U.S. Olympic Development Program over the course of her youth career, participating in a wide array of ODP camps in addition to a trio of invites tot eh U.S. Youth National Team Talent ID center. Fassora has been invited to participate in preseason training camp with the KC Current Reserve Team. She led her team to the ECNL Conference Cup in 2024, and has been named to multiple ECNL Girls Northwest All-Conference teams. Fassora was additionally a two-sport athlete in her high school career, also lettering in track and field. She arrives in Happy Valley as the No. 160 ranked individual athlete in the 2025 signing class.
“I chose Penn State because of the rigorous academics, competitive soccer program and culture,” Fassora expressed. “The consistency, blue-collar work ethic and top-tier coaching staff coupled with a strong emphasis on teamwork provides me with the best environment to grow on and off the field. Penn State will challenge me as a student, soccer player and person. Above all, the humble, kind and hardworking individuals supporting the program are unmatched. I am so incredibly grateful and excited to do what I love with this amazing group of people.”
HANNAH JORDAN | M | SOUTHLAKE, TEXAS / SOLAR SC | TDS #30
A dynamic midfielder prospect from the Lone Star State of Texas, Jordan arrives in Happy Valley following a decorated career in the high school, ECNL and USYNT programs. Jordan was dominant during her high school career at Southlake Carroll High School, leading her squad to the 2022 UIL 6A State Championship, landing Newcomer of the Year honors in the process. She has been named a First Team All-District selection in every year of her high school career with an Honorable Mention All-State selection in 2023. She handles her club commitments with Solar SC under the direction of Adrian Solca and Matt Colvin, winning a pair of ECNL National Championships in 2021 and 2023. Jordan has been named ECNL Conference Player of the Year, an ECNL All-American, a four-time ECNL First Team All-Conference selection and participated in the ECNL National Selection Game in January of 2023. She has been named to three U.S. Youth National Team domestic training camps, a USYNT international training camp with friendlies, garnered a pair of international caps and participated in four USYNT ID centers. Jordan is ranked as the second-highest prospect in PSU’s seven-member class, picking up the No. 30 national ranking according to TopDrawerSoccer.
“There are many reasons that made me choose Penn State,” Jordan said. “The coaches, the culture, the storied program, the college town atmosphere, the academics, and the overall support for bringing the best out of student-athletes were key in my decision. Penn State may be far from home, but I knew that there was something special here. I am so excited the help contribute to the legacy of Penn State women’s soccer.”
LILY ANN PHILLIPS | M | HOCKESSIN, DEL. / PENN FUSION SA | TDS #78
A native of Hockessin, Delaware, Phillips joins the Nittany Lions as one of the team’s five top 100 prospects heading into the 2025 campaign. Phillips participates in youth soccer with Penn Fusion SA under the guidance of coaches Craig Scangarella and Ellis Badillo. She led her squad to the ECNL Final Four in 2024, picked up a pair of ECNL All-Conference honors, participated in the ECNL National Selection game in 2024 and took part in the GA National Talent ID camp in 2023. Phillips has also been invited to a trio of U.S. Youth National Team ID events over the course of her youth career. She participated in high school soccer at Saint Marks High School in Wilmington, Delaware, serving as the team’s captain in her senior season. Phillips was named a high school Regional All-American in 2024, picked up a trio of All-State laurels and directed her squad to a Delaware State Championship in 2022. A multi-sport athlete in high school, Phillips also earned varsity letters in swimming. Phillips is a four-star recruit according to TopDrawerSoccer, picking up the nation’s No. 78 overall individual ranking.
“I started wearing a Penn State hat when I was six years old,” Phillips explained. “The idea of playing on Jeffrey Field in Happy Valley is a dream come true. Every interaction I had with Coach Erica, Coach Ann and Coach Tim throughout the recruiting process helped me to know that this is the best culture for me to grow as a person, student and athlete. I can’t wait to play with and against the best players in the world and join this amazing Nittany Lion family.”
MARLEE RAYMOND | D | CUMMING, GA. / UNITED FUTBOL ACADEMY | TDS #75
One of the most versatile student-athletes in the nation, Raymond joins the Blue & White as a reclassified member of the 2026 signing class and hails from Cumming, Georgia. Raymond has been a decorated member of the USYNT player pool over the past few years, adding additional acclaim at the ECNL and high school levels. She handles her club commitments with the United Futbol Academy under the guidance of coaches Alan Woods, Rafiq Sabir and Iggy Moleka, earning ECNL All-Conference accolades in addition to a pair of appearances in the ECNL National Selection Game and a pair of ECNL Conference Cups. She has been a part of the U.S. Youth National Team as the U15, U16, U17 and U20 levels in varying capacities, including appearances at a UEFA Tournament in addition to a gold-medal performance with the U16 team in a tournament hosted by Turkey in May of 2024. At the high school level, Raymond plays at West Forsyth High School and helped direct her squad to an undefeated 2024 regional and state championship season. Raymond has been named an All-Region and All-State selection, a two-time Defender of the Year and a Freshman Athlete of the Year over the course of her high school playing career. She additionally participated in varsity girls’ basketball, landing Defensive Player of the Year accolades in the process, adding varsity letters as a member of the girls’ flag football team. Raymond is one of five top 100 players joining the PSU roster in 2025, securing the No. 75 individual ranking according to TopDrawerSoccer.
“From the moment I arrived on campus, I knew Penn State was the place for me,” Raymond said. “They genuinely support women’s sports and strive to improve their facilities to create the best environment for every athlete. The school spirit is incredible, and the energy at games is unbeatable. The campus has a calming, safe and welcoming environment. Plus, the coaching staff is amazing, and the connection within the team is something special. They do a great job at developing pros, which was really important to me when deciding where I was going to commit.”
KENNEDY RING | M | EAST GREENBUSH, N.Y. / WORLD CLASS FC | TDS #36
Another dominant prospect hailing from East Greenbush, New York, Ring joins the Nittany Lions as an extremely decorated high school and ECNL student-athlete. Ring handles her club commitments through World Class FC alongside future fellow Nittany Lion Nicole Crane, learning under the guidance of Fredy Guarin and Chris Kelly. Ring is a two-time ECNL All-American ECNL Player of the Year and First Team ECNL New England All-Conference Choice, earning additional recognition as a participant in the ECNL New Jersey National Selection Game as well as a Best XI Team member at the ECNL Conference Cup. During her club career, she has been named to the U.S. U17 and U19 Youth National Team Camps and is currently a part of the U19-U20 Player Pool. A star athlete at Columbia High School, Ring has been a member of her varsity soccer team every year of her tenure, picking up a pair of High School All-America accolades, three New York State Soccer Player of the Year laurels, three New York First Team All-State honors and four Suburban Council First Team All-Star selections. As her team’s captain, Ring led Columbia to the New York state finals in 2024, winning a pair of regional titles and a trio of sectional titles. She is one of the highest-ranked members of the PSU signing class, picking up the No. 36 national individual ranking according to TopDrawerSoccer.
“I chose Penn State because of the program’s strong emphasis on both athletic excellence and personal growth,” Ring stated. “The team’s supportive, family-like culture was a major factor in my decision, as it creates an environment where everyone is invested in each other’s success. I wanted to be a part of a program that challenges me to be my best both on and off the field. Penn State’s commitment to competition in a supportive environment made it the perfect place for me. The sense of community and tradition at PSU is something I knew I wanted to be a part of, and I am excited to contribute to that legacy.”
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