Virginia Women’s Soccer Announces 2024 Newcomers

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia women’s soccer team will welcome seven newcomers to Grounds as part of the 2024-25 class of newcomers it was announced by head coach Steve Swanson on Tuesday (July 2).

The group of newcomers includes four freshmen and three transfers. The four freshmen make up the No. 16 recruiting class in the nation as ranked by Top Drawer Soccer and all four players are ranked among the top 200 players nationally.

“We are looking forward to welcoming our entire group of newcomers to our team this fall since we feel each of them will add something new to our program both on and off the field,” Swanson said. “Even more, we feel they will be a great compliment to what we already have on our existing roster. We are excited about this coming season and cannot wait to start putting this team together. If we can blend in this new group with our returning players especially with the ones that were out last season due to injury, we know the fans will enjoy the quality of soccer we are capable of producing in our matches.”

The freshman class consists of forward Sophia Bradley (Wayne, N.J.), forward/midfielder Sarah Flammia (Goochland, Va.), midfielder Kira Waller (Alexandria, Va.) and midfielder Annamarie Williams (Natrona Heights, Pa.).

The three transfers joining the Cavaliers will be defender Moira Kelley (Overland Park, Kan.), forward/midfielder Linda Mittermair (Hitzing, Upper Austria, Austria) and goalkeeper Ellie Sommers (Boulder, Colo.).

“The first-year class, along with the other more experienced newcomers, is made up of some very talented players but even more some quality individuals who will add to our team culture,” Swanson said. “All of these players are driven, hardworking, team oriented and motivated to excel in everything they do.”

Virginia kicks off the 2024 season with a pair of home exhibitions against Tennessee (Aug. 7) and Georgetown (Aug. 10) before the official home opener against Towson (Aug. 15).

2024 INCOMING FRESHMAN CLASS
Sophia Bradley • F • Wayne, N.J. • Wayne Hills HS
Club: PDA

• Ranked No. 25 recruit by Top Drawer Soccer
• Named 2023 All-American
• Ranked top 20 in New Jersey in 2022
• United Soccer Coaches All-Region in 2022
• Set Wayne Hills HS single-season scoring record (32) in 2022
• 4x first team All-Region, All- League, All-Conference
• USYNT U-16 Team member and U-17 Training Camp Invitee
• ECNL First Team All-Conference in 2023 and ECNL National Selection Game participant
• ECNL National Finalist in 2021
• ECNL National Selection Camp in 2022
• Two-Time team captain at Wayne Hills HS

Sarah Flammia • F/M. • Goochland, Va. • Goochland HS
Club: Richmond United

• Ranked No. 114 recruit by Top Drawer Soccer
• 5x U.S. Training Center Invitee
• ID2 Training Center and Combine participant
• USWL Richmond Ivy Player
• Older sister, Jill, is a junior with the Cavaliers

Kira Waller • M • Alexandria, Va. • Georgetown Visitation Prep
Club: McLean Youth Soccer Association

• Ranked No. 122 recruit by Top Drawer Soccer
• Team captain in 2023
• 3x ISL regular-season champions at Georgetown Visitation Prep and DC Champions in 2023
• 2x ECNL All-Conference first team selection
• U16 U.S. YNT Camp

Annamarie Williams • M • Natrona Heights, Pa. • Highlands HS
Club: Internationals SC

• Ranked No. 193 recruit by Top Drawer Soccer
• 3x ECNL first team selection
• 2023 ECNL National selection game participant
• US Youth National Futsal Team Member and team captain
• US Youth National Team ID Camp participant

2024 INCOMING TRANSFERS
Moira Kelley • D • Overland Park, Kan. • St. Thomas Aquinas (University of Kansas)
Club: Sporting Blue Valley DA

• Started all 64 games played for the Jayhawks and helped post 18 shutouts in her career
• Started all 18 matches for Kansas as a senior with a team-leading 1,609 minutes
• Tallied one goal and seven assists as a Jayhawk
• Selected for Generation Adidas Olympique Lyonnais international team in 2018

Linda Mittermair • F/M • Hitzing, Upper Austria, Austria • BORGL Sankt Pölten

• Debuted in Austria’s first league at age 15
• First player born in 2000 or later to make 100 appearances in Austria’s first league
• Finished 3^rdin “Player of the Season” ranking in Austria’s first league for 2021-22 season
• Member of Austria U17 and U19 national teams
• Extended roster member of Austria’s WNT twice
• Earned her bachelor’s degree from University of Vienna

Ellie Sommers • GK • Boulder, Colo. • Legacy HS
Club: Colorado Rapids FC

• Played three seasons at Pepperdine, including 2020 COVID season as a freshman
• Posted 5-3-4 record through 13 games played at Pepperdine with five shutouts
• Allowed 13 goals with 47 saves with the Waves
• Posted a career-high nine saves vs. No. 1 UCLA in 2022 (9/18)
• Played last season at LMU