RIVERDALE, NY - Manhattan Women's Soccer Head Coach
Brendan Lawler has announced eight additions to the Jaspers program ahead of the 2026 season on Friday afternoon. These names include Ava and
Emma Boffalo,
Katie Cragan,
Francesca Diaz,
Baileigh Johnson,
Estelle Raspe,
Logan Smith, and
Chloe Sobel.
Ava Boffalo - Forward - Pine Bush, NY
Prior to Manhattan: Attended Pine Bush High School in Pine Bush, New York, where she was a five-year varsity starter in soccer and also played four years of varsity softball … Compiled 140 points throughout her career between 79 goals and 61 assists ... Scored the game-winning goal in the 2024 Section 9 Championship Game to conclude a 31 goal year, winning Pine Bush their first Section 9 title since 2005 ... Selected three times as a Section 9 All-Star, as well as earning an equal amount of All-Section and All-State honors … Also selected twice to All-Section in softball, where she was a frequent starter in both second base and the outfield ... Hit .431 in her senior season along with a home run in the regional championship.
Why Boffalo Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan University because I love the coaches, my teammates, and how close it is to home."
Emma Boffalo - Defender/Midfielder - Pine Bush, NY
Prior to College: Attended Pine Bush High School in Pine Bush, New York, where she was a five-year varsity starter in soccer and also played a combined six more years of varsity sports between basketball and softball … Anchored her team's defense at center back, earning three Section 9 All-Star appearances, as well as being selected All-Section and All-State ... Scored 13 goals and tallied four assists during her career ... Served as team captain for two seasons ... Won a combined three Section 9 Championships in soccer and softball … Also led her softball team to the state championship game while also serving as captain, hitting a home run in the state semifinal and Section 9 Championship Game ... Hit .377 in her senior season while starting at first base.
Why Boffalo Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan University because I loved the culture and dynamic."
Katie Cragan - Forward - Pine Bush, NY
Prior to College: Attended Pine Bush High School in Pine Bush, New York, where she was a five-year varsity starter in soccer and also played a combined four years of varsity between lacrosse and basketball … Served as a two-year team captain in soccer and lacrosse along with basketball in her senior season … Earned numerous soccer accolades including Fourth Team All-State, Section 9 all-star and two-time All-Section … Also won a Section 9 Championship in both soccer and lacrosse.
Why Cragan Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan University because of the close-knit community with a great alumni program, as well as the class size and being in New York City."
Francesca Diaz - Midfielder - Scottsdale, AZ
Prior to College: Attended Xavier College Prepatory School in Phoenix, Arizona ... Played club soccer for AZ Arsenal ECNL / Phoenix Rising ECNL ... Played four years of varsity soccer … Team captain senior season ... Won state championship her first three years, runner-up in senior year.
Why Diaz Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan University because it felt like the perfect fit for me. Being in New York means being surrounded by so many opportunities, whether it's school, soccer, or experiences. I loved the coaches and the team, and I knew it was a place where I could grow, challenge myself, and make the most of my college experience."
Baileigh Johnson - Forward - Spring Lake Heights, NJ
Prior to College: Attended Point Pleasant Beach High School in New Jersey ... Played four years of varsity soccer … All-time leading goal scorer for Point Pleasant Beach with 77 goals ... Tacked on 36 career assists as well ... Three-time Offensive Player of the Year ... Three-time All-State ... Two-time All-Shore ... Four-Time All-County and All-Division ... Led her team to three state sectional championships.
Why Johnson Chose Manhattan: "I chose to attend Manhattan University because of the family feel of the team, great academics, and the location being in New York City."
Estelle Raspe - Defender - Stockholm, Sweden
Prior to College: Attended Sjolins Gymnasium Sodermalm in Stockholm, Sweden ... Played club soccer for Djurgardens IF ... A regular starter for U19 gaems with Djurgradens, trained with the A team in the highest division of women's soccer in Sweden ... Selected for the Sweden U17 National Team ... Played on Djurgarden's first team in a friendly against Celtic FC, Hammarby IF, and Malibackens IF.
Why Raspe Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan University because it offers the opportunity to pursue a strong education while competing at a high level in soccer. I'm also excited to study in New York City, where I'll have access to outstanding networking chances and internships within the finance industry. I believe Manhattan provides the ideal environment for me to grow as both a student-athlete and future business professional."
Logan Smith - Midfielder - Raleigh, NC
Prior to College: Attended The Keystone School ... Played club soccer for North Carolina FC ECNL ... Racked up three Triangle Independent Schools Athletic Conference (TISAC) All-Conference First Team selections, as well as three-time TISAC All-Region … 2023 TISAC Player of the Year ... Two-time All-State, two-time Player of the Year finalist ... 20 goals and 15 assists throughout ECNL career ... 75 goals and 55 assists across 62 high school games.
Why Smith Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan University because I wanted to return to the Northeast after being raised in Massachusetts. I also liked being in New York City."
Chloe Sobel - Goalkeeper - Los Angeles, CA
Prior to College: Attended Chaminade College Preparatory in Los Angeles, California ... Played club soccer for LA Breakers FC ... Did not play much high school soccer due to injury ... Also played for the LAFC SoCal Women in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) ... Qualified for playoffs on the U17 team ... Team MVP as a high school freshman, led team to state quarterfinals.
Why Sobel Chose Manhattan: "I chose Manhattan University due to the competitive environment on and off the field. I have always wanted to compete at a high level, while still receiving a strong education, which Manhattan allows me to do. Having the ability to live in New York City has also been a lifelong dream of mine."
Follow Manhattan Women's Soccer on X (@JaspersWSOC) and Instagram (@jasperswsoc).
