LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell women's soccer Head Coach
Mira Novak has announced the addition of six newcomers to the 2024 roster.
The incoming class features one transfer, junior defender
Hilary Jaen (Las Margaritas, Panama), alongside freshmen forwards
Gaby Eckroth (Mechanicsburg, Pa.),
Mia Eva Girgis (Montreal, Quebec), and
Nina Hertz-Saebbo (Gothenburg, Sweden), freshman midfielder
Nuala Rodgers (Dedham, Mass.), and freshman goalkeeper
Rachel Welch (Franklin, Mass.).
"I am thrilled about these women joining the UMass Lowell Women's Soccer program," said Novak. "They bring a great level of character, passion, competitiveness, and experience to push the program forward. I am excited to watch them overcome the obstacles that come their way during their career at UMass Lowell, and the impact they will leave behind them. I cannot wait for them to integrate into the team and make us better."
Meet the Players
Name: Hilary Jaen
Hometown/High School: Las Margaritas, Panama / Instituto Justo Arosemena
Position: Defense
Height: 5-5
Club Team: Mississippi
Major/Minor: Cybersecurity
PREVIOUS SCHOOL: Played two seasons at Jones College … Scored 15 goals and added 10 assists … JUCO DII National Champion … Named to the MACCC Second Team, All-American Soccer Coaches First Team, and the All-National Tournament Team … Tabbed the National Champion Most Valuable Offensive Player.
HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at Instituto Justo Arosemena.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Amada and Benjamin … Has two younger siblings, Johan and Hannah … Names Bly Manor, Good Girls, and Kuroko No Basket as her favorite TV shows … Says her favorite professional sports team is Real Madrid … Her favorite sports figures are Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo, and Cristal Dunn … Chose UMass Lowell because she really likes the soccer program, had the opportunity to choose her favorite major, and because of how nice everyone is.
NOVAK: "Hilary is an experienced player who has already competed in the Women's World Cup for her country."
Name: Gaby Eckroth
Hometown/High School: Mechanicsburg, Pa. / Mechanicsburg
Position: Forward
Height: 5-9
Club Team: PA Classics Girls Academy
Major/Minor: Psychology
HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at Mechanicsburg Area Senior High … As a junior she played in the Champions League Semifinals in the Girls Academy League … Named the Keystone Division Player of the Year and to the Keystone Division First Team as a senior … Also earned All-State and Penn Live All Star Team selections as a senior.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Kelly and Todd … Has one sibling, Lily … Enjoys hiking, tubing, reading and being with her friends and family … Names Shameless and Breaking Bad as her favorite TV shows … Says her favorite professional team is the Tottenham Hotspurs and her favorite sports figures are Harry Kane and Abby Wambach … Names her favorite sports moment as being the only person to score against Central Daulphin to send the district semifinal game to overtime.
NOVAK: "Gaby is a driven forward who is crafty around the box and willing to work for the team."
Name: Mia Eva Girgis
Hometown/High School: Montreal, Quebec / Vincent Massey Collegiate
Position: Forward
Height: 5-5
Club Team: AS Blainville
Major/Minor: Business
HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at Vincent Massey Collegiate … Won the GMAA Championship as a freshman, sophomore, and junior … As a senior, she won the Quebec Cup and the Canadian National Championship with her club team Union Lanaudière-Sud.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Laura and Michael … Has one sibling, Michael … Enjoys listening to music and hanging out with friends in her free time … Names Suits as her favorite TV show … Says her favorite professional sports teams are Manchester City and FC Barcelona … Her greatest sports moment was winning the U17 Canadian National Championship … Chose to attend UMass Lowell because it fit both her athletic and academic needs.
NOVAK: "Mia is a crafty player that loves to compete and never stops working."
Name: Nina Hertz-Saebbo
Hometown/High School: Gothenburg, Sweden / Polhemsgymnasiet
Position: Forward
Height: 5-10
Club Team: BK Hacken
Major/Minor: Business Management and Administration
HIGH SCHOOL/PREVIOUS CLUB: As a junior, she played for Bk Häckens Academy and qualified for the playoffs in the highest division for her age group … During her senior year, she played for Bk Häcken in the second-highest division in Sweden.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Helen and Tony … Has two siblings, Tess and Linn … Likes hanging out with her friends and trying different activities … Lists Grey's Anatomy as her favorite TV show … Says Erling Haaland is her favorite sports figure … Names her greatest sports moment as when she scored two goals to help her first club team, Älvsborg FF, beat her now-current team in the quarterfinals of the Gothia Cup … Chose to attend UMass Lowell because she really likes the coaches and facilities, as well as because she has heard good things about the school and athletics.
NOVAK: "Nina is an athletic forward who can fill a number of roles and has experience from senior level already."
Name: Nuala Rodgers
Hometown/High School: Dedham, Mass. / Ursuline Academy - Dedham
Position: Midfield
Height: 5-4
Club Team: South Shore Select
Major/Minor: Environmental Science
HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer and ran track at Ursuline Academy – Dedham … As a freshman, she was named a varsity starter for her high school team and was selected for the GA Northeast Talent Identification Camp … Played for the GA National Championship in St. Louis as a sophomore … Qualified for the GA National Quarterfinals as a junior … Served as a captain for her South Shore Select Club Team all four years … Won the 2024 GA Champions Cup tournament at IMG Academy as a senior.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Moira and Mark … Has one older brother, Flynn … Likes to cook, travel, and listen to podcasts … Names The Queen's Gambit and Love It or List It as her favorite TV shows … Lists USWNT, Gotham FC, and the Boston Celtics as her favorite professional teams … Says her favorite sports figures are Rose Lavelle, Serena Williams, and Kobe Bryant … Chose to attend UMass Lowell because of the variety of excellent academic opportunities in the STEM fields and the incredible culture of the soccer team.
NOVAK: "Nuala is an experienced leader who can do any job in the midfield."
Name: Rachel Welch
Hometown/High School: Franklin, Mass. / Franklin
Position: Goalkeeper
Height: 5-8
Club Team: Scorpions SC
Major/Minor: Public Health
HIGH SCHOOL: Played soccer at Franklin High School … Posted 33 shutouts over her four-year career, allowing only 25 goals for a 0.51 goals against average … Named the Team MVP as a senior … Named to the Eastern Massachusetts All-Star First Team, the Hockomock All-Conference Best Keeper, and a Hockomock All-Conference All-Star as a sophomore, junior, and senior.
PERSONAL: Daughter of Ellen Welch … Has two siblings, Michael and Ryan … Likes going to the beach, playing pickleball, listening to music, and hanging out with friends in her free time … Names Grey's Anatomy, Suits and Outer Banks as her favorite TV shows … Names the USWNT as her favorite professional sports team and Jayson Tatum as her favorite sports figure … Chose UMass Lowell because of the atmosphere and culture that she felt when she stepped on campus, as well as because of how welcoming the coaches and team are.
NOVAK: "Rachel is an exciting prospect who will push the level in our whole goalkeeping group up right away."
