Courtesy of Mark Mentone, Felician SID

RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Felician College women’s soccer coach Thomas Notte has completed his Class of 2014, signing five recent high-school graduates to national letters of intent.

I am very excited about the incoming freshmen,” Notte said. “Each player we’ve recruited has the potential to make an immediate impact.”

Alysia Arcona (Hackettstown, NJ/Hackettstown) was a three-time first-team all-conference and two-time all-West Jersey performer at Hackettstown High, where she played both forward and central midfield. She was a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society and played club soccer for Notte on the New Jersey Rangers. Arcona intends to major in teacher education at Felician. “Alysia is a great midfielder and striker. At 5-foot-8, her size and speed make her a wonderful offensive weapon for us.”

Katie McDermott (Monroe Township, NJ/St. John Vianney), a 5-foot-7 midfielder, was a two-year starter for St. John Vianney of Holmdel. She earned all-division honors in lacrosse and is a National Honor Society member. She played for the Manalapan Mavericks at the club level. McDermott, whose sister, Shannon, attends Felician, expects to major in nursing. “Katie is a strong player with the ability to play in the midfield and on defense,” Notte said. “She will be a strong ball winner.”

Jen Michel (Massapequa Park, NY/Massapequa) played midfield and defense for Massapequa High and was a seven-year member of Massapequa Storm Premier. She was the Most Valuable Player in her age group in the 2009 U.S. Futsal Northeast/Mid Atlantic Regional Championship. The 5-foot-4 Michel will study nursing. “Jen is an extremely smart player and has played at a very high level with her club team,” Notte said. “She brings great experience to our team.”

Kirsten Mortelliti (Hammonton, NJ/Hammonton) was a South Jersey all-star and a second-team all-conference selection at Hammonton High, playing both midfield and defense. At 5-foot-8, she also participated in basketball and softball, winning a state Group 3 title in the latter. She is also a member of the Ocean City FC. Mortelliti plans to major in secondary education. “Kirsten is a wonderful athlete,” Notte said. “She can play anywhere on the field and is extremely aggressive.”

Juliet Numfor (Hillsborough, NJ/Stanstead [Canada]), a 5-foot-6 forward, played scholastically for Stanstead College in Stanstead, Quebec, where she was a two-time team MVP and scored 20 goals as a senior. She also participated in track, basketball, and rugby. Her most recent club team is the Bridgewater Shooting Stars. Numfor intends to study psychology. “Juliet is very fast and skilled,” Notte said. “Her speed can be used on both sides of the ball.”

Felician is a member of NCAA Division II and plays in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). The Golden Falcons are coming off a won-lost record of 6-9-2 in 2009, including the program’s second consecutive CACC quarterfinal appearance.