Women's Soccer | February 18, 2019

PHILADELPHIA – Head coach Paul Royal is delighted to announced the addition of freshman Naya Vialva and Monmouth transfer Mary Kate Vinkler for the spring season. Royal also announced the team's 2019 spring schedule.
 
"As we begin another chapter of La Salle soccer, it's very promising to see two players who we feel will help the future of our program," Royal said. "When you have special teammates as we do, we were confident that it would be an easier transition for both players to adapt to the demands our competitive culture."
 
Vialva hails from Budd Lake, N.J. and graduated a semester early from Mt. Olive High Schools in order to join the Explorers for their spring season.
 
"I watched La Salle win the Atlantic 10 Championship in 2017 and wanted to be a part of a championship team," Vialva said. "I wanted to come to win more championships and hopefully the first ever NCAA tournament game."
 
During her time at Mt. Olive, the mid-year enrollee was an All-Conference and All-County selection, as well as being tabbed her league's Rookie of the Year.
 
Outside of school, Vialva played for Princeton SA IGFA, where she was a teammate of current Explorer Camaren Cox. In her time with the club, Vialva won the NPL National Championship, as well as the US Club Soccer National Cup, National Elite Women's Soccer Showcase, PDA College Showcase, and NUCSL NPL Championship. Furthering her accolades, she also aided her club to an Eastern Regional League Championship title, three USYS NJ State Cups, three NJ Cups, a USYSA National League Championship, and a Region 1 Eastern Regional League National Championship Series title.
 
Individually, Vialva was named to the US Youth Soccer National Championships Best XI as a central defender.
 
Vinkler comes to La Salle as a transfer from Monmouth University in Long Branch, N.J. During her time with the Hawks, the redshirt freshman appeared in eight games.
 
"I love the family environment that the team and the school create," Vinkler said about joining the La Salle community.
 
Prior to heading to Monmouth, Vinkler was a four-year varsity letterwinner at Central Bucks West High School. She aided her team to a Pennsylvania State Championship title as a sophomore (2014). The Honorable Mention All-Suburban One League forward helped Central Bucks West to a 16-6-1 record that season before being named Second Team All-League after scoring 11 goals as a junior in 2015. Her senior year, Vinkler was a First-Team All-League choice and earned Second Team All-State recognition following a 13-goal campaign.
Outside of school, the Doylestown, Pa. native played club ball for Penn Fusion 98' ENCL.
 
Vialva and Vinkler will first have the chance to hit the field this spring as the Explorers are set to play in eight games through the months of March and April. Over the course of the spring, La Salle will host three different opponents, while playing in the annual City 6 Tournament at Villanova, along with one neutral site contest against Lehigh.
 
"Our girls have been working as hard as any group we've had in recent years," Royal said. "We're excited to see them in action against some local quality schools. It'll be a great opportunity for our staff to see how our team improves throughout each match as well as seeing what players will have the ability to influence our squad come next fall."
 
FULL SCHEDULE:
Friday, March 1: vs. Saint Joseph's at McCarthy Stadium – 6 p.m.
Wednesday March 20: vs. Jefferson at McCarthy Stadium – 8 p.m.
Saturday, March 30: City 6 Tournament at Villanova – games start at 8 a.m. and run through 1 p.m.
Wednesday, April 10: vs. Lafayette at McCarthy Stadium – 8 p.m.
Thursday, April 18: vs. Lehigh at Cherry Hill Soccer Club-Chapel Ave. Fields – 7 p.m.