Gianna Paul, University of Alabama

Gianna Paul completed her career at the University of Alabama in style.

She finished as the Crimson Tide’s all-time leader in goals (40) and points (94).

This past season, the Huntington Station, N.Y. native led Alabama with 12 goals, while providing seven assists for 31 points.

And to top it off, she earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors for the third consecutive time.

To be eligible for the CSC Academic list, a student-athlete must have competed in 90 percent of the institution’s matches played or must start in at least 66 percent of the institution’s matches. Additionally, a nominee must hold a 3.50 GPA and be a sophomore both athletically and academically.

Paul led Alabama into the NCAA Division I tournament, assisting on a goal in a 2-2 draw with Northwestern University in the first round on Nov. 14, while striking twice in a 7-3 loss at Stanford in the second round.

No assist by Paul was more vital than the one she provided Maddie Padelski for the equalizing goal in the 84th minute. Padelski headed in her cross at the back post for a 2-2 tie, forcing overtime and then penalty kicks. Alabama prevailed in the tie-breaker, 3-1.

It would not be surprising Paul is in line for a post-season honor or two in the coming weeks.

For the Rough Riders during the 2025 W League season, Paul scored six goals. She could not play in as many matches as she wanted due to other commitments.

Paul’s most memorable goal came in the team’s season opener on May 18.

Seconds after the referee whistled the start of the second half, midfielder Maggie Ledwith nudged the ball back to Paul, who launched a 60-yard line drive into the AC Connecticut net for a goal of a lifetime.

“We were shook literally,” a stunned Paul said after the Rough Riders recorded a 3-0 triumph. “I don’t know if there’s a picture of it, but my jaw was on the ground. I was like, ‘Oh my God! Oh my God!’ I could not believe it went in. … It ended up being the perfect storm. It worked perfectly.”

Mathilde Braithwaite, Hofstra University

Mathilde Braithwaite finished with five goals and one assist for the Pride. She scored twice against Stony Brook University within a five-day span.  The graduate student found the net in a 3-2 Coastal Athletic Association regular-season finale win on Oct. 26 and again in a 2-1 loss to the Seawolves in the CAA playoffs.

The Esbjerg, Denmark native recorded 12 goals and six assists during her four years at Hofstra.

Caroline Nuttall, Sacred Heart Academy head coach

Nuttall, a key piece to the Rough Riders’ success, recently finished coaching the girls team at the Hempstead, N.Y. school. The team recorded a 3-4-2 mark and a 2-4-1 in the New York Catholic High School Athletic Association, according to Newsday.com.

In an interview with LIHerald.com, Williston Park, N.Y. native talked about her experience at Sacred Heart.

“My experience was, again, incredible, everything I could have asked for,” she said. “My dad was a part of the original Rough Rider team, so it was pretty cool to be able to play for the same organization, because it represents so much being on the island playing semi-pro. It’s not something everyone can do. And I feel so grateful to be part of that experience. I was again, surrounded by amazing females, who just genuinely challenge you to be your best every day, and that’s something that I’ve really tried to carry over to Sacred Heart.”

Nuttall’s father, Hofstra University men’s head soccer coach Richard Nuttall, performed for the Rough Riders for two seasons, including for the 1995 U.S. Interregional Soccer League champions.

Salma Simonin, Fordham University

Salma Simonin finished her junior season and fall campaign with three goals and three assists for the Rams.

Her most memorable match came when he scored twice and assisted on a third goal in a 4-0 victory over George Washington University on Oct. 26.

The Manchester, England resident joined Fordham after spending two years at Baylor University.

Olivia Pearse, Hofstra University

Olivia Pearse, a Seaford, N.Y. native was a CAA second-team selection in 2025.

She started all 18 games for the Pride, while recording a career-high four goals for points. Pearse was ranked second on team in goals and third in points.

Two of the graduate student’s goals were game-winners, including at Stony Brook on Oct. 26, which clinched a CAA tournament berth. She also scored a goal in season-opener against Saint Joseph’s, a 2-1 win on Aug. 14).

Pearse completed her Hofstra career with 11 goals and two assists.

Isabella Calabro, Seton Hall University

Isabella Calabro, a midfielder, played in seven matches for the Pirates as a freshman. A Wantagh, N.Y. resident, Calabro attended MacArthur High school.

The Rough Riders won the Metropolitan Division title with a 7-3-0 record and qualified for the W League playoffs.

The team will return to W League action in May 2026.