Hempstead, N.Y. – Hofstra Women's Soccer Head Coach Simon Riddiough has added seven newcomers to the roster for the 2017 season, he announced this week.
 
The incoming class features a sophomore, a transfer and four true freshmen, representing three countries and three states.
 
"Our incoming class is an incredibly impressive and talented group that I expect will make an impact right away," said Riddiough. "They're a very diverse group that will help us add depth at every position."
 
Sophomore midfielder Bella Richards comes to Hofstra from Auckland, New Zealand, with a long list of achievements. Richards was a member of the New Zealand U20 national team that qualified for the U20 World Cup in 2016. At her high school, Saint Kentigern College, she was named the winner of the 2015 Dux Ludorom for all-around sporting achievement after serving as a team captain and helping the team to second place among Auckland Secondary Schools and in the Auckland Knockout Cup. With her club team, Three Kings United, she was named National League Player of the Year in 2015, helping the squad to a U17 national championship that year before winning a Premier National League title with Three Kings United in 2016. Richards also ran cross country and track in high school.
 
Transfer Sabrina Painter will add depth at the goalkeeper position for the Pride, coming to Hofstra from Coastal Carolina. A native of Huntingtown, Maryland, Painter won the Golden Glove award as a freshman at Huntingtown High School, helping the team to a Maryland 3A State Championship that season. With Painter in goal, Huntingtown won three SMAC Conference and Regional 3A championships. She posted seven shutouts as a sophomore.
 
One of three natives of England in Hofstra's incoming class, midfielder Jordan Littleboy hails from Watford and played soccer at Queens' School, helping her team to a pair of national championships and five county titles. Her achievements on the field earned her Queens' School Sportswoman of the Year honors in 2013-14.
 
Lucy Shepherd joins the Pride from Worcester, England. Shepherd is one of two members of the incoming class to play for Aston Villa Ladies, spending eight years with the club, including playing two years on the First Team. Playing primarily on the wing, she made her first Frist-Team start in a match against Brescia, a team that feature seven players from the Italian National Team. With Aston Villa U17 in 2013-14, Shepherd became the first Aston Villa player to score in an FA Youth Cup Final. She also has international experience, playing for the English School Girls and helping the England U19 team to a UEFA Coefficient Tournament title, scoring her first international goal against Northern Ireland.
 
Former Aston Villa Ladies member, Lucy Porter, from Birmingham, England, joins Shepherd on the Pride. Porter earned her first international call-up at age 13, playing for England U15. Able to play midfield or defense, she was England's leading scorer in the 2013 Euros, including scoring the game-winner to advance to the semifinals. She also captained the England U17 team to a third-place finish in an international tournament in Sweden in 2014. She began her career with Aston Villa Ladies at age 16. She also played tennis competitively, ranking as high as 15th nationally.  
 
A native of Cecil, Pennsylvania, Sabrina Bryan played four years of varsity soccer at Canon McMillan, leading the team in scoring for three seasons. Able to slot in at forward or midfield, she finished her career as the school's all-time leading scorer in playoffs and second all-time in goals and assists. With 31 goals and 28 assists in her senior season, she helped the Big Macs to the PA Quad "A" State Championship in 2016, earning All-State recognition. She was also named to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette All-Area team as a senior, and added her third All-WPIAL and WPIAL All-Star awards. Bryan also played club soccer for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, recording 17 goals and eight assists in the 2015-16 season after helping the team to a U16 Southeast Regional championship in 2015.
 
The Northport High School valedictorian, Cybele Laisney was also successful on the soccer field for the Tigers. The midfielder, a native of Northport, New York, was named to Newsday's Long Island's Top 50 Players in 2015 and 2016. She posted 12 goals and six assists as a senior, earning All-County recognition and helping the team to a county championship. Laisney finished her career at Northport with 31 goals and 20 assists.  
 
In addition to the group of newcomers, Jenn Buoncore will return for the Pride. Buoncore had a strong freshman season in 2015, posting two goals and five assists and earning Colonial Athletic Association All-Rookie Team honors, before taking a season off to focus on academics.
 
Hofstra opens the 2017 season on Aug. 18 at Pittsburgh.