PITTSBURGH (February 7, 2018) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds Development Academy (RDA) celebrated Signing Day for its 2018 class earlier today at Highmark Stadium.

Capping off a successful first year in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), 24 total RDA players have declared commitments to continue their soccer careers in the college ranks. Several more athletes are expected to join this group and announce their intentions in the coming weeks.

"This time of the year is always a special moment in the RDA calendar,” Academy Director Scott Gibson said. “While bittersweet, it's amazing to see our third wave of players graduate from the program and move on to the next chapters in their careers. There are a lot of people that have worked tremendously hard to contribute to the success of the players and today is a day we can all celebrate. The RDA continues to grow each year, and we look forward to many more RDA graduating classes to come."

Notably on the boy’s side, Dane Jacomen (University of Pennsylvania) joined D.C. United Academy this past fall and most recently began preseason camp with the club’s first-team.

The girl’s side is highlighted by two All-American standouts, Emily Harrigan (Rutgers University) and Delaney Snyder (University of Louisville). This is the second straight year the RDA had two LadyHounds earn All-America status (Bailey Cartwright and Aideen O’Donoghue earned such honors in 2016).

The remaining group of RDA players is also highly decorated, featuring athletes who have helped their respective high schools win Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) state titles, as well as ones who have earned Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) All-Section honors.

In total, 19 of 21 girl’s side and five of 13 boy’s side RDA graduates have announced commitments. Both girl’s and boy’s side commitments will continue their playing careers at colleges and universities ranging from NCAA Division I to Division III. Some also will stay in the Pittsburgh area, attending schools such as Duquesne University and Robert Morris University.

This year’s list of 24 players follows an impressive 2017 RDA class, which featured 20 players who signed letters of intent on Signing Day. This year’s celebration saw players and their families enjoy pictures on the field of Highmark Stadium, as well as photos during individual moments of recognition.

Below is a list of the 19 LadyHounds and five boy’s side players who have declared their intentions to play collegiately.

Girls

Emily Arnold (Norwin) – Slippery Rock University

Emily Burke (Southeast) – Georgia State University

Katy Ericson (Norwin) – Slippery Rock University

Bailey Farabaugh (Bethel Park) – Robert Morris University

Marissa Fiala (Laurel Highlands) – Clarion University

Emily Harrigan (Norwin) – Rutgers University

Courtney Hurey (West Allegheny) – Robert Morris University

Kristi Kania (Moon Area) – Miami (Ohio) University

Alexis Kendro (Norwin) – Duquesne University

Jordyn Minda (South Park) – Slippery Rock University

Lyndsee Monac (New Brighton) – University of Southern Indiana

Hannah Nguyen (Penn-Trafford) – Duquesne University

Carly Pcholinsky (South Park) – University of Akron

Lauren Schultz (Wheeling Park) – University of Memphis

Delaney Snyder (Moon Area) – University of Louisville

Alyssa Victor (Norwin) – Duquesne University

Sydney Ward (Greensburg Central Catholic) – University of Akron

Samantha Wexell (Norwin) – Ohio University

Maggie Williams (Mars Area) – Grove City College

Boys

Jakob Dunn (Fox Chapel) – Case Western Reserve

David Eitner (Uniontown) – Gannon University

Anthony Harding (Norwin) – Penn State University

Dane Jacomen (Taylor Allderdice) – University of Pennsylvania

Conner Rapp (Laurel Highlands) – York College of Pennsylvania