Ivy League pipeline: Massachusetts prep powers have 20 Division I commits, five of them to the Ivies

The Pingree School has four committed players, and Worcester Academy, Lawrence Academy and Northfield Mount Hermon have three each. Eight of the state's top NEPSAC programs have 20 committed juniors and seniors, all headed to Division I and five to the Ivy League.

Mass Pitch Staff · 2026-10-16

Massachusetts prep soccer has a short list of destinations: the Ivy League, Boston University and Holy Cross. Of the 20 current players committed at eight of the state's top NEPSAC programs, all 20 are headed to Division I. Five are going to the Ivy League: two to Princeton and one each to Yale, Columbia and Dartmouth.

Lawrence Academy: three for Division I, two for the Ivies

Lawrence Academy leads the ISL at 8-1-0, and its attack is college-bound. Tyler Martens (Class of 2027), who plays for FC Stars, is committed to Princeton. Jade Jones (Class of 2028), also with FC Stars, is committed to Yale. Both scored in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Tabor. Yasmine Diaz (Class of 2027), another FC Stars player, is headed to Binghamton.

Worcester Academy: the champions' core

Worcester Academy also has three. Lily Bierfeldt (Class of 2027) of FC Stars headed in the winner in the 2024 Class A final and is committed to Providence. Aide Pokou (Class of 2027), who set up that goal, is headed to Bowling Green. Addison Cheney (Class of 2028), also with FC Stars, is committed to Boston University.

Northfield Mount Hermon: a family affair

Northfield Mount Hermon has three as well. Amanda Minatel and Daniella Minatel, both Class of 2027 and both with Vaughan Soccer Club, are committed to Florida International. Brielle Evensen (Class of 2027) of FC Stars is headed to Louisville.

The Pingree School: four for Division I

The Pingree School, the EIL leader, has four committed seniors, the most of any program on this list. Shauna O'Brien of FC Stars is going to Bucknell, and Sydney Rech of NEFC to Holy Cross. Andi Ferry is committed to the University of the Pacific, and Emma Gilpin to Stonehill. Coach Jackie Hughes confirmed the list.

Two apiece: Andover, Milton and Austin Prep

• Phillips Academy Andover has two Ivy Leaguers, both from FC Stars. Keaghan Murphy (Class of 2027) is committed to Dartmouth, and Ashley Dimnaku (Class of 2028) committed to Princeton on Oct. 1.
• Milton Academy (7-2-1, second in the ISL) has two seniors committed. Ilona Chisholm of Select is headed to Columbia, and Siun Salmon of NEFC to Boston University.
• Austin Preparatory School (4-0-3) has two players committed. Ellie Poulos, who plays for FC Stars, is going to Holy Cross, and Sofia Sibella to Manhattan.

Austin Prep's opponent in Wednesday's scoreless draw between unbeatens, Dexter Southfield (5-0-1), has the biggest name of all. Celia Frisoli, who plays for Select, is committed to Vanderbilt.

The patterns

• Ivy League pull. Five of the 20 are headed to the Ivy League, and Lawrence and Andover account for four of them.
• FC Stars again. Ten of the 20 play for FC Stars.
• Staying close. Boston University (Cheney, Salmon), Holy Cross (Poulos, Rech), Providence (Bierfeldt) and Stonehill (Gilpin) keep six of them close to home.

Know of a commitment we're missing? Email editorial@themasspitch.com.

Commitments: Mass Pitch player database, current players only (classes of 2027 and later). Records: Mass Pitch results as of Oct. 15 (all games).

The Mass Pitch is AI-assisted editorial with humans in the loop. Corrections: editorial@themasspitch.com.

Title card photo: Phillips Academy Andover campus, Daderot / Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74154674).