NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Seven newcomers will join the Yale women's soccer program come August when the Bulldogs take the pitch for the 2025 season. All seven hail from the United States, with three of them being midfielders, two forwards, and two defenders.
 
"My staff and I are so excited to welcome this group to our program, said Sarah Martinez, Loring Family Head Coach of Women's Soccer. "They provide us the talent and depth at each position to help us continue to elevate our program. Each one of these incoming student-athletes brings a unique skillset but what excites us most about the class is who they are as people. They will transition seamlessly into a culture that we've worked hard to cultivate."
 
Get to know the incoming class:
 
JoJo DeNegri
Forward | Players Development Academy (PDA)
Randolph High School | Randolph, N.J.
 
High School

• Four-year letterwinner and two-year captain at Randolph High School (N.J.).
• NJAC Player of the Year (2024)
• Led the conference in goals and points
• Set the modern-day record for most career goals and points for Randolph High School
• High School All-American
• Helped her team to a conference championship in 2023 and 2024.
• First Team All-Country and First Team All-Conference in her sophomore, junior and senior years after missing her freshman year due to injury.
• Earned Principal's Honor Roll throughout high school for straight A's.

Club

• Competed for Players Development Academy (PDA).
• Five-time U.S. Soccer Youth National Team Invitee.
• U.S. Soccer Girls' National Team Regional Camp Invite.
• Ranked TopDrawer #3 Player in Region, #22 Forward in the Country, PrepSoccer #54 Player in the Country, and a four-star recruit entering Yale.
• Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) National Training Camp.
• Won an ECNL National Championship.
• ECNL New England Conference Champs (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023).
• ECNL First Team All-Conference.
• ECNL National Training Camp.
• ID2 Selection (U.S. Club Soccer).
• ECNL Players to Watch List.
• ECNL Event Award Recipient.

 
Personal: Daughter of Samantha and Marc DeNegri…has one brother, Jesse…also played lacrosse, basketball, softball, and competed in track and gymnastics.
 
Why Yale? "Yale was the easiest decision I ever made. The opportunity to play Division I soccer while earning a degree from one of the world's top academic institutions is truly a dream come true. I'm eager to join a community of driven, curious individuals who, like me, are passionate about learning and committed to making a difference in the world. From the moment I stepped onto Yale's beautiful campus and met the coaching staff, it felt like home. I was drawn to Coach Martinez's style of possession-based soccer and the strong, supportive culture she has built within the program. The facilities were incredible, but what stood out even more were the people inside those facilities. I can't wait to leave my mark on the Yale soccer pitch."
 
Martinez on DeNegri: "JoJo is an exciting attacking player with a knack for the goal. We tracked her for a long time in her youth career, and she just continues to get better and better. Her work rate and desire to be great are second to none and we can't wait to see what she does in a Yale uniform."
 

Yurika Ishibe
Midfield | Oakwood Soccer Club
Guilford High School | Guilford, Conn.
 
High School

• Attended Guilford High School (Conn.)
• Member of the National Honor Society.
• Member of the Spanish Honor Society.

Club

• Competed for Oakwood Soccer Club.
• Captain of the Girls '07 squad.
• Girls Academy Club Representative
• Girls Academy Northeast Talent ID Clinic (2023, 2024)

 
Personal: Daughter of Keiko and Shuta Ishibe…father Shuta attended Rice University where he ran track and cross country…has one sister Reika, who plays soccer at Wellesley College…Concert master and violin 1 section leader for the Guilford High School Symphony Orchestra…CMEA Regionals from 2018-2023…Lab Research at Yale 150.
 
Why Yale? "Going to Yale is a leap into a world where academic brilliance meets athletic prowess. Yale will challenge me to be exceptional in all aspects of life where every day is an opportunity to grow, learn, compete, and transform into the best version of myself."
 
Martinez on Ishibe: "Yurika is a local player we've known for a long time. She has the ability to play multiple attacking positions with her quality on the ball and her desire to develop. She is a slippery dribbler and a passionate learner."
 
 
Avery Johnson
Midfield | Charlotte Independence Soccer Club
Charlotte Country Day School | Charlotte, N.C.
 
High School

• Four-year letter winner and two-time captain in soccer at Charlotte Country Day School (N.C.)
• Also competed in indoor track.
• Four-time NCISAA All-Region honoree.
• Four-time NCISAA First Team All-Conference.
• Two-time NCISAA First Team All-State.
• Reached the North Carolina State Semifinals in her freshman and sophomore years.
• Led her team in goals her freshman year and assists in her sophomore and junior years.
• ODP National ID Selection
• Member of the National Honor Society.

 
International

• Competes for Jamaica and has 14 international CAPS.
• 2025 CONCACAF U20 Women's World Cup Qualifiers
• 2023 CONCACAF U20 Women's Championship Cup
• 2023 CONCCACAF U17 Women's World Cup Qualifiers
• 2023 CONCACAF U17 Championship Cup

 
Personal: Daughter of Landra and Lance Johnson…has one brother, Davis… volunteers for Youth Futsal Coach and multiple community service projects focused on heatlh, safety, and opportunities for young women and children: Jack & Jill of America, Aquilifers, Teens for Courage, Black Student Union, and 4 the Girlz…enjoys jigsaw puzzles, sudoku, and musicals.
 
Why Yale? Yale University offers everything I hoped for in a college experience but wasn't sure I would ever find: an extraordinary academic environment, the opportunity to participate in a highly competitive college soccer program, and the chance to play for a coaching staff that truly value their players as people. I look forward to my experience at Yale pushing me beyond my comfort zone on and off the field, in pursuit of my best self."
 
Martinez on Johnson: "AJ is fast, strong and loves to go forward in possession. She is someone that we believe will learn a ton from veteran Logan Jacobs and we see her as a player who can be a similar defensive presence for us on the field. Her personality and edge are something we are excited to mix into our group."
 

Selma Larbi
Forward | Chicago Inter Soccer Club
Neuqua Valley High School | Naperville, Ill.
 
High School

• Letter winner at Neuqua Valley High School (Ill.)
• IHSSCA All-Sectional Honorable Mention (2021)
• IHSSCA All Sectional (2022)
• DVC Conference Honorable Mention (2021)
• DVC All Academic (2021, 2022)
• DVC All Conference (2022)
• Helped her team to a Regional Championship in 2021.
• Serves as a senior adviser and PE leader.
• Indian Prairie Scholar
• Member of the National Society of High School Scholars
• AP Scholar and All-Academic Athlete

 
Personal: Daughter of Stella and Michael Larbi…serves as an ambassador for a non-profit called Soccer for Dreamers…Pre-Kindergarten teacher at her local church…coaches soccer for elementary-aged children…has a black belt in tae-kwon-do.
 
Why Yale? "I chose Yale because it has such a wide variety of opportunities for me. The connections and resources at Yale are the best in the country and would help me excel in the career path that I choose."
 
Martinez on Larbi: "Selma has an incredibly high ceiling because of her physical traits and her eagerness to learn and get better. She is a student of the game, and I believe in the right system, can score goals at the next level."
 

Tana Sands
Back | Los Angeles Breakers
Alta Loma High School | Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
 
High School

• Four-time letterwinner at Alta Loma High School (Calif.). Also competed in track and field in her freshman year.
• First Team All-Palomares League in 2023, 2022, 2021
• First Team All-Hacienda League in 2024.
• Palomares Defensive Most Valuable Player in 2023.
• Palomares League All-Academic Team in 2023.
• Hacienda League All-Academic Team in 2024.
• Helped her team finish first in the conference in 2024 and 2022.
• Named to the Superintendent's and Principal's Honor Roll, and was part of the Cum Laude Society.

 
Personal: Daughter of Tisha and Khary Sands…has two sisters, both of which played Division I soccer…enjoys volunteering at her local animal shelter.
 
Why Yale? "I chose Yale because it offers me a unique opportunity to receive a top education while continuing my soccer career in a highly competitive environment. I felt an immediate sense of belonging when on campus with my future teammates and saw Yale becoming my second home."
 
Martinez on Sands: "Tana was a player we were instantly attracted to based on her leadership qualities on the field and her work rate on both sides of the ball. She puts herself in great spots because of her constant scanning and leading. She is someone that we know will thrive in our environment and add to our leadership on and off the field."
 

Aubrey Scoble
Midfield | Players Development Academy (PDA) Heat
Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School | Rumson, N.J.
 
High School

• Four-year letter winner at Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School (N.J.).
• Named First Team All-County, All-Division, and All-Conference.
• Named NJGSCA All-State and to the Top 20 Central players.
• Amassed 52 goals and 21 assists in her high school career.
• Member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society, Math Honor Society, English Honor Society, and the Social Studies Honor Society.
• Member of the American Sign Language (ASL) Club.

 
Personal: Daughter of Curran and Matthew Scoble…advocate for mental health through Morgan's Message…member of a local teen empowerment group called WeForum WiseUp Teen Group that works to spread wellness and mental health awareness within the community…volunteer with the Key Club at her local church…works as a summer camp counselor at her high school...holds her soccer coaching license…coaches U8 boys and girls teams…also coaches at Monmouth University Girls Summer Camp…avid piano player.
 
Why Yale? "I am incredibly honored to be recruited to play soccer at Yale. I was drawn to Yale because of the combination of world-class academics and a highly competitive athletic environment. As the first in my family to attend an Ivy league school, I'm proud to set this milestone and hope to inspire future generations in my family to dream big and work hard. I could not be more excited about the opportunity to grow both on the field and in the classroom while being a part of something so special."
 
Martinez on Scoble: "Aubrey is the definition of a utility player. She is fit, she is hard-working, and she can play any position. While she will unfortunately miss the 2025 season due to injury, we have no doubt she will have a great career for us at Yale and push the standards for our group each day."
 

Eloise Stone
Back | Bay Area Surf
St. Ignatius College Preparatory | San Francisco, Calif.
 
High School

• Letterwinner in soccer, basketball, and track at St. Ignatius College Preparatory (Calif.).
• Named Second Team WCAL in 2025.
• Named to the honor roll all four-years of high school.
   

Personal: Daughter of Heidi and John Stone…sister Quincy is on the rowing team at Stanford…father played soccer at Tufts…mother ran cross country at Colorado College…volunteers at a local food pantry called Richmond Neighborhood Center in San Francisco…enjoys walking with her dog and reading.
 
Why Yale? "When I first met Coach Sarah, she expressed her passion for Manchester City's playing style. No other college coach had ever articulated a vision that perfectly aligns with my own. Visiting the school in September, I witnessed an uplifting team dynamic where players demand individual fervor in the collective pursuit of winning championships. Ultimately, I knew that Yale would help me best achieve my goals."
 
Martinez on Stone: "Eloise is a poised, calm and quality center back. Her traits in possession make her a perfect fit for our system. She approaches in game in a professional way that allows her to develop each time she steps on the field."