The Mohawk Mountaineers and its women's soccer program is thrilled to announce the 2022 recruiting class, featuring five athletes who will make an immediate impact.  

Joining the Mountaineers are Paige Epp (Grimsby, ON), Aliya Cardona (Stoney Creek, ON), Alyssa Glasbergen (Burlington, ON), Natasha Stobermann (Milton, ON) and Erica Cupiraggi (Niagara Falls, ON).

Head coach Paul Giannini called the recruiting class a huge step in the right direction for the program.

"We addressed everything we needed, specifically the front half of the field," said Giannini. "It's going to be good for us.

Epp, a 5'4 attacking mid, joins the Mountaineers after having played with the Holy Cross Crusaders (NCAA Division I) women's soccer program from 2018-22.

Appearing in 33 games with the Crusaders, Epp made the Patriot League Academic Honour Roll every year while with Holy Cross.

"I was looking to continue my education somewhere and I was looking at the programs at Mohawk, and I found something that was a good fit," said Epp, who will enroll in the Urban and Regional Planning program.

Epp is no stranger to being coached by Giannini. The two, along with Mountaineers assistant coach Francisco Font, won the Canadian National Championship and Ontario Cup Championship in 2014 with the Saltfleet-Stoney Creek Soccer Club of the Ontario Youth League.

During high school, Epp was team co-captain as a junior and senior at Grimsby Secondary, where the team won the District School Board of Niagara Conference Championship in 2016-17 and made the finals in 2014-15 and 2015-16.

"Her qualities are going to make everybody around her better," said Giannini.

Cardona, a 5'3 centre attacking mid, is someone Giannini said will be a good fit in the middle of the field alongside Epp.

The St. John Henry Newman Catholic Secondary School graduate joins the Mountaineers with the goal of providing leadership and a winning mindset.

"I chose Mohawk for its great academic programs, and also I wanted to push myself to the next level in soccer and I knew Paul could do that for me," said Cardona, who will be studying Health, Wellness and Fitness at Mohawk.

Giannini sees Cardona as a technical centre mid that will be able to distribute the ball and shoot from a distance.

Cardona played club soccer with the Hamilton United Elite, where she had the opportunity to travel and compete in Barcelona, Spain.  

Glasbergen comes to the Mountaineers after being a three-sport athlete at Hamilton District Christian High (HDCH) - playing soccer, basketball and volleyball. She was named the 2022 Female Athlete of the Year at HDCH.

"I chose Mohawk because of the nursing program," said Glasbergen. "Then the coach reached out to me to play soccer and I thought it would be a good opportunity."

Giannini said Glasbergen has the ability to take opponents one on one and score.

At the club level, Glasbergen most recently suited up for the Burlington Bayhawks. Prior to that she played with the Dixie Soccer Club, winning a Peel-Halton League Championship in 2019 alongside Stobermann.

A 5'7 centre back, Stobermann is a co-captain for Dixie and won Most Valuable Player twice at the Ancaster Heritage Tournament.

"She adds grit, athleticism and hard work," said Giannini. "She's going to be a shutdown player every team wishes they had."

Stobermann ultimately chose Mohawk after having met the coaches and athletes.

"I really enjoyed the dynamics of the team," Stobermann said.

The Bishop Reding Catholic Secondary School graduate will attend Mohawk while studying Police Foundations.

Cupiraggi is a 5'8 striker who played club with Empire United Soccer Academy in Niagara. She is also a dual-sport athlete having also played hockey at Saint Michael Catholic High School.

"She's a strong, powerful striker that's your typical number nine that's going to score goals," said Giannini.

Cupiraggi will enroll in the Early Childhood Education program at Mohawk.

"I chose Mohawk because the people here are very inviting, the environment makes me feel like I am at home and the option for my program was available to me," said Cupiraggi, who also credited the support she has received from Giannini.

The Mountaineers women's soccer team will kick-off their 2022 season on September 9 at St. Clair. To view the full schedule, click here.