The Valpo soccer program will welcome six incoming freshmen for the 2025 season, head coach John Marovich announced Thursday.
 
Kiara Desiderio – F/M – St. John, Ind. – Hanover Central H.S. – Indiana Elite
 
A goal-scoring machine for the Wildcats, Desiderio tied an Indiana state record for goals as a season with 83 this year as a senior, leading Hanover Central to its first semistate appearance in program history. Recently named the NWI Times Player of the Year this season, she has earned Third Team All-State accolades, has been a First Team All-District selection each of the last three years and a First Team All-Conference choice all four years of high school. Desiderio closed her prep career with a school-record 241 goals.
 
Why she chose Valpo: "I chose Valpo because it has a strong sense of community and academic excellence. Valparaiso University offers programs which can help my professional growth. I'm having the opportunity to play in a competitive level of soccer and am very excited for that opportunity. The campus is beautiful and a welcoming environment."
 
Marovich on Desiderio: "Kiara is a crafty, creative and dynamic attacking player who can score goals. Her vision on the field is unique in the sense that she tries things that most attacking players don't. She is a fun player to watch and brings her teammates into the game with her vision and tactical understanding to break lines. Kiara does a great job in the attack, but finds ways to track back to win a ball or be an option for her teammates."
 
Ashley Harvatin – M – Lake St. Louis, Mo. – Timberland H.S. – Saint Louis DA
 
Harvatin has earned Honorable Mention All-State, All-Region and All-Conference accolades at Timberland H.S. She led the conference in assists in 2024 and helped the Wolves win a conference championship. At the club level, Harvatin helped her team win multiple state championships and advance to the Girls Academy national playoffs. A two-time Girls Academy Frontier Conference Talent ID selection, she has been a Club Representative and a Team Representative for STLDA.
 
Why she chose Valpo: "I saw Valpo as not only an opportunity to play soccer at a high level, but also a place to get a great education. I felt an instant connection to Coach Marovich, Coach Barnes and to the team. The players were welcoming, fun to be around and passionate on the field. I can't wait to be a Beacon for the next four years!"
 
Marovich on Harvatin: "Ashley is a fierce competitor who plays in the central midfield. She can play in all three midfield roles, but has an ability to create and control tempo from a 6 position. Her ability to cover ground defensively, while being a strong ball winner, fits with what we value in our midfielders here at Valpo. Ashley's mentality to compete every minute and her instinct to play forward passes while getting involved in the attack creates stress to the opposition defensive structure."
 
Lauren Hill – D/F – Austin, Texas – St. Michael's Catholic Prep – Sting Austin ECNL
 
Hill, the sister of current Beacon Kennedy Hill, was a First Team All-State and First Team All-District selection at St. Michael's and holds the school's career goals record at 80 goals and counting. She currently plays her club soccer for Sting Austin ECNL after previously playing for the Lonestar Soccer Club DA team.
 
Why she chose Valpo: "I chose to commit to Valparaiso University because I wanted to continue my athletic and academic career at a prestigious university where I would get an outstanding education while playing on a highly competitive winning team. The second I stepped on campus at Valpo, I immediately fell in love and felt like this was my home for the next four years!"
 
Marovich on Hill: "Lauren is a fast and athletic player who can play in multiple positions, including in the back line or in an attacking role. Her technical ability to connect passes out of the back and individual defending really stood out in the process. She has the ability to run at players and create goal-scoring chances. Lauren's composure on the ball contributes to her ability to connect passes and enhances her team's progression in possession, which fits in our game model perfectly."
 
Maddy Petruzzi – M – Pittsburgh, Pa. – Greater Latrobe Senior H.S. – Beadling SC
 
Petruzzi has been a four-time All-Section and two-time All-WPIAL honoree at Greater Latrobe Senior H.S., helping her side to qualify for the PIAA state playoffs in 2022. A 2022 Girls Academy Mid-America Talent ID selection, Petruzzi helped Beadling SC qualify for the Girl's Academy Champions Cup in 2024-25.
 
Why she chose Valpo: "I chose Valpo because it was the right fit for me in all aspects. In addition to the amazing coaching staff, players and positive playing environment, I loved the campus and the small-town feel of Valpo. The engineering program at Valpo is also top-tier, which is very important to me."
 
Marovich on Petruzzi: "Maddy is a ball-winning midfielder with the ability to also play in the back line if needed. Her passing and ability to play in combinations in tight spaces helps break lines in the midfield. She has the understanding of being in good covering positions to her teammates, which allows her teammates to be aggressive in their 1v1 battles. Maddy's calm and strong presence in the midfield or back line has led to defensive units which are hard to break down."
 
Hannah Seiler – CB – Orlando, Fla. – East River H.S. – Orlando City Youth Soccer Seminole (2007 ECNL)
 
Seiler has been named varsity Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for East River H.S. Playing for Orlando City on the club side, Seiler helped her team's run to finalists at the 2023-24 North American Cup.
 
Why she chose Valpo: "Valpo presents amazing opportunities for me, both through academics and athletics. They have a very strong mechanical engineering program, which can help me reach my goals. I also chose Valpo for the women's soccer team staff and players. I know I will be able to improve my skills here, both on and off the pitch. I am very excited for this part of my career and can't wait to see what my future holds! Roll Beacs!"
 
Marovich oh Seiler: "Hannah is a tall and athletic center back. She has good awareness of her back line and keeps the group organized. Her ability to defend is strong in 1 v 1 situations, and she also has a presence in aerial battles. She is a simple and composed defensive player that helps in her team's ability to build out of the back. Hannah brings another strong mentality to our defensive unit which competes to live up to the standards set in our game model."
 
Brylie Walos – WB – Hartland, Wis. – Arrowhead H.S. – SC Wave
 
Walos has been a two-time All-State, All-Region and First Team All-Conference selection for Arrowhead H.S. Playing club for SC Wave, she has been a part of teams which won WYSA state championships at the U15 level in 2021 and U14 in 2020. She helped her side to a GA fourth-place finish in 2023, as well as Finals qualification each of the last two years and Playoffs and Champions Cup qualification each of the last three years.
 
Why she chose Valpo: "I chose Valpo because the second I stepped on the campus with the team, it felt like home. It feels like a place I could grow not only as an athlete, but as a person too."
 
Marovich on Walos: "Brylie is a fast and athletic player who is effective in the wide channels and in central roles. She gets involved in the attack by getting forward out of the back at great moments. Her ability to take players on in 1v1 situations, play in combination with teammates and serve quality balls into the box makes her a dangerous attacking player. Brylie brings an ability to play under pressure in central spaces, which gives versatility in her positioning as a wide player."