Georgia Soccer: Bulldogs Add Seven Elite Recruits as 2026 Class Signals New Era for UGA Women’s Program

Georgia Soccer Lands Seven New Bulldogs in Nationally Ranked Recruiting Class

The Georgia soccer program made a major statement this week. Head coach Keidane McAlpine announced the addition of seven incoming freshmen, a class loaded with national-team experience, ECNL champions, and multiple Top Drawer Soccer top-25 recruits. For a UGA team already trending upward in the SEC, this group could be one of the most important signing classes in years.

Six of the seven players will join the Bulldogs for the spring exhibition season, giving fans an early look at how the next generation fits into McAlpine’s growing system—a system that has brought heightened expectations to Athens since his arrival. For Atlanta, Athens, and Georgia high school soccer fans, this class is a big moment for the state’s soccer pipeline.

Below, we break down each signee, where they come from, and why this UGA recruiting haul is generating buzz across the Southeast.

Leila Avila Brings International Experience and ECNL Pedigree

Leila Avila, a defender from Clovis, California, arrives in Athens as one of the most experienced youth internationals the program has signed in years. Fresh off winning a bronze medal with Mexico’s U17 national team at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup, she also helped San Diego Surf reach the ECNL National Championship Final Four.

Her ability to compete at the highest youth levels makes her an immediate contender for minutes on the Georgia back line. Avila plans to major in Marketing.

Homegrown Talent: London Crawford Becomes Next Gwinnett Star to Join UGA

Georgia fans will recognize this name. London Crawford, a Lawrenceville native and standout midfielder at Mill Creek High School, is one of the top local recruits in the 2026 class. The First Team All-Region selection excelled with Gwinnett Soccer Association (GSA)—one of metro Atlanta’s most successful youth academies.

Crawford has also competed with the Colombian U17 national team, appearing in the 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. Her blend of technical control and international experience makes her a major addition to Georgia’s midfield depth chart. She plans to major in Pre-Law and Criminal Justice.

(Internal link example:) Check out more top Gwinnett standouts in our Atlanta-area ECNL talent spotlight on ASN.

Championship DNA: Mary Hartofilis Arrives With Irish National Team Experience

A forward with elite speed and proven scoring ability, Mary Hartofilis joins Georgia from Boca Raton and already carries an impressive résumé. She won three straight ECNL national championships with Team Boca and earned U17 Player of the Year honors in the ECNL Regional League.

Hartofilis has also represented Ireland in international competition, giving Georgia another attacker with high-level experience. With her mother having played at Duke and professionally in the WUSA, and her father also a Division I athlete, Hartofilis brings a strong competitive pedigree to Athens. She intends to major in Psychology.

Atlanta’s Own: Lola Manuel Continues Tophat-to-Georgia Pipeline

Few club pipelines in the Southeast are as strong as Tophat → UGA, and midfielder Lola Manuel is the newest example. The Atlanta native dominated throughout her career at Woodward Academy, earning All-Region honors all four years and multiple Player of the Year awards.

At Tophat Gold U19, Manuel competed in the Girls Academy National Talent ID camp and the ECNL Southeast Regional camp. Her playmaking ability and versatility could make her an early contributor for Georgia. She plans to major in Sport Management.

Top-25 Recruit Lilly Osifodunrin Boosts Georgia’s Back Line

One of the highest-rated defenders in the nation, Lilly Osifodunrin arrives from Colorado with a rare combination of speed, strength, and technical poise. Ranked No. 23 in the country by Top Drawer Soccer, she played major roles in Real Colorado’s 2025 ECNL U17 national championship and earned spots on both the ECNL All-America Team and ECNL All-Conference teams.

She has also been included in the 2025 USYNT U17 National Team player pool, and trained with NWSL Gotham FC II, giving her a professional-level development background. Osifodunrin plans to major in Political Science.

Kyra Swart Adds Athleticism and Two-Sport Excellence

Midfielder Kyra Swart is another multi-sport standout joining the Bulldogs. At Chiles High School in Florida, she led her team to back-to-back Class 5A regional finals while earning All-State first-team and All-Academic honors.

Swart also excelled on the track, competing in state championship events and earning multiple medals. Her blend of endurance and tactical intelligence gives UGA another strong two-way midfield option. She intends to major in Political Science.

California Speedster Maya Woolforde Joins UGA Attack

Rounding out the class is Maya Woolforde, a dynamic forward from California’s powerhouse club Slammers HB Køge. Woolforde helped her team claim ECNL national titles in 2022 and 2025, plus back-to-back deep runs in 2023. She was ranked No. 25 nationally by Top Drawer Soccer and earned ECNL All-Conference honors in consecutive years.

A standout sprinter, Woolforde qualified for the California state track meet in the 400m and owns eight school records. With her elite top-end speed, she could become one of the most explosive attackers in the SEC. She plans to major in Marketing.

What This Means: Georgia’s Recruiting Momentum Is Real

This class reflects a broader rise for the Georgia soccer program:

1. UGA is landing top-tier national and international talent

Multiple youth internationals, ECNL champions, and top-25 recruits represent a new tier of recruiting success.

2. Atlanta and Georgia clubs continue to fuel the pipeline

Tophat, GSA, and Woodward Academy remain reliable sources of elite prospects—highlighting the strength of local soccer development.
(Internal link example:) Want to see how local clubs are shaping college rosters? Read our Deep Dive on Georgia’s Youth Soccer Powerhouses on ASN.

3. McAlpine’s vision is becoming reality

Georgia’s head coach has emphasized athleticism, technical quality, and competitive mentality. This class checks every box.

4. The Bulldogs are building toward SEC contention

This group, combined with last year’s young core, positions UGA to challenge the SEC’s traditional powers in the coming years.

For a broader look at NCAA recruiting trends, fans can explore the NCAA women’s soccer recruiting calendar on NCAA.org.

Final Whistle: What Do You Think of Georgia’s Incoming Class?

UGA women’s soccer just secured one of its most exciting recruiting classes ever—and Bulldog fans should be paying close attention.

Which new Bulldog are you most excited to see in red and black? Which recruit do you think can make an immediate impact?

Share your thoughts in the comments or tag us on social media to join the conversation.

Author: Quique Lopez

Quique Lopez doesn’t just cover soccer—he deconstructs it with the precision of a veteran and the wit of a storyteller. A former player who sees the pitch as both a tactical chessboard and a cultural stage, Quique balances sharp critiques with a genuine love for the game’s soul. He’s as quick to call out the ego of a superstar as he is to find the hidden beauty in a local derby.