BALTIMORE – UMBC women's soccer head coach Rick Stainton announced today that seven student-athletes will join the Retrievers for the 2026 season. The incoming class includes goalkeeper Maya Harrington (Virginia Beach, Va./Cape Henry Collegiate/Beach FC ECNL), midfielder Emma Schupansky (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny/Pittsburgh Riverhounds ECNL), forward Jorda James (Calgary, Alberta, Canada/North Trail HS/Calgary Blizzard), defender Bryce Sarver (Sykesville, Md./Liberty/Pipeline ECNL), midfielder/defender Lexi Clagett (Frederick, Md./Oakdale/Pipeline ECNL), forward Brooke Clagett (Frederick, Md./Oakdale/Pipeline ECNL), and midfielder Avery Whittle (Yardley, Pa./Notre Dame/ Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals ECNL).

"We are thrilled to welcome this outstanding group of seven student-athletes to our program," said Stainton. "This class strengthens us across every line of the field, adding dynamic playmakers, fearless penetrators, proven goal scorers, and creative distributors. They've competed at the highest levels and earned impressive honors throughout their careers."

Maya Harrington, a three-time team captain at Cape Henry Collegiate, earned First Team All-Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools honors as a sophomore and junior and Second Team recognition as a freshman. She also earned Second Team All-Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association honors and helped Beach FC capture a state championship at the club level.

Emma Schupansky was a four-year captain at North Allegheny and a multiple-time All-Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League selection. She earned First Team All-Big 56 Conference honors in 2024 and 2025 and helped lead the Tigers to WPIAL championships in 2022 and 2025, along with Pennsylvania Interscholastic state semifinal appearances in 2023 and 2025.

Jorda James, a forward from Calgary, helped North Trail High School capture the Kickoff Tournament Championship in 2023. A member of the Saint Kitts and Nevis senior national team, she has also competed with several top Canadian clubs, including Blizzard Soccer Club and Calgary Foothills Soccer Club, and won back-to-back Alberta Provincial Championships in 2022 and 2023.

Bryce Sarver, a versatile player from nearby Sykesville, played a key role in Liberty High School's 2024 Maryland 1A State Championship run. She earned Girls All-State Honorable Mention in 2024 and 2025 and was a three-time First Team All-Carroll County selection. Sarver has competed at the ECNL level with Pipeline Soccer Club, attending national playoffs from 2022 through 2025.

Lexi Clagett, a midfielder/defender from Oakdale High School, developed into one of the top two-way players in the state. She earned All-Central Maryland Conference First Team and All-County First Team honors in both 2024 and 2025, along with All-State Honorable Mention recognition in 2025. She scored a penalty kick in the 2025 state championship match and competed at the ECNL level with Pipeline.

Brooke Clagett, Lexi's twin sister, rewrote the Oakdale record books as the program's all-time leading scorer with 74 goals and 19 assists. A four-time All-Conference First Team selection, she was named Frederick News-Post Offensive Player of the Year three times and earned All-State First Team honors in 2024 and 2025. She also received All-American nomination recognition in 2025.

Avery Whittle, a member of the U-18 Finland National Team, captured the 2025-26 Colonial Valley Conference Player of the Year award after securing First Team All-CVC honors. Additionally, she landed a spot on the Third Team All-State. This past season, Whittle propelled Notre Dame High School to the semifinals of the NJSIAA South Jersey, Non-Public A Tournament. Whittle produced 12 goals and ten assists this past season. Currently, she competes for the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals and has also claimed two state championships with YMS.

"We're especially proud to add three talented players from our home state of Maryland, along with standouts from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Alberta," Stainton added. "This class reflects our commitment to developing local talent while expanding our recruiting footprint. We're excited about the competitiveness, versatility, and impact this group will bring from day one."