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5 Reasons Seton Hall Women's Soccer Is Poised For A BIG EAST Breakthrough: The Class Of 2029 Effect

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The Seton Hall Women's Soccer program is currently navigating a pivotal phase of rebuilding under Head Coach Josh Osit, with the team's trajectory now firmly pointed toward a future defined by a nationally-ranked influx of talent. As of December 23, 2025, the Pirates are capitalizing on Osit's strength as a recruiter, laying a foundation that promises a significant shift in the competitive landscape of the Big East Conference in the coming seasons. This deep dive explores the current roster, the challenges of the 2025 season, and the highly anticipated "Class of 2029" that is driving optimism in South Orange, New Jersey.

The 2025 season served as a crucial stepping stone, showcasing moments of brilliance against a challenging schedule while integrating new systems and preparing the existing squad for the arrival of one of the program's most decorated recruiting classes. The focus remains on leveraging the team’s home-field advantage at Owen T. Carroll Field and translating their non-conference success into consistent Big East results.

The Seton Hall Women's Soccer Leadership and Core Roster

The team is led by a dedicated coaching staff and anchored by a core group of returning players who define the 'Pirate' mentality. Head Coach Josh Osit, a New Jersey native, continues to build the program on a foundation of local talent and national recruiting prowess, having been named the head coach in July 2022. [cite: 3 in step 3]

Coaching Staff Profile

  • Head Coach: Josh Osit (Hired July 2022) [cite: 3 in step 3]
  • Associate Head Coach: Nick Heinemann [cite: 6 in step 3]
  • Assistant Coach: Noelle Hilliker [cite: 6 in step 3]

Key Roster Entities (2025 Season)

The 2025 roster featured a mix of experienced veterans and promising young talent. The performance of the defensive unit and goalkeeper was particularly vital throughout the demanding Big East schedule.

  • Kate Kleinsmith (Goalkeeper): A critical presence in goal, Kleinsmith was noted for her strong play, having previously earned All-State honorable mention. [cite: 7 in step 2, 11 in step 2]
  • Adria Kitzinger (Forward/Midfielder): A key offensive threat, Kitzinger was responsible for clutch goals during the season, including one against Lehigh, assisted by Nina Davis. [cite: 9 in step 2]
  • Nina Davis (Midfielder): Provided vital playmaking and assists, demonstrating her role as a creative force in the midfield. [cite: 9 in step 2]
  • Other Notables: Grace Dalessandro, Paige Shaughnessy, Skyler Thompson, Gabriela Berrios, Danni Hennessy, Brianna Azevedo, and Leyla were all integral parts of the 2025 squad. [cite: 14 in step 2]

The Nationally Ranked Future: Meet the Class of 2029

The biggest reason for the renewed optimism surrounding Seton Hall Women's Soccer is the arrival of the "Class of 2029." Head Coach Josh Osit officially announced the addition of 13 student-athletes, a group that has earned a national ranking and is expected to be immediately impactful. [cite: 6 in step 2]

This highly-rated recruiting class signals a major shift in the program's ability to attract elite talent, challenging the traditional hierarchy within the Big East. The infusion of skill and depth is designed to elevate the Pirates' performance from the non-conference slate right through the grueling Big East schedule.

Top Recruits Poised for Impact

The incoming class features several players ranked among the nation's best, showcasing the coaching staff's success in identifying and securing high-level prospects:

  • Jordana Bello (Forward/Midfielder): Hailing from Merrick, N.Y., Bello is a standout recruit, ranked 153rd nationally in her class by TopDrawerSoccer.com. Her versatility and offensive skill set are expected to provide an immediate boost to the Pirates' attack. [cite: 3 in step 2]
  • Tatiana Banihashemi (West Coast Standout): A highly-touted recruit from the West Coast, Banihashemi was an IMG Academy Top 150 player. Her experience playing for the LA Breakers and her high school success suggest she will be a foundational piece for the program. [cite: 12 in step 2]
  • Depth and Quality: The full class of 13 players provides unprecedented depth across all positions, ensuring competitive training sessions and multiple options for the starting XI. [cite: 6 in step 2]

2025 Season Review and The Path to Big East Success

The 2025 season was characterized by strong non-conference results juxtaposed with the intense competitive pressure of the Big East schedule. The team finished with an overall record of 3-10-5 and a Big East record of 0-9-1, placing them 11th in the conference standings. [cite: 13 in step 3]

Despite the challenging conference record, the Pirates demonstrated their potential with several decisive victories. Early in the season, they secured a dominant 3-0 victory over Iona and a 2-0 win against Drexel. [cite: 5 in step 2, 16 in step 1]

Key Match Highlights and Statistical Context

The Pirates continued to show fight against tough regional opponents and in-state rivals. They hosted Rider University, an in-state rival, in an early-season match at Owen T. Carroll Field, reinforcing their presence in the New Jersey soccer scene. [cite: 15 in step 3]

  • Non-Conference Strength: The team’s ability to secure wins against regional opponents like Iona and Drexel demonstrated their potential to execute Coach Osit's game plan effectively. [cite: 5 in step 2, 16 in step 1]
  • Big East Gauntlet: The Big East Conference remains one of the toughest in NCAA Division I women's soccer. Matches against perennial powerhouses like Georgetown, Villanova, and Creighton provided valuable experience for the young squad. [cite: 10 in step 3, 2 in step 2]
  • The Goal Differential: The previous season (2024) saw the Pirates finish with a 4-12-3 record and a 1-7-2 Big East mark, with a 18/30 Goals For/Goals Against differential. [cite: 16 in step 2] The 2025 season aimed to close this gap, and the new recruiting class is explicitly designed to inject high-caliber scoring ability to improve these metrics.

5 Reasons Seton Hall Women's Soccer is Poised for a BIG EAST Breakthrough

The foundation is now laid for Seton Hall to make a significant jump in the Big East standings, moving away from the lower half of the table where they finished the 2025 campaign. The future success hinges on several key factors:

  1. The Nationally Ranked Recruiting Class: The addition of 13 high-caliber players, including IMG Academy and TopDrawerSoccer.com-ranked athletes like Tatiana Banihashemi and Jordana Bello, instantly raises the talent ceiling and competitive depth of the entire program (Class of 2029). [cite: 6 in step 2, 3 in step 2, 12 in step 2]
  2. Recruiting Prowess of Josh Osit: Head Coach Osit has proven his ability to recruit at a national level, successfully attracting top New Jersey and West Coast talent to South Orange. This sustained recruiting momentum is crucial for long-term success in the Big East. [cite: 3 in step 3]
  3. Goalkeeper Stability with Kleinsmith: Having a strong, experienced goalkeeper like Kate Kleinsmith provides a vital defensive anchor while the new players adjust to the pace of Division I soccer. [cite: 7 in step 2, 11 in step 2]
  4. Home Field Advantage at Owen T. Carroll Field: The team benefits from playing their home matches on campus at Owen T. Carroll Field, a facility that has seen recent renovations and provides an intimate, energetic environment for the Pirates. [cite: 2 in step 3, 11 in step 3]
  5. The Big East Experience: The tough 2025 season, marked by close battles against teams like DePaul and Villanova, provided invaluable experience for the returning core. This experience, combined with the new talent, will be the catalyst for turning close losses into critical Big East wins in the upcoming seasons. [cite: 2 in step 2]

The Seton Hall Pirates are no longer just building; they are executing a strategic plan to become a consistent contender in the Big East Conference. The arrival of the Class of 2029 marks the beginning of a new, highly anticipated era for Seton Hall Women's Soccer.

5 Reasons Seton Hall Women's Soccer is Poised for a BIG EAST Breakthrough: The Class of 2029 Effect
seton hall womens soccer
seton hall womens soccer

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