Women's Soccer | 11/5/2025 11:06:00 AM

PITMAN, NJ – Five Scarlet Raiders earned spots on the 2025 New Jersey Athletic Conference Women's Soccer All-Conference Team, highlighting a strong season for Rutgers University–Newark.

Sophomore forward Emily Karlicki led the way with a Second Team All-NJAC selection. Karlicki was the Scarlet Raiders' top scorer, finishing the season with seven goals and one assist. She ranked third in the NJAC in shots on goal and fifth in total shots, cementing herself as one of the league's most dangerous attacking threats.

Rutgers–Newark's depth was further showcased as Vielka Fernandez, Mariana Valencia, Maria Castillo, and J'nyyah Young each earned Honorable Mention honors for their impact across all areas of the field.

Junior forward Vielka Fernandez and senior midfielder Mariana Valencia were key pieces of the Scarlet Raiders' offense, each finishing the season with six goals. Fernandez also tallied three assists, while Valencia led the team with four assists and a team-high 16 total points. Valencia ranked sixth in the NJAC in total shots and fourth in shots on goal, while both players were pivitol in the pace that Rutgers-Newark played with all season. 

Senior midfielder Maria Castillo was vital to the Scarlet Raiders' success on both sides of the ball. She provided leadership and defensive grit while helping control possession for the Scarlet Raiders throughout the season. 

Sophomore defender J'nyyah Young rounded out the honorees, earning Honorable Mention for her work anchoring the Rutgers–Newark defense. Young's aggressive and intelligent play consistently disrupted opponents and made it difficult for them to create quality scoring chances.

These five standouts were at the heart of Rutgers–Newark's progression throughout the 2025 season, a campaign that represents the best in the program's history under Coach Nate Guagliardi and a sign of the continued rise of Scarlet Raider women's soccer.