.png&width=22&height=22&type=webp)
Women’s Soccer Announces 2026 Signing Class
11/12/2025 2:36:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BUFFALO, NY – University at Buffalo women's soccer head coach Shawn Burke announced his 2026 signing class on Wednesday. Eight student-athletes will join a Bulls' squad that advanced to the Mid-American Conference Tournament for the 10th time in 11 years.
"As we continue to pursue MAC Championships, our 2026 class will continue to raise the bar," said Burke. "One of our most athletic classes, this large incoming class will compete right away all over the field."
Isabella Danise – Nazareth, PA – Nazareth – Match Fit Surf – Defender/Midfielder
Danise comes to Buffalo from Nazareth, PA where she is a standout at Nazareth Area High School, where she has led the Blue Eagles in goals and assists the last two seasons, recording over 40 career goals (a school record) and 50 career assists, and counting, including three hat-trick games. She is a three-time All-Country selection and was named an EPC All-Star honors in three straight seasons while also earning All-State honorable mention honors two years in a row. She plays her club ball for Match Fit Surf where she was an ECNL Second Team All-Conference selection. Off the pitch, she is a member of the National Honor Society and a four-year member of the high honor roll.
Burke on Danise: "Bella comes to UB after captaining her Match Fit club to ECNL success. A leader in every sense of the word, Bella will be a fantastic addition to our midfield."
Lily Iozzia – Elma, NY – St. Mary's – WNY Flash – Defender
Iozzia comes to UB from nearby Elma, NY where she currently plays for St. Mary's High School. She is coming off a stellar junior season in which she was named the MMHSAA Division A Player of the Year in addition to earning First-Team All-State and All-Western New York honors for the second straight year. She plays club ball for the Western New York Flash and also participated in the U.S. Soccer Talent ID Center.
Burke on Iozzia: "Lily is a local defender we've targeted from day one. She's athletic, physical and has a great instinct for ending opponents' attacks. Her success with the WNY Flash and St. Mary's will help make the transition to college soccer seamless."
Alexis Kochan – Clifton, NJ – DePaul Catholic – Match Fit Academy – Forward
Kochan comes to Buffalo from Clifton, NJ where she has starred at DePaul Catholic High School, helping to lead the Spartans to three straight county and sectional championships, including an undefeated season in 2024 where she was named Second Team All-State. The three-time All-Conference and All-County selection has tied the school record with 61 career goals while adding 30+ assists and counting. Kochan plays her club ball for Match Fit Academy ECNL 08. Off the pitch, she is a member of the National Honor Society, president of the Alexander Hamilton Historical Society and was an Academic All-American as a freshman.
Burke on Kochan: "Alexis is an explosive attacking player from Match Fit who will pose problems for defenses. Her work rate and athleticism should transition quite well to play in the MAC."
Madison Lahullier – Hasbrouck Heights, NJ – Hasbrouck – World Class Football Club 08 ECNL – Midfielder
Lahullier comes to Buffalo from Hasbrouck Heights, NJ where she is a four-year letterwinner at Hasbrouck High School where she has helped lead the Aviators to three straight league championships. She is a four-time First Team All-League selection and was the top ranked player in the state as a sophomore. She plays club ball for World Class Football Club ECNL where she and her squad have advanced to the ECNL national playoffs four times, including a Round of 16 league championship in 2025. Off the pitch she is an honors student in multiple subjects.
Burke on Lahullier: "Madison came from a very talented World Class team where she was instrumental in the central midfield. A presence on both sides of the ball, Madison's skill set in all facets of the game will make her an immediate force."
Taylor Mileti – Hauppauge, NY – Hauppauge – Goalkeeper
Mileti comes to Buffalo from Hauppauge, NY where she has been a five-year letterwinner at Hauppauge High School. The three-time Goalkeeper of the Year has been a force between the pipes, amassing 150 saves and 12 shutouts and counting, and is a two-time All-State and three-time All-County selection.
Burke on Mileti: "Taylor adds depth and experience to our goalkeeping crew. Her experience with East Meadow Soccer Club has primed her for Division I soccer."
Emma Patti – Nottingham, MD – McDonogh School – Pipleline Soccer Club – Midfielder
Patti comes to Buffalo from Nottingham, Maryland where she is a four-year varsity member at the McDonogh School. She also plays club ball for the Pipeline Soccer Club 08 ECNL where she is a two-time First Team All-ECNL selection, helping lead her squad to the national playoffs four times, including two appearances in the top bracket. Off the pitch, Patti is a Dean's List student.
Burke on Patti: "Emma brings a wealth of talent to our attack. She is very comfortable on the ball and coupled with her soccer IQ will help add potency to our offense."
Liana Tata – Rochester, NY – Spencerport – WNY Flash – Defender/Midfielder
Tata comes to Buffalo from nearby Rochester, NY where she has starred at Spencerport High School, leading the Rangers to three straight Section V championships and a New York State championship. Individually, Tata was named First-Team All-Country and First Team All-Greater Rochester after previously being named to the NYS All-Tournament Team as a freshman. She plays club ball for the Western New York Flash. Off the pitch, Tata is a member of the National Honor Society and Hispanic Honors Society and was the recipient of the Living Environment Honors Academic Achievement Award.
Burke on Tata: "Liana is another Western New York talent from the Flash and Spencerport who's an absolute winner! Her athleticism and versatility allow her to play centrally or wide and we fully expect Laina to have an immediate impact."
Stephanie Tator – Holtsville, NY – Sachem East – SUSA FC – Midfielder
Tator comes to Buffalo from Holtsville, NY where she has been a main contributor for Sachem East High School. She is a two-time Suffolk County All-Division honoree. She plays her club ball for SUSA FC and has also trained with the Gotham FC development program. Off the pitch, Tator is a member of the National Honor Society.
Burke on Tator: "Stephanie is everything we look for in a #10. Calm, cool and collected we expect Stephanie to continue the great line of SUSA success here at Buffalo."
For all the latest on UB women's soccer, follow @UBWomensSoccer on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Women's Soccer Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
"As we continue to pursue MAC Championships, our 2026 class will continue to raise the bar," said Burke. "One of our most athletic classes, this large incoming class will compete right away all over the field."
Isabella Danise – Nazareth, PA – Nazareth – Match Fit Surf – Defender/Midfielder
Danise comes to Buffalo from Nazareth, PA where she is a standout at Nazareth Area High School, where she has led the Blue Eagles in goals and assists the last two seasons, recording over 40 career goals (a school record) and 50 career assists, and counting, including three hat-trick games. She is a three-time All-Country selection and was named an EPC All-Star honors in three straight seasons while also earning All-State honorable mention honors two years in a row. She plays her club ball for Match Fit Surf where she was an ECNL Second Team All-Conference selection. Off the pitch, she is a member of the National Honor Society and a four-year member of the high honor roll.
Burke on Danise: "Bella comes to UB after captaining her Match Fit club to ECNL success. A leader in every sense of the word, Bella will be a fantastic addition to our midfield."
Lily Iozzia – Elma, NY – St. Mary's – WNY Flash – Defender
Iozzia comes to UB from nearby Elma, NY where she currently plays for St. Mary's High School. She is coming off a stellar junior season in which she was named the MMHSAA Division A Player of the Year in addition to earning First-Team All-State and All-Western New York honors for the second straight year. She plays club ball for the Western New York Flash and also participated in the U.S. Soccer Talent ID Center.
Burke on Iozzia: "Lily is a local defender we've targeted from day one. She's athletic, physical and has a great instinct for ending opponents' attacks. Her success with the WNY Flash and St. Mary's will help make the transition to college soccer seamless."
Alexis Kochan – Clifton, NJ – DePaul Catholic – Match Fit Academy – Forward
Kochan comes to Buffalo from Clifton, NJ where she has starred at DePaul Catholic High School, helping to lead the Spartans to three straight county and sectional championships, including an undefeated season in 2024 where she was named Second Team All-State. The three-time All-Conference and All-County selection has tied the school record with 61 career goals while adding 30+ assists and counting. Kochan plays her club ball for Match Fit Academy ECNL 08. Off the pitch, she is a member of the National Honor Society, president of the Alexander Hamilton Historical Society and was an Academic All-American as a freshman.
Burke on Kochan: "Alexis is an explosive attacking player from Match Fit who will pose problems for defenses. Her work rate and athleticism should transition quite well to play in the MAC."
Madison Lahullier – Hasbrouck Heights, NJ – Hasbrouck – World Class Football Club 08 ECNL – Midfielder
Lahullier comes to Buffalo from Hasbrouck Heights, NJ where she is a four-year letterwinner at Hasbrouck High School where she has helped lead the Aviators to three straight league championships. She is a four-time First Team All-League selection and was the top ranked player in the state as a sophomore. She plays club ball for World Class Football Club ECNL where she and her squad have advanced to the ECNL national playoffs four times, including a Round of 16 league championship in 2025. Off the pitch she is an honors student in multiple subjects.
Burke on Lahullier: "Madison came from a very talented World Class team where she was instrumental in the central midfield. A presence on both sides of the ball, Madison's skill set in all facets of the game will make her an immediate force."
Taylor Mileti – Hauppauge, NY – Hauppauge – Goalkeeper
Mileti comes to Buffalo from Hauppauge, NY where she has been a five-year letterwinner at Hauppauge High School. The three-time Goalkeeper of the Year has been a force between the pipes, amassing 150 saves and 12 shutouts and counting, and is a two-time All-State and three-time All-County selection.
Burke on Mileti: "Taylor adds depth and experience to our goalkeeping crew. Her experience with East Meadow Soccer Club has primed her for Division I soccer."
Emma Patti – Nottingham, MD – McDonogh School – Pipleline Soccer Club – Midfielder
Patti comes to Buffalo from Nottingham, Maryland where she is a four-year varsity member at the McDonogh School. She also plays club ball for the Pipeline Soccer Club 08 ECNL where she is a two-time First Team All-ECNL selection, helping lead her squad to the national playoffs four times, including two appearances in the top bracket. Off the pitch, Patti is a Dean's List student.
Burke on Patti: "Emma brings a wealth of talent to our attack. She is very comfortable on the ball and coupled with her soccer IQ will help add potency to our offense."
Liana Tata – Rochester, NY – Spencerport – WNY Flash – Defender/Midfielder
Tata comes to Buffalo from nearby Rochester, NY where she has starred at Spencerport High School, leading the Rangers to three straight Section V championships and a New York State championship. Individually, Tata was named First-Team All-Country and First Team All-Greater Rochester after previously being named to the NYS All-Tournament Team as a freshman. She plays club ball for the Western New York Flash. Off the pitch, Tata is a member of the National Honor Society and Hispanic Honors Society and was the recipient of the Living Environment Honors Academic Achievement Award.
Burke on Tata: "Liana is another Western New York talent from the Flash and Spencerport who's an absolute winner! Her athleticism and versatility allow her to play centrally or wide and we fully expect Laina to have an immediate impact."
Stephanie Tator – Holtsville, NY – Sachem East – SUSA FC – Midfielder
Tator comes to Buffalo from Holtsville, NY where she has been a main contributor for Sachem East High School. She is a two-time Suffolk County All-Division honoree. She plays her club ball for SUSA FC and has also trained with the Gotham FC development program. Off the pitch, Tator is a member of the National Honor Society.
Burke on Tator: "Stephanie is everything we look for in a #10. Calm, cool and collected we expect Stephanie to continue the great line of SUSA success here at Buffalo."
For all the latest on UB women's soccer, follow @UBWomensSoccer on Twitter/X and Instagram and like the UB Women's Soccer Facebook page.
Click here for information on the Bulls Championship Fund and how you can help UB Athletics.
UB Women's Soccer vs. Ball State
Monday, September 22
UB Women's Soccer vs. Mercyhurst
Monday, August 11
UB Women's Soccer vs. Colorado College
Monday, August 11
New Videoboard Loading!!
Wednesday, July 30
