Gianna Lucchesi
Hamilton Square, NJ
The Pennington School / Richmond
Center Back
As a Junior at Richmond (Fall 2021)....Helped the Spiders post seven shutouts on the year, five of those in conference play….Anchored the back line all season and played the full time in eight games, averaging over 84 minutes per game throughout the year…Appeared in 15 games with 14 starts for the Spiders.
As a Sophomore at Richmond (Spring 2021)....Played in all eight games, starting seven….Led the team with 703 minutes as a defender…Took a shot against George Mason and VCU…Anchored the back line in a 2-0 shutout win at George Washington, first road win at GW since 2012….Was part of the defense that held George Mason to one goal in 110 minutes (1-1 tie in double-overtime).
As a Freshman at Richmond (Fall 2019)....Appeared in 14 games, starting 14 as a defender…Finished sixth on the team in minutes played (1,138)...Helped Richmond's defense earn shutouts against American, Hampton, Fordham and VCU….Played a season-high 110 minutes twice at ECU (Aug. 25) and at Coastal Carolina (Sept. 15)....Took a shot on goal at Towson on Sept. 19…Played the full 90 minutes or more in seven games, including eight in a row.
Prior to College…Named to the United Soccer Coaches Scholar All-American team…Nominated for NJ Gatorade Player of the Year 2019…2018 All-American by Top Drawer Soccer….The Brigid Kilfoyle '91 Memorial Award for the Senior Female Making the Greatest Contribution to Pennington Athletics…Red Raider Coach's Award…Was a four-year letter winner and was named team captain in 2018…Was one of 20 players to be chosen to play for the East squad in the 6th annual High School All-American game on Dec. 1…Was a two-time Mercer "33" selection – top 33 soccer players in Mercer County and a first team NJ All-Area selection in 2017….Was a 2018 Top Drawer Soccer All-American nominee and has scored 14 career goals as a defender…Helped her team win four NJ State Prep A championships.
Personal…Daughter of Frank and Robyn Lucchesi…Brother, Frank Jr, played football at Muhlenberg.
Why Maryland?: "I chose to come to Maryland because of the high academic standards and Maryland also has my intended graduate program. Another huge part of my decision was the welcoming aura I had felt from the coaching staff. They had made me immediately feel like Maryland could be my home away from home for the next year. I also had a great connection with the team and it was a program I knew I could really be an integral part of."
Head coach Meg Nemzer: "Gi will be a great addition to our roster next Fall on and off the field! She is a commanding center back that will bring an infectious personality and energy to our group. She also comes with experience in leadership roles from her time as a captain and leader at her prior school."
