NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion Lacrosse will be adding 11 new players for 2025-2026, Head Coach Theresa Walton announced on Monday. The signing class includes Molly Gibbs, Molly Heimerl, Payton Kelly, Helene Lydon, Helene Naslonski, Ava Salinas, Maria Snyder, Sofia Snyder, Ciena Souhrada, Macy Steinwedel, and Nola Weaver. Six players are from New York, with one each from Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
“We are eager to get this ODU Monarchs Lacrosse Class of 2029 to campus next fall,” Head Coach Theresa Walton said. “This group brings together different styles of play while adding a level of passion, skill, and knowledge of the game from varying backgrounds and experiences that will instantly elevate our program on and off the field. Their dedication and determination to their individual game, while having an enthusiastic approach to becoming a part of this University and our lacrosse program, is incredibly inspiring for the future of ODU Lacrosse. We look forward to seeing their development and drive, and we cannot wait to officially welcome them home to Norfolk next August!”
Molly Gibbs - GK - Henderson, Pa./Henderson
- Goalie from Henderson High School
- Earned Academic Honor Roll
- Fun fact: Loves many forms of art and pen drawing.
- “I am looking forward to the goalie world and the friendly social environment within the team!”
Molly Heimerl - A - Forest Hill, Md./John Carroll
- Attacker from John Carroll School
- Played soccer, cross country, and lacrosse
- Earned Academic Honor Roll in all four years of high school
- “I am looking forward to being able to compete in one of the toughest conferences in the country! The Team and Coaches felt very welcoming, and I knew this is where I belong. I chose to come to ODU because I knew as soon as I stepped on campus it felt right!”
Payton Kelly - M - Tampa, Fla./Tampa Catholic High School
- Midfielder from Tampa Catholic High School
- Played sideline cheer, golf, competitive cheer, and lacrosse
- Member of 5 National Honor Societies,Honors with Distinction (All of High School)
- Second lacrosse player from her HS to commit to a D1 school, 3x captain of lacrosse team, first lacrosse player to reach 200+ career draw controls and 100 in a season, state champion for cheer, third place national finish for cheer
- “The thing I am most looking forward to at ODU is the atmosphere created by the team. I went through my sisters recruiting process as well as mine, I went up and down both the east and west of the US to a million different schools and nothing made me feel like how I felt the first time I stepped foot on the ODU lacrosse field. The girls were honest and had such an amazing energy to them, the coaches cared for every individual player and person, and the team truly felt like a tight knit family. It was inspiring to see, and I knew from the first camp I went to that ODU was my goal. I am beyond excited to play on a team where everyone wants to work hard and has the same mindset as me.”
Helene Lydon - M - Arlington, Va./Yorktown High School
- Midfielder from Yorktown High School
- Played basketball and lacrosse
- Lacrosse awards: 6A State Champion (2022, 2024), District Champion (2022, 2024), Region Champions (2024), First Team All-District (2023), Second Team All-Region (2023), Second Team All-District (2024), Teams overall leading scorer (2024) Basketball awards: 2x Team Captain, Second Team All-District (2024)
- “I’m mostly looking forward to being a part of such a close-knit team playing for ODU. Then I chose ODU because of the location, near the beach.”
Haley Naslonski - M - Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore High School
- Midfielder from Bay Shore High School
- Played field hockey, indoor track, and lacrosse
- Student-Athlete Leadership Conference Selection
- Field hockey awards: All-Division (2023, 2024), All-County (2023, 2024), All-State (2023, 2024), All-Long Island (2023, 2024), Academic Scholar-Athlete Award, Suffolk County Exceptional Senior (2024), NFHCA National Watchlist (2024), MVP, Coaches Award, Suffolk County Top 20 Scoring Leaderboard (2023, 2024), 2x Captain (2023, 2024) Winter Track awards: 2x National Qualifier (400m and 600m), Outdoor National Rising Star Champions (Distance Medley Relay), League Champion (600m) Lacrosse awards: All-County (2024), Long Island Lacrosse Journal LILJ Watchlist (2024), Long Island Top 20 Scoring Leaderboard (2024), LI Metro National Tournament Selection
- “The coaching staff, sports facilities, team culture, and academic choices are a few of the reasons why I chose to continue my athletic career at Old Dominion University. I am most looking forward to challenging myself as a collegiate athlete and building new relationships with my teammates while playing the sport that I love. I am eager to contribute to the team’s success while playing at a higher level and continuing to achieve my academic and athletic goals.”
Ava Salinas - GK - Bellport, N.Y./Bellport High School
- Goalie from Bellport High School
- Played basketball and lacrosse
- Member of Math Honor Society and an Officer of National Science Honor Society
- Lacrosse awards: Suffolk County All-Division and All-Tournament, first lacrosse team to make playoffs in school history
- “I’m looking forward to joining such an incredible group of people who push each other to grow and improve every day. I chose ODU because of its strong sense of family, and I believe this team is truly special in the way they support and uplift one another. I’m so excited to be part of it!”
Maria Snyder - M - Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee High School
- Midfielder from West Genesee High School
- Played soccer and lacrosse
- Member of CTE Engineering Strand, Member of National Honor Society
- Soccer awards: All-Section 3 Honorable Mention (2021, 2022), All-Section 3 Second Team (2023, 2024), SCAC Metro All-Star (2024), Section 3 Class AA Champion (2023) Lacrosse awards: All-Section 3 Honorable Mention (2022, 2023), All-Section 3 Second Team (2024), 2x Section 3 Class B Champions (2023, 2024), 2x NYS Class B Regional Champions (2023, 2024), NYS Class B State Runner Up (2024)
- Fun Fact: Twin sister, Sofia, is also a member of this signing class.
Sofia Snyder - D/M - Camillus, N.Y./West Genesee High School
- Defender/midfielder from West Genesee High School
- Played soccer and lacrosse
- Member of National Honor Society and National Art Honor Society
- Soccer awards: All-Section 3 Honorable Mention (2022, 2023, 2024), SCAC Metro All-Star (2024) Lacrosse awards: All-Section 3 Honorable Mention (2022, 2023), 2x Section 3 Class B Champions (2023, 2024), 2x NYS Class B Regional Champions (2023, 2024), NYS Class B State Runner Up (2024)
- Fun Fact: Twin sister, Maria, is also a member of this signing class.
- “I chose ODU because it felt like home and all the coaches and players were beyond welcoming.”
Ciena Souhrada - D - Bay Shore, N.Y./St. Anthony’s High School
- Defender from St. Anthony’s High School
- Honor Roll all of HS, Recipient $10,000 St. Anthony's HS Academic Scholarship, St. Bonaventure Award Recipient, National Honor Society, Math National Honor Society
- Lacrosse team ended the 2024 season 19-0 and ranked #1 in the country, CHSAA Class AA Champion (2024), Long Island Lacrosse Journal (LILJ) Winter League Champion (2025)
- “I’m most looking forward to getting to know all my teammates and building a special new family with ODU Lacrosse! I chose ODU because of the amazing people and environment, all while being close to the beach!”
Macy Steinwedel - A - Lewes, Del./Cape Henlopen High School
- Attacker from Cape Henlopen High School
- Played field hockey, basketball, lacrosse
- Honor Roll, Academic All-Conference, National Honor Society
- Field hockey awards: First Team All-State (2024), First Team All-Conference (2024), Second Team All-Conference (2023), 2x DIAA Division 1 State Champion (2023, 2024), Team Captain (2024) Lacrosse awards: All-State Honorable Mention (2024), 2x Second Team All-Conference (2023, 2024), Team Captain (2024), DIAA State Champion (2024)
- “I’m looking forward to meeting and playing with people. While also traveling to new places to play the sport I love. I chose ODU because of the location and the amazing atmosphere on and off the field.”
Nola Weaver - M - Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua High School
- Midfielder from Canandaigua High School
- Played cross country, indoor track, and lacrosse
- 2x Monroe Country First Team (2023, 2024), 1x All Greater Rochester Honorable Mention (2024)
- “I am looking forward to the family team aspect and being able to play lacrosse at the next level while continuing my education and becoming the best lacrosse player I can.”