Women’s Soccer Announces Addition of Brianna Van Giesen

BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, NY – St. Francis College Brooklyn women's soccer head coach Justine Lombardi has announced the addition of defender Brianna Van Giesen. She is set to join the Terriers during the 2019 inaugural season in Brooklyn Heights.

"Bri [Van Giesen] understands what it takes to play at a high level and the importance of team and commitment. As I told her, everything happens for a reason and I couldn't be happier that everything up to this point has led Bri here. It couldn't be a better fit and she is going to do great things here." noted head coach Justine Lombardi. Van Giesen, a Santa Rosa, CA native, played varsity soccer for Maria Carillo High School, where she was a two-year captain, and four-year letter winner. As a member of the varsity program, she was named First Team All-Empire in 2017, and a high school All-American in back-to-back years (2016 & 2017). The West Coast native also started in all four years on the team. Following her senior year of high school, she was ranked the 13th overall player in California according to maxpreps.com

While in High School, she helped her team to a pair of 22-win seasons in her freshman and sophomore seasons. Van Giesen was also a part of a national best 72 consecutive victory team, that saw her school become victorious in 2015, 2016, and 2018.

Coming to New York with prior NCAA Division I experience, Van Giesen originally committed to Loyola Marymount University, but did not appear in a match last season. While playing club soccer, she competed for the Santa Rosa United ECNL club in her 2000's age group for nine years (2009-18). During her tenure with her hometown team, she helped her team win the Surf Cup in 2013.

In the classroom, Van Giesen was her high school's Summa Cum Laude recipient in all four years of eligibility. She has an older sister, Megan Sweeting, and a younger sister Erika. Her parents are Sharon and Britt.