EASTON, Pa. – Lafayette softball head coach Caitlyn de la Haba announced the signings of five student-athletes as part of the College's Class of 2026.

Marisa Powell (Sunderland, Md./Northern) will join the Leopards' rotation as a pitcher. A four-year varsity starter, Powell captained her high school team for three years, helping lead it to an undefeated record in 2021 while finishing as SMAC regional champions. The 5-9 righty played club for the Lady Lightning Gold NOVA under coach Ryan Buchanan in Fairfax, Virginia, garnering two state championships.

Powell has an additional two years of varsity basketball and one year of soccer prior to Lafayette, with involvement in extracurricular activities such as the Student Government Association, Class Council, Future Doctors of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Honor Society. She plans to major in Biology.

"Marisa is an incredible athlete and leader who can pitch, play shortstop, and hit," de la Haba said. "We are really excited to welcome her to College Hill and see the immediate impact she makes on our program."

Megan Coyle (Herndon, Va./Herndon) will add to the Leopard lineup at first base and pitcher. She was a four-year starter who was named team MVP and honored as Second-Team in the Liberty District during her freshman year.
Coyle, who plans to major in Government & Law, earned both Athletic Honor Roll and A/B Honor Roll status and participated in National Honor Society, Class Council, Student Government Association and DECA. She played alongside fellow incoming freshman Powell on the Lightning Gold NOVA squad.

"Megan is a fantastic student-athlete and person who is committed to bettering herself at multiple positions," de la Haba said. "She can play first, pitch, and hit, and is a true student of the game who makes everyone around her better."

Grace Hausamann (South Riding, Va./Flint Hill) is an outfielder and utility player who plans to major in Psychology. The 5-foot-6 Hausamann recorded a .588 batting in her sophomore season following a freshman campaign when she hit for a .507 average. She garnered All-State First-Team and All-Conference First-Team recognition as a junior and has been selected as a captain for her senior season.

Hausamann was named to the Headmaster's List and volunteered for FOHA. She played her club softball with the Tri-State Thunder under Missy Cutchall in West Virginia.

"Grace is a tremendous athlete who is capable of playing infield and outfield, and will add a lot of speed, athleticism, and a high softball IQ on the bases," de la Haba said. "She is someone who brings talent, work ethic, and a team-first mentality to our program"
 
Kylene Gooch (Red Hill, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) enters the Lafayette roster as a middle infielder/utility player. Gooch lists four years of varsity softball and field hockey during her time at Upper Perkiomen. The intended Engineering major earned First-Team Frontier Division and Second-Team Pioneer Athletic Conference selections while maintaining academic standing in the top 10 percent of her class.

Gooch served as the National Honor Society president and was also involved with Link Crew, FCA and Student Government. In softball, she played with the Banshees Fastpitch in Horsham, Pa., which captured a national title, and TNT East team under Chris Spletzer.

"Kylene is a multi-sport athlete who excels in the middle infield and is a gap-to-gap hitter," de la Haba said. "We are excited to add her size and athleticism to our lineup, and know she brings a lot of raw talent to the field."

Kylee Sweet (Escondido, Calif./San Pasqual) brings versatility to the Maroon and White, playing third base, shortstop and utility. The 5-foot-7 newcomer has four years of varsity softball experience and played for Breakers Labs under Bobby Labs in Vista, Calif.

Alongside the title of undefeated 2021 Valley North County league champions, Sweet was named the Valley North County Player of the Year and was a first-team selection. She will serve as her school's 2022 team captain. An honor roll student who intends to major in Economics, Sweet has served as a junior coach for the Escondido Girls Softball League.

"Kylee is a well-rounded athlete who can play middle infield, third base and hit for power," de la Haba said. "She comes to us all the way from California and one of the top travel ball programs in the country, and we know she will contribute on so many levels when she arrives."
The Leopards are currently set to begin their season on Feb. 25 against Saint Peter's in the Eastern Shore Classic in Princess Anne, Maryland.