College Signings 5: These 4 Notre Dame Academy seniors each landed at Division 1 schools

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Signing ceremonies involving more than one student-athlete is certainly not a rare occurrence.

But multiple Division 1 student-athletes in the same signing ceremony?

Well, that’s something you don’t see too often, but Notre Dame Academy pulled off the trick recently.

The Gators rolled out the red carpet for two track & field competitors, one soccer and one softball player who are taking their talents to D1 institutions.

Only one of the four will be leaving the state to continue their career in sports.

For a closer look at where these latest signees will attend school, please scroll down.

And for another look at recent signings by Staten Island student-athletes, please scroll to the bottom.

COLLEGE SIGNINGS 4: 2 PETRIDES, 1 CSIM STUDENT-ATHLETES PICK THEIR SCHOOLS

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Lizzie Coyne, Notre Dame Academy

If family history was any indication, you had to figure from the very start Notre Dame Academy track & field and cross country competitor Lizzie Coyne was destined to attend Siena College.

Coyne’s mother and father — Sheila and Matt Coyne — both attended the Albany school, as did her aunt, Maggie Cummings.

“Yes, my parents had an influence on me when it came to Siena,’' admitted the 17-year-old Coyne with a laugh. ”It’s one of the first schools I visited. I liked it a lot because of its small community (atmosphere).’'

And now, Lizzie Coyne appears destined to be the latest in her family to graduate from Siena after she recently committed to the Division 1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference school as a preferred walk-on.

Coyne, who also played flag football for the Gators, said NDA Track & Field coach James Walker got the ball rolling with the Saints’ track & field and cross country programs.

“He contacted them and when I attended (Siena’s) Accepted Student Day, I connected with (head coach Elizabeth DeBole) and she told me there was a spot on the team for me,’' said Coyne. ”She showed me the track & field facility where they work out and I instantly fell in love with it.’'

Coyne will bring an impressive resume north. In cross country, she boasts personal best times of 20:53 in the 5K and 18:03 in the 2.5-mile course. In addition to helping the Gators take home the Staten Island Cross Country championship and finish third in the CHSAA Intersectional that helped them qualify for states, she finished 10th individually at the CHSAA Sectional.

In track & field, NDA’s long distance runner owns a personal best of 5:45 in the mile and 5:18 in the 1,500-meter race.

“I honestly didn’t think I’d be going Division 1, partly because I was injured a few times, but I do feel I have some potential in cross country because I had my best year yet last fall,’' said Coyne. ”I’m excited about this opportunity. I’m looking forward to meeting my new teammates and going against a new field of competition.’'

Coyne, who is planning to major in Nursing, also received interest from Catholic, Scranton, CSI, Stone Hill and Wagner.

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Julia Donello, Notre Dame Academy

Julia Donello didn’t need to do much homework when it came to finding out about the finer points of Wagner College’s Grymes Hill campus.

The senior, who played three years of varsity softball at Notre Dame Academy, had plenty of experiences at Wagner since older sister Nicole had been a cheerleader for the Seahawks.

“She received her undergraduate (degree) and Masters from Wagner and because she cheered, I was always at the football and basketball games,’' Donello said matter-of-factly. ”I got to see a lot at Wagner.’'

Fast forward to earlier this season and Donello, who was one of NDA’s more productive bats in 2025, recently accepted a roster spot offer as she’s planning to compete for the Division 1 Seahawks beginning in the fall.

“It’s definitely something I’ve always wanted to do,’' said Donello of playing at the next level. ”Division 1 is obviously tough, so I wasn’t sure. But the opportunity is there and I’m going to give it my best shot.

“I’m very grateful for the chance to go to and play for Wagner.’'

During the 2025 campaign, the righty-swinging Donello batted .415 overall (27 for 65) with 12 extra-base hits (seven doubles), 30 RBI and 11 runs scored.

When Donello decided she wanted to attend Wagner in February, she reached out to Seahawks head coach Glenn Moore.

“He watched video of me and liked what he saw,’' said the Emerson Hill resident. ”He liked my hitting and he said he can always use another pitcher as well.

“I was very appreciative to hear that.’'

The 18-year-old Donello is planning to major in Nursing.

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Jordan Moore, Notre Dame Academy

Notre Dame Academy middle distance runner Jordan Moore made up her mind she was going to decide on college based on what she felt about the institution.

The College of the Holy Cross was definitely in the picture. However, it had nothing to do with the fact her mom — former NDA and Advance All-Star runner Courtney Finn — had attended the Worcester, Massachusetts school, or that Egetta Alfonso, her mom’s former HC teammate, was the Crusaders’ women’s track and field head coach.

“No influence at all,’' said the Lighthouse Hill resident.

But a funny thing happened on the way to selecting a college: Moore was impressed with the Division 1 school and just over a month ago, she decided it was the place she wants to matriculate the next four seasons.

“(Coach Alfonso) had actually reached out to me during my sophomore year, but I didn’t get back to her until my senior year,’' admitted Moore. ”I liked the school and wanted to give it a try. With Division 1 training and the fact I’ll be (solely focusing) on my events, I think it can be a good thing and I’m happy with my decision.’'

The 17-year-old Moore, who also competed on NDA’s golf and swimming teams, has done a solid job on the track. She owns personal best times of 58.0 (400) and 2:19 (800).

In addition, Moore boasts a 1:06 in the 400 hurdles. She won the event at the Staten Island Championships during her sophomore and junior campaigns.

Since Holy Cross is losing the student-athlete who broke the school record in the 400 meters, Moore may very well be the one to fill those big shoes.

“They’re looking for someone to replace her,’' Moore said. ”(Coach Alfonso) believes I have untapped potential and that made me feel pretty good.’'

Moore said she’s also interested in trying events she never competed in before, like the pentathlon.

Moore is looking to major in Finance. She also received interest from Rhode Island, Colorado, Richmond, Vermont and Cal-Poly.

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Anna Tutrone, Notre Dame Academy

Notre Dame Academy soccer defender Anna Tutrone might not have known it at the time, but a switch in position prior to her senior season indirectly helped improve her game.

The two-year varsity player was a right midfielder as a junior, but head coach Nick Senise asked the Oakwood resident to move to center defender last fall and she quickly established herself as a mainstay.

“Coach knew I played defense in travel, so I was familiar with playing in the back,’' explained Tutrone. ”But I think playing defense everyday for NDA helped me become faster, especially after working with (Monsignor Farrell Strength and Conditioning Specialist Robert Schmidt) on my agility and speed.’'

Tutrone eventually decided she wanted to play at the next level, but stay close to home at the same time and she wound up contacting Wagner College women’s soccer coach Phil Casella.

Tutrone, who was offered a roster spot at about the time of her visit to the Grymes Hill school in January, gladly accepted the partial academic, partial athletic scholarship and will remain on Howard Ave. for the next four years.

“I always wanted to play at the collegiate level,’' said Tutrone. ”I’m pleasantly surprised it worked out the way it did and very excited about this opportunity.’'

The 17-year-old Tutrone was a staple on NDA’s back line in 2024 due, largely, because of an uncanny ability to anticipate and react. The senior consistently broke up plays before they developed and didn’t shy away from dribbling her way out of trouble.

“(Casella) liked the way I played defense,’' said Tutrone, who noted she’s still playing travel ball for the Cedar Stars now as she prepares for the fall. ”The coaching staff sent us workouts to follow through videos and I’m still working with (Schmidt) as well.’'

Tutrone, who plans to major in Nursing, also received interest from Elmira, Wilkes and Manhattanville.

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Other 2024-25 College Signings by Charlie De Biase Jr.

Sea’s Ashley Weisenstein (softball)

Tottenville’s Jason Bassett (Baseball)

Farrell’s Aiden Pedreros (Football)

College Signings 1 (Dec. 12, 2024)

College Signings 2 (Jan. 15, 2025)

College Signings 3 (May 15, 2025)

College Signings 4 (June 3, 2025)