Mount St. Dominic trio of athletes sign on to their next stage of life

Three Mount St. Dominic student athletes who have excelled over the years announced recently where they are heading to college.

As part of National Signing Day, Lions seniors Gianna Camporeale, Lena Tusche and Jill Cianfrocca, all revealed their next level of education on Nov. 12 in Caldwell.

Fresh off winning the Lions girls soccer first county championship, Camporeale and Tusche will be going in different directions for college. Camporeale will be staying near home at Princeton University while Tusche heads south into the Southeastern Conference and to the University of Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn.

And in Cianfrocca she was one of the key pieces last season as the Lions softball team took home not only the Essex County Tournament title, but also the Non-Public A championship. It was the first group title for the softball program since 2014.

Cianfrocca will also head south but not far, just outside of Philadelphia, and the University of Villanova. The Mount St. Dominic first baseman was Essex County Player of the Year in 2024 and 2025 while being pegged for All New Jersey first team in 2025.

Like her individual honors the last few years as well as being a leader on the team, Mount St. Dominic head softball coach Rob Stern said that Cianfrocca has shown her mettle especially at the plate and on the diamond.

"She is one of the most feared hitters in the state," said Stern. "She is a great contact hitter and every time she comes to the plate, I know that something special will happen."

Last season as a junior, she got a hit more than half the time with a .516 batting average, 47 hits while smacking 10 home runs and collecting 30 RBI to go along with 10 stolen bases.

The biggest home run came in the Non-Public A final against Donovan Catholic.

Cianfrocca took a pitch and blasted it over the fence at Ivy Hill Park, Seton Hall University in the top of the seventh inning to give the Lions a 4-3 victory over Donovan Catholic to bring home the Non-Public A championship last June.

Stern has known the Villanova head coach Bridget Orchard for several years and has sent a number players that he coached in high school and in club. "She (Cianfrocca) is going to step right in," said Stern about how the Cianfrocca will play with the Wildcats.

In soccer the duo of Tusche and Camporeale showed their strengths in the Essex County Tournament final as Mount St. Dominic won 4-1 on Nov. 1 against Livingston. After the Lancers took a 1-0 lead in the first half, the Lions offense powered by the duo of Camporeale and Tusche showed their strength with two goals each.

"Both Lena and Gi share a great passion for soccer and bring an intense competitive spirit to the game and to their team," said Del Vecchio.

Camporeale led the Lions this past season with 28 goals while chipping in 19 assists. Del Vecchio points to Camporeale's 'energy' and 'work ethic.'

"Gianna stands out for her tremendous energy and her great work ethic, she never stops giving her all," said the Mount St. Dominic head girls soccer coach. "Any coach would be fortunate to have a player of her caliber, and I am confident she will continue to thrive both on and off the field at Princeton."

And for Camporeale's best friend, Tusche, Del Vecchio points to her excellent 'soccer IQ' and 'skill set'. Tusche led the Lions in assists with 22 and points with 76. She also was just behind Camporeale in goals with 27.

"Lena possesses exceptional soccer IQ," said Del Vecchio. "Combined with her excellent skill set, she can excel at any position on the field. I believe she will be an invaluable addition to Vanderbilt's team and will achieve remarkable success there and beyond."