Claudia Cagnina to Continue Soccer Career in Switzerland

Former St. John's midfielder Claudia Cagnina will continue her soccer career, as she signed a professional contract to play with Football Femminile Lugano 1976 of Lega Nazionale A, the top level of soccer in Switzerland.

"Ever since I was a little girl, it has always been a dream of mine to play professionally," Cagnina said. "This is a dream come true and it is honestly such a blessing. I am more than excited to get started."

Former teammate Samie Scaffidi will join Cagnina on the pitch playing for FF Lugano, as she signed with the professional team last month.

"To play with Samie again is going to be wonderful," Cagnina said. "I understand the way she plays. Over the past four years, our bond has grown and we play well with one another. She is someone I can always rely on, both on and off the field. I'm definitely very excited to play with her again."

As a senior in 2018, Cagnina earned a spot on the All-BIG EAST Second Team and the United Soccer Coaches Division I Women's Scholar All-East Region Second Team. The Lindenhurst, N.Y., native finished the campaign third on the squad in assists with three.

"Claudia is a player that wasn't particularly highly recruited out of high school," St. John's head coach Ian Stone said. "The progress that she has made over her four years is a tremendous credit to her attitude and passion for our sport. The fact that she made the All-BIG EAST Second Team in her senior year, and is now going to play professionally in Europe, is proof that dreams can come true if you are prepared to work hard enough to attain them."

Over her four seasons with the Johnnies, Cagnina started 35 of the 67 games, logging a pair of goals and five assists for a total nine points.

"We are pleased to have signed Claudia to our program," Emanuele Gaiarin, the president of FF Lugano said. "It is because of the PASS Program (www.passacademy.org) that we are able to bring talented student athletes to our club system."

Cagnina joins a highly touted team in Football Femminile Lugano. The squad is coming off a stellar season, finishing second overall in the Swiss League to qualify for the preliminaries of the UEFA Champions League next year.

St. John's University Athletics

Claudia Cagnina to Continue Soccer Career in Switzerland

Players Mentioned

Claudia Cagnina

Samie Scaffidi

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