By: Brian Howard, Sports Information Director
GRAMBLING, La. | Eleven outstanding high school women's soccer seniors, along with three transfers, signed national letters of intent to Grambling State University, Lady Tigers head coach
Justin Wagar announced on Friday.
"This group of young women are great students, soccer players and people," Wagar said. "They are exactly the type of student-athletes we want to be a part of our program and University. We were fortunate to field a very competitive class, that with the right mind-set and work ethic, should be able to compete for NCAA tournament bids and conference titles here in coming years."
The signees came from all across the country as the Lady Tigers landed three players from the state of California, two from Arizona, one from Florida, Georgia, New Mexico, North Carolina, Texas, Utah and Washington. Also, the Lady Tigers landed one player from England and one from the Netherlands.
2018 GRAMBLING STATE WOMEN'S SOCCER RECRUITING CLASS as of 2/9/18 (note click on name for highlight video)
Conn transferred in from Texas after earning a starting role during her freshmen year for NCAA Division II University of Texas-Permian Basin. Prior to starting her college soccer career, Conn played for Gillingham FC, one of UK's designated Centres of Excellence for junior women's soccer. After a season at Gillingham FC, she moved to Chelsea FC, one of the premier women's soccer clubs in the UK.
Wagar Quote
"She's a good athlete that can cover a lot of ground in the goal with a reach that allows her to get to high balls and pick off dangerous crosses in a crowd. When I had the opportunity to speak to her college coach and watch some film clips of her, I was excited to have the opportunity to work with her here as part of our team."
DeVita juggled two demanding sports and excelled while playing club soccer for Washington Premier ECNL year-round. She is a four-year member of the track & field team, and was honored as the Freshmen Female Sprinter during her first year. DeVita competed at the State Championships all four years as a relay sprinter. In soccer, DeVita was a four-year letterman and received Second Team All-Narrows League honors in 2015, First Team All-League Honors in 2017, as well as Offensive MVP, and Second Team-All Area. She was Bellarmine's nominee for soccer for the Tacoma Athletic Commissions Scholar Athlete Award.
Wagar Quote
"Syd's a goal scorer. I first had the opportunity to see her compete in an ID camp in Portland (Ore.) last year and she was always in the right place at the right time and finished her opportunities. She is fast and athletic and dangerous in the attack. She'll be a nice addition to our front line for next year."
Gomez was selected All-County team during her sophomore and junior years, and earned an All-State selection as well as a junior year. She was a three-year varsity starter, and team captain during senior year. In the classroom, Gomez was very involved as a National Honor Society Historian, Student Government Association Treasurer, and Spanish Club President. She also received the Scholar Designation Award on her diploma for taking rigorous classes.
Wagar Quote
"She's a quick and versatile goalkeeper who will grow into a valuable asset to the team as she adapts to the college game. I'm looking forward to seeing what she can do battling in the goal."
Johnson helped lead Snow College to a 2016 Conference title, Region title, and trip to the national tournament. She was the All-Region Goalkeeper of the Year, All-Tournament Team and was honored as an All-American after posting 84 saves, a 0.35 Goals Against Average, with six shutouts for a .933 save percentage. Snow College continued its success her sophomore year with back to back conference titles, 2017 Region Champions, as she was selected to Second Team All-Conference with 13 shutouts, a GAA of 0.28, and an .879 save percentage that helped her team to another top 20 finish in the nation after going undefeated in region play.
Wagar Quote
"She's a great player and person all around. Her JC coach spoke very highly of Hanna's leadership, work ethic, and drive as a soccer player. She has the passion to continue to grow and improve in the game and brings experience and drive that enables her to be successful in pressure situations."
Lewis is three-year starter and serves as a key offensive force as an aggressive attacker at the top of the Oak Ridge High School formation. A leading scorer as a junior during district play, she currently leads her team in goals and assists and is poised for a huge year as a major contributor to helping her team make a deep run in the very competitive Texas 6A Division State Tournament.
Wagar Quote
"She has a great attitude and is an overall wonderful young lady. We're happy to have her joining our team this fall."
Maddox has played for two of the top club teams in Southern California, the West Coast FC ECNL for the past three years, and for Arsenal FC ECNL. Her team was Surf Cup Champions (2012 and 2014) and reached the 2014 ECNL National Cup Semifinals. In 2015, her WCFC ECNL team reached the National Cup Semifinals. In high school, Maddox was a four-year varsity team member of Chino Hills, where they have advanced to the CIF playoffs every season, going as far as the CIF Semifinals in 2017.
Wagar Quote
"Stevie is a great one-vs-one defender with experience and speed. She'll be a good representative of the GSU Soccer family."
Ozuna was a three-year varsity team captain and three-year team MVP, along with being a three-year Midfielder of the Year. She garnered second team All-League honors (2014-16), and First Team All-League (2016-17). Ozuna was the 2016-2017 Max Preps Player of the Year. As a midfielder, she scored 10 goals and contributed nine assists. Ozuna competes for the Oceanside Breakers in Club soccer, which is where coach Wagar first spotted her shredding opponents in tournament play.
Wagar Quote
"She was everywhere in the midfield that tournament covering ground, hustling to get back after making runs forward and connecting with teammates once she won the ball. I was impressed by Alyssa."
O'Leary played club ball for Arizona Soccer Club Thunder in Gilbert, Ariz. and for Arsenal. She competes at Desert Vista High School and earned the MVP while leading her team to the playoffs. O'Leary was awarded a school community sponsored award for her contributions on and off the field.
Wagar Quote
"we're excited to have Haylee joining our team this fall. I know we'll always get her best effort. She's coachable and hard-working which will enable her to be successful at this level."
Pena was a two-time All-State player, including 6A First Team All-State honors (2017) and Honorable Mention All-State (2016). She was named to the 2017 All-Metro Girls First Team after posting 16 goals and 17 assists, leading her team to a 6A District 1 Championship title. Her club team, Rio Rapids SC 00G, won the state cup and qualified for Region IV play, where they finished as semifinalists (2017).
Wagar Quote
"She's crafty with the ball and dangerous in the attack. I like that she's willing to try new things and is confident in her play."
Powell plays club ball for Charlotte United Futbol Club 99 Gold in the South Atlantic Region. Her CUFC team qualified for the state cup final four in 2016. While at Sun Valley HS, Powell has played primarily outside back and has scored 25 goals with 18 assists. She was a four-year letter winner and a member of the National Honors Society.
Wagar Quote
"She's a fast and strong attacking player that can hold the ball well and is a talented distributor in the attack."
Robinson follows in the footsteps of her grandfather, famed Eddie G. Robinson, who set NCAA Division I football coaching records for most wins as a head coach at Grambling State and who the football stadium on campus is named after. Robinson will compete at Grambling State in soccer and track & field. She competed in the National Junior Olympics for track & field, New Balance Championships, and won a state championship in the 100m, 200m and long jump events. On the soccer field, Robinson played for Inter Atlanta FC Blues and Mays High School, and has been the starting varsity kicker for the boys' football team the past two years.
Wagar Quote
"She's a great athlete who can stretch opposing defenses with her speed and get in behind to create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. We're looking forward to seeing what she can do as a member of the team the next four years."
| Rita Siaha |
GK |
Tucson |
Tucson High Magnet |
Siaha was a four-year varsity starter where she helped her team to a 14-2-2 record her freshmen year. Siaha has been on the All-Conference team since her freshmen year and has made the All-Region first and second team 2015-2017. Siaha was awarded the top goalkeeper of the Brandon Bean Tucson tournament and helped lead her team to their first semifinal in 16 years, making some key saves along the way.
Wagar Quote
"Rita came to our ID camp this past month and showed well there making some big saves, showing strong distribution skills, and having a vocal presence in the box. We're looking forward to having her be a part of a talented goalkeeping unit and our team."
Van De Loo is a versatile player who began her collegiate career in Seattle, Wash. competing for nationally ninth-ranked Highline College, who won the Northwest Community College title last season. She was a key contributor to her team's title run, helping hold opponents to just five goals in 2017, while her team posted an amazing 29 shutouts over the past two years, including 16 in her final season.
Wagar quote
"Neo reads the game well, she knows when to step, when to give space and likes to get in the attack. She is strong in the air and has a powerful leg but great footwork as well and control."
Walker posted impressive academic results with four years on the Dean's list, National Honor Society, and Honor Roll. In athletics, she was a two-year member of the varsity soccer team, two years on the crosss country team and one year on the track & field team. Walker has played club soccer for Legends, Pateadors, and her current club team is Arsenal ENCL.
Wagar Quote
"She's a hard-working athletic player who will only continue to get better in the college game. We're looking forward to her athleticism, good attitude, and talents as a part of the team."
Grambling State kicks off the 2018 season with a tough matchup on Aug. 17 as the Lady Tigers visit defending Southland Conference champions, Lamar University. Lamar went 18-4-1 last season and advanced to the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Tournament.
| 2018 Grambling State Women's Soccer Signings |
| Name |
Position |
Hometown |
Previous School |
| Catherine Conn |
Goalkeeper |
Seven Oaks, England |
UT-Permian Basin |
| Sydney DeVita |
Forward |
Dupont, Wash. |
Bellarmine Prep HS |
| Aryss Gomez |
Goalkeeper |
Panama City, Fla. |
J.R. Arnold HS |
| Hannah Johnson |
Goalkeeper |
Ogden, Utah |
Snow College |
| Emily Lewis |
Forward |
Spring, Texas |
Oak Ridge HS |
| Stevie Maddox |
Defender/Midfielder |
Chino Hills, Calif. |
Chino Hills HS |
| Alyssa Ozuna |
Midfielder |
Oceanside, Calif. |
El Camino HS |
| Haylee O'Leary |
Midfielder/Forward |
Phoenix, Ariz. |
Desert Vista HS |
| Kailey Pena |
Midfielder/Forward |
Albuquerque, N.M. |
Cleveland HS |
| Kamaron Powell |
Midfielder |
Monroe, N.C. |
Sun Valley HS |
| Chloe Robinson |
Midfielder/Forward |
Atlanta, Ga. |
Mays HS |
| Rita Siaha |
Goalkeeper |
Tucson, Ariz. |
Tucson High Magnet |
| Neo Van De Loo |
Defender |
Amsterdam, Netherlands |
Highline College |
| Jasmine Walker |
Defender |
Eastvale, Calif. |
Roosevelt HS |
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