EUGENE, Ore. – Fourth-year head coach Jessica Cardwell has announced five women who have signed letters of intent to play women’s soccer at Northwest Christian University this fall.
Hannah Best (Gilbert, Ariz.) is a Forward from Valley Christian HS where she gained a reputation as an offensive juggernaut during her career. “Hannah returned to the soccer field this spring after a knee injury,” said Cardwell. “She has a knack for finding the back of the net and has scored over 40 goals in her high school career.”
Also a Forward, Sierra Coloma (Washougal, Wash.) prepped at Washougal High where she was teammates with NCU sophomore Libby Gregory. Like Best, Coloma also scored over 40 goals in her career including 14 as a freshman. Coach Cardwell said, “Sierra creates opportunities for herself and others up front. She has a quick shot and has the confidence to take shots whenever she sees the slightest opening.”
A pair of freshmen will head north from Southern California. Jamie Figueredo (Yucaipa, Calif.) earned multiple All-Citrus Belt League honors and led the Yucaipa High T-Birds to a league title and appearance in the CIF playoffs as a freshman. “Jaime is a fast-paced midfielder who can create and score on her own,” said Cardwell. “She sees the field well and will speed up the pace of our midfield.”
Hailing from even further south is Aracely Marks (Murrieta, Calif.), a midfielder who comes in after a year off from soccer while attending Cal-Berkley. Coach Cardwell said, “Aracely is an intelligent midfielder who never quits on a play. She works easily with those around her and her work-rate is second-to-none.”
NCU’s lone local product will be Amanda Whetten (Pleasant Hill). Whetten is a multiple All-Mountain Valley League defender with the Billies and also earned First-Team All-League in Football as the PHHS place kicker. “Amanda is a great asset to our team,” said Cardwell. “She is strong and she isn’t afraid to make contact or compete for 50/50 balls.”
The 2018 women’s soccer season gets underway on August 17 with a scrimmage against Chemeketa CC at 10:00 am. The first regular-season game for the Beacons will be on September 1st with a visit to Saint Martin’s University.