PORTALES, N.M. – Women’s Soccer Head Coach Abbey Barnum announced the addition of nine new members to Greyhound Women’s Soccer team ahead of the 2021 season.
Barnum welcomes a signing class made up of three defenders: Elita Casias (Phoenix, Ariz), Kennedy Ward (Olathe, Kansas), and Sofia Trejo (Albuquerque, N.M.), three midfielders; Sierra Villanueva (Aztec, N.M.), Danielle Griego (Clovis, N.M.), and Marianna Zevallos (Dallas, Texas), and three forwards; Alda Terrado Montoliu (Barcelona, Spain), Bizzy Canada (Plano, Texas), and Madison Lynch (Clovis, N.M.). Of the nine new members, three are transfers (Terrado Montoliu, Canada, and Ward) and six are first years.
“I am so excited to welcome our 2021 recruiting class to ENMU. We have a strong, talented signing class this year that will mesh very well with our returners” said Barnum, “We have a very talented mix of freshmen and transfers that are going to come in and make an impact right away.”
On defense, Ward comes from Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kan. During the 2019 season, Ward started 16 of the Red Ravens’ 17 games, keeping five clean sheets and collecting three goals. Casias and Trejo round out the defenders with the latter earning two All-State selections at Albuquerque High School in Albuquerque, N.M. Trejo finished her high school career with two state championships (2018 and 2021).
In the midfield, three true freshmen come in after notable high school careers. Villanueva comes to ENMU after a senior season that saw her collect a District 1A Girls Soccer Player of the Year award and land on the all-state second team at Aztec High School in Aztec, N.M. Zevallos arrives from Bishop Lynch High School in Dallas, Texas. She helped her team to a TAPPS state championship in 2018-19, while collecting all-district honors during the 2018-19 and 2020-21 seasons. Finally, Griego joins the Greyhounds from Clovis High School in Clovis, N.M. Griego garnered three seasons with all-district team honors from 2019-2021, leading the district in assists during the 2019 campaign.
As for the forwards, Terrado Montoliu and Canada bring experience as transfers, while Lynch comes from Clovis, N.M. after a standout high school career. Terrado Montoliu joins ENMU from Lincoln Memorial University, while Canada comes to the Greyhounds from University of Arkansas – Little Rock. Lynch joins her high school teammate, Griego, after a great high school career where she led her team in scoring during three seasons. Lynch finished her high school career second all-time in goals per game (GPG), scoring 60 goals across 60 matches.
“I believe this group will represent ENMU and our soccer program in a positive light both on and off the field,” said Barnum, “I look forward to having them on campus this fall and getting started with our season!”
The Eastern New Mexico women’s soccer team returns to the field after missing the 2020 season due to COVID-19 restrictions. The Greyhounds kick off the season with a home bout against Colorado State University-Pueblo Thursday, Sept. 2 at 12 p.m.
