Women’s Soccer Announces 2020 Recruiting Class
PORTALES, N.M. – The Eastern New Mexico women’s soccer team and Head Coach Josh Smith have announced the signings of ten high school standouts who will join the team for the 2020 season.
Morgan Bearden, Reagan Carter, Brianna Eye, Vanessa Gonzalez, Valeria Hawkins, Megan Janikowski, Samantha Jeffries, Amber Ochoa, Sydney Saxon and Demi Zuniga have all signed their national letters of intent to bring their talents to the Eastern New Mexico soccer team.
“Our 2020 class will raise the competitive edge of our program,” said Coach Smith. “We have speed, size, work ethic, and a great level of athleticism. After a record breaking 2018 season that saw us set multiple records and make the LSC Championship, we had another record-breaking season in 2019 only to barely miss the conference tournament. We know that this signing class’s drive and work ethic, combined with the hunger for success of our returners, will provide our program, university and fans an exciting team to watch in 2020 and we cannot wait to get started.”
Morgan Bearden is a 5-6 defender from Frisco, Texas and will join the Hounds after competing for FC Dallas 02G Red under Head Coach James Fondren. Bearden helped FC Dallas to a No. 2 ranking in Region 3 and led the team to back-to-back USYS Premier League Championship appearances in 2018 and 2019. Bearden helped her squad to an appearance in the 2019 Plano Labor Day Invitational championship game and a 2019 King Tut Championship.
“Morgan is a quick, outside back and a solid 1v1 defender with the ability to get forward,” said Coach Smith. “She will cause problems for the opposition on both sides of the ball.”
A 5-8 goalkeeper from Mineral Wells, Texas, Reagan Carter comes to ENMU after competing at Mineral Wells High School and the Dallas Texans 01 club team. Carter is a two-time First Team All-Conference selection and was named First Team All-Region her junior season after posting 17 shutouts.
“Reagan is a fantastic GK who comes to us from a top-level program,” explains Coach Smith. “She has a strong work ethic and technical background. We are excited to add her to our goalkeeper core.”
Brianna Eye, a 5-6 forward from Grapevine, Texas, will add depth to the Hounds frontline following her career at Grapevine High School and FC Dallas West 01. Eye was a potent goal scorer during her time at Grapevine High School, totaling 62 points on 26 goals and ten assists after appearing in 26 games for the Mustangs.
“Bri is a hard-working attacking player,” said Coach Smith. “Her work ethic and competitive nature sets her apart from so many. She will be a great addition to our attacking nucleus.”
Vanessa Gonzalez is a 5’0 forward from El Paso, Texas who helped lead her club team, West Texas Rush Predators, to a U19 flight championship at the 13th Annual Cobras International Cup. Gonzalez was also a member of the El Dorado High School girls’ soccer team who made it to the third round of the 2019 5A Reg. 1 & 3 State Championship while leading her squad with 30 goals and 15 assists as a junior. Gonzalez’s efforts earned her First Team All-District honors.
“I have seen Vanessa play over the last four years and it has been amazing to see her growth,” said Coach Smith. “She is a quick attacking player who possesses a high work ethic. She is another great addition to our program.”
A native from El Paso, Texas, Valeria Hawkins is a 5-0 forward/midfielder who will come to Eastern after playing competitive club soccer for the Rush under Head Coach Mike Griego and Rage FC under Head Coach Steve Donnelly. Hawkins helped Rage FC to the 18U National Presidents Cup Championship after defeating CC Astecs/Coast 2-1 in Murfreesboro, Tenn. this past summer.
“Valeria is a quick attacking player,” explains Coach Smith. “Over the last two years we have seen a lot of growth in her and have no doubts she is ready to take this next step.”
A 5-10 defender from Fallbrook, Calif., Megan Janikowski spent last season playing for the Del Mar Sharks ECNL club team and also led Cathedral Catholic High School to the semifinal of the 2019 CIF Section Championships. Janikowski is a two-year letter winner at Cathedral Catholic High under Head Coach Dawn Lee and has appeared in 42 matches, showing an ability to contribute offensively from the backline, totaling six goals and four assists during her high school career.
“Megan is a strong defender who has great size and the ability to control a backline,” said Coach Smith “On top of this, her strong playing background and coachability will be great assets to our program.”
Samantha Jeffries is a 5’9 goalkeeper from Albuquerque, N.M. who joins the Hounds following her playing career with the Sting Samba Elite 02 and Sandia Prep. Jeffries has appeared in 100 games between the pipes for the Sundevils and has recorded 670 saves and 25 shutouts while posting a .574 goals against average, leading Sandia Prep to four consecutive state championships.
“Sam is a strong goalkeeper,” said Coach Smith. “Her work ethic and growth over the last year is remarkable. She has had great coaching and we are excited to add her to our strong goalkeeper core!”
Also joining the Hounds next fall is a 5-5 forward from El Paso, Texas, Amber Ochoa. Ochoa played for the El Paso Surf in the UWS and earned a starting role. She was also an offensive force at Eastwood High School, scoring 21 goals and nine assists during her junior campaign for the Troopers.
“Amber has so much potential,” said Coach Smith. “She is a striker who has the ability to cause backlines problems and score goals. Watching her grow over the last four years has truly been remarkable.”
Sydney Saxon, a 5-7 defender from Albuquerque, N.M., comes to Eastern following her career for the Albuquerque Thorns 02 Elite and Rio Rancho High School. As a junior, Saxon was named team captain for the Rams and appeared in 19 games while tallying 12 points on four goals and four assists.
“Sydney is a well-rounded defender with a great mentality,” said Coach Smith. “She has a lot of heart and has been the anchor to her previous club team for multiple years.”
Demi Zuniga is a 5-8 defender from Sahuarita, Ariz. who will join her sisters, Hayden and Keyara, next fall after wrapping-up her career for FC Tucson and Walden Grove High School. Zuniga totaled 11 points on four goals and three assists in 13 games as a junior for Walden Grove on her way to being named a First Team 4A All-Star.
“Demi is a strong, athletic defender,” said Coach Smith. “We are excited to have her join her sisters. Her size and ability to break down attacking players is top notch and we have confidence she will raise the level of our defenders.”
