Lobo women's soccer signs seven on NLI Day

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team added seven players to the program during Wednesday’s national letter of intent signing day.
 
The signing class features three in-state players, two from Colorado and two from Washington, and UNM coach Heather Dyche said it’s a group that will only add to a program coming off a Mountain West Tournament finals appearance and the team’s second-best GPA in program history at 3.75.
 
“We are incredibly excited to officially welcome this class to our Lobo Soccer Family,” Dyche said. “This group of players is exceptionally talented and will fit in with our culture of hard work on and off the field immediately. They are excellent students, outstanding players and, most importantly, great people. We are thrilled for our fans to get to know these players and help us in welcoming them to UNM.”
 2018 UNM Women’s Soccer Signing Class 

Lexi Baca
5-5, Forward
Albuquerque, N.M.
Cibola High School/Southwest Aeronautics and Mathematics Science
Rio Rapids ’99
Baca is a high school All-American (Esmark, Top Drawer) out of Albuquerque’s Cibola High School who was selected as the 2016 Gatorade New Mexico Player of the Year and a nominee to win the award in 2017 (yet to be named) … Helped Cibola to back-to-back Class 6A state titles (2015-16) … A three-time all-state player for the Cougars who led Class 6A in scoring in 2016 and was second in 2015 … Also named to the NSCCA All-West Region Team from 2015-17 … Finished high school career with 84 goals and 38 assists … Helped her club team Rio Rapids ’99 to four straight state title games, winning two championships (2014 and 2016) … Four-year high school honor roll with a 3.9 GPA … Has been taking classes at Central New Mexico Community College part time for previous three years and enters UNM with 49 college credit hour … Also lettered in basketball and track.

Why UNM: “I chose UNM because of the strong soccer program and the excellent coaching staff. Also, I wanted to study accounting and finance in one the best business programs in the country.”
  Jadyn Edwards
5-4, Forward
Mill Creek, Wash.
Henry M. Jackson High School
Greater Seattle Surf
Edwards was an all-state player for Jackson High School after scoring 18 goals and adding 17 assists her senior season … She was selected the 2017 Everett Player of the Year … Named All-Wesco First Team her sophomore, junior and senior year (second team as a freshman) … Helped Jackson win the District and Wesco championships from 2014-17 and to a second-place finish at state in 2014 … Played club for Greater Seattle Surf and helped the team be a 2017 State Cup Finalist … Owns a 3.9 GPA and was Gold Honor Roll all four years in high school.

Why UNM: “I chose to play soccer at The University of New Mexico because I could tell the atmosphere of the team was something I wanted to be a part of. I have wanted to play at a competitive collegiate level and I know UNM will fulfill that. The change in weather was also a huge plus. Most importantly, the health science program at this school is great. I am excited to be a Lobo!”
 Alesia Garcia
5-6, Forward
Aurora, Colo.
Cherokee Trail High School
Colorado Storm ECNL
Garcia is a two-time all-conference player out of Cherokee Trail High School in Aurora, Colorado … Was also selected the conference’s offensive player of the year in 2015 … In club play, she played for the Colorado Storm ECNL and helped the team become ranked fourth in the nation in 2017 and win the NPL championship … Earned honor roll honors from 2014-18.

Why UNM: “I chose UNM because I really enjoyed the feeling I had when seeing it all for the first time.”
 Mackenna Havenor
5-9, Defender
Albuquerque, N.M.
Albuquerque High School
Rio Rapids Reign ’00
Havenor is a multiple all-state performer out of Albuquerque High School … As a senior she was named first-team all-state, all-metro, all-district and all-academic all-district … She was also named district player of the year as a senior … As a junior, was named second-team all-state … Played club for Rio Rapids Reign ’00 and helped the team to a state cup title in 2014 and 2016 and a PDT title in 2016.

Why UNM: “It will be something very special playing for the state I grew up in, and in a stadium I shagged balls for as a tot.”
 Jaelyn Hendren
5-6, Outside Back
Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Mountain Vista High School
Colorado Storm
Hendren is coming off an all-state season for Mountain Vista High School where she helped the team win a Class 5A state championship … Was also named all-league and all-conference in 2017 … Also helped Mountain Vista to a state runner-up finish in 2016 … Played club for the Colorado Storm and helped the team win a state title and helped the team finish in the ECNL Final 4 … Mother and father are both UNM graduates … This year was selected for the Colorado Women in Sports Award for the Douglas County School District and was a DECA state qualifier in 2015 and 2016.

Why UNM: “I’ve always loved visiting New Mexico when I come to see my family. I chose UNM because of the fantastic soccer program, educational opportunities and being close to my family.”
 Karlee Maes
5-7, Outside Back
Albuquerque, N.M.
La Cueva High School
Rio Rapids ’99/’00
Maes helped La Cueva High School win the Class 6A state title this season and was selected New Mexico’s player of the year … She was also named a 2017 high school All-American and first-team all-state after scoring 26 goals for the Bears … Also selected district player of the year … Named all-district academic … Helped her club team Rio Rapids win the 2016 state cup.

Why UNM: “The atmosphere and environment on the team was something you can’t pass up, and I also am excited to stay close to home near my family and friends.”
 Kylie Russell
5-5, Defender
Kirkland, Wash.
Inglemoor High School
Northwest Nationals/Pacific Northwest Soccer Club
Russell was team captain for Inglemoor High School her senior year and was selected second-team 4A King County (named honorable mention her junior and sophomore seasons) … Helped Pacific Northwest Soccer Club to a Washington state title in 2017 and the Far West Regional championship as well while helping Northwest Nationals to state titles in 2012 and 2014 … Her father, Chris Russell, is the tennis coach at the University of Washington (Kylie played tennis for 13 years).

Why UNM: “I chose UNM because I really liked the campus, coaches, and team. It seemed like the perfect fit for me.”