ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team and first-year coach Heather Dyche announce the signing of eight players to their 2015 recruiting class.
The group includes three New Mexico products, four players from California and one from Illinois. The Lobos helped themselves at all positions with one goalkeeper, three defenders, one midfielder, one forward and two that can play either forward or midfielder.
The recruits will join a veteran Lobo club that finished 10-6-2 and in third place in the Mountain West with a 7-2-2 mark. UNM came on toward the second half of the season, going 9-3-2 in its last 14 games.
Capsules of the eight signees are as follows:
Amelia Bierle 5-5 Midfielder
Carlsbad, N.M. (Carlsbad HS)
HIGH SCHOOL: A five-year letter winner and two-time captain for coach Misty Long and the Carlsbad High School Cavemen. … Earned District 4-6A Player of the Year honors in 2013-14 and was second-team all-state. Sixth leading scorer in the state her senior year. … Carlsbad lost to Volcano Vista and Lobo recruit Alyssa Candelaria in the first round of the New Mexico Class 6A state championships. … The Cavemen won District 4-6A in 2013 and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class 5A state championships. … Was the fifth leading scorer in state. … Also was a first-team District 4-6A section and honorable mention All-State in 2011 and second-team all-district in 2012. … The Cavemen won the District 4-6A title in 2011. … A second-team all-district honoree as an eighth-grader for Carlsbad, which also won district in 2010. … A first-team Academic All-District 4-6A selection in 2013 and 2014.
PERSONAL: Born Feb. 8, 1997 in Scottsdale, Ariz. … parents are Beverly Marrs and Scott Bierle. … has two sisters: Madeline and Eliza Bierle. … Favorite book is, “Looking for Alaska” by John Green. … Favorite foods are chips and salsa. …. Favorite athlete is Carli Lloyd. … Undecided on a major.
Alyssa Candelaria 5-3 Defender
Albuquerque, N.M. (Volcano Vista HS)
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2014 second-team all-state selection for coach Samantha Lucero and the Volcano Vista Hawks. … The team reached the semifinals of the New Mexico High School Soccer State Championships. … A two-time second-team All-District performer her junior and senior seasons. … The Hawks advanced to the semifinals of the state championships in 2013. A four-year letter-winner on the soccer team. … Member of the 2011 and 2012 State soccer runner-up teams. … A member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta, the latter a national high school and two-year college mathematics honor society. … An All-Academic selection from 2011-14 and is ranked No. 1 academically in the Volcano Vista Class of 2015.
PERSONAL: Born Jan. 2, 1997 in Albuquerque, N.M. … parents are Sandy and John … has three sisters: Julianna, Dani and Myla, and one brother, Jayson. … A five-time state champion with the Rio Rapids Zia 97 team from 2010-14. … Favorite movie is, “She’s the Man.” … Favorite foods are steak and sweet potato. …. Favorite athlete is Sydney Leroux. … Intends to major in Biology.
Morgan Divine 5-8 Goalkeeper
Albuquerque, N.M. (Eldorado HS)
HIGH SCHOOL: A two-time first-team all-state performer (2013-14) and the 2013 Metro Player of the year for coach Paul Maestas and the Eldorado Eagles. … Allowed just 19 goals during her three years as the Eagles’ goalkeeper while tallying 94 saves. … Led the Eagles to a 13-3-1 record and the District 2-6A championship as a senior in 2014, allowing nine goals and making 51 saves in 19 games. … Led Eldorado to the 2013 5A state championship, allowing a ridiculous four goals in 21 games. … MaxPreps rated the Eagles the No. 3 team in the nation that season. … Scored the game-winning shootout goal in the championship game against Cibola, and then made the subsequent save to give the Eagles the state title. … Also earned a Top Drawer Soccer High School Player of the Week honor in November of that season. … A second-team all-district performer her sophomore year in 2012, leading Eldorado to a 14-6 record. … Also earned first-team academic all-state honors her junior and senior years. … Earned an academic letter and was on the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society school lists … in the top five in her class academically.
PERSONAL: Born July 29, 1997 in Albuquerque, N.M. … parents are Robin and Kevin … has two sisters, Riann and Kaitlynn. … Likes to skateboard in her spare time. … Favorite food is pineapple. … Favorite movie is “She’s the Man.” … Favorite book is “The Help.” … Favorite video game is FIFA. … Favorite athlete is Lionel Messi. … Plans on majoring in Exercise Science/Physical Therapy.
Amber Edemann 5-5 Defender
Sylmar, Calif. (Bishop Alemany HS)
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2014 Mission League Most Valuable Player and second-team Los Angeles Daily News All-Area selection for the Alemany High School Warriors and coach Gustavo Garrido. … Current team was off to a 13-1-3 start. … Was a MaxPreps Player of the Game on Dec. 2, 2014 in a 5-0 Alemany victory over Heritage Christian. … A two-year captain and four-year letter-winner on the team. … The Warriors finished 10-3-1 in 2013-14 and advanced to the second round of the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Sections playoffs. … Earned co-MVP honors on her team as a sophomore. … One of only two freshman to make the varsity roster and started at center back in 2011-12.
PERSONAL: Born Sept. 26, 1996 in Mission Hills, Calif. … parents are Susie and Jerry … has a brother, Justin. … Parents are owners of the Chicago Blast Soccer Club. … Dad played soccer at Pierce College. … Mom played at Moorpark Junior College. … Uncle Mike Simms played professional minor league baseball. … Favorite movies are Harry Potter movies, “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit.” … Favorite food is sushi. …. Favorite athlete is Kristy Rampone. … Intends to study Emergency Medical Services.
Aleksandra Mihailovic 5-4 Forward/Midfielder
Lemont, Ill. (Lemont HS)
HIGH SCHOOL: A three-year letter-winner, two-time Illinois High School Soccer Coaches Association All-Sectional and two-time All-South Suburban Conference honoree for the three-time IHSA Regional champion Lemont High School Tigers and coach Rick Prangen. … She scored 17 goals and had 12 assists her junior year in 2014. … The powerhouse Tigers won the regional championship in 2012-2013 and 2014. … They also won the IHSA Sectional Championship in 2013-14 and finished fourth in the IHSA state tournament in 2013. … Had 39 career goals and 20 career assists going into her senior season. … Also named to the 2013 Chicago Fire/Southtown Star All-Area Girls Soccer Team. … A member of the National Honor Society and a Publicity Officer at Lemont.
PERSONAL: Born Sept. 20, 1996 in Jacksonville, Fla. … parents are Zivka and Aleks … has one brother, Djordje. … Parents are owners of the Chicago Blast Soccer Club. … Dad played soccer at the Jacksonville University and was the third player in NCAA history to score 40 goals and have 40 assists during his career. … He finished his career ranked fourth in assists per game in the NCAA (0.82 per game). … Dad also played professionally for the Washington Diplomats and the Jacksonville Tea Men. … Favorite movie is “Gangs of New York.” … Favorite book is “The Great Gatsby.” Favorite food is sushi. …. Favorite athletes are Tim Tebow and Bo Jackson. … Intends to study Broadcast Journalism. … Wants to be an anchor on SportsCenter.
Jennifer Muñoz 5-4 Forward/Midfielder
Mission Viejo, Calif. (Capistrano Valley HS)
HIGH SCHOOL: A two-time second-team All-Orange County selection and South Coast League Offensive Most Valuable player for coach Neil Powell and the Capistrano Valley Cougars. … The Cougars won the South Coast League in 2013-14 and advanced to the second round of the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section playoffs. … Finished with 11 goals and six assists in ’13-14. … As a sophomore earned first-team All-CIF honors and was a Junior League Most Valuable Player. … Recorded seven goals and eight assists in 2012-13 … The Cougars advanced to the CIF semifinals. … A second-team South Coast League selection as a freshman. … Scored six goals, converting 4 of 5 penalty kicks… Lettered four years in soccer and three years in track and field for Capistrano Valley.
PERSONAL: Born Nov. 4, 1996 in Montebello, Calif. … parents are Claudia and Guad … has one brother, Gianni. … Favorite food is fettuccini alfredo. … Favorite movies are “Dear John” and anything from the Harry Potter series. … Favorite athlete is Lionel Messi. … Undecided on a major.
Sydney Pagador 5-5 Forward
Roseville, Calif. (Woodcreek HS)
HIGH SCHOOL: A four-year letter-winner and first-team All-Sierra Foothill League selection her junior year for coach Mark Bowman and the Woodcreek High School Timberwolves. … Scored eight goals with two assists her junior season in 2013-14. … Has served as team captain her junior and senior years. … Second-team All-Sierra Foothill League selection as a sophomore in 2012-13. … A member of the 2011-12 California Interscholastic Federation Division II Section championship team. … The Timberwolves finished 13-2-7 that season. … A member of the schools honor roll each of her four years at the school. … A member of the Philippine National Team.
PERSONAL: Born May 9, 1997 in Santa Clara, Calif. … parents are Jen and Steve … has one sister, Kellie. … Dad was a wide receiver for the Lobo football team from 1994-96. … Likes to go snowboarding. … Favorite food is French fries. … Favorite movie is “The Proposal.” Favorite book is “Farewell to Manzanar.” Favorite video game is “Quiz Up.” … Intends to major in Business.
Bailey Webster 5-7 Defender
Huntington Beach, Calif. (Edison HS)
HIGH SCHOOL: A 2013-14 second-team All-Sunset League, second-team All-California Interscholastic Federation and third-team All-Orange County performer for coach Kerry “Mac” Crooks and the Edison High School Tigers. … The Tigers were Sunset League champions, advanced to the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Division 1 championship game and qualified for the CIF Southern California Regional Girls Soccer Championship. … Edison also won the Excalibur Cub – Merlins Bracket championship. … A second-team All-Sunset League honoree in 2012-13 for Edison, which was and Excalibur Champions bracket finalist. … A member of the Sunset League champion Edison team in 2012. … A four-time Scholar Athlete Award winner, top 20 percent of graduating with class. … Older sister Briana played for the Lobos from 2010-13, and sister Brooke will be a junior on the current Lobo team.
PERSONAL: Born Jan. 21, 1997 in Fountain Valley, Calif. … parents are Peggy and Jeff Webster … has two sisters, Briana and Brooke, and one brother, Ben. … Peggy played volleyball at UCLA from 1977-78 … Briana currently is a member of the Minnesota Twins semi-professional soccer team. … Ben is a member of the Crew team at the University of Wisconsin. … Favorite book is “Divergent.” … Favorite food is steak. …. Favorite athlete is Abby Wambach. … Intends to study Philosophy and Pre-Law.