Lobo Soccer inks 10 in 2022 class
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Lobo Soccer program has signed 10 players to join the 2022-23 roster, announced UNM on Wednesday. All 10 signees signed their NLI on Wednesday morning to officially be announced publicly. Of the 10 signees, four of them are natives of New Mexico, including three Albuquerque natives and one native of Corrales. Of the other six signees, three of them are from Utah, one from Washington, one from California and one from Nebraska.
Lataya Brost | 5-5 | F | Orem, Utah
Brost joins the Lobos from Orem Utah, where she played at Timpanogos High School. She earned First Team All-State and First Team All-Region. She scored 68 goals and notched 32 assists with her high school team. Additionally, she lettered in softball and basketball throughout her high school career. She was also a member of the National Society of High School Scholars.
She played club soccer for Utah Celtic FC and Utah Avalanche ECNL, leading her club to Northwest Conference Champion title.
Coach Dyche on Brost: “Lataya is a creative attacking player who is very good in 1v1 situations. She has the ability to score from all over the field as well as create opportunities for her teammates.”
Brost on why she chose UNM: “It felt like home from my first visit. I loved the atmosphere and culture around athletics.”
Kennedy Brown | 5-4 | CM/CB | Albuquerque, N.M.
An Albuquerque native, Brown joins the Lobos from Volvano Vista High School, where she lettered all four years in soccer and basketball. She led her team to a championship in 2019. She was named District Player of the Year in 2020 and 2021. She earned First Team All-State and First Team All-District in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Additionally, she placed for the Rio Rapids ’04 GA and SC Del Sol ’04 club teams. With Rio Rapids, she lead the team to four state championships and four regional qualifiers.
Coach Dyche on Brown: “Kennedy understands what it takes to be a successful player at this level. She is a player who can play multiple positions and always brings a strong leadership presence.”
Brown on why she chose UNM: “I chose UNM to be a part of the incredible soccer culture and enhance my skills and ability on the field, while getting a high level of education.”
Presley Devey | 5-6 | F | Eagle Mountain, Utah
Devey joins the Lobos from Eagle Mountain, Utah, where she led Cedar Valley High School to a regional championship in 2021. She earned First Team All-State in 2019-2021 and MVP in 2020-21. She recorded 131 goals in 69 games played. She was named High Honor Roll from 2018-2021. She was named to the Region Team in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
She also played club soccer for Utah Arsenal FC, where her team was Premier 1 Runner Up.
Coach Dyche on Devey: “Presley is a goal scorer. She finds ways to impact every game she plays in with her work rate and physicality. She is going to provide our attack with a whole new weapon.”
Devey on why she chose UNM: “I chose UNM because I loved how I was greeted by team members and how I felt like part of the team even though I was visiting.”
Callahan Droitsch | 5-8 | GK | Holladay, Utah
Droitsch hails from Holladay, Utah, where she led Olympus High School in state champions in 2020. She earned First Team All-State and had a 19-2 record, while allowing only eight goals in the 2020 season. She was named to the High Honor Roll every year through her high school career. She was also the 2021 Olympus High Captain of her team.
Additionally, she played for La Roca FC. With her club, they were the top 8 DA teams in the 2019-20 season.
Coach Dyche on Droitsch: “Callie joins a long line of really outstanding goalkeepers at University of New Mexico. She is a natural shot stopper, comfortable with the ball at her feet, and has experience at the highest club levels. We are so pleased to welcome her to UNM.”
Droitsch on why she chose UNM: “I chose UNM because of the incredible coaching and staff. This is a program that loves to compete!”
Avianna Gonzalez | 5-5 | D | Papillion, Neb.
Gonzalez comes from Papillion, Neb., where she led Omaha Marian Catholic to a state semi-finalist in 2021 and state runner-up in 2019. She was named 2019 Newcomer of the Year. In 2021, she earned Nebraska First Team All Super State, First Team Class A All-State, First Team All-Metro Conference, Defender of the Year and Team MVP.
She played club soccer for Evolution SC and Elite Girls Academy ECNL. In 2021, the club earned 2021 DC Del Sol PDT Finalist and Kansas City Heartland League Champions. In 2019, Gonzalez was named to the ECNL Midwest Conference Player to Watch List.
Coach Dyche on Gonzalez: “Avianna is not only a good defender, but she is also comfortable in possession and building from the back. We look forward to her helping our already stellar defensive line.”
Gonzalez on why she chose UNM: “As soon as I walked onto campus, met with coaches, and met with the team I immediately felt welcomed. The family atmosphere, amazing facilities, and beautiful campus made me feel that this was the place I wanted to spend my next four years. I knew I could easily call this place home and be a proud Lobo!”
Jayden Hill | 5-3 | OB | Rancho Mission Viejo, Calif.
Hill comes from the west coast in Pancho Mission Viejo, Calif., where she led San Juan Hills High School to 2020 South Coact League Champions title. She was named Three Rivers Second Team her freshman year and Three Rivers First Team her sophomore year both at Lake Oswego High School.
She played club soccer for FC Portland ECNL and SO Cal Blues ECNL. With the Blues, she led the team to the 2020 Surf Cup Champions title.
Coach Dyche on Hill: “Every time we are able to see Jayden play, she changes the games she’s in. She is a dynamic player who can play multiple positions and impact the game in different ways. We are so excited to welcome her to our Lobo family.”
Hill on why she chose UNM: “I choose UNM because of the amazing team environment the coaches have created, which made it feel like the best fit for me personally, and as a player. I can’t wait to be a Lobo!”
Mercedes Morris | 5-5 | F | Albuquerque, N.M.
An Albuquerque native, Morris joins the team from Cibola High School, where she helped the team to Metro Champions in 2018, 2019, and 2021, and District Champions in 2021. She earned First Team All-District in 2021. At Cibola, she was a part of the National Honors Society and Senate.
She played club soccer for Rio Rapids and helped lead the team to four state champions titles.
Coach Dyche on Morris: “Mercedes will bring a strong physical presence and high level of competitiveness. She is relentless with the ball at her feet, and it will serve her well in the mountain west conference. We are so happy she decided to stay in New Mexico and represent her home state.”
Morris on why she chose UNM: “I choose to paly at UNM for not only the great coaching staff and the team dynamics they’ve created but also to have the ability to play for my hometown and inspire kids as past Lobo Women’s Soccer players have done for me.”
Taylor Rittman | 5-4 | F | Albuquerque, N.M.
Rittman represents her hometown, joining the Lobos from Eldorado High School. She led the team to a district championship in 2018. She was the 2021 All-District Co-Player of the Year. She was also three-time All-State and three time All-District First Team. She was the team captain for three years. She was also a multi-time Honor Roll recipient.
Additionally, she played at the club level for AUFC 03 New Mexico Thorns, leading the team to 2018 and 2021 New Mexico State Champion titles.
Coach Dyche on Rittman: “Taylor is an exciting player to watch, I know Lobo fans are going to enjoy coming to see her play. She is dangerous with the ball at her feet and in 1v1 situations. She has the pace to get around defenders and I am looking forward to seeing all she adds to your team.”
Rittman on why she chose UNM: “I chose UNM because of the culture that the coaching staff and players have created, as well as the family atmosphere within the team. Being from New Mexico, I’m beyond excited and proud to represent my home state on and off the field. Go Lobos!”
Nikki Ross | 5-3 | F | Seattle, Wash.
Ross joins the Lobos from Seattle, Wash., where she went to Roosevelt High School. She was the Girls Academy team representative.
She played club soccer for Seattle United and OL Reign Academy. She was the team captain her youth and senior years.
Coach Dyche on Ross: “Nikki is very comfortable with the ball in tight situations, she has excellent vision and makes players around her better. I have no doubt Nikki is going to come in and compete right from the start.”
Ross on why she chose UNM: “I chose UNM because of the coaching atmosphere, the new location, how they treat student-athletes, and the awesome facilities and resources they provide.”
Corrine Whitsell | 5-8 | W | Corrales, N.M.
A local native, Whitsell stays home to join the Lobos from Cibola High School. She led the team to Metro Champions from 2018-2021 and District Champions in 2021. She was a part of the honor roll and was named Most Dynamic Player in 2018.
Additionally, she played club soccer at Rio Rapids 04, leading the club to state championships in 2017, 2018 and 2021.
Coach Dyche on Whitsell: “We are so happy that Corrine decided to stay home and play at UNM. She is a player who is already very good, but has a huge upside. She brings something different to our attack and can’t wait to get her here.”
Whitsell on why she chose UNM: “I chose UNM not only because of the great opportunity to play soccer, but also the great academics.”