April 29, 2009

FULLERTON, CA - Cal State Fullerton women's soccer head coach Demian Brown has announced that Casey Lockey and Rikishi Smith have signed National Letters of Intent to continue their playing careers with the Titans beginning with the 2009 season.

"These two additions will help round out an already exciting 2009 class and will provide us the depth and talent needed to build a successful program," Brown said.

The two signees join a previously announced class of five high school players who signed their letters in February: Lacey-Marie Califano (San Pedro, CA/Tustin United), Felicia Franco (Lake Forest, CA/Irvine Strikers), Brisa Gonzalez (Fullerton, CA/Irvine Strikers), Jessica Luevano (Canyon Country, CA/Real So Cal), and Kristina Slusser (Pomona, CA/Fullerton Rangers).

Lockey, a 5-7 defender from Chula Vista, was a four-year varsity starter for Bonita Vista HS, earning four All-Metro Mesa League honors - including first-team laurels as a junior and senior. She was a three-time Most Valuable Defender, twice named team captain, and was the team's MVP as a senior.

She played club soccer for Albion SC, helping her club to a second-place finish in the U-19 Premier League standings last season.

"Casey is an outstanding athlete with the ability to play anywhere across the backline or wide in the midfield," Brown said. "She has a great touch and awareness on the field as well as the toughness to compete at the Division I level."

Smith, a 5-7 center midfielder from Chatsworth, helped lead Chatsworth HS to a CIF City title as a senior while earning first-team All-CIF honors her final two prep seasons.

A four-year starter on her high school squad, Smith played club soccer for Real So Cal, helping the team to a third-place Premier League finish in 2008, the Cal South National Cup Semifinals in 2008, and a pair of quarterfinal appearances in 2006-07.

Smith also helped her club to the finals of the Super-Y League in 2008, the CSL League Cup Finals in 2007, and three Surf Cup championships.

"Kishi is an extremely technical soccer player with the ability to strike from distance and provide dangerous service anywhere on the field," Brown said. "She will join a talented group of midfielders and add to our attacking depth."

2009 CAL STATE FULLERTON WOMEN'S SOCCER SIGNEES
Name (POS, HT, Hometown/High School, Club Team)
Casey Lockey (D, 5-7, Chula Vista, CA/Bonita Vista HS, Albion SC)
Rikishi Smith (MF, 5-7, Chatsworth, CA/Chatsworth HS, Real So Cal)
Lacey-Marie Califano (5-10, MF, San Pedro, CA/Palos Verdes HS, Tustin United)*
Felicia Franco (5-4, MF, Lake Forest, CA/El Toro HS, Irvine Strikers)*
Brisa Gonzalez (5-4, MF, Fullerton, CA/Fullerton Union HS, Irvine Strikers)*
Jessica Luevano (5-8, D, Canyon Country, CA/Canyon HS, Real So Cal)*
Kristina Slusser (5-8, F/MF, Pomona, CA/Walnut HS, Fullerton Rangers)*

* denotes previously announced signee