FULLERTON, Calif. – The three-time defending Big West Conference champion Cal State Fullerton women's soccer team has announced the addition of five student-athletes to the 2016 class.The newcomers will enroll at Cal State Fullerton for the 2016-17 academic year.
"I am very happy with this group," head coach Demian Brown said as he enters his 10th season at the helm of the program. "We have added some of the best local talent as well as positions needed to support our run at another Big West title."
Sydney Caracciolo, D/F, Valencia, Calif./West Ranch HS/Eagles
High School: Played three seasons of varsity soccer at West Ranch High School for head coach Jared White as an outside forward and outside back…during her senior season led the Wildcats with 17 goals (a new West Ranch HS single season record) and nine assists en route to Offensive Player of the Year and All-Area honorable mention accolades…as a junior totaled four goals and tallied five assists and was named Most Improved…as a sophomore scored four goals to go along with four assists.
Club: Played three years as an outside back and outside forward for head coach Vince Thomas with the Eagles Soccer Club in Camarillo, Calif.
Head coach Demian Brown: A skillful, attacking player with the ability to score and assist. She has great speed so look for her to impact the team in one of our wide attacking positions.
Riley Hoover, D/F, Brea, Calif./Troy HS/Beach FC
High School: A four-year varsity player for head coaches Ed Kephart and Mike Silzer…named all-Freeway League First Team following her junior and senior seasons…scholar-athlete for the 2015-16 academic year…helped the Warriors to an 18-3-4 record in 2016 which included a Freeway League championship (9-0-1)…advanced to the quarterfinal bracket of the 2016 CIF Southern Section Girls' Soccer Division II Championship defeating Beckman High School (3-0, First Round) and Roosevelt (2-0, Second Round).
Club: Has played nine years of club soccer including the last four years (2013-16) with Beach FC as an outside back and midfielder for head coach Jeff Joyner…in 2015: U.S. Youth Soccer National Finalists, California Regional League Champions, National League Red Division U17 Champion, National Cup Champion…in 2014: U.S. Youth Soccer National Champion, Far West Regional Champion, National Cu Champions, California Regional League Champion…in 2013: Surf Cup Finalist, SCDSL League Champions (Undefeated Season) and Disney Soccer Showcase Champion.
Head coach Demian Brown: Like her sister Kaycee, Riley is a very confident soccer player. We will be able to use her athleticism in one of our wide positions. She has great speed and the ability to both defend and attack very well.
Johana Rosas, M, Los Angeles, Calif./Cal State Dominguez Hills/Legends FC
Prior to Cal State Fullerton: Named all-California Collegiate Athletic Association honorable mentionas a redshirt sophomore in 2015…scored three goals (Sonoma State, San Francisco State and CSU East Bay)…as a redshirt freshman in 2014 scored two goals and added one assist…utilized a redshirt season in 2013.
High School: A 2013 graduate of Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet Senior High School in Los Angeles, Calif…played attacking midfielder for four years under head coach Wendy Bracamonte…a four-year captain for the Knights…three-time team MVP (2010, 2011, 2013)…senior season scored 31 goals and totaled 12 assists and 74 points…graduated with Honors.
Club: Played seven years for Legends FC in Chino Hills, Calif., as a central and outside midfielder for Andy Plascencia.
Head coach Demian Brown: A very technical and crafty midfielder who will add depth and creativity to midfield group. Her experience at Cal State Dominguez Hills should help in her transition to our program and we hope she is able to make an instant impact.
Tianna Sanders, GK, Irvine, Calif./Woodbridge HS/Strikers FC Irvine
High School: A three-year (2014-16) varsity goalkeeper for head coach Michael Ditta at Woodbridge High School in Irvine, Calif…named team MVP and second team all-Pacific Coast League in 2015 and 2016.
Club: Played four years of club soccer for Strikers FC Irvine under head coach Easanora.
Head coach Demian Brown: A solid and athletic goalkeeper. She will add depth to the position and increase the quality of our training sessions.
Savannah Sloniger, F/M/D, Yorba Linda HS, Yorba Linda, Calif./West Coast Futbol Club
High School: A four-year varsity player for head coach Greg Aviles at Yorba Linda High School in Yorba Linda, Calif., able to play center back, central midfield, outside back, and forward…helped lead the Mustangs to the 2016 CIF Southern Section Girls' Soccer Division III Championship Final with wins over Downey HS (4-1, First Rd.), Glendora HS (4-3, Second Rd.), West Torrance HS (4-3, Quarterfinal), San Luis Obispo HS (2-1, Semifinal) before suffering a 2-1 loss to South Hills HS in the title match…received honorable mention accolades following her junior season…missed her sophomore year with an ACL injury…as a freshman was named to the CIF Southern Section Division III Second Team and was named to the Empire League First Tea…scholar athlete for three years….also received Principle's Certificate of Honor and Academic Mustang Achievement Award.
Club: Played club soccer for 11 years, including the last six as a midfielder for head coach Gus Castaneda at West Coast Futbol Club.
Head Coach Demian Brown: Savannah is a strong 1v1 defender who can play in our back four or as a defensive midfielder. We will look for her add depth and stability to our defensive core.
2016 Recruiting Class
Alea Acosta, M, Spokane, Wash./Mead HS/Crossfire United ECNL
Dani Baldwin, D, San Diego, Calif./Del Norte HS/Carlsbad United
Sydney Caracciolo, D/F, Valencia, Calif./West Ranch HS/Eagles
Marissa Cordero, D, San Juan Capistrano, Calif./San Juan Hills HS/West Coast Futbol Club
Veronica Cruz, F, Rio Rico, Ariz./Rio Rico HS/FC Sonora
Sarah Davidson, M, Cedar Park, Texas/Cedar Park HS/Lonestar SC
Riley Hoover, D/F, Brea, Calif./Troy HS/Beach FC
Hailey Pohevitz, F, Van Nuys, Calif./Daniel Pearl Magnet HS/Real So Cal
Atlanta Primus, F, London, England
Mia Ramirez, M, Torrance, Calif./Torrance HS/LA Galaxy South Bay Elite
Johana Rosas, M, Los Angeles, Calif./Cal State Dominguez Hills/Legends FC
Taylor Salgado, F, Covina, Calif./Charter Oak HS/Albion USA
Tianna Sanders, GK, Irvine, Calif./Woodbridge HS/Strikers FC Irvine
Savannah Sloniger, F/M/D, Yorba Linda HS, Yorba Linda, Calif./West Coast Futbol Club