CHENEY, Wash. – The two-time defending Big Sky Conference champions look to add depth to their already talented roster, as Eastern Washington University head soccer coach
Chad Bodnar announced the addition of 16 new Eagles to the program today (Feb. 7) on the first day of the National Signing Period.
Bodnar, who is prepping to enter his fifth year at the helm, brings in his largest class yet after losing 10 members of the program to graduation after the 2017 season. Each member will join EWU in the fall as true freshmen and they hail from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona and California.
The Eagles are fresh off another record setting year on the pitch, where they compiled a school record 16 wins and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row. EWU earned a regular season Big Sky Championship and these 16 new Eagles, along with an experienced returning crew, look to make immediate impacts and defend their title in 2018.
The 2018 Eastern Washington signing class is listed below…
Brooke Asbury | Maple Valley, Wash. | Tahoma HS | Centerback | 5-9
Brooke Asbury racked up several accolades at Tahoma High School, including an All-State Honorable Mention nod in 2017, a first team All-League selection in 2016 and a second team NPSL honor in 2017. After earning the coach's award in 2016, Asbury was the team MVP in 2017. She also raced to a top-ten finish in the 200-meters at the Washington State 4A track championships. Asbury plays for the PacNW and is fresh off of a state championship title in 2017 and a Far West Regional League championship in 2016.
Club Team: PacNW
Bodnar Bite: Brooke is a tough, hard working player, that is also very solid technically. She is a versatile player that we think could play in multiple spots for us. We are looking forward to seeing how she fits into our squad right away.
Kaelyn Barnes | Spokane Valley, Wash. | Central Valley HS | Forward/Midfield | 5-5
Kaelyn Barnes earned four letters at Central Valley High School and led them to a Washington State 4A State Championship title in 2014 and a second-place finish in 2017. As a freshman, Barnes earned All-Greater Spokane League Honorable mention in 2014. She was named to the All-Greater Spokane League second team in 2015, an honorable mention in 2016 and a first team nod in 2017. She also lettered in track and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Barnes plays for the Spokane Sounders and was named to the 2015 Washington State President's Cup Best XI and a 2015 President's Cup finalist. She was a US Youth Soccer ODP National Training Camp invitee in 2015 and attended the Region IV ODP Regional Camp from 2014-16. A Region IV ODP Inter-Regional Selection in 2015 and 2016, she was an international tournament honoree in Costa Rica in 2016. She also made the 2016 Region IV ODP Championship Top-18 All-Tournament team.
Club Team: Spokane Sounders
Bodnar Bite: Kaelyn is a local player that has pushed herself to continue to improve her game and become a legitimate attacking threat. Her vision and technical ability has continued to impress us. We are optimistic that she can come in and push for playing time right away in a very good returning group.
Nicole Bumgarner | Mountain View, Calif. | Mountain View HS | Center Midfielder | 5-11
Nicole Bumgarner was a four-year varsity starter at Mountain View High School in Mountain View, Calif. A captain her senior year, she earned first team All-League Santa Clara Valley honors as a freshman and a junior. She helped her team to two CCS Championships in 2015 and 2016 and was an All-Mercury News Team selection. Bumgarner was named to the Max Preps Tournament of Champions team, which includes only 10 players nationally.
She helped her club team, the Santa Clara Sporting, to five Northern California State Cup Championships and three Surf Cup Championships.
Club Team: Santa Clara Sporting
Bodnar Bite: Nicole is a tall, athletic midfielder that can cover a lot of ground with her long stride. She's good technically and sees the game well with and without the ball. Nicole has been on teams that have won a lot of championships in both high school and club, she is a proven winner. We are looking forward to seeing her grow in our system as she brings a different dynamic to the midfield for us.
Megan Drake | Coeur d'Alene, Idaho | Coeur d'Alene HS | Forward | 5-3
Megan Drake is a dual sport athlete out of Coeur d'Alene, earning four letters in soccer and three in track. In 2017, she was tabbed Associated Press First-Team All-League and Second-Team All-State. She ranks second all-time in goals scored at CDA High School and earned MVP in 2014 and 2017 while being named Hawk of the Year for her team. She was also a team scholastic award winner all four years.
Drake plays for the CDA Sting and helped them to a 2013 and 2017 state championship in addition to runner up finishes from 2014-16. She was also selected to the Idaho ODP team in 2015-16.
Club Team: CDA Sting
Bodnar Bite: Megan is an athletic local player that we were excited to commit to Eastern Washington. We were extremely intrigued with her speed and dedication to running at people with the ball at her feet. We are excited to see how she adapts and grows within our group. We think there is a high ceiling for potential growth for her as a player in our program.
Sydney Douglas | Corona, Calif. | Santiago HS | Defender | 5-9
Sydney Douglas had a successful four years at Santiago High School, During the 2016-17 season, her team went undefeated and won a Big VIII League championship. They also won the Sunny Hills Invitational and advanced to the second round of the CIF Playoffs. The following season in 2017-18, they won the Sunny Hills Invitational for the second consecutive year and were the NOCC tournament champions.
Douglas is also solid academically as she is a three-time Big VIII All-Academic Scholar and Gold Honor Roll member. Santiago High School also won a Big VII All-League championship after going undefeated during the 2014-15 season. Other highlights during her four years include a NOCC tournament championship in 2015-16 and a first team CIF defender nod in 2016.
For her club team, Legends FC, they advanced to the National Cup semifinals in 2014 and 2016 as well as the quarterfinals in 2015.
Club Team: Legends FC
Bodnar Bite: Sydney is an athletic player that can play in various roles on the edge. Her running ability caught our eye right away and her work rate and personality were two things we really liked in the recruiting process. We are looking forward to seeing her grow as a player and see where she fits in best for us.
Mya Elder-Hammond | Ashland, Ore. | Ashland HS | Defender | 5-9
Mya Elder-Hammond scored 51 goals and dished 41 assists throughout her four years at Ashland High School. As a freshman, she earned Daily Tidings Honorable Mention Mid-Western league and received first team honors for the next three years. Also a Medford Mail Tribune Second Team All-State member as a senior, she is a scholar athlete and a National Honor Society member.
She was also a multi-sport athlete, playing varsity basketball all four years and earned Medford Mail Tribune Honorable Mention Mid-Western League and All-Star honors in 2017.
Club Team: FC Portland ECNL
Bodnar Bite: Mya adds size and athleticism to our squad. She is a tall, lanky player who passes the ball well and looks to get forward off of the edge. Mya has good vision and is technically sound on the ball. It will be fun to see her incorporate her skills into what we do as a program.
Ariana Escobedo | Wenatchee, Wash. | Wenatchee HS | Midfield | 5-7
Ariana Escobedo was a four-year varsity starting midfielder and a team captain at Wenatchee High School where she earned two WHS varsity soccer MVP awards. She was also a three-time Columbia Basin Big 9 First Team All-Conference selection and helped her team to a Columbia Basin Big 9 league championship.
She was a Seattle Reign and a U.S. Soccer Development Academy midfielder and helped her club team to a Region 4 Championship.
Club Team: Seattle Reign Academy
Bodnar Bite: Ariana is a fantastic person with a very high work ethic. She passes the ball well and plays extremely hard on both sides of the ball. We think she will come in and add to the culture we are trying to build here as a program moving forward.
Annabelle Hall | Enumclaw, Wash. | White River HS | Forward | 5-7
Annabelle Hall is a local product who comes to EWU after four standout years at White River High School where scored 116 goals and dished out 45 assists during her four years. She earned first team All-SPSL honors as a forward from 2015-17 in addition to three straight first team Washington All-Area honors and a first team Washington All-State forward in 2016 and 2017.
A back-to-back SPSL MVP in 2016 and 2017, Hall was also named the 2017 SPSL Offensive Player of the Year and The News Tribune's Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017. She was also the King-Co Player of the Week in 2017.
Club Team: PacNW
Bodnar Bite: Annabelle is a proven goal scorer that we think can develop into something special here at EWU in our style of play. She's very good inside the 18-yard box and a good finisher. Her accolades in high school speak for themselves and we like her athleticism.
Mareonna Henderson | Puyallup, Wash. | Emerald Ridge HS | Forward/Midfield | 5-4
Mareonna Henderson is a local product out of Puyallup, Wash. She was an Emerald Ridge High School Player of the Year, a 4x400-meter relay state track member and a member of the PSPL Surf Academy.
Club Team: ISC Gunners
Bodnar Bite: Mareonna is another versatile player for us in this class. She is a good distributer of the ball and possesses a lot of athletic ability. She has an uncanny ability to play in forwards with her final pass to get other players in and is unselfish with her distribution and play around the goal. We are excited to add her to this group and see her flourish.
Vanessa Jones | San Lorenzo, Calif. | Arroyo HS | Centerback/Midfield | 5-10
Vanessa Jones owns the distinction of being named First Team All-WACC all four years at Arroyo High School in San Lorenzo, Calif. included a Defensive Player of the Year nod in 2018. She led her team to back-to-back NCS Championship in 2015 and 2016 and was a scholar athlete. Jones helped her club team, California Magic, to three straight US West Regional titles as well as a Far West Regional Semifinalist in 2017. In addition, Jones was a California ODP State Team selection from 2014-17 and an ODP Region IV selection in 2017.
Club Team: California Magic
Bodnar Bite: Vanessa is a tough tackling ball winner that has played at some of the highest levels in the country. Her physical presence and defensive ability was something that caught our eye early on. We look forward to seeing her grow within our program.
Cameron Kieneker | Woodinville, Wash. | Redmond HS | Centerback | 5-10
A member of the 2015 and 2016 Philippine Women's National Team, Cameron Kieneker will bring a wealth of experience to the Eagles. At Redmond High School, Kieneker earned second-team All-King Co honors in 2015 and was named to the first-team in 2016 while also being named Defensive Most Valuable Player. A Washington Youth Soccer EPD selection, Kieneker helped her club team, Crossfire Premier, to a state title in 2013. She also led her club team to the ECNL National Semifinals where they finished third in 2014 and fourth in 2016. Kieneker was a dual sport athlete at Redmond, playing on the varsity basketball team.
Club Team: Crossfire Premier SC
Bodnar Bite: Cameron has played at a high level for a long time with her club team. Her size and strength will be a welcomed addition to our backline. We are looking forward to seeing her come in healthy and ready to compete for time in the back four for us.
Janae Lee | Moreno Valley, Calif. | Rancho Verde HS | Defender | 5-8
Janae Lee is currently ranked No. 37 in Southern California by Top Drawer Soccer. In 2014, she was selected to the ODP National Training Camp and was a USYS National semi-finals star. During the 2015 season, she was named MVP at Rancho Verde High School and was tabbed to the Inland Valley First Team All-League. She was named to the 2015 USYS National TDS Best XI.
She helped the CalSouth ODP to a regional and national championship in 2016. In addition, she is a four-time CalSouth State Champion (2011-16) and a three-time Far West Regional champion (2013-16) in addition to being a two-time USYS National Champion.
Club Team: Slammers FC ECNL
Bodnar Bite: Janae was a late pick up for us that we are extremely excited about. She has youth national team experience and has played at extremely high levels of club soccer. Janae can play on the right or the left and is good with both feet off the edges. She also has a really aggressive attacking mindset that we loved. We are excited to see her come in fully healthy off her injury and compete for playing time.
Bailee Nelson | Boise, Idaho | Mountain View HS | Forward | 5-4
Bailee Nelson had quite the 2017 season at Mountain View High School. She was a state finalist and a BNSC club state runner up. Nelson earned also 5A SIC first team honors as a midfielder and was named first team All-State in addition to being named Mountain View's MVP in 2017.
Club Team: FC Nova
Bodnar Bite: Bailee is a technical, crafty, attacking player that is good at running at defenders and creating off the dribble. We loved her attacking personality and how she looked to get at defenses and break them down. She's quick and versatile and can play in different spots for us.
Glory Smith | Newbury Park, Calif. | Newbury Park HS | Forward | 5-6
Glory Smith heads to Eastern Washington after four standout years at Newbury Park High School. A captain and a four-year letter winner, Smith began her career being named to the 'Freshman to Watch' list by the Los Angeles Daily News. That season, she helped her team to a 2014 EGSL League Championship and a CIF SS Division II Marmonte League Championship.
In 2015, she helped her team to a CIF SS Division II League finals, a CIF regional finals and a U16 Flight One West Coach Classic Championship followed by a CIF SS Division II Marmonte League Finalist.
She was a captain for her club team, the Eagles FC Academy in 2016 and 2017 and an ECNL North American Cup Finalist in 2015 and 2016.
Club: FC Academy
Bodnar Bite: Glory comes from teams that have been in a lot of championships throughout her high school and club playing experience. She's a dynamic attacking player that has very good vision and attacking ability. We liked her frame and her ability to break down opponent's backlines and we are looking forward to working with Glory and adding her to our roster.
Ashley Valdivieso | Scottsdale, Ariz. | Desert Mountain HS | Defender | 5-10
A four-year letter winner, Ashley Valdivieso is Desert Mountain High School's all-time leader in career goals and points. After winning the Golden Foot award for being her team's leading scorer during the 2015-16 season, she earned AIA Division I Section III All-Section second team and All-Division Honorable Mention. She led her squad to back-to-back Arizona State semifinals in 2014 and 2015 and was tabbed AIA Division I Section III All-Section first team and All-Division Honorable Mention at the end of the season. She was also a team captain, a two-year letter winner in volleyball and earned three academic achievement awards.
Valdivieso led her club team, the Scottsdale Blackhawks, to a state championship in 2016 after making it to the Region IV semifinals in 2014 and the Region IV quarterfinals in 2015. As a team captain, she helped the Blackhawks to a Far West Regional League championship during the 2015 season in addition to the Surf College Cup finals in 2015.
Club Team: Scottsdale Blackhawks
Bodnar Bite: Ashley is an incredibly athletic addition to our squad. We are excited to see how she fits in with how we like to play as an edge player. Her pace and athleticism will definitely be exciting to see in the future for us.
Colby Wilson | Redondo Beach, Calif. | Junipero Serra HS | Centerback/Midfield | 5-11
Colby Wilson was tabbed Rookie of the Year at Junipero Serra High School in Redondo Beach, Calif., before following that up with a Team MVP nod the next season in 2016. She also earned first team All-Santa Fe League in back-to-back seasons in 2016 and 2017. A multi-sport athlete, Wilson played varsity basketball and was named Defensive MVP while helping her squad to a state championship title in 2015. She was also named to the Principal's Honor Roll and earned a citizenship award.
Club Team: LA Galaxy
Bodnar Bite: Colby comes from a very athletic family and brings a lot of size and tenacity to her game. She possesses great leadership qualities and is a tough defender to get by. We really liked Colby's personality and drive to be a great student-athlete for us. Her size will add height to a backline that loses some players from last fall.
