EUGENE, Ore.  – First-year head coach Jessica Cardwell has announced the first four members of her inaugural recruiting class, who will join the Beacons this fall. Three freshmen and one junior college transfer are in the mix.
 
"I am very happy with the skill level that this first group of recruits has," said Cardwell. "I am more excited, however, with the type of people that have committed to join our team for the 2015 season. We are not only getting quality soccer players but we are adding a great group of young women to our roster."
 
Cardwell didn't have to look far to find incoming freshman Emily Miller (above center). Miller played her high school soccer at Thurston High including three seasons under the tutelage of Cardwell. She was honored by the conference three times including a second-team honor as a junior. Cardwell said, "I have coached Emily since she was in middle school and her determined mindset and work ethic is going to inspire those around her."
 
Britnee Joaquin (pictured, left) joins the Beacons from Simi Valley HS where she played four seasons and most significantly claimed a 4.26 GPA. Cardwell said, "Britnee is a well-rounded athlete and student who, from the very first time she stepped on campus, got along with our current players as if she were already a part of our team."
 
A former rival of Joaquin from Royal High School in Simi Valley will become her teammate as Gianna Rains (above right) will play for NCU in the fall. Rains had a highly successful club career with FC Hasental where she was a captain for five years and earned Player of the Year honors in 2014. "Gianna has the potential to make her presence felt immediately, said Cardwell. "She is a team player, who strives to make those around her shine."
 
The final name announced as part of the first wave of women's soccer recruits is Kayli Cook (above left), a junior college transfer from Solano Community College in California. She is the sixth player to transfer to NCU from Solano over the past three seasons. Cook was the teams' Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore. Coach Cardwell said, "The first time we met Kayli Cook, we immediately clicked. She is a high energy young woman who is working back from injury but is determined to be at her best for the 2015 season."
 
Hard at work on the recruiting trail, coach Cardwell is thrilled with the players coming in and plans on her first complete recruiting class to be announced in the near future. She said, "This group is going to play an important part in redefining NCU Women's Soccer, starting this fall. It will definitely be an exciting time of transition for our whole team, as we strive for excellence."