Bocanegra Announces 2017 Signing Class
6/15/2017 12:00:00 AM | Soccer
HOUSTON -- University of Houston Soccer Head Coach Diego Bocanegra is proud to announce the addition of 10 talented newcomers to the Cougar program. Mia Brascia, CaLeigha Callahan, Angela Forthuber, Jazmin Grant, Kate Godfrey, Olivia Lee, Alisha Lopez, Isabella Marinaro, Shailee Modi and Patty Weingartner have signed National Letters of Intent to join UH.
"We're really excited the way we were able to bring this class together," Bocanegra said. "There were some previous commitments and some additions. We feel that each one of these players brings us something different that will help solidify the way we want to play in this program. I expect every one of our recruits to contribute. Some of them will be sooner than others but we feel great bringing in a quality class from top to bottom."
The 10 newcomers will join 18 returning lettermen from the 2016 roster, including 8 student-athletes who started at least 12 games.
MIA BRASCIA | Midfielder | Las Vegas, Nev.
Mia hails from Las Vegas, Nev. where she played for Heat FC for head coach Key Reid...Brascia's sister Meghan played for the Cougars while her sister Charlotte plays for the University of Arizona...Netted 63 goals and tallied 65 assists during her time with Heat FC...Was ranked the No. 17 recruit in the Rocky Mountain Region according to TopDrawerSoccer.com...2016 ECNL Champions League semi-finalist...2016 Soccer Loco Surf Cup finalist...2016 Player's College Showcase Champions...Multi-sport athlete also competing in track & field as well as basketball...Enjoys cooking, working out and spending time with family.
Bocanegra on Brascia: "Mia is a player we expect to make an immediate impact. Her sister Meghan played in our program and she knows what it's like to be a part of this school which should ease her transition here. She's a midfielder or a center back and sees the game very well, she is good with the ball at her feet."
CaLEIGHA CALLAHAN | Forward | Cibolo, Texas
CaLeigha comes to Houston from Cibolo, Texas where she attended Byron P. Steele playing for head coach Justin Linthicum...2017 undefeated district champions and region semi-finalist...two-year leader in assists...2016 team leading goal scorer...Earned Merit Award...enjoys anything outdoors.
Bocanegra on Callahan: "CaLeigha is a very athletically gifted player. She has versatility to play anywhere from outside back to forward. Her natural left foot will add another dimension to our team."
ANGELA FORTHUBER | Midfielder | Houston
Houston native Forthuber was a four-year letter winner for the St. Agnes Academy Tigers coached by Josh Dolan...Played for Albion Hurricanes Club with teammate Shailee Modi...three-time All-District first team and Academic All-State...2016 All-State second team selection...She enjoys reading, camping, hiking, hanging out with friends and family and cites her grandmother, Katharina Forthuber, as her biggest influence.
Bocanegra on Forthuber: "Angela is a great addition to our defense she can play outside back at either side. She is a two-way defender, she can defend and attack out of the back. I can see her playing as an outside midfielder as well. Her versatility will add depth to our team in multiple positions."
JAZMIN GRANT | Forward | Atascocita, Texas
Grant was a four-year letter winner from Atascocita High School...She earned first and second team All-State honors...Named the Eagles MVP and was the leading goal soccer...Netted 72 goals in three years at Atascocita...Multisport athlete playing volleyball as well as soccer...Brother Devon plays soccer at Houston Baptist University...Enjoys shoe shopping and being outside.
Bocanegra on Grant: "Jazmin comes in as a true goal scorer. She has the ability to get in behind the defense, score from distance and set up her teammates. I expect her to make an immediate impact."
KATE GODFREY | Goalkeeper | Salt Lake City, Utah
Godfrey comes to Houston from Salt Lake City where she was a four-year letter winner at Skyline High School under head coach Yamil Castillo...2015 State Champions went undefeated, 20-0...Four-year Region Champions...Named to the Citizenship Honor Roll...Enjoys ballroom dancing and cooking and hopes to become a bioengineer.
Bocanegra on Godfrey: "Kate is a goalkeeper we found late in the process. She is a physical keeper who is not afraid to make contact and close down attacking players. She makes really good reaction saves. She will immediately challenge for one of the top two goalkeeper spots."
OLIVIA LEE | Defender | Austin, Texas
Lee comes to Houston from Austin, Texas where she was a varsity letterman at LBJ High School...Lee was a multi-sport athlete also earning letters in basketball and softball...She was a named the district offensive MVP in 2015...District champion in basketball...Finished in the Top 10 percent and a member of the National Honor Society...Lee enjoys traveling and camping.
Bocanegra on Lee: "Olivia is someone who will add depth to our attacking group. Her combination of pace and skill will help us. I believe she will transition well into the college game."
ALISHA LOPEZ | Forward/Midfielder | Clute, Texas
Lopez hails from Clute, Texas where she was a four-year letter winner for the Brazoswood Buccaneers in Clute, Texas while also playing for Space City FC under head coach Randy Evans...2014 Newcomer of the County and Newcomer of the Year at Brazoswood High School...three-time First Team All-District and First Team All-County...2017 Brazoswood High School MVP...Tallied 42 points 18 goals and 8 assists in 2016...Member of the National Honor Society...Enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Bocanegra on Lopez: "Alisha is a great story. We found her in her senior year at our ID camp and she completely blew us away. She's small but quick, athletic, explosive and can break down defense on the dribble and with her passing. We're excited to add Alisha to our program."
ISABELLA MARINARO | Midfielder/Forward | Edinburg, Texas
Marinaro comes to Houston from Edinburg, Texas playing for IDEA Toros College Prep where she was a three-year starter...Two-time first team All-District...2016 District top goal scorer...Netted 92 goals in three seasons...2016 All Valley MVP and Player of the Year finalist...2015 Rattlers Most Outstanding Player...Named to academic honor roll and enjoys reading, baking and outdoor activities.
Bocanegra on Marinaro: "Isabella is another late addition that we found. She's coming from the Rio Grande Valley area. She's going to add a sense of soccer savvy. She's has a great vision for the game, her soccer IQ and creativity as an attacking midfielder or forward will help produce goals and assists."
SHAILEE MODI | Goalkeeper | Sugar Land, Texas
Sugar Land, Texas native Modi was a three-year letter winner for the Fort Bend Clements Rangers...Played for Albion Hurricanes Club with teammate Angela Forthuber...2017 Hurricanes FC Player of the Year... Three-time Academic All-State and District Goalkeeper MVP...Named to the All-State first team...Attended South Texas Youth Association Development Program...Modi is AP Scholar with distinction and DECA State Winner.
Bocanegra on Modi: "Shailee brings a quickness and athleticism to our goal keepers. She has the ability to get off the ground explosively and layout to make saves. Our goalkeeping group adds depth to the position."
PATTY WEINGARTNER | Midfielder | Henderson, Nev.
Comes from Henderson, Nevada where she played for Heat FC with teammate Mia Brascia...Multi-sport athlete ran cross country and track...Named 2012 Best Incoming Athlete at Green Valley High School...Scholar student athlete earning a 3.5+ GPA through high school...Enjoys working out, watching movies, weights and rollercoasters.
Bocanegra on Weingartner: "Patty is a teammate of Mia Brascia and from Las Vegas will give us an extra sense of athleticism. She is currently recovering from injury but once fully recovered she will help us with her ability to attack and help us set up goals."
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