Houston Inks 11 for 2020 Signing Class
11/15/2019 1:00:00 PM | Soccer
Powerful versatility highlights incoming class
HOUSTON –The University of Houston Soccer program and Head Coach Diego Bocanegra are pleased to announce the addition of 11 student-athletes.
The Cougars are excited to welcome Ava Alaniz, Maddie Bowers, Chloe Curcio, Mikaela Garcia, Adriana Hutson, Nadia Kamassah, Nicole Laz, Emily Munguia, Genaye Sanders, Jazilyn Torres and Kiana Tulloch.
"We are so excited to welcome our 2020 class to the Houston family! Each member of this class brings something unique to the soccer field, but they will all positively add to the culture that we continue to establish." said Bocanegra. "They are hardworking, motivated student-athletes that want to excel in all aspects of their lives. Most importantly, they understand what it means to be a great person and a great teammate."
AVA ALANIZ | MIDFIELDER | MCALLEN, TEXAS
Alaniz joins Houston from McAllen High School in McAllen, Texas. Alaniz helped lead the Bulldogs to 50 straight district wins, three consecutive District Championships, two Sweet 16's, a Regional Championship and a State Final Four appearance, the first by a team from the valley. An All-State First-Team selection, Alaniz was also tabbed with District MVP honors and tallied the most goals by a midfielder during her senior campaign.
Bocanegra on Alaniz: "Ava is a strong, versatile player that will add some strength and power to our midfield. She is just as dangerous in the attack as she is strong in her defending which will add positively to the midfield line."
MADDIE BOWERS | FORWARD | LAKE JACKSON, TEXAS
Bowers joins the Cougars from Brazoswood High School in Clute, Texas. The forward helped the Buccaneers become three time Bi-District Champions during her career. As a four year letterman, Bowers was a Second-Team All-State, First-Team All-District and Houston Chronicle First-Team selection. Bowers was named District MVP, All-County Offensive MVP, Academic All-District and All-County Forward of the Year.
Bocanegra on Bowers: "Maddie will add another dimension to our front line. Her combination of size, pace and athleticism will put defenders on their heels. She has the power to crush a ball from 30 yards but also has the finesse to slot it right underneath the GK. I look for Maddie to make an immediate impact in our ability to score goals."
CHLOE CURCIO | DEFENDER | MIDDLETOWN, N.J.
Curcio joins Houston from Mater Dei Prep High School in Middletown, N.J. The defender comes off of a four year career with the Cedar Stars Academy-Monmouth of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Curcio has played in 58 games for the Cedar Stars Academy, and started in 44. Academically, Curcio has been named to the High Honor Roll at Mater Dei Prep and maintains a 3.5 GPA.
Bocanegra on Curcio: "From the first time I saw Chloe play, I wanted her to be a Coog. She has quickness and power when she is defending plus good feet when she is on the ball. However, what stood out most was the fact that she plays with grit, passion and determination. Her competitive nature will give us some bite on the back line."
MIKAELA GRACIA | GOALKEEPER | MANSFIELD, TEXAS
Gracia joins the Cougars from Mansfield High School in Mansfield, Texas. The Goalkeeper is a four time Player of the Week, was named Newcomer of The Year and helped lead the Tigers to a District and Area Championship in 2016, where they held an overall record of 19-3-1.
Bocanegra on Gracia: "Mika already has great experiences in her young career. From playing at the youth national championships for her club team to camps at the youth international level, she will be a great addition to our GK group. Her quickness, shot stopping ability and distribution gives her the potential to make an immediate impact."
ADRIANA HUTSON | FORWARD | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Hutson joins Houston from William Taft High School in San Antonio, Texas. The forward is a three-year letterwinner, a three time First-Team All-District selection, and a three-time All-Distrcit selection. Hutson also played club where she was named to the ECNL All-Conference Team twice.
Bocanegra on Hutson: "A.D. will add another dimension to our attack by her ability to beat players 1v1 with her skill and pace. She is one of the few players that is just as fast dribbling the ball as she is without it. She can play centrally or out wide and is very efficient in scoring goals from all parts of the field."
NADIA KAMASSAH | FORWARD | CAMARILLO, CALIF.
Kamassah joins the Cougars from Adolfo Camarillo High School in Camarillo, Calif. The forward helped lead the Scorpions to the CIF Quarterfinals and was named Most Valuable Player in 2017. Kamassah has been awarded with Academic Excellence honors three years consecutively, and is a member of the Black Student Union.
Bocanegra on Kamassah: "Nadia uses her blend of speed, power and determination to create chance for herself and teammates. There are certain players you watch and can't necessarily pinpoint how they continue to score goals, yet they do it over and over again. I feel very confident that her scoring abilities will translate to the college game very well."
NICOLE LAZ | DEFENDER | NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF.
Laz joins Houston from Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach, Calif. The defender helped lead the Sailors to a League Championship during her senior campaign and was named Most Valuable Player. The three-sport athlete also participated in basketball and lacrosse, where she was named Most Valuable Player in 2016 and 2018. Academically, Laz is a member of the National Honor Society and holds a place on the Honor Roll.
Bocanegra on Laz: "Nicole is another great addition to our defense. Her versatility allows her to play anywhere on the back line. Her size and pace coupled with her blue collar attitude give her the ability to immediately deal with the physical demands of the college game. She will provide another great option on the back line."
EMILY MUNGUIA | DEFENDER | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Munguia joins the Cougars from the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The defender was a South Texas Olympic Development Program two-time Regional Camp Selection and Disney Championship qualifier in 2016. Munguia helped lead the Ascenders to a Florida NPL and State Club Championship in 2017, and was a U.S. Soccer Development Academy Playoff Finalist in 2017-18.
Bocanegra on Munguia: "Emily is pacey wide player who can get up and down the flank. I love the way she defends with an aggression and determination. On the other side of the ball, I am excited to add another defender that is willing and able to go forward and join the attack."
GENAYE SANDERS | DEFENDER | FRISCO, TEXAS
Sanders joins Houston from Reedy High School in Frisco, Texas. The defender helped lead the Lions to the District 5A Playoffs in 2016, and was an Academic All-District selection. Sanders is a member of the ECNL and her team, FC Dallas, was selected as the Team of the Week. Academically, Sanders has been tabbed with Distinguished Academic Letterman honors her junior and senior year, as well as standing as the Senior Class Vice President, Student Council President and as a member of the National Honor Society.
Bocanegra on Sanders: "Genaye is a lock down defender that has the ability to take opponents completely out of their game. She is smart, fast and plays bigger than her size. Although she has the ability to play centrally, she will most likely spend her time as an outside back where she can also join the attack."
JAZILYN TORRES | MIDFIELDER | AUSTIN, TEXAS
Torres joins Houston from Weiss High School in Pflugerville, Texas. The midfielder helped the Wolves to a State Championship in 2016, and was a two-sport athlete where she was selected for All-Distrcit honors in Track. Additional, Torres serves as the Football iReporter for FanStandATX.
Bocanegra on Torres: "Jazzy is a quick, skillful, crafty player who will enhance our ability to play through the midfield. She has the ability to play centrally and out wide which adds to our attacking versatility."
KIANA TULLOCH | MIDFIELDER | SUNRISE, FLA.
Tulloch joins Houston from J.P Taravella High School in Coral Springs, Fla. The midfielder was tabbed with All-County and All-State honors, and received the Golden Boot Award. The two-sport athlete also participated in Track, where she ran the 4x1 and 4x4.
Bocanegra on Tulloch: "Kiana is another player who dramatically improves our overall athleticism. She is a relentless attacker who can create scoring chances from the midfield and up front. She is skillful, can cover ground from box to box and has the ability to grind through the toughest situations and games."
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