Photo by: For Houston Athletics
Soccer Signs Seven NLIs
12/7/2022 11:30:00 AM | Soccer
First-year Head Coach Jaime Frias inks first ever class
HOUSTON – Coming off its final season in the American Athletic Conference, the University of Houston Soccer program signed seven student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, Head Coach Jaime Frias announced Wednesday.
"We are very excited about the group that makes up our 2023 signing class especially when we add them to our current team," Frias said. "From a positional standpoint, we will fill many of our needs with the loss of our seven graduating seniors. The most exciting aspect of this class is how much they will add to our style of play, how well they fit into our team culture and how motivated they are to continue to develop to help our team achieve our goals. I strongly feel that over the next four years they will leave their mark on our program.
"We will be announcing additional signings in the coming months as we look to enhance our roster for future success in the Big 12 Conference."
BELLA AYERS
Goalkeeper
Elk Grove, Calif.
Elk Grove HS
HIGH SCHOOL
Originally from Sacramento, Calif., Ayers comes to Houston from Elk Grove High School … Reached the 2021 playoffs with the Thundering Herd … Named the 2022 Delta League Player of the Year … Honor Roll Student-Athlete … Played overseas in Sweden for Nor Cal PDP in the 2022 Gothia Cup … 2022 Gothia Cup Champion … Played volleyball as a freshman in high school.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Julia and Shawn Ayers … Has an older sister, Maddison, who played softball at San Diego State, and a younger brother, Tristan … Volunteers at St. John's, a safehouse for women and children … Involved in FFA … Aspires to be a Doctor of Sports Medicine … Lists parents and sister as her inspirations … Enjoys FFA, soccer and cooking.
TALIA FEIGIN
Midfielder
Bethesda, Md.
Bethesda ECNL | Walt Whitman HS
CLUB SOCCER
Member of Bethesda ECNL since U8 … Currently playing on U18/04/05 … Earned a virtual invite to the 2021 U-17 USYNT and was also invited to be a member of the ICC future East All Star team … Participated in the ECNL Southeast selection training center, ID2 Kansas and has attended U.S training centers since age 11.
HIGH SCHOOL
Originally from Bethesda, Md., Feigin comes to Houston from Walt Whitman High School … 2022 and 2021 Maryland 4A State Champions.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Lisa and Samuel Feigin … Has an older sister, Jessie and two older brothers, Jack and Ethan … Older brother, Ethan, plays soccer at Tufts University … Currently interning with a physical therapist … Aspires to be a physical therapist … Lists mom, Lisa, as her biggest influence … Enjoys soccer, running, shopping and hanging out with friends.
ELLA FREEBURY
Defender
Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
Beach FC ECNL | Palos Verdes HS
CLUB SOCCER
Plays for Beach FC ECNL … 2021 ECNL Open Cup Champion … 2022 ECNL National Champion Finalist … 2022 Southwest League Champions.
HIGH SCHOOL
Originally from Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., Freebury comes to Houston from Palos Verdes High School … 2021-23 varsity team captain … 2021 Rookie of the Year … Member of Palos Verdes HS track team.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Tracey and Chris Freebury … Has one younger brother, Dylan … Involved in National Society of High School Scholars, California Scholarship Federation and Fellowship of Christian Athletes … Aspires to be a psychologist or health professional … Enjoys running, lifting weights, yoga, waterskiing, wakeboarding and listening to country music … Majoring in fitness and sports.
KYRSTEN KIZER
Forward
Frisco, Texas
FC Dallas ECNL | Lone Star HS
CLUB SOCCER
Plays for FC Dallas ECNL … 2021 National Semifinalist … Scored 10 goals and picked up seven assists during first season … Finished second place overall in the 2021 Texas Conference.
HIGH SCHOOL
Kizer joins Houston from Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas … Reached playoffs with the Rangers in 2022 … Won three team offensive MVP awards … Landed a spot on the First Team All-District three times … Has recorded 45 goals and earned 20 assists with the Birdville Rangers … Varsity track and cross country.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Holli and Scott Kizer … Has an older sister, Mikaela, and younger brother, Jobe… Volunteers at Frisco Family Services … Involved in Athletic Training at Lone Star High School … Aspires to become a nurse or pediatric doctor… Lists her parents as her biggest inspirations … Enjoys skiing with her family, reading, babysitting, wakeboarding, braiding hair, music and running.
TATUM McCASLAND
Defender
North Richland Hills, Texas
Sting Dallas Black ECNL | Birdville HS
CLUB SOCCER
Plays for Sting Dallas Black ECNL … Won the 2021 Showcase A National Champions at the ECNL Playoffs.
HIGH SCHOOL
McCasland joins Houston from Birdville High School in North Richlands, Texas … Third place finish in District 6-5A during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons … 2021 First Team All-District … 2021 Second Team All-Region … Also competed on her Birdville's track team.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Melissa and Josh McCasland … Has an older brother, Cooper, who plays football at Abilene Christian University … Member of National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Birdville Buddies … Volunteers at local community enrichment center and 6 Stones … Aspires to be a physical therapist … Lists mom, Melissa, as biggest influence … Enjoys reading … Plans to major in exercise science.
LILLIANNA MERAM
Defender
La Mesa, Calif.
San Diego Surf ECNL | Valhalla HS
CLUB SOCCER
Plays on San Diego Surf's ECNL Team … 2021 ECNL Conference Champion.
HIGH SCHOOL
Meram comes to Houston from Valhalla High School in El Cajon, Calif., … Played varsity soccer her sophomore year of high school for the Norsemen … As a member of the Norsemen, she won the 2021 Grossmont Hills League Championship and reached the 2021 CIF finals … Named to the 2021 Second-Team All-League … 2021 Scholar Athlete … 2021 Most Valuable Midfielder.
PERSONAL
Originally from Royal Oak, Mich., but moved to La Mesa, Calif., in 2020 … Daughter of Angela and Francis Meram … Has a twin brother, Julius, and a younger sister, Giavanna … Recipient of a California Scholarship Federation Award … Honor Roll … Aspires to be an engineer … Lists uncle and member of MLS's Real Salt Lake, Justin Meram, as her biggest influence … Enjoys reading, volleyball, tennis, cooking and traveling … Plans to major in mechanical engineering.
CHARLOTTE RICHARDSON
Midfielder
Missouri City, Texas
Albion Hurricanes 05 ECNL | Ridge Point HS
CLUB SOCCER
Member of Albion Hurricanes 05 ECNL.
HIGH SCHOOL
Set to graduate from Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas … 2020 District Champions, 2021 District and Bi-District Champions, 2022 District Champions and State Semi Finalists … Second Team All-District … First Team All-District … Second Team All-State … Academic Athletic Honor Roll … Named team MVP in 2022.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Anne and Chad Richardson … Her father, Chad, played football at Rice and mother, Anne, ran track at Wyoming … Has a younger brother, Chase … Academic A/B Honor Roll … Involved in Student Council and Fellowship of Christian Athletes … Volunteers at Gigi's House … Aspires to become a nurse … Lists family and friends as her biggest influences … Enjoys painting, shopping, vacationing and hanging out with friends and family.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the COUGAR RESERVES
Fans are invited to join the Cougar Reserves to support Houston Soccer. Cougar Reserves members provide financial support directly to Houston Soccer for needs beyond the program's operating budget. For more information about levels of giving and benefits, fans can click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSoccer on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarSoccer or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougarsoccer.
"We are very excited about the group that makes up our 2023 signing class especially when we add them to our current team," Frias said. "From a positional standpoint, we will fill many of our needs with the loss of our seven graduating seniors. The most exciting aspect of this class is how much they will add to our style of play, how well they fit into our team culture and how motivated they are to continue to develop to help our team achieve our goals. I strongly feel that over the next four years they will leave their mark on our program.
"We will be announcing additional signings in the coming months as we look to enhance our roster for future success in the Big 12 Conference."
BELLA AYERS
Goalkeeper
Elk Grove, Calif.
Elk Grove HS
HIGH SCHOOL
Originally from Sacramento, Calif., Ayers comes to Houston from Elk Grove High School … Reached the 2021 playoffs with the Thundering Herd … Named the 2022 Delta League Player of the Year … Honor Roll Student-Athlete … Played overseas in Sweden for Nor Cal PDP in the 2022 Gothia Cup … 2022 Gothia Cup Champion … Played volleyball as a freshman in high school.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Julia and Shawn Ayers … Has an older sister, Maddison, who played softball at San Diego State, and a younger brother, Tristan … Volunteers at St. John's, a safehouse for women and children … Involved in FFA … Aspires to be a Doctor of Sports Medicine … Lists parents and sister as her inspirations … Enjoys FFA, soccer and cooking.
TALIA FEIGIN
Midfielder
Bethesda, Md.
Bethesda ECNL | Walt Whitman HS
CLUB SOCCER
Member of Bethesda ECNL since U8 … Currently playing on U18/04/05 … Earned a virtual invite to the 2021 U-17 USYNT and was also invited to be a member of the ICC future East All Star team … Participated in the ECNL Southeast selection training center, ID2 Kansas and has attended U.S training centers since age 11.
HIGH SCHOOL
Originally from Bethesda, Md., Feigin comes to Houston from Walt Whitman High School … 2022 and 2021 Maryland 4A State Champions.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Lisa and Samuel Feigin … Has an older sister, Jessie and two older brothers, Jack and Ethan … Older brother, Ethan, plays soccer at Tufts University … Currently interning with a physical therapist … Aspires to be a physical therapist … Lists mom, Lisa, as her biggest influence … Enjoys soccer, running, shopping and hanging out with friends.
ELLA FREEBURY
Defender
Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.
Beach FC ECNL | Palos Verdes HS
CLUB SOCCER
Plays for Beach FC ECNL … 2021 ECNL Open Cup Champion … 2022 ECNL National Champion Finalist … 2022 Southwest League Champions.
HIGH SCHOOL
Originally from Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., Freebury comes to Houston from Palos Verdes High School … 2021-23 varsity team captain … 2021 Rookie of the Year … Member of Palos Verdes HS track team.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Tracey and Chris Freebury … Has one younger brother, Dylan … Involved in National Society of High School Scholars, California Scholarship Federation and Fellowship of Christian Athletes … Aspires to be a psychologist or health professional … Enjoys running, lifting weights, yoga, waterskiing, wakeboarding and listening to country music … Majoring in fitness and sports.
KYRSTEN KIZER
Forward
Frisco, Texas
FC Dallas ECNL | Lone Star HS
CLUB SOCCER
Plays for FC Dallas ECNL … 2021 National Semifinalist … Scored 10 goals and picked up seven assists during first season … Finished second place overall in the 2021 Texas Conference.
HIGH SCHOOL
Kizer joins Houston from Lone Star High School in Frisco, Texas … Reached playoffs with the Rangers in 2022 … Won three team offensive MVP awards … Landed a spot on the First Team All-District three times … Has recorded 45 goals and earned 20 assists with the Birdville Rangers … Varsity track and cross country.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Holli and Scott Kizer … Has an older sister, Mikaela, and younger brother, Jobe… Volunteers at Frisco Family Services … Involved in Athletic Training at Lone Star High School … Aspires to become a nurse or pediatric doctor… Lists her parents as her biggest inspirations … Enjoys skiing with her family, reading, babysitting, wakeboarding, braiding hair, music and running.
TATUM McCASLAND
Defender
North Richland Hills, Texas
Sting Dallas Black ECNL | Birdville HS
CLUB SOCCER
Plays for Sting Dallas Black ECNL … Won the 2021 Showcase A National Champions at the ECNL Playoffs.
HIGH SCHOOL
McCasland joins Houston from Birdville High School in North Richlands, Texas … Third place finish in District 6-5A during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons … 2021 First Team All-District … 2021 Second Team All-Region … Also competed on her Birdville's track team.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Melissa and Josh McCasland … Has an older brother, Cooper, who plays football at Abilene Christian University … Member of National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Birdville Buddies … Volunteers at local community enrichment center and 6 Stones … Aspires to be a physical therapist … Lists mom, Melissa, as biggest influence … Enjoys reading … Plans to major in exercise science.
LILLIANNA MERAM
Defender
La Mesa, Calif.
San Diego Surf ECNL | Valhalla HS
CLUB SOCCER
Plays on San Diego Surf's ECNL Team … 2021 ECNL Conference Champion.
HIGH SCHOOL
Meram comes to Houston from Valhalla High School in El Cajon, Calif., … Played varsity soccer her sophomore year of high school for the Norsemen … As a member of the Norsemen, she won the 2021 Grossmont Hills League Championship and reached the 2021 CIF finals … Named to the 2021 Second-Team All-League … 2021 Scholar Athlete … 2021 Most Valuable Midfielder.
PERSONAL
Originally from Royal Oak, Mich., but moved to La Mesa, Calif., in 2020 … Daughter of Angela and Francis Meram … Has a twin brother, Julius, and a younger sister, Giavanna … Recipient of a California Scholarship Federation Award … Honor Roll … Aspires to be an engineer … Lists uncle and member of MLS's Real Salt Lake, Justin Meram, as her biggest influence … Enjoys reading, volleyball, tennis, cooking and traveling … Plans to major in mechanical engineering.
CHARLOTTE RICHARDSON
Midfielder
Missouri City, Texas
Albion Hurricanes 05 ECNL | Ridge Point HS
CLUB SOCCER
Member of Albion Hurricanes 05 ECNL.
HIGH SCHOOL
Set to graduate from Ridge Point High School in Missouri City, Texas … 2020 District Champions, 2021 District and Bi-District Champions, 2022 District Champions and State Semi Finalists … Second Team All-District … First Team All-District … Second Team All-State … Academic Athletic Honor Roll … Named team MVP in 2022.
PERSONAL
Daughter of Anne and Chad Richardson … Her father, Chad, played football at Rice and mother, Anne, ran track at Wyoming … Has a younger brother, Chase … Academic A/B Honor Roll … Involved in Student Council and Fellowship of Christian Athletes … Volunteers at Gigi's House … Aspires to become a nurse … Lists family and friends as her biggest influences … Enjoys painting, shopping, vacationing and hanging out with friends and family.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the COUGAR RESERVES
Fans are invited to join the Cougar Reserves to support Houston Soccer. Cougar Reserves members provide financial support directly to Houston Soccer for needs beyond the program's operating budget. For more information about levels of giving and benefits, fans can click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarSoccer on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarSoccer or on the team's Instagram page at @uhcougarsoccer.
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