April 21, 2015
SAN DIEGO - San Diego State women's soccer head coach Mike Friesen and the Aztecs welcomed five student-athletes to the program in another strong signing class for the three-time defending Mountain West champions. The group will arrive on campus this summer and join a squad that is looking to advance to the NCAA tournament for the fourth time in as many years.
"We are really excited about this class," Friesen said. "These student-athletes fit the mold of what we are looking for in our program. They are all talented and athletic, but are great hard-working people.
"During the recruiting process, it was interesting to hear these players continually use the words honor, opportunity and thankfulness as they talked about our program," Friesen added. "It is a direct result of our current and former players building a program that is about more than just soccer. The work that our team has done on and off the field in recent years makes SDSU soccer easy to sell to recruits. And to know they consider playing here a great opportunity and an honor that they are thankful for is really cool. A big shout out to our team, which has built such a great program to recruit to.
"Obviously we are excited about our recent success, but both our current team and these exceptional student-athletes have big goals and more importantly, the desire and work ethic to try and reach them."
Hailing all the way from Winter Park High in Winter Park, Florida, goalkeeper Gabby English joins the Aztecs after a stellar youth and high school career. Named the defensive player of the year and Golden Glove Award winner at the regional championships, English is also a region and state champion. She played for the Florida Krush club program and was a member of the ODP regional pool as well. One of six children, Enlgish played five sports in high school.
"Being from Florida I have a fondness for palm trees, sunshine, green grass and warm weather," English said on why she chose San Diego State. "Combine that with the greatest soccer program I've come across, the most gorgeous campus I've set foot on, and the option of the major I want to study, and I found a perfect match!"
"Gabby is an excellent goalkeeper," Friesen said. "We expect big things from Gabby and know that her presence in the goal will add to our back line in many ways. Gabby is a natural leader and will be a fantastic addition to this team."
Kate Hart will make the short drive south as she hails from Huntington Beach High and played her club ball at Slammers FC. A goalkeeper, Hart was named to the 2014 Excalibur Cup All-Tournament Team after her team won the tourney, one of the most competitive fields in Southern California. She was also named first-team all-Orange County after giving up six goals all season. Hart showed her versatility and talent in the CIF playoffs as she kept a clean sheet for 80 minutes, then moved onto the field and scored the game-winning goal in overtime.
Hart on why she chose SDSU: "I was born in San Diego and spent a lot of time there growing up. I just love the city and everything about the campus. I enjoyed everyone I met associated with SDSU soccer and they made me feel so comfortable. I am excited to be a part of the Aztec Women's Soccer family!"
"Kate is another great addition for us," Friesen said. "Kate will compete every time she steps on the field. She is a fourth generation Aztec and knows what it means to represent SDSU. I believe Kate will add great value to our program in many ways. She is a team-first player and has an energy and attitude that is infectious."
Milan Moses joins the Aztecs from San Leandro by way of Dublin High and the renowned Pleasanton Rage soccer club. Moses was a 2014 member of the U17 Women's National Team training camp in Carson as well as a Nike National Camp and ECNL/ID2 participant. She has also been a multi-year player in the ODP Region IV program. A decorated prep basketball player, Moses led her Dublin team to the 2015 NCS championship.
"I chose SDSU because I really liked the coaching staff," Moses said. "They have a personal approach to make the team better players and students. I want to be a part of a great program and help continue the program's success. I also chose SDSU for their excellent academic program, its area is beautiful and I have family in San Diego."
"Milan is a gifted athlete and a very versatile soccer player," Friesen said. "She has the ability to change a game and we will look for opportunities to push her to grow into a player that will impact every game. We are familiar with the type of soccer players that come from the great Rage club with several recent standouts for SDSU having played for Pleasanton. Milan's experience with the USWNT program will help her adjust to the college game as well."
Coming from Rancho Cucamonga, Leah Pruitt joins SDSU with a plethora of soccer accolades. Pruitt most recently set the Alta Loma High record for goals in a single season, despite missing over a month of the slate with an injury. The three-time all-league honoree has been involved with the USWNT program as a U17 and U20 camp participant and participated in the National ID Camp. She is a five-year member of the ODP Cal South Pro+ Team and in 2013, was a member of the Pro+/ODP national champion squad. Pruitt prepped at Alta Loma with current Aztec and 2014 all-Mountain West performer Stacie Moran.
"I chose SDSU because of the soccer program and how great the coaching staff is," Pruitt said. "They always made me feel extremely wanted. The school is beautiful and offers many majors to pick from. My dad graduated from SDSU and played football for the Aztecs."
Friesen on Pruitt: "Leah is a player with a lot of great attributes. She is fast, very strong and technical. However, the intangibles are what we are most excited about. She has an ability to score goals, is a very hard-working player and has tremendous leadership potential. Her inclusion to the U17 and U20 USWNT programs are a direct result of those things."
Coming to The Mesa from Riverside, Taylor Russell is a four-year Cal South ODP selection, who won a 2012 USYS National Championship with Legends FC and an ECNL National Championship with the Irvine Strikers. An all-league, all-area and all-CIF player while at Riverside Poly, Russell currently plays for IE Surf.
"SDSU has it all from location to weather to great academics, but what sold me on SDSU was the family atmosphere and unity of the women's soccer team," Russell said on why she picked San Diego State. "I know SDSU is where I wanted to go since attending one of their college ID camps my freshman year."
Taylor is one of the toughest players that I have seen," Friesen said. "She is up for the individual battle and won't back down from anyone. She has a great work ethic and is very athletic. We believe that Taylor will find a way to impact our team immediately."
The five signees join transfer Hedda Regefalk, who has already enrolled at SDSU. Regefalk led Bakersfield in goals (11) and points (22) in 2014, including a hat trick against NCAA participant Seattle. A native of Stockholm, Sweden, she became the Roadrunners' record-holder for most goals in a season last year.
"We are excited for this class to arrive on campus to start competing and begin their college careers," Friesen added. "The club programs represented by these ladies are some of the best in the country so a special thanks to their club and high school coaches for the hours developing and pushing them to be where they are today."