California State University Northridge Athletics
A Glance at CSUN Women's Soccer's Newcomers
8/11/2017 12:15:00 PM | Women's Soccer
With the CSUN Women's Soccer team hosting a pair of exhibition contests this weekend, fans at Matador Soccer Field will have an opportunity to take a look at several newcomers looking to make a strong first impression. The Matadors welcome in 11 true freshmen to the team, which include Avery DeWitt, Alyssa Aguilar, Ashley Cruz, Chloe Edwards, Kassandra Matthews, Savannah Gourley, Amy Aquino, Sydney Gilbert, Madison MacKenzie, Giselle Alvarado and Kimberly Coverdill.Â
"What I really like about this recruiting class is their ability to want to work and get better," said head coach Keith West about the newcomers. "The character of this class is amazing, and they are all great people. Just looking at the entire group, I'm excited for the future here at CSUN."
Avery DeWitt, Midfielder, 5-9, Corona, CA
DeWitt played four seasons at Santiago High School, helping the Sharks win four consecutive Big VII League Championships. During her prep career, DeWitt earned all-league honors as a senior and she was a member of a Shark team that went 26-1-8 and won the CIF Southern California Regional Tournament in 2014-15.
"Avery played for a gread club team in Legends FC," said West. "She has a great left and right foot, and is a soccer player. Avery's a free spirit with the ball and she can create things on the soccer field. She is going to fit in well with our group and what we do. I believe she is a good compliment to the rest of the team with the physicality and toughness she brings."
Alyssa Aguilar, Forward, 5-8, Canyon Country, CA
A graduate of Canyon High School, Aguilar began playing for the LA Premier club team when she was 15 years old. In her prep career at Canyon, Aguilar scored 45 goals and registered 26 assists in 70 matches. In her first two years with the Cowboys, Canyon High School posted an impressive 25-15-12 record.Â
"Alyssa's an athletic, strong, tall and very talented soccer player," said West "She can score goals. Alyssa played for a great club team under outstanding coaches at LA Premier and she is someone I'm expecting to compete for a job immediately."
Ashley Cruz, Forward, 5-3, Oxnard, CA
Cruz was a two-sport athlete at Oxnard High School as she also participated in the school's track & field team. During her prep career, Cruz earned a host of awards including all-league first team honors and all-county from 2015-16, CIF Division III First Team as a senior, Pacific View League Offensive Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2015-16) and 2015 CIF Division V Player of the Year. Cruz helped lead her school to the Pacific View League title for four-straight seasons and guided her team to the CIF Division V Championship as a junior. In addition, Cruz also played for the El Salvador U-17 National Soccer Team.Â
"Ashley missed her senior year of high school because of injury, so she is still making her way back," said West. "Her dad is a coach and anytime you have a parent that coaches in your sport, you tend to have some insights into the game and play differently. We recruited Ashley as a soccer player, and she can do things on the field that we need. You have to bring in players that just do things that you can't teach."
Chloe Edwards, Defender/Midfielder, 5-6, Santa Clarita, CA
Edwards received several awards at Santa Clarita Christian High School including All-Heritage League Player of the Year and All-Santa Clarita Valley from 2016-17. She was also named to the 2016 Division VI All-CIF Southern Section in her prep career. With her play on the field, the Cardinals won the Heritage League Championships and posted undefeated seasons in league competition in her final two years with the team. In the classroom, Edwards earned a spot on her school's Honor List all four years and she received the 2015 Scholar-Athlete award.Â
"Chloe is another player that played with a good club team, as she played with Real So Cal under Kristy Walker and Derek Hanks," said West. "She can play in the midfield and the outside back positions. Most importantly, her attitude and desire to improve is awesome. When you combine all of those things, I think she is going to have a successful career here."
Kassandra Matthews, Defender, 5-9, Valencia, CA
A two-sport athlete in her prep career, Matthews earned CIF First Team honors in her senior season on the Hart High School soccer team. Matthews, who also played on her school's track & field team, was named All-Santa Clarita Valley First Team in 2016-17, All-SCV Second Team in 2015-16 and Honorable Mention in 2014-15. With her work on defense, Matthews helped guide the Indians to four-straight league titles and an undefeated record in league play each season.Â
"Kassie comes from Hart High School and a very good club team in LA Premier," said West. "She's another physical presence and she has a will to win. She hates to lose and it's evident with the teams she's played on. We are all expecting a lot of things from her."
Savannah Gourley, Defender, 5-9, Simi Valley, CA
Gourley played three seasons with Simi Valley High School soccer team, serving as a center midfielder before missing her senior season due to injury. During her time with Simi Valley, Gourley helped the Pioneers reach the CIF Division II Southern Section Tournament and she earned team Most Valuable Player honors in 2015. She also played club soccer with the Simi Valley SC Eclipse.
"I envision Savannah playing center back and doing extremely well for us," said West. "Her ability to win balls will help us, and she's very good in the air. I think once she gets into some games, and settles in to the speed of the game, she is one heck of an addition to our program."
Amy Aquino, Defender, 5-7, Laguna Niguel, CA
Aquino played at several positions on the Aliso Niguel High School soccer team including forward, midfield and center back. She earned all-league second team honors as a senior and she was also named the Wolverines' Most Valuable Player. Aquino helped Aliso Niguel win four consecutive league championships. She also participated on the track & field team for two seasons.Â
"Amy has so much upside because she is athletic, strong and can play at multiple positions on the pitch," said West. "She can play at center back, forward and can probably play some outside back. Amy is a terrific person and I'm excited for her future at CSUN."
Sydney Gilbert, Midfielder, 5-5, Santee, CA
Gilbert competed on the West Hills High School soccer and track & field teams for four seasons. On the pitch, Gilbert was named to the Grossmont Hills All-League Team over her last three years with the soccer squad as well as to the CIF All-San Diego Section Section Team as a senior. She was also awarded the school's Female Athlete of the Year in 2016-17. Gilbert helped the Wolf Pack reach the Division II CIF San Diego Section semifinals after an impressive 17-win season. In track, Gilbert earned all-league first team and Most Outstanding Horizontal Jumper recognition all four years at West Hills.Â
"Sydney came here and made a statement that she wants to play," said West. "She is doing it with her talent level, with her soccer, with her athleticism, but most importantly with her will to win. Sydney also can play anywhere on the pitch from outside back to center midfield and forward. I have confidence that anywhere I put her on the field she'll do well because she works and doesn't give up."
Madison MacKenzie, Forward, 5-7, Thousand Oaks, CA
A standout at Royal High School, MacKenzie served as team captain for her senior season with the Highlanders. MacKenzie helped lead Royal High School to the semifinals of the 2015 CIF Southern Section Ford Division IV Championships after a 19-win campaign. In her senior year, the Highlanders posted 16 wins and advanced to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS Division III Tournament. Mackenzie's father, Steve, played for the CSUN Men's Soccer team and was a member of the 1986 team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.Â
"Maddie is extremely tough, and sets the bar high for competitive spirit and a winning mentality," said West. "She comes from a lineage of soccer players with her dad, Steve MacKenzie, playing here. Maddie is going to be a standout player for us. I'm happy she's on our team because I wouldn't want to play against her."
Giselle Alvarado, Defender, 5-4, Santa Clarita, CA
A Golden Valley High School graduate, Alvarado played for the soccer team all four years and participated on the track & field team as a sprinter from 2013-15. Alvarado won the team Most Valuable Player freshman of the year award in 2013. She also earned all-conference accolades during her freshman and sophomores seasons with track & field.
"Giselle is an athletic soccer player," said West. "She played for Real So Cal and enjoyed a strong high school career. She has the ability to play outside back and outside mid for us. Giselle is another one of those players that's going to improve day by day."
Kimberly Coverdill, Goalkeeper, 5-5, Palmdale, CA
Coverdill was a two-time All-CIF First Team honoree, a three-time Golden League First Team recipient and a CIF All-Star during her prep career at Quartz Hill High School. She also earned the United States Navy Award for Athletic Achievement in 2017. Coverdill helped lead the Rebels to a pair of league championships and a 20-win campaign during her senior season. In addition, Coverdill played for the Cal Elite soccer club and guided the team to the U.S. National Presidents Cup.Â
"Kimberly exemplifies hard work, dedication and teamwork," said West. "She's had to work very hard to get here and has gone above and beyond of what's asked of anybody. I'm happy that she's with us and I know she's going to bring a good competitive spirit to the team."
Along with the 11 freshmen, the Matadors welcome back redshirt freshmen Gabriella Hinojosa and Payton Jo Armijo, redshirt junior Lena Gustafsson and redshirt senior Bri Singh to the 2017 squad.
Hinojosa played four seasons as a starting forward with Citrus Valley High School and was a two-time all-league honoree. Armijo hit the back of the net with regularity with Highland High School, scoring 86 goals and amassing 208 points in her career. A junior college transfer, Gustafsson competed with Santa Barbara City College for two seasons and earned All-Western State Conference First Team honors after tallying four goals and four assists as a sophomore. Singh enjoyed a prolific career at Southeastern Louisiana where she received All-Southland Conference honors three-straight years and registered 26 goals, eight assists and 60 total points.Â
The Matadors host Arizona State in an exhibition match on Saturday at 2 p.m. CSUN officially kicks off the 2017 season at Long Beach State on Friday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m.Â
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