Matadors Add Three to 2017-18 Recruiting Class

NORTHRIDGE, Calif.---Ahead of next week's Big West Conference Tournament, CSUN Water Polo head coach Matt Warshaw has announced the signings of three student-athletes to the 2017-18 recruiting class. The Matadors have added Hartwick transfer Tori Wilson, junior college transfer Dafne Garcia and high school product Alessia Marquez from British Columbia.

Originally from Kitchener, Ontario, Wilson has enjoyed a stellar sophomore season with Hartwick in 2018. After netting 49 goals as a freshman, Wilson has posted 82 goals to go with 57 assists and 55 steals this season. Wilson has also helped guide Hartwick to an impressive 28-10 record.

At the international level, Wilson has competed for the 19U Junior Canadian and 18U National Team in 2016 along with the 17U Canadian National Team in 2015. Wilson earned a silver medal at the Canadian Eastern National Championship League. She also played club water polo with Hammer, Mavericks and KW Inferno. In addition, Wilson earned Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches All-Academic Team honors last season. She was also selected to the Empire 8 Fall and Spring President's List.

"Tori is coming from a very talented Hartwick team that plays a tough schedule like we do," said Warshaw. "She has a great sense of the game and an ability to see the pool that is rare. We expect Tori to make an immediate impact as she's already played over 50 Division I collegiate games and had success."

A native from Burnaby, British Columbia, Marquez has prepped at Little Flower Academy for the past four years. Over the last two seasons, Marquez has racked up 59 goals including 25 even strength tallies while competing for one of the top ranked teams in British Columbia.

A 5-foot-10 utility player, Marquez made it on to the 17U Canadian Junior National Team long list in 2017. She has also competed for the Pacific Storm and Burnaby Barracudas water polo club teams.

"Being 5-10 was the first thing that attracted us to Alessia," said Warshaw. "She has a long wingspan and swims well so we think she'll be an asset from the start. She has some nice international experience playing in Canada that will translate well to the Big West."

An attacker, Garcia has competed over the past two seasons at Riverside Community College and helped the Tigers win the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship as a freshman. This past season, the Tigers advanced to the CCCAA State Championship again, finishing in third place after a 26-win campaign.

Swiping a team-best 64 steals, Garcia received All-Southern California Second Team honors. Garcia also scored 31 goals during the year and dished out 31 assists.

Originally from Mexico City, Garcia is the second signee from Riverside Community College to join the Matadors' 2017-18 recruiting class. Last November, teammate Josceline Godinez signed with the Matadors after tallying 38 steals, 36 assists and 27 goals.

"Dafne will give us that speed and spark on defense, and she's very fundamental and swims well," said Warshaw. "She also has some international experience playing for the Mexican National Team over the years that will be a great addition to our program."

Along with the spring recruiting class, the Matadors have added Godinez and high school senior center Kylee Jansen to their roster for the upcoming 2018-19 season.

Matadors Add Three to 2017-18 Recruiting Class

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