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Women's Recruiting Apr 25, 2023

University of San Diego signs eight recruits from high level youth clubs across five states

(Photo Credit: Emma-Kate Squires / USD Athletics)

SAN DIEGO – Head coach Louise Lieberman and the University of San Diego women’s soccer program have announced their incoming class of 2023.

The incoming freshmen join transfers Sam Gerhart (High Point), Lauren Tanner (Arkansas) and Lexi Zandonella-Arasa (Sonoma State) as newcomers for the 2023 season.

The eight-member freshmen class is set to debut in the Fall of 2023.

Mikayla Abrenica

Midfielder
CA

Hometown/High School: Temecula, Calif. / Great Oak HS

Career Highlights:

  • Abrenica enters as the No. 26 midfield prospect in the nation, according to Top Drawer Soccer.
  • An active participant on the international scene, Abrenica has participated in two U.S. National Team youth camps, several U.S. Youth National Team ID centers and most recently at the U20 Philippines Youth National Team ID Camp.
  • Abrenica is also a two-time MVP for Great Oak High School and first team All-League honoree.

Other Notes:

  • Abrenica’s brother, Joshua, runs cross country and track & field at San Francisco State.
  • In addition, Abrenica has maintained a 3.8 GPA or higher her entire high school tenure.

“Another local talent, KK is going to be a spark anytime she steps on the field,” said Assistant Coach Ellis Riley. “Her vision and craft are going to help elevate our attacking capabilities. She is a player who constantly craves the ball at her feet, and we are really excited to see KK in our environment alongside some of our central players.”

Tamia Graham

Forward
OH

Hometown/High School: Dublin, Ohio / Dublin Scioto HS

Career Highlights:

  • Graham helped lead Cincinnati United Premier GA to the GA U16 National Title in 2021.
  • The Ohio native was named OCC Special Mention in 2021-22.
  • In addition, Graham and her team were OCC District finalists during the same season.

Other Notes:

  • Graham led her side in both goals and assists, showing a versatile offensive acumen.

“Tamia is a technically proficient and skillful attacking player, coming from a very good CUP team in Ohio,” said Riley. “Her vision of the field and ability to drop deep for the ball to help unlock the opponent’s defensive structure is something we are excited to see her bring into a Torero uniform next season.”

Ilise Medrano

Goalkeeper
CA

Hometown/High School: La Habra, Calif. / La Habra HS

Career Highlights:

  • Medrano was recently named the 2022 Freeway League Goalkeeper of the Year.
  • Medrano is also a two-time All-Freeway League first team honoree.
  • Additionally, Medrano was named her high school’s Defensive Most Valuable Player in 2021.

Other Notes:

  • Medrano is also a three-time Scholar Athlete award winner.

“Ilise has all the tools to continue growing into a really strong goalkeeper over the coming years,” said Riley. “She has great size and aerial capabilities, along with a calming presence between the posts. We are really looking forward to seeing Ilise in our environment over the next four years.”

Elle Mullard

Midfielder
AZ

Hometown/High School: Phoenix, Ariz. / Phoenix Country Da

Career Highlights:

  • Mullard is the 2023 All-Region Player of the Year and a two-time All-Region Offensive Player of the Year.
  • In addition, Mullard is a three-time All-Region first team honoree and a three-time All-Conference honoree, with two of the three finishes coming on the first team.
  • Mullard was also tabbed as the Coaches Award winner this season.

Other Notes:

  • Mullard’s cousin, Jake Farrell, is currently playing quarterback at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.
  • Her uncle Earl, also competed in athletics, where he ran track & field at the University of Oregon.

“Elle is an explosive and quick wide-player, with a strong work ethic,” said Riley. “Her perseverance on both sides of the ball within her style of play make her a problem for others to play against. We look forward to seeing Elle’s fearless style of play in Torero Blue.”

Kylie Perez

Defender
CA

Hometown/High School: Cerritos, Calif. / Gahr HS

Career Highlights:

  • Perez has had a highly successful club soccer career competing for Beach FC.
  • Perez has won several titles including an ODP championship, an ECRL title and a Surf Cup championship.
  • Adding to her growing trophy case, Perez also competed in the highly competitive ECNL playoffs.

Other Notes:

  • Perez comes from a highly decorated and athletic family.
  • Her mother is renowned softball coach Kelly Inouye-Perez, who won three Women’s College World Series as a player at UCLA and another two as the current head coach of the Bruins.
  • Her father, Gerardo, played baseball at Loyola Marymount and her brother, Mikey, played baseball at UCLA and is now a member of the Minnesota Twins minor league system.

“Kylie is another Southern California product, and she is high-quality in all that she brings to the table,” said Riley. “Her ability to distribute and see the full field is something we immediately liked about her style of play. Alongside this, Kylie is going to be a warrior for our program every moment she is on the field. Her work-ethic defensively, combined with her composure on the ball, is going to allow her to find success in a variety of ways for us.”

Kate Sealy

Defender
CA

Hometown/High School: San Diego, Calif. / Westview HS

Career Highlights:

  • Sealy has had a highly decorated young career, as a member of the 2023 CIF Open champions, the 2022 Palomar League champions and the 2021 CIF and SoCal Regional title winners.
  • The San Diego native was named first team All-CIF this season, as well as a multiple time All-Palomar League honoree.
  • Sealy also took home three Defensive MVP awards from her team and has served as a captain for most of her high school career.

Other Notes:

  • Sealy’s uncle, Mike, played volleyball at UCLA, where he was a two-time All-American, before spending 13 seasons as UCLA’s head women’s volleyball coach.
  • Sealy is also an AP Scholar Award winner and a member of the California Scholarship Federation.

“Kate has an excitingly high ceiling in soccer and we are so glad she is staying home in San Diego,” said Riley. “Her ability to win one-on-one battles is a key attribute, alongside her ability to be an “attacking” minded defensive player who can carry the ball from the lower third of the field into more dangerous areas. Kate will allow those around her to constantly play on the front foot due to her well-rounded vision of the field.”

Ruby Shoots

Defender Midfielder
MD

Hometown/High School: Crofton, Md. / Crofton HS

Career Highlights:

  • Shoots helped Crofton High School take home a Maryland state championship this season.
  • Shoots was a participant in two U.S. National Youth Team training camps.
  • In addition, Shoots is a two-time second team All-County honoree.

Other Notes:

  • Shoots is a gifted student, maintaining a GPA over 4.0 throughout her entire high school tenure.

“Ruby is a well-rounded soccer player coming from Pipeline SC in Maryland,” said Riley. “She is going to come in and compete within our environment right away. She can carry the ball at pace, deliver quality service from wide areas, and match-up well defensively in her one-on-one battles. We’re really excited about Ruby’s ceiling and potential for growth with us in San Diego.”

Kamryn Simpson

Defender
TX

Hometown/High School: San Antonio, Texas / Johnson HS

Career Highlights:

  • Simpson joins the Toreros after being named the No. 27 defense prospect in the country by Top Drawer Soccer.
  • Simpson was a first team All-State and All-District honoree back in Texas in 2021.
  • In addition, Simpson competed in camp with the U17 U.S. Women’s National Team in 2021.

Other Notes:

  • Simpson also ran track & field in high school and broke her school’s 300m hurdles record as a junior.

“Kamryn is a natural athlete coming from San Antonio, Texas,” said Riley. “Her ability to recover at speed in transitions, alongside her dominance in her defensive battles is going to give her the platform to succeed at the college level. We are excited to see Kamryn bring her presence into our defensive line over the years to come.”

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