Cal Women’s Soccer Signs No. 1 Recruiting Class in Nation - California Golden Bears Athletics
The No. 1 Public University In The World Is Bringing Nation's Top Class To Berkeley
calbears.com
For the first time in program history, California head coach Neil McGuire and associate head coach Austin Risenhoover have brought the nation's top recruiting class to Cal women's soccer.
The Bears have signed 14 athletes to their National Letter of Intent: Aaliyah Schinaman (San Mateo, Calif.), Aasha McClyn (Long Beach, Calif.), Alexis Wright (Stockbridge, Ga.), Arianna Manrique (Buford, Ga.), Ayo Oke (Lawrenceville, Ga.), Cailin Bloom (Dixon, Calif.), Courtney Boone (West Covina, Calif.), Jordyn Young (Martinez, Calif.), Karlie Lema (Morgan Hill, Calif.), Kei Kitamura (San Jose, Calif.), Marleen Rhode (Potsdam, Germany), Maya Griffin (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), Noelle Bond-Flasza (Laguna Niguel, Calif.), Velize King (Moreno Valley, Calif.).
The class features diversity of talent across the board, adding depth all over the field. Of the 13 national recruits, 11 are ranked in the Top-200, including No. 25 Ayo Oke, No. 28 Arianna Manrique, and No. 36 Karlie Lema. TopDrawerSoccer has given nine recruits a four-star rating, with two additional recruits rated as three-star athletes. Eight athletes have national team experience, including international recruit, Rhode, who has played for the German national team.
"We are thrilled to welcome our newest recruiting class to Cal," Mcguire said. "Outside of their athletic talents, we placed a high priority on players with outstanding character, a natural enthusiasm for the sport, and those with the motivation to excel academically."
This is the third time in the last five years Cal women's soccer has recruited a Top-10 class to Berkeley. The current senior class, featuring Emily Smith and Emma Westin, was ranked No. 3 in the nation, while the current sophomore class, with Angelina Anderson and Jadyn Shinn, was ranked No. 8 by TopDrawerSoccer.
"Adding this group to an already very talented team makes for an exciting future for our Cal women's soccer program," Mcguire added.
Aaliyah Schinaman (San Mateo, Calif.), Forward, top-200 no. 155, three stars
Aasha McClyn (Long Beach, Calif.), Defender, top-200 no. 158, four stars
Alexis Wright (Stockbridge, Ga.), Forward, top-200 no. 120, four stars
Arianna Manrique (Buford, Ga.), Forward, top-200 no. 28, four stars
Ayo Oke (Lawrenceville, Ga.), Defender, top-200 no. 25, four stars
Cailin Bloom (Dixon, Calif.), Defender
Courtney Boone (West Covina, Calif.), Defender, top-200 no. 30, four stars
Jordyn Young (Martinez, Calif.), Forward, top-200 no. 132, four stars
Karlie Lema (Morgan Hill, Calif.), Forward, top-200 no. 36, four stars
Kei Kitamura (San Jose, Calif.), Midfielder
Marleen Rhode (Potsdam, Germany), Midfielder
Maya Griffin (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.), Defender, top-200 no.193, three stars
Noelle Bond-Flasza (Laguna Niguel, Calif.), Midfielder, top-200 no. 117, four stars
Velize King (Moreno Valley, Calif.), Forward, top-200 no. 67, four stars
