The UCSB women’s soccer program has signed five standout players to National Letters of Intent and a sixth to scholarship papers, head coach Paul Stumpf announced Friday.
The six include: Miranda Cornejo a center back from Rancho Buena Vista High School, Haley Guerrero a goalkeeper from Santa Margarita High School, Catherine McFarland a defender from Regents School of Rhetoric in Texas, Kelly McGrath a midfielder from Chatfield High School in Colorado, Indiana Mead, an offensive midfielder from Boulder City High School in Nevada, Dyanne Anderson, a forward from Santiago Canyon College in Orange County.
The first five signed National Letters of Intent, Anderson signed scholarship papers.
Cornejo, the daughter of Lori and Jeff Cornejo, is a member of the SoCal Blues who she helped lead to a National Championship in 2010. She is a four-year captain of the CalSouth ODP 93 team, a four-year captain of the Region IV team and she was in the National Team pool from 2008-10. Stumpf expects Cornejo to challenge for a starting role as a central defender immediately.
“Miranda has good size, moves well and is very good in the air,” Stumpf said. She comes with a high level of playing experience considering she has played for top level clubs, has been a Regional ODP player and has been called into the National Pool. She possesses a high level of skill and composure.”
Guerrero, the daughter of Katie and Roberto Guerrero, is also a member of the SoCal Blues. She is currently playing her fourth season at Santa Margarita High School and following her junior season she was a First Team All-Trinity League selection and a Second Team All-CIF choice. Guerrero is currently her team’s captain. An outstanding student, she is part of the National Honor Society and has received numerous academic honors.
“Haley is a long, lean and very athletic goalkeeper,” Stumpf said. Her strengths are in her shot-stopping and one-on-one defending.”
McFarland, the daughter of Susan and Rick McFarland, is a three-time First Team All-District choice and a two-time First Team All-Stat selection. As a junior, McFarland led her team to the State Championship Tournament and was named to the All-Tournament. Her team is currently back in the playoffs. She also plays for Lonestar Soccer Club, which is ranked 12th nationally. McFarland participated in the ODP program for many years and was a member of the ’92 South Texas ODP State Team.
“Catherine was first identified at one of our summer camps because she was a solid and steady performer for the entire week,” Stumpf recalled. “There was a toughness and competitiveness that we liked about her. She will most likely provide us depth on the back line in her first season.”
McGrath, the daughter of Susie and Tim McGrath, is currently playing her fourth season as a member of the varsity. As a sophomore, she helped the team to the Colorado 5A State Championship. McGrath is a two-year captain and a First Team Academic All-State. At the club level, she plays for the Colorado Rush, which won state titles in 2009, 2010 and 2011. McGrath was the State Cup MVP in 2008, she has been a Red Bull National League competitor since 2008, a member of the ODP State Team since 2008 and a member of the Region IV Team in 2009. She attended the ODP National Development Camp in 2010 and she was named Colorado Rapids Youth All-Star in 2008.
“Kelly will come in and challenge right away in the holding central midfield role,” Stumpf said. She is exceptional in the air, has good skills, and we see her being a very good swing player in the middle.”
Mead, the daughter of Cindy and Dana Mead, competes for Neusport FC 93 Green in Boulder, City, Nev. She has been ranked as the 51st top player in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer and was a 2010 NSCAA/People to People Girls Youth All-American. Mead is also in the National Team Pool.
“Indy is a player that many top programs were heavily recruiting,” Stumpf said. “This current National Pool player is an attacking central midfielder with an exceptional work rate. She is great on the ball and she can set-up goals was well as score them.”
Anderson, the daughter of Tracy Anderson-McFadden and Rob Anderson and the step-daughter of Colby McFadden, played for the SoCal Blues and Rancho Santiago College. She had 16 goals and 14 assists for the Hawks in 2010.
“Dyanne is a transfer who will come in and immediately give our front line a proven goal-scorer at the college level,” Stumpf said. “She was a part of 30 goals last season and that’s a lot.”
Stumpf hopes to add a couple more recruits.
“This is a very solid, and potentially outstanding group,” he said. “If we can add two more attackers it will be that much better.”
