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Signing Day

Women's soccer adds eight on National Signing Day

11/9/2022 4:00:00 PM

By: Angela Roberts, Assistant AD - Communications
DURANGO, Colo. – Women's soccer head coach Damian Clarke has announced the addition of eight student-athletes for the 2023 season on National Signing Day. The newcomers will join a youthful roster that returns all but four players from the 2022 squad.

Meet the Newcomers
Riley Espinoza [Defender, 5'4, Albuquerque, N.M./Eldorado High School]
Espinoza comes to FLC after earning four letters in soccer at Eldorado High School…her team is 18-2-2 in the 2022 season…the defender has scored seven goals to go along with five assists this season…has earned First Team All-District distinction during her prep career…named team captain and defensive MVP…intends on majoring in Business Administration at FLC

Coach Clarke's comments on Espinoza: "Riley is a technical center back, who has a high soccer IQ. We expect to add a player who can help us build competently from the back and grow into a big part of efforts to play better football."
 
Rylee Rustad [Defender, 5'5, Gilbert, Ariz./Casteel High School]
Rustad comes to FLC as a four-year varsity soccer player at Casteel High School…also earned letters in swimming and diving and badminton as a prep…four-year All-State academic award winner…named First Team All-Region as a freshman, All-Region Honor Roll as a sophomore, and All-Region Second Team as a junior…earned 25 goals and 10 assists in her freshman season…intends on majoring in Business Administration or Exercise Science at FLC

Coach Clarke's comments on Rustad: "Rylee is a very versatile player, who will most likely play in the center of the park.  She will not only add a very high level of experience coming from an excellent club level, but she will also add a physical presence and stature to the group."
 
Taylor West [Midfielder, 5'5, Flagstaff, Ariz./Flagstaff High School]
West comes to FLC as a four-year varsity soccer player at Flagstaff High School…part of a 2020 team that earned the 4A Arizona State Championship title…2021 4A Grand Canyon Regional Honorable Mention…2022 4A Grand Canyon Region First Team…three-year captain for Flagstaff SC 04G…three-time academic letter winner…twin sister Lauren is also committed to play for the Skyhawks…intends on majoring in Exercise Science at FLC

Coach Clarke's comments on West: "Taylor is another defensive-minded player who normally plays in the midfield, but her physical attributes and mentality could allow her to play in multiple positions.  She has a nice range of passing and likes to be involved in all phases of the game."
 
Lauren West [Defender, 5'5, Flagstaff, Ariz./Flagstaff High School]
West comes to FLC as a four-year varsity soccer player at Flagstaff High School…high school team boasts a 42-9 overall record throughout her prep career…part of a 2020 team that earned the 4A Arizona State Championship title…2022 All-Region First Team…2022 All-Conference Second Team…voted defensive player of the year…three-time academic letter winner…twin sister Taylor is also committed to play for the Skyhawks…intends on majoring in Exercise Physiology at FLC

Coach Clarke's comments on West: "Lauren is a center back with excellent physicality and toughness in her game—she also has a technical foundation to play out the back.  She is good in the air and will be a great addition to our efforts to create a deeper defensive line."
 
Abila Tapia [Forward, 5'4, Albuquerque, N.M./Albuquerque High School]                                                                                                                                       
Tapia comes to FLC as a four-year varsity soccer player at Albuquerque High School…three-time First Team All-District honoree…named Second Team All-District as a freshman…named Second Team All-State as a sophomore…has 17 goals and 19 assists to date in the 2022 season…owns 116 career points (44 goals, 28 assists) as a prep…intends on majoring in Business Administration at FLC

Coach Clarke's comments on Tapia: "Abila is a former high school teammate of Gabi (Meraz-Fishbein) and Sabrina (Reyes) at Albuquerque High School.  She also is cousins with alumni Jessica Otero/Adkins, so we have had a great connection with her family over the years. She is a very explosive attacking player who could play a big role in helping to create in flank spaces. She likes to compete and will work hard to get behind a defense as well as lay in a pretty fierce tackle when recovering defensively."
 
Amber Otts [Defender, 5-3, Albuquerque, N.M./La Cueva High School]
Otts comes to FLC as a three-year player and two-year letter winner at La Cueva High School…2021 5A District 2 Champions…2021 5A District 2 First Team All-District…2021 5A First Team All-State…2021 5A District 2 Academic First Team All-District…two-time academic letter winner…team captain…had 12 goals her senior season…three-time player of the game as a senior…intends on majoring in Biology or Nursing at FLC

Coach Clarke's comments on Otts: "Amber comes to us through an alumni connection, family friends with the Riley family, both Lauren and younger sister Courtney played big roles in Fort Lewis teams.  Amber is most likely an outside-back but is capable of playing anywhere.  She is an extremely competitive player, who is technically really sound and will add a level of composure on the ball to us."
 
Kyla Hill [Midfielder, 5'8, Broomfield, Colo./Broomfield High School]
Plays club soccer for Boulder County United…club team was 10-5-5 in the 2022 season…played club soccer with current FLC women's soccer player Safia Singh…undecided on a major at FLC

Coach Clarke's comments on Hill: "Kyla is a player Hope (Frederick) discovered at one of our camps a few years back, and we feel fortunate to have found a way to hold on to her.  She is a creative midfield player and is mobile and dynamic on the dribble.  She will create a lot going forward and will be fun for our current team to link up with in our attacking movements."
 
Haley Stafford [Forward, 5-3, Glendale, Ariz./Sandra Day O'Connor High School]
Stafford comes to FLC as a four-year letter winner at Sandra Day O'Connor High School…named Second Team All-Region…earned the team's offensive MVP award…team captain…scored five goals and added three assists as a junior…earned one letter in badminton…intends on majoring in Business Administration at FLC

Coach Clarke's comments on Stafford: "Haley is a dynamic left-sided player.  We anticipate she will be a real threat in the flank, she can cut in and finish as well as run at defenders to get to the end line and provide service.  We think she is going to be capable of creating a lot of dangerous opportunities."
 
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