UTEP women’s soccer program reveals 9-player class

EL PASO, Texas (Via UTEP) – Nine prep standouts have signed national letters of intent and will compete for the UTEP Soccer team starting in fall of 2019, UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun revealed on Wednesday. Emerson Kidd, Lilly Marquez, Bella Benavides, Jackie Miller, Vanessa Cabello, Rocky Houston, Adriana Lopez and Emily Parrott join Moe Sais, who enrolled for the spring 2019 semester, to comprise the 10-member signing class.

“We are excited for what lies ahead for UTEP soccer,” Balogun said. “This is an exciting time for each signing player, family and friends. As each players bio shows these young women have worked so hard to earn the opportunity to play for UTEP and the new coaching staff is eager to help them achieve their full potential both in the classroom and on the field while here at UTEP.”

Below are brief write-ups on the newest Miners:

Emerson Kidd
Played for Manitoba Blizzard, Canada REX and FC Northwest in Winnipeg, Canada … garnered playing time for the Manitoba Provincial Team during the Canadian National Championships and earned CSA All Star honors … captained the FC Northwest team that claimed runner-up at the U-14 Canadian Club Nationals in 2015 … 2016 Vancouver Whitecaps Academy Player of the Month … won the Provincial Championship as captain of FC Northwest (2015, 16, 18) … sister Taylor Kidd graduated from UTEP in 2016 after playing all four years under Kevin Cross … daughter of Trevor and Tiffany Kidd … father played 12 years in the National Hockey League with Calgary, Carolina, Florida and Toronto and won a silver medal with Canada at the 1992 Olympic Winter Games … sister Kennedy played soccer at the University of North Dakota (2015-18).

Bella Benavides
El Paso native, who currently plays for El Paso High School … has appeared in 51 games, notched 35 goals, registered 22 assists and tallied 92 points for the Tigers … has played with Galacticas FC since 2010 … named All-District first team (2016, 2017) … earned All-City first-team honors (2016, 2017) … reached the All-Region (TASCO) first team in 2017 … a two sport athlete, competing in cross country … she earned runner up at the District Cross Country Championships … named to the All-City second team in 2017 … daughter of Paul and Rita Benavides … has one brother and two sisters, Paulo, Elyse and Charlotte … father, Paul, was a four-year letterwinner in the pole vault at UTEP and went on to compete professionally where he held the Mexican national record for 12 years … brother, Paulo, competes in the pole vault at Kansas University, where he claimed the 2017 Indoor Big 12 Championship.

Jackie Miller
El Paso native, currently plays for Franklin High School … has appeared in 31 games, notched eight goals, one assist and tallied 17 points for the Cougars … plays for the Rush Select club team … claimed the New Mexico State Cup Championship with Rush Select in 2016 … member of the National Spanish Honor Society, student council and DECA … daughter of Joe Miller and Soledad Montes-Miller … has one brother, Joshua Miller … father, Joe, earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from UTEP in 1986.

Moe Sais
Competed with Lewisville High School (Lewisville, Texas) … earned All City Freshman of the Year honorable mention … named to the All-District first team during her junior and sophomore year … rated as the Texas Conference 2016 Top 25 leading scorer … DFW Area Top 25 with 18 assists … daughter of Rickey and Tiffany Sais … has one sister, Millena Sais.

Vanessa Cabello
Currently plays for Pasadena High School (Pasadena, Texas) … three year letterwinner for the varsity team, appearing in 33 games, scoring 24 goals, registering seven assists and tallying 55 points for the Eagles … played for the Rise Soccer Club … played at the Las Vegas Showcase, Capital Area Soccer Showcase and the Disney Showcase … daughter of Jose and Paulina Cabello … has three brothers, Alexandro, Oscar and Omar Cabello.

Lilly Marquez
A four-year varsity starter for White High School (Dallas, Texas) … appeared in 54 games, scoring 53 goals, posting 27 assists and tallying a staggering 133 points over her prep career … played for the Dallas Kicks club team … named All-District first team (2016, 2017) … club team MVP (2017) … Maxpreps/NSCAA Player of the Week and five-time Maxpreps Player of the Game (2016, 2017) … district 9-6A Co-Offensive MVP (2015-16) … Southern Region Futsal Team (2014) … daughter of Jeff Marquez and Adrienne Lariz … has two sisters, Crysta and Maegan Marquez.

Emily Parrott
Plays for the U-18/19 Solar Soccer Club (U.S. Soccer Development Academy) in Frisco, Texas … appeared in 43 games at goalkeeper, making 39 starts … helped the U16/17 team advance to the USSDA National Quarterfinals during the 2017-18 season … part of the ECNL National Championship team during the 2016-17 season, where she held 165 scoreless playoff minutes … played at Lone Star High School (Frisco, Texas), where she was named second team All-District during the 2015-16 season as a freshman and earned Newcomer of the Year … member of the first team to make it to the state playoffs and set a school record for single-season saves and shutouts … National Honors Society member (2016-19) and garnered Academic All-District awards (2015-17) … daughter of Cary and Kelli Parrott … has one sister, Taylor Parrott.

Adriana Lopez
El Paso native, Lopez currently plays for El Paso High … appeared in 79 games, scoring 75 goals, adding 45 assists and racking in a total of 195 points … a four-year starter for the varsity team … earned the Maxpreps/NSCAA Player of the Week during the 2017-18 season … three-time Maxpresps/NSCAA Player of the Game during the 2016-17 season … three-time All-District honoree … daughter of Esperanza Lopez … has one brother and two sisters, Diego, Susana and Diana Lopez.

Raquel Houston
Currently plays for Midland High School (Midland, Texas) … appeared in 11 games during the 2017-18 season, scoring five goals, adding two assists and contributing 12 points … played for the D’feeters ECNL club team … member of the Spanish National Honors Society … daughter of Matthew and Laura Houston … has two sisters and one brother, Andrea Gomez, Chloe and Matteo Houston.