Arizona State defender Sydney Garces transfers to Utah Valley University

OREM — Utah Valley University head women’s soccer coach Chris Lemay has announced that Arizona State defender Sydney Garces has transferred to Utah Valley and will play for the Wolverines this season.

“We are excited to welcome Sydney to the program,” said Lemay. “Sydney will add depth and experience to our back line. She spent her youth career at one of the top clubs in the country and won a couple of national championships. Having played with and against the best players nationally and then competing in the Pac-12, Sydney will bring a level of experience that will continue to help build our program.”

Garces, a 5-foot-8 defender from Chino Hills, Calif., will wear the Green and White this spring after redshirting last season at Arizona State. Garces had a standout playing career with the LAFC Slammers, leading the team to back-to-back ECNL National Championships in 2015 and 2016. She also helped the Slammers to a State Cup semifinal and a Surf Cup final in 2014.

The So-Cal native prepped at Chino Hills High School where she graduated in 2018. She earned First Team All-League honors and Baseline League honorable mention accolades after leading her team to a Baseline League championship and the semifinals of the state tournament.

Garces has four years of eligibility remaining and will compete for the Wolverines this spring.