Five new Ducks joining Oregon women’s soccer program for spring semester

EUGENE, Ore. – Oregon has added four transfers – three of whom have NCAA Tournament experience – to the roster for the 2024 season. They will join the soccer program for the winter and spring training sessions along with freshman signee Taylor Person, who graduated high school early and enrolled at Oregon for the winter term.

Among the newcomers is Santa Clara transfer Makoto Nezu who played in four NCAA Tournaments for the Broncos, and started on defense for the 2020 NCAA Championship team. Nezu also played on Japan’s Junior National Team.

Defenders Sydney Cradle (Towson), Sydney Hennessey (Tennessee) and Lexi Lerwick (Washington State) round out the transfers for the upcoming season. Cradle helped Towson win the Coastal Athletic Association title in 2023 to advance to the NCAA Tournament, while Hennessey was a member of two NCAA Tournament teams for Tennessee, including the 2023 squad that advanced to the round of 16.

Cradle and Nezu will be fifth years, Hennessey is a redshirt-senior with an additional Covid year of eligibility available and Lerwick is a redshirt sophomore.

Person, a forward from Frisco, Texas, was ranked No. 75 nationally overall in the 2023 class by TopDrawer Soccer and No. 28 at forward. She is a 10-time participant at U.S. National team pool training camps, including the U16 Girls National Team. She was a member of the team that won the 2015 USA Futsal national championship. Her club team, FC Dallas, was the 2023 ECNL Texas Conference champions and advanced to sweet 16 in the national playoffs. Her father, Stephen Person, played college football at Willamette University, while her mother, Christina Person, played college softball at San Diego State.

“Our priority in adding the transfers to our roster was to find the blend of character, talent and experience,” said Abel. “We feel as though we found a great blend of that with the four individuals we added. They have already hit the ground running and are great additions to our group.

“We are equally excited to have Taylor join us early,” said Abel. “Taylor has fit in with the group right away both on and off the field. She will make great strides over the next few months, ready for her first season here as a Duck.”

Sydney Cradle, D, 5^th Year, Brooklyn, N.Y.
The Beacon School / Towson / Louisville, Club: FC Fury NY

Started 57-of-58 games for Towson over the last three seasons. Starting defender on Towson’s 2023 team that won the Coastal Athletic Association title and advance to the NCAA Tournament. Had a goal with two assists on 10 shots during her career with Towson. Recorded first career assist in 2021 versus Pitt. Scored first career goal against Delaware in 2022, where she also attempted a career-best two shots. Second career assist came versus Hofstra in 2023. Prior to Towson, appeared in five matches in her freshman season at Louisville. Played high school soccer for The Beacon School and club ball with FC Fury NY.

Sydney Hennessey, D, RS-Senior, Suwanee, Ga.
Lambert School / Tennessee, Club: Concorde Fire SC

Appeared in 39 matches on the back line with 12 starts over three seasons for Tennessee. Two career assists with 11 shots. Was a member of two NCAA Tournament teams for the Volunteers, including the 2023 squad that advanced to the round of 16. Played in 11 games and recorded both of her career assists as a junior in 2023 (California, Missouri). Saw action in 18 matches as a sophomore. Sat out the 2021 season due to injury. Appeared in 10 games as a freshman in 2020 and made her first career start against No. 10 Vanderbilt. Attended Lambert High School and helped the Longhorns capture the 7A state title in 2017 and a state runner-up finish in 2019. A 2020 United Soccer Coaches All-American. Named Lambert’s defensive player of the year in 2019 and 2020. Finished her high school career four assists shy of the Lambert career record. Played club soccer for Concorde Fire SC based in Atlanta. Reached the ECNL national semifinals and had a No. 3 national team ranking in 2017.

Lexi Lerwick, D, RS-Sophomore, Des Moines, Wash.
Kennedy Catholic High School / Washington State, Club: PacNW Soccer Club

Transfer from Washington State played four games in the 2022 season before taking a redshirt season in 2023. One career shot came against Michigan. Was a two-sport star at Kennedy Catholic High School, dominating the defensive end of both the pitch and the hardwood for the Lancers. As a senior, led Kennedy’s soccer team to the 4A State Championship tournament. Finished the regular season second in the Cascade Division in the NPSL after posting a 9-2-1 league record. In club ball, was a member of the PacNW Soccer Club in the ECNL. PacNW defeated some of the best teams in the nation to take home the 2019 SurfCup championship. Invited to play in the ECNL National Selection game in 2020 as well as take part in the U18/19 U.S. Women’s National Team virtual training camp in the spring of 2021.

Makoto Nezu, D, 5^th Year, Nagoya, Japan
Futaba Mirai High School / Santa Clara, Club: Japanese Football Academy

A member of four NCAA Tournament teams for Santa Clara, including the Broncos’ 2020 national championship squad. Played 65 career matches at defense for Santa Clara with 61 starts. Scored four career goals with five assists on 28 shots. Scored first career goal against Ohio State in the second round of the 2020 NCAA Tournament. Started all five of Santa Clara’s matches in the 2020 tournament. Played all 110 minutes in the national championship final versus Florida State. As a sophomore in 2021, netted the game-winning goal against Stanford in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Recorded a career-best three shots versus San Diego as a sophomore. Scored goals in the first two games of the 2023 season against San Jose State and Oregon State. Also recorded an assist versus the Beavers. Had additional assists in 2023 versus Columbia and Saint Mary’s. Was named to the all-West Region third team following the 2021 season. A WCC all-academic honorable mention selection in 2023. Played on Japan’s National Team at numerous levels including U-13, U-14, U-15 and U-17. Served as captain for the U-17 team. Attended Futaba Mirai High School and played soccer for Japanese Football Academy. Team advanced to the round of 32 in the Empress Cup.