Grambling State women’s soccer unveils 11-player recruiting class for 2023
GRAMBLING, La. | The Grambling State University women’s soccer program announced its 2023 recruiting class, unveiling 11 talented incoming players that hail from four different countries and five different states.
The class features nine freshmen and two mid-year transfers. GSU’s soccer team went 12-8-3 on the year making it to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament Championship game before falling to Jackson State in overtime, narrowly missing an NCAA Tournament berth.
“I’m excited about this recruiting class and what it means for our team in the future,” said head coach Justin Wagar. “We had a strong team this year, and I believe with some key additions we can be even more competitive going forward. I’m looking forward to seeing what Gram soccer can do in the future.”
See below for a look at each member of Grambling State’s signing class.
Sophia Lezizidis is a speedy forward and outside midfielder from Toronto, Canada. She was a league leading scorer with 24 goals for Whitecaps Academy this year. In addition, she was also a national center of excellence invitee.
Dori Johnson is a versatile outside defender that plays for Prime ECNL Club in Florida. Dori is fast, aggressive and quick to get on the attack.
MaKyla Peterson is a center back from Rush National Select team and San Antonio SC Girls Academy team. She was a team captain and two-time first team All-District selection.
Lauren Baylor is a shot stopping goalkeeper who played for the Mississippi Rush United team that won two consecutive state titles. She is the captain for her high school and club teams.
Kennedy Farr is a crafty play-making striker and outside midfielder that plays for the Nationals Girls Academy team in Michigan. She also played for the Hawks ECNL team and is a creative dribbler.
Mya Joseph is a skilled technical forward and attacking midfielder from Seattle ECRL. She’s also a Trinidad and Tobago National team selection for U-17 World Cup Qualifiers. In addition, she was a captain at Hazen HS and earned all-league honors
Taiya Mitchell is a solid center back transfer from University of Houston and Blinn CC. Taiya hails from Houston, Texas and was also a memeber of the Suthbelt Chargers Club team.
Tiaona Henderson is an athletic goalkeeper from Orlando, Fla., who was the Goalkeeper of the Year and team MVP her sophomore year. She also plays club ball for Florida Kraze Krush ECNL-R team.
Freja Vestfred
Freja Vestfred is a skilled outside defender with great technical skill and attacking ability on the flanks from the Netherlands. She plays for Ballerup-Skovlunde-Fodbold in Fredensborg, Denmark.
Morgan Johnson is a speedy play-making outside midfielder from Dallas Sting ECNL who is a junior college transfer from Rich Mountain Community College where she was a two-time All-Conference player.
Aimee Benton
Aimee Benton is a shot stopping well rounded goalkeeper from Australia who is the starting keeper for Modbury Vista SC Women’s Premier League in Australia. Also she is a U-18 SA NTC member.
2023 Signing Class by Position | |||||
Name | Height | Position | Club Team | Hometown | High School/Previous School |
Sophia Lezizidis | 5-6 | Forward/Outside Midfielder | Whitecaps FC | London, Ontario, Canada | Mother Teresa Secondary School |
Kennedy Farr | 5-5 | Forward/Outside Midfielder | National Girls Academy | West Bloomfield, Mich. | West Bloomfield HS |
Mya Joseph | 5-5 | Forward/Midfielder | Seattle United ECRL | Seattle, Wash. | Oliver Hazen HS |
Morgan Johnson | 5-5 | Outside Midfielder | Dallas Sting ECNL | Dallas, Texas | Rowlett HS/Rich Mountain CC |
Freja Vestfred | 5-4 | Outside Defender | Ballerup-Skovlunde-Fodbold | Fredensborg, Denmark | Universal School |
Dori Johnson | 5-4 | Outsider Defender/Midfielder | FC Prime ECNL | Hollywood, Fla. | American Heritage School |
MaKyla Peterson | 5-8 | Defensive Central Midfielder | San Antonio City Girls Academy | San Antonio, Texas | William Howard Taft HS |
Tiaya Mitchell | 5-10 | Defensive Central Midfielder | Southbelt Chargers | Houston, Texas | Houston/Blinn JC |
Tiaona Henderson | 5-9 | Goalkeeper | Florida Krush Kraze ECRL | Wintergarden, Fla. | West Orange HS |
Lauren Baylor | 5-6 | Goalkeeper | Mississippi Rush | Madison, Miss. | Madison Central HS |
Aimee Benton | 5-9 | Goalkeeper | MVSC Women’s League | Delaide, Australia | Universal School |