New Mexico State women’s soccer signs 12 recruits for 2020

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State women’s soccer team signed 12 new student-athletes to National Letters of Intent, head coach Rob Baarts announced.

“We are incredibly excited about our 2020 class.  We have not only talented players coming in, we have fantastic athletes as well,” Baarts said. “Competing at the Division I level takes a combination of athleticism and technical ability and we feel we have all of that in this class. Our 2020 class hail from Clubs like FC Portland, San Juan SC, Utah Royals, SV Thunder, San Diego Force, DMVC Sharks and FC Tucson who all teach the game the way we want to play at the college level.  Our 2019 season finished on a good note winning three of our last four games and learning what it means to truly compete at the NCAA DI level.  This combined with a talented class will put bump our Aggie Soccer Program to a whole new level.  Can’t wait for our new family members to arrive on campus!”

Jackie Rodriguez
Albuquerque, N.M. | Defender | Rio Rapids

Prior to NM State: Attended Sandia Prep…scored 22 goals in 2018 to lead the Sun Devils to a state championship…2018 New Mexico 3A State Player of the Year…2018 District Player of the Year.

Personal: Daughter of William Rodriguez and Natalie Naranjo…has one older brother, Nicholas…plans on majoring in either psychology or communicative disorders.

Sidney O’Billovich
Beaverton, Ore. | Goalkeeper | FC Portland ECNL

Prior to NM State: Attended Mountainside High School…ranked as Oregon’s top high school goalkeeper…selected for the 2017 US Youth National Team combine…led Mountainside to a runner-up finish at the Oregon state championships…started all four years…named First-Team all-Metro after her junior season.

Personal: Daughter of Faith and Tony O’Billovich…father Tony played college football at Oregon State and played professionally in the CFL…grandfather Jack also played football at Oregon State and played for the Detroit Lions…has two older sisters, Maddie and Payton…plans on majoring in construction engineering and architecture.

Jocelyn Tallent-Burleson
Elk Grove, Calif. | Forward | FC Elk Grove

Prior to NM State: Attended Bradshaw Christian High School…named to All-Sierra Delta League squad in soccer following the 2017-18 season…led All-Sierra Delta League MVP in track in 2017-18…led Bradshaw Christian to a CIF San Joaquin Section Championship.

Personal: Daughter of John Burleson and Heather Lovely…has eight siblings…father played football at Foothill College and Midland Lutheran College…mother played soccer at West Valley College…plans to major in kinesiology.

Hannah Draper
Tucson, Ariz. | Midfield | FC Tucson
Prior to NM State: Attended Catalina Foothills High School…named Second-Team All-Region for 2016-17…named First-Team All-Region in 2017-18 and 2018-19…three-year team captain…scored nine goals with 12 assists in 2018-19.

Personal: Daughter of Paige and Scott Draper…has a younger sister, Lindsay…plans to major in business.

Gianna Valenti
Midfield | Bakersfield, Calif. | South Valley Thunder FC

Prior to NM State: Attended Centennial High School…named All-Conference and First-Team All-League in 2018-19…also named First-Team All-League 2017-18…two-year team captain.

Personal: Daughter of Ron and Mary Valenti…father played baseball at CSU Northridge and mother played softball at CSU Northridge…plans to major in clinical psychology.

Gracie Knowd
Midfield | Ramona, Calif. | San Diego Force

Prior to NM State: Attended Romona High School…led the Bulldogs to a second-place finish in the CIF Avocado League in 2017-18…guided Ramona to a CIF Avocado League Championship in 2018-19…named Second-Team All-League in 2017-18 and First-Team All-League in 2019-20.

Personal: Daughter of Lynne and Timothy Knowd…Union Tribune Scholar-Athlete in cross country, soccer and track…has four siblings.

Lyric Baker
Defender | Tucson, Ariz. | Utah Royals FC – AZ DA

Prior to NM State: Attended Cienega High School…top goal-scorer in the Arizona ODP West Championship tournament…88-percent start rate on her club team.

Personal: Daughter of Erik and Lisa baker…has a younger brother, Nolan…plans to major in biology.

Shiori DeCoy
Midfield | Torrey Highlands, Calif. | Del Mar Sharks

Prior to NM State: Attended Westview High School…started on varsity all three years she played…led Wolverines to CIF playoffs every year…guided Westview to a second-place finish in the Palomar League in 2018-19.

Personal: Daughter of Aileen DeCoy…has four sisters, including a twin, Nyomi…sister Dominique played soccer at Cal State Fullerton…plans on majoring in nursing.

Loma McNeese
Midfield/Forward | Sherwood, Ore. | FC Portland ECNL

Prior to NM State:  Attended Sherwood High School…helped lead the Bowmen to a 2016 state championship…was named First-Team All-League and Second-Team All-State in 2017…she has also been named First-Team All-State and league Player of the Year twice (2018 & 2019)…scored 26 goals with six assists in 2018 and 19 goals with 16 assists in 2019.

Personal: Daughter of Adam and Fiana McNeese…plans to major in education.

Bella Garcia
Forward | Sacramento, Calif. | San Juan ECNL

Prior to NM State: Attended McClatchy High School where she starred in both basketball and soccer…after her junior season, was named Metro Conference MVP and All-Metro Conference in soccer…guided the Lions basketball team to a state championship appearance in 2017.

Personal: Daughter of Shelby Boudreaux and Arena Football League legend Aaron Garcia…mother player college basketball at Sacramento State before playing professionally in Israel…has four siblings…plans on majoring in nursing.

Khari Price
Forward | Phoenix | Utah Royals FC – AZ DA

Prior to NM State: Attended Mountain Pointe High School…led Mountain Pointe to an 11-9-3 record in 2018…won four Player of the Game awards in 2017 and one in 2016.

Personal: Daughter of Ivory Price and Shekira Williams…has nine siblings…plans to major in nursing.

Megan Ormson
Midfield/Forward | Folsom, Calif. | San Juan ECNL

Prior to NM State: Attended Vista Del Lago High School…named offensive MVP of Vista Del Lago her freshman and junior seasons and was named San Joaquin League MVP and was the league’s top goal-scorer her junior year.

Personal: Daughter of Brian and Rhonda Ormson…has an older brother, Matthew, and an older sister, Emily…plans to major in kinesiology.