TCU women’s soccer announces 6-player recruiting class

FORT WORTH – TCU women’s soccer head coach Eric Bell has announced the 2020 signing class featuring six student-athletes. Three of the incoming freshmen hail from the state of Texas, while two others come from California and another from Washington.

Making their way to TCU in the fall will be Marz Akins (San Diego, Calif.), Avery Barron (Houston, Texas), Olivia Hasler (Coppell, Texas), Summer Holt (Granite Bay, Calif.), Lauren Kellett (Coppell, Texas) and Abby Ogard (Tacoma, Wash.).

“We’re very excited about the 2020 recruiting class,” said Bell. “The class addresses a lot of needs that we have. It is also a very talented class that will do great things in their time here at TCU. The supporters will enjoy watching this group over the next four to five years.”

Mariana “Marz” Akins · D · San Diego, Calif. (Rancho Bernardo HS/San Diego Surf)

Played club soccer with San Diego Surf under the guidance of Danny Tonks… has been a regular starter for the Surf DA Girls U18/19 squad that was undefeated in 2020… scored four goals during regular season play and one in the DA Cup… tied for fourth in goal scoring from her center back position… squad entered playoffs seeded first… club team was a finalist in the 2018 ECNL playoffs… played two seasons of varsity soccer… named the Most Valuable Defensive Player as a sophomore… heavily involved in extra-curricular activities serving as a keynote speaker at numerous events… two-time Silver Star recipient for achievements in academics.

Bell on Marz Akins
“Marz continues our ties from southern California, hailing from San Diego and the Surf soccer club. She is an outstanding defender that also possesses the ability to attack. Her speed and athleticism will allow her to be very successful at our level. She also communicates very well on the field. Her leadership traits are off the charts. We expect her to compete for playing time right away.”

Avery Barron · MF · Houston, Texas (Pearland HS/Challenge Soccer Club)

Member of the Challenge Soccer Club, playing for coach Pat O’Toole… team participated in the Champions League of the 2019 ECNL playoffs… was an ECNL 2018 and 2019 PDP selections… member of the ECNL Texas all-conference team following the 2017-18 campaign… played three years of high school soccer… earned all-region honors as a junior… selected as the District 23-6A Offensive MVP as a junior in addition to earning all-district accolades… named the VYPE Standout Houston Player following junior campaign… also earned first-team all-district accolades as a freshman and sophomore… earned first-team all-region honors as a sophomore… member of the National Honor Society.

Bell on Avery Barron
“Avery continues the Houston-area pipeline that we have established. She is a crafty midfielder who’s a schemer/1 v 1 take-on artist. The fans at “Garvey” will enjoy the flair that she brings to the game. The work rate and tenacity she brings to the field each day is infectious. We expect her to compete for playing time right away.”

Olivia Hasler · MF · Lewisville, Texas (Hebron HS/Sting Soccer Club)

Played for Sting Soccer Club and coach Tatu Pecorari… teammates with fellow signee Lauren Kellett… attended the PDP camp… team was a semi-finalist at the 2019 ECNL Nationals… squad won the Texas conference championships… tabbed an ECNL Player to Watch… played high school soccer at Hebron High School… served as the team captain as a senior… twice selected as the Team MVP… tabbed a first-team all-district performer… named the District 6-6A Freshman of the Year… member of the National Honor Society… ranked in the top 10% of her graduating class.

Bell on Olivia Hasler
“Olivia is as smooth, steady, and consistent as they come. The brilliance in her game is that she keeps everything simple. She plays within herself and does not complicate things or try to do too much. She can run for days and will be one of the fittest players we’ve had in our program. She will compete for playing time right away. She attended our first residential camp back in 2012 as she played on Ryan’s (Higginbotham) club team at that time. Another local talent from Hebron high school, we’re elated to keep this local talent close to home.”

Summer Holt · GK · Granite Bay, Calif. (Granite Bay HS/San Juan Soccer Club)

Member of the San Juan Soccer Club… coached by Zeca Neto… joined the club in 2016 and played up an age group through 2018… was an ECNL national training camp selection in 2019… three-time ECNL PDP Northwest Conference Selection… tabbed an ECNL Phoenix standout in 2016… member of the 2018 and 2019 Norcal PDP state pool… selected to the Norcal PDP Gothia Cup roster in 2019… four year varsity starter at Granite Bay High School.. earned first-team all-league selections four times… helped team to two league championships… squad was a team section finalist twice and a Norcal semi-finalist once… appeared in 76 career games and posted 37 shutouts.

Bell on Summer Holt
“Summer is a goalkeeper from the Sacramento, Calif. area. We identified Summer at one of our ID camps. She brings great enthusiasm and energy to each training session. An outstanding shot-stopper as well as a very good kicking game.  We expect her to give our goalkeeping corps all the competition that they can handle.”

Lauren Kellett · GK · Coppell, Texas (Coppell HS/Sting Soccer Club)

Played for Sting Soccer Club and coach Tatu Pecorari… teammates with fellow signee Olivia Hasler… ranked as the No. 10 goalkeeper by TopDrawerSoccer.com and has been since 2016… member of the U17 Texas all-conference team.. took part in the U14 USA National Team Camp… also participated in the 2017 US Soccer Texas Regional Combine and the 2016 id2 program training camps in Raleigh, N.C. and Cromwell, Conn… helped lead high school team to three district titles… earned first-team all-district honors in 2019… also selected as the District 6-6A MVP in 2019… earned the Star Local Media Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2019… selected as the Dallas Morning News 2019 Defensive Player of the Year… earned first-team all-state honors… named a 2019 Allstate All-American.

Bell on Lauren Kellett
“Lauren is a goalkeeper from nearby Coppell High School. She is another athlete who attended our residential camp back in 2012 along with Olivia Hasler and Gracie Brian. An exceptional athlete who is also a fantastic high school triple jumper, long jumper and high jumper. These athletic qualities translate very well on the soccer field. Her athletic ability allows her to make highlight reel saves. She is also very comfortable with the ball at her feet. She will compete early on for playing time.”

Abby Ogard · F · Tacoma, Wash. (Scott Ford HS/Washington Premier)

Played for Washington Premier and coach Joe Waters… four-year starter at Scott Ford High School… team qualified for the state tournament all four years… served as the team captain as a senior… nominated by the Tacoma Athletic Commission for Athlete of the Year for Girls’ Soccer… earned the team’s Most Improved award as a freshman… selected for the Coach’s Award as a sophomore… missed junior season with an injury… earned the squad’s Most Inspirational award… also a standout on the basketball court and in track… member of the National Honor Society.

Bell on Abby Ogard
“Abby comes to us from the state of Washington. We identified her in the Winter ID camp we just had in February. She’s an attacking player that has the ability to score goals. She is very athletic with a very high work rate. What struck me the most was her desire to be the best soccer player she can be. I know that she is going to do great things here at TCU.”