UC Santa Barbara adds nine Class of 2023 high school recruits and two transfers

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Head Coach Paul Stumpf and the UC Santa Barbara women’s soccer team announced the addition of 11 newcomers. The Gauchos welcome two transfers and nine incoming first-year student-athletes.

“We are very optimistic about the group of young women who will be joining our program in the fall,” said Stumpf. “The coaching staff and I have a very thoughtful recruiting process, and we do good research before making offers. We are convinced that these young women are not only very talented soccer players but are very strong students. All of these student-athletes had many offers on the table, and UC Santa Barbara felt like the place they were meant to continue their athletic and academic careers. Most importantly, our research tells us that we have added some great people to our program!”

Continue reading for a look at each member of UCSB’s signing class.

Maddie Buckley | Goalkeeper | Carondelet High School

The lone goalkeeper of the 2023 class joins the Gauchos from Carondelet High School. Maddie Buckley was named NCS Honorable Mention in 2021, Second Team in 2022, and First Team in 2023. She was also named CIF Presidents List Scholar-Athlete. Buckley is a two-time NCS champion and EBAL Champion, along with winning the CIF NorCal State Championship. She was also named Team Captain. Buckley had interest from UC Davis, Colgate, and Saint Mary’s before committing to UC Santa Barbara.

Jessica Carlton | Midfield | Boston College | Upland High School

Midfielder, Jessica Carlton joins the Gauchos after a two-season stint at Boston College. While at Boston College Carlton played in 27 matches and recorded two assists for the Eagles. Before Boston College Carlton ranked No. 117 overall and No. 28 in Southern California by Top Drawer. Carlton was named the Top Drawer Best XI at the National ECNL event, she also earned multiple weekly showcase honors during the 2019-20 season. In 2018 she was a member of the ODP Cal South Championship. Carlton was also invited to the ID2 Nike Training Camp before she arrived at Boston College.

Em Caughey | Defender | Geffen Academy at UCLA

Em Caughey joins the Gauchos for the 2023 season as a two-time All-CIF First Team player. While at Geffen Academy at UCLA, Caughey was a two-time first-team all-league selection, named Coastal League MVP in 2023, a three-year team captain, and a Coastal League team champion. On her club team, LAFC, Caughey was a two-time ECNL selection. The defender committed to UC Santa Barbara over the University of Denver, Dartmouth, and the University of Washington.

Jaclyn DeGidio | Forward | Tesoro High School

A four-year varsity player at Tesoro High School, Jaclyn DeGidio joins the UC Santa Barbara Women’s Soccer team. DeGidio was the varsity team captain while being named CIF Southern section twice. She was named first team in 2022 before being named second team. During the 2023 season, DeGido was named the team’s Offensive Player of the Year and South Coast All League second team. She also earned Scholar-Athlete recognition The forward has also been a U.S. National Training Invitee. Jaclyn Degidio committed to UC Santa Barbara over Utah Tech, Biola, Hawai’i, and UC San Diego.

Erin Ellsworth | Left Back / Left Winger | Bishop’s School

Defender, Erin Ellsworth joins the UC Santa Barbara women’s soccer team out of Bishop’s School in La Jolla, Calif. Ellsworth was named First Team All-League in 2022 and was the highest-scoring player her sophomore through senior year. Ellsworth was also named team captain for the 2023 season at Bishop’s School. The incoming freshman also considered Iowa and Vanderbilt before committing to the Gauchos.

Stella Etcheverry | Left Forward / Left Back | St. Ignatius High School

Etcheverry, another left-sided player in the 2023 class, Stella Etcheverry joins the Gauchos out of St. Ignatius High School. The incoming freshman was a WCAL Honorable Mention and also won the Gothia Cup in Sweden. Before committing to the Gauchos Etcheverry also considered Northwestern.

Zoe Franks | Defender | Livermore High School

Zoe Franks comes to UC Santa Barbara from Livermore High School. The defender earned EBAL All-League First Team honors, was named team captain, and earned scholar-athlete recognition. Franks was also named Player of the Year and an ODP Regional Team member. Franks committed to UC Santa Barbara over Cal, Utah, and UC Davis.

Keile Hansen | Forward | Boise State | Henry M. Jackson

Keile Hansen joins the UC Santa Barbara women’s soccer team after a three-year stint at Boise State University. During her time at Boise State, Hansen appeared in 47 matches, making 24 starts. The forward recorded seven goals and two assists totaling 16 points. Three of her goals would be game-winners. Hansen was a three-time Mountain West Scholar-Athlete and on the Academic All-Mountain West list.

While at Henry M. Jackson High School Keile Hansen was named First Team All-Area, Offensive MVP, Second Team All-WESCO, and was a member of Jackson High’s four-straight WESCO conference titles. On the club level, she was a three-time state champion with the Greater Seattle Surf.

Olivia Howard | Forward | Hebron High School

Oliva Howard comes to UC Santa Barbara out of Hebron High School. While at Hebron, Howard was named District Offensive Player of the Year during the 2023 season. The incoming freshman also considered Michigan State, Indiana, and Montana before committing to UC Santa Barbara.

Tessa Montanile | Outside Back | Xavier College Preparatory

Montanile joins the Gauchos out of Xavier College Preparatory. While at Xavier, Montanile was a three-time Arizona 6A state champion while being named First Team All-Conference defender. The defender also earned the Ironwoman Coaches Award. Before committing to UC Santa Barbara, the incoming freshman was also considering UC Irvine, SMU, and Miami. Tessa’s older, Francesco Montanile currently plays at Big West opponent, UC Irvine.

Regan Stiner | Midfield | California High School

One of two midfielders in the 2023 class, Regan Stiner was a standout at California High School. The incoming freshman was a 2022 NCS D1 Finalist and a 2023 Semi-Finalist. The midfielder was also named the 2023 MVP. In 2022 she was a California Regional Semi-Finalist honoree while being named Scholar-Athlete. Regan also had interest from Boise State, Lipscomb, TCU, Sonoma State, and Long Beach State before committing to UC Santa Barbara.