University of Colorado women’s soccer signs seven newcomers for the class of 2023

BOULDER – Just as the 2022 season closes out, the University of Colorado soccer team has turned its attention to 2023, signing seven newcomers.

Jamie Campbell (Newbury Park, Calif.), Kyla Celayta (Grand Junction, Colo.), Claire Curran (San Diego, Calif.), Grace Thao (Irvine, Calif.), Angelina Moschetti (Irvine, Calif.), Hope Leyba (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Faith Leyba (Phoenix, Ariz.) all put pen to paper and officially became Buffaloes.

“With us losing seven talented seniors, it was vital that we brought in a class that can compete right away,” head coach Danny Sanchez indicated. “This incoming group can. They all come from super competitive club environments. They have all excelled on a national stage and have all the attributes to push our soccer program to the next level. We are excited to get them to Boulder this summer!”

Jamie Campbell (Newbury Park, Calif.) – Goalkeeper

Campbell is a 5-10 goalkeeper out of Newbury Park, Calif. She has earned three letters in soccer at Newbury Park High School and has played with LAFC So Cal Youth at the club level. Last season she was First-Team All-Conference and a Coaches’ MVP. She has a four-star rating from TopDrawerSoccer.com and is also ranked the No. 7 goalkeeper in the county by TDS. Campbell has had multiple USYNT training invites and has attended numerous ODP camps. She is currently ranked No. 68 in the IMG Academy 150.

“We feel Jamie has all the physical and mental attributes to be an impact goalkeeper in the Pac-12,” Sanchez explained. “She is a great shot blocker and is very confident in her distribution. Jamie is always seeking extra individual training, in addition to her work with LAFC So Cal ECNL.  Her game has really grown over the past few years.”

Kyla Celayta (Grand Junction, Colo.) – Defender

Celayta is the lone Colorado native in the incoming class. The 5-11 defender comes to Boulder from Fruita Monument High School in Grand Junction. She will be a four-year letterwinner and has also lettered in volleyball and track and field. Celayta is a two-time All-Conference selection and a team captain. Fruita Monument has won the Southwest League Championship each season. Celayta played club with Arizona Arsenal ECNL, while also earning EFA Female Athlete of the Year in 2019 with Utah ODP. Her grandfather, Terry Dahlberg played football and ran track for the Buffaloes.

“Kylah is a player that really stood out at one of our ID camps,” Sanchez recalled. “She has made a huge commitment to travel from Grand Junction to play with Arizona Arsenal ECNL. We like how her game has grown over the past couple of years. Kylah already has the physical qualities you look for in a Pac-12 central defender.”

Claire Curran (San Diego, Calif.) – Forward

Curran is a 5-4 forward out of San Diego, Calif. She will be a four-year letterwinner at Cathedral Catholic High School. As a junior, she recorded 16 goals and led the CIF San Diego section with 14 assists. She was First Team All-Western League as a junior, upgrading from her honorable mention selection as a sophomore. She captained the team to a 21-3-2 record last season, winning the Western League. She has won national championships and has been runner-up at many national and regional tournaments with San Diego Surf. Curran was invited to the 2020 SoCal USYNT camp and has been in the ODP player pool.

“Claire is lightning quick and fantastic on the dribble,” Sanchez commented. “She has an unbelievable work ethic and has been an impact player for San Diego Surf ECNL for years. Claire can play anywhere wide and can leave her mark on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.”

Grace Thao (Irvine, Calif.) – Midfielder

Thao, a 5-3 midfielder, is a native of Irvine, Calif. She will have won four letters in soccer at Orange Lutheran High School. Thao scored six goals last season and handed out 10 assists. In three seasons, she has totaled 24 goals and 23 assists. She was All-CIF and Offensive Player of the Year last season and is a multiple-time All-Trinity League selection. Her team won the Trinity League in her freshman season, where she was also named the Newcomer of the Year. Thao has played for West Coast Futbol Club, while also earning USL Academy Cup MVP. She’s a three-star recruit and ranked No. 27 in the Southern California region by TDS. She’s also No. 168 in the IMG 200.

“Grace is a super creative attacking player that can play up top, or in an advanced midfield role, Sanchez said.” She is a fantastic ball striker who is equally adept at scoring goals as she is at setting them up. Grace plays her club soccer with West Coast GA, but also trains and plays in the UPSL. She is seeking out additional avenues to train and get better that will really prepare her for Pac-12 soccer.”

Angelina Moschetti (Irvine, Calif.) – Defender

Moschetti comes to Boulder from Irvine, Calif. She will have four varsity letters from Santa Margarita Catholic High School. She helped SMC go 11-5-2 last season, earning Defensive MVP honors. Moschetti is a multiple-time Trinity League All-Conference selection and won the conference championship in 2020. She’s rated a three-star player and the No. 37 player in the Southern California region by TDS. She played club with HB Koge Slammers and was Second Team ECNL All-Southwest Conference in 2021.

“Angelina is a prototypical left back,” Sanchez proclaimed. “She works both sides of the ball, but really excels when she gets forward and supports the attack. Angelina plays for Slammers HB Koge ECNL which competes at the highest levels in the country. She has a great feel for the game and left foot service that will really add to our ability to get forward out of the back.”

Hope Leyba (Phoenix, Ariz.) – Forward

Hope Leyba is a 5-10 forward out of Phoenix, Ariz. She goes to Boulder Creek High School but has not played for BHS due to full-time play in ECNL. Hope has played for the Utah Royals FC-AZ ECNL. She’s a First Team Southwest ECNL All-Conference selection. She’s ranked the No. 2 player in the Rocky Mountains & Southwest Region and the No. 12 forward in the nation by TDS. The four-star recruit also comes in at No. 47 on the IMG 150.

“Hope is a flat-out goal scorer,” Sanchez exclaimed. “Her competitiveness is off the charts. Hope is already physically ready to compete and excel in the Pac-12. She is an excellent ball striker with both feet, has a huge impact in the air and gladly sets up her teammates as well. In addition to her attacking prowess, she does a great job on the defensive side of the ball.”

Faith Leyba (Phoenix, Ariz.) – Defender

Faith Leyba is a 5-10 defender. Like her sister, she attends Boulder Creek High School but has not played at the high school level. Faith was First Team ECNL Southwest All-Conference in 2022, playing for the Utah Royals FC-AZ. Faith is ranked No. 20 in the Rocky Mountains & Southwest Region by TDS.

“Faith has all the qualities you look for in a Pac-12 central defender,” Sanchez added. “She is a no-nonsense 1v1 defender, who tackles with purpose and shows great leadership to the players around her in the back. Faith is dominant in the air and is a great ball striker out of the back. In addition to her defensive work, Faith is very dangerous going forward on set pieces.”

(Photo Credit: Tyler Davis / University of Colorado Athletics)