University of Denver women’s soccer signs 8 to National Letters of Intent

DENVER – The University of Denver women’s soccer program has signed eight recruits to National Letters of Intent, head coach Jeff Hooker announced.

Denver added Riley Baker (Castle Rock, Colo.), Samantha Ciccone (Glendale, Calif.), Samantha Dreiling (Centennial, Colo.), Kiera Flanagan (Longmont, Colo.), Ella Frost (Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.), Jadyn Goodrich (Golden, Colo.), Delaney McGowan (Aurora, Colo.) and Blythe Sales (Boulder, Colo.) to its 2021 fall roster.

“We are very happy moving forward with these players on our roster,” Hooker said. “From a positional perspective, all positions are encompassed in this class, which will allow us to continue to have talented depth for years to come. We’re really excited about this group of student-athletes, and we’re confident in their ability to make their distinct mark on this program.”

Riley Baker – Castle Rock, Colo. – 5-5 – Castle View H.S. – Colorado Rapids ’03 – Forward

Before Denver: 2019-20 and 2020-21 ECNL Player to Watch…Three-year varsity letterwinner…four-year track letterwinner…two-time basketball letterwinner….State finalist in the 4X400…2014 Colorado Storm Player of the Year…Track school record holder in the 400 meter race and the 4X400 meter relay.

Personal: Born on March 27, 2003….Daughter of Jon and Shanequa…Has two siblings Kori and Logan…Chose DU because of the atmosphere and the coaches, and she wanted the opportunity to get a good education….Currently considering starting her own business after graduation or becoming a lawyer….Also enjoys track, basketball, hiking, volunteering and snowboarding. Mother and father both ran track, and father also played football at Arizona State.

Samantha Ciccone – Glendale, Calif. – 5-3 – La Salle College Prep – Beach FC – Goalkeeper

Before Denver: Two-time Cal South ODP roster invite…Three-year U.S. Soccer Training Center and combine invite…2016 Real So Cal player…Three-time USSDA Beach FC roster player…Quarterfinalist and Semifinalist of DA National Championships with Beach FC…California Scholarship Federation Invite.

Personal: Born on September 20, 2003….Daughter of John and Tammy…Has one sibling Luca…Chose DU because of the great campus environment and academics, the unity of the soccer program and the great communication with the coaching staff during the recruiting process…Plans to pursue forensic science or dental hygiene…Also enjoys snowboarding and mountain biking…Grandfather, Jake, played football at Purdue.

Samantha Dreiling – Centennial, Colo. – 5-3 – Regis Jesuit H.S. – Real Colorado – Forward

Before Denver: Two-time ODP State Team forward and ODP Regional Team member….2015 Colorado Storm Player of the Year…Three-time participant in the U.S. Soccer Training Center…Played in the 2015 FC Barcelona Easter Tournament in Spain…2016 Colorado State Cup MVP…2016 ECNL Player to Watch…2018 DA National Champion…2019 Girls Spring DA Showcase Best XI…Top Drawer Soccer Nationally and Regionally ranked forward.

Personal: Born on January 29, 2003….Daughter of Stephen and Sheila…Has one sibling Grace…Chose DU because of their high academic standards and low student-teacher ratio…Father, Stephen, played college baseball for Colorado Mesa, aunt played college softball at Minnesota Duluth, uncle played college baseball for Colorado State. Hopes to play professional soccer and for the U.S. Women’s National Team.

Kiera Flanagan – Longmont, Colo. – 5-6 – Niwot H.S. – Real Colorado – Forward

Before Denver: CHSAA First Team Award…CHSAA Academic Team…Three-time leading goal scorer and assist producer in her final seasons of varsity soccer…Four year starter for Real Colorado Edge…Two-year starter in the Olympic Development Program…Competed in high school cross country as a freshman.

Personal: Born on March 25, 2003….Daughter of Clint and Deirdre…Has two siblings, Trace and Brogan…Chose DU because of the experiences she had at DU’s soccer camps, the beautiful campus, coaches and family atmosphere within the program…Goal is to go to dental school after graduation…Also enjoys skiing, wake-surfing, hiking and running…Father, Clint, played college soccer for Nebraska Wesleyan.

Ella Frost – Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. – 5-4 – Palos Verdes H.S. – West Coast FC – Midfield

Before Denver: Played for OC Surf DA and West Coast DA during her high school academic career…Three-time captain of her DA team…Invited to U.S. Soccer trainings during both middle school and high school…played against the Japanese Youth National Team in 2016.

Personal: Born on July 17, 2003….Daughter of J.B. and Jill…Has three siblings Cole, Jess and Ryan…Chose DU because of its beautiful campus, dedicated coaching staff, the opportunity to play top level soccer and the endless opportunities attending DU will provide…Wants to further her studies in graduate school…Also enjoys golfing and drawing…Mother, Jill, played college soccer at UCSB…Father, J.B., played college soccer at UCLA…Sister, Jess, played soccer and lacrosse at Emerson College.

Jadyn Goodrich – Golden, Colo. – 5-4 –  Golden H.S. – Colorado Rapids – Midfield

Before Denver: Three-time honor student and two-time recipient of the school’s academic achievement award.

Personal: Born on January 16, 2003….Daughter of Don and Karen…Has one sibling, Rachel…Chose DU because of the coaching staff…Father, Don, played collegiate baseball at Santa Clara…Also enjoys basketball, track and cross country.

Delaney McGowan – Aurora, Colo. – 5-7 –Cherokee Trail H.S. – Real Colorado– Forward

Before Denver: Three-time honor roll honoree for her high school…Department of excellence award winner in 2017.

Personal: Born on January 16, 2003….Daughter of Laura Keller…Step bad Christopher Keller…Has four siblings, Nathan, Ainsley, Logan and Emerson…Chose DU because she wanted to play Division I soccer at the highest level, and the University of Denver is providing her the opportunity to do so. She really wanted to be a part of the coaches and group of players…Step dad, Christopher, played college soccer for Rutgers from 1995-96…Step father later graduated from DU in 1998…Aspiring to become either a pediatrician or a children’s Oncologist.

Blythe Sales – Boulder, Colo. – 5’11 – Fairview H.S. – Real Colorado – Midfielder

Before Denver: Captained her club team Real Colorado Edge for all four years of the high school portion of her pre-collegiate career. Three-time member of the Olympic Development Program…All-Colorado and All-Region honoree during her high school career and was scheduled to represent the U.S. in an international tournament in March before it was cancelled (COVID).

Personal: Born on April 25, 2003….Daughter of John and Kate…Has two siblings, Wyatt and Sawyer…Chose DU because she wanted to play Division I soccer at a University close to home so her family could still come to her games…Father, John, played college tennis for Ole Miss and the University of Colorado…Intends on doing her undergrad in kinesiology before moving on to physical therapy for grad school.