University of Houston brings in transfers from Kentucky and Oklahoma

HOUSTON – With the 2021 spring season on the horizon, University of Houston soccer head coach Diego Bocanegra has added junior midfielder Emma Shields and sophomore midfielder Madison Dichiara to the Cougars’ roster.

Shields joins Houston after spending her first two seasons in college at Kentucky, while Dichiara comes to the Cougars following a freshman campaign at Oklahoma. Below is a breakdown of each student-athlete and their accomplishments.

EMMA SHIELDS
Midfielder
Houston, Texas
Memorial HS / Kentucky

PRIOR TO HOUSTON
Spent two seasons at Kentucky, making 21 starts in 26 appearances … Tallied a total of 1,430 minutes in her freshman campaign (2018), recording 19 shots in the process … Posted a career-high four shots in the 3-2 win over Little Rock (8/19/18) … Helped lead her club team, Albion Hurricanes FC, to a State Cup and the ECNL Champions league playoffs … Earned a Texas ECNL PDP Invite.

PERSONAL
Parents are Dave and Natalie Shields … Has three siblings: Preston, Sarah and Nick … Father played college hockey at the University of Denver (1986-90)… Majoring in Business Management … Says her dad is her biggest influence … Aspires to become a teacher to help influence and pave the way for the next generations, as well as becoming involved in education reform movements … Involved with Ordinary Hero, a charity in Ethiopia and worked with many local charities during her time at Kentucky … Enjoys reading, exploring new places, coaching/teaching kids, and hanging out with friends … Is half-Canadian.

MADISON DICHIARA
Midfielder
Houston, Texas
Memorial HS / Oklahoma

PRIOR TO HOUSTON
Appeared in three contests for the Sooners in her rookie season … A three-year letterwinner at Memorial High School … Played club soccer for Albion Hurricanes FC …  Scored 12 goals and tallied 31 assists in her high school varsity … As a junior, led Memorial to its first state championship in school history … A Second-Team All-District honoree as a sophomore … First-Team All-District honoree as a junior.

PERSONAL
Parents are Joe and Dana Dichiara … Has three siblings: Coco, Michael and Ben… Plans to major in business at Houston … Volunteers at Italian Festival and Houston Food Bank.