USYNT talent highlights strong UCLA women’s soccer signing class

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The UCLA women’s soccer team has assembled another top class for the 2021 season, adding seven newcomers for the fall.

Three U.S. Youth National Team members will join the squad – Emma Egizii, Quincy McMahon and Lilly Reale – along with Swedish Youth National Team member Clara Härdling, who re-signed after deferring enrollment. The Bruins also signed local standouts Faith Nguyen, Jayden Perry and Lexi Wright.

“In this class we have players who have competed at the highest levels of international soccer and those who have won National Championships with their club teams,” said UCLA head coach Amanda Cromwell. “These elite players bring experience and skill to a very talented team. Our new Bruins aren’t ‘Baby Bruins’ anymore, and they will be able to contribute to our culture of competitive excellence right away. This 2021 class has had to be resilient and endure over the past year and a half due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so they are more than excited to come to Westwood and help us compete for championships.”

USYNT talent highlights strong UCLA women’s soccer signing class

• Downey, Calif. (Warren HS)
• Has trained with the U.S. Youth National Teams from the U-14 to U-19 level
• 2019-2020 All-American
• Graduated early and enrolled at UCLA Winter 2021

Graduation: 2021

Lilly Reale

Defender

UCLA Women

South Shore Select

Girls Academy

• Hingham, Mass. (Hingham HS)
• Attended U.S. Youth National Team camps since 2017
• Three-time South Shore Select All-American, All-Region, All-State and all-league selection
• Scored 15 goals as a freshman and 21 as a sophomore before playing her final two years at center back

USYNT talent highlights strong UCLA women’s soccer signing class

• Carmel, Ind. (Valor Christian HS/Guerin Catholic HS)
• Has played with the U.S. U-18, U-19 and U-20 National Teams
• Earned United Soccer Coaches All-America honors, along with All-State and All-District acclaim in 2020 after totaling 19 goals and 21 assists
• Gatorade State Player of the Year
• Selected to play in the High School All-American game
• Played two years of high school soccer and led both teams to the State finals

Graduation: 2021

Faith Nguyen

Goalkeeper

Baylor Women

So Cal Blues

ECNL Girls

• Costa Mesa, Calif. (Mater Dei HS)
• Team captain who led her SoCal Blues team to two league titles
• Graduated high school early and enrolled at UCLA Winter 2021

Graduation: 2021

Jayden Perry

Defender

UCLA Women

ECNL Girls

• Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. (Trabuco Hills HS)
• Top Drawer Soccer All-State selection in 2020
• Named the 2020 Sea View League MVP
• Member of the 2018 ECNL National Championship squad with Slammers FC
• Two-time High School All-American Watch List

Graduation: 2021

Lexi Wright

Forward

UCLA Women

So Cal Blues

ECNL Girls

• Carlsbad, Calif. (Carlsbad HS)
• Top Drawer Soccer second-team All-American and first-team All-Region and All-State
• Holds school records for single-season goals (47 in 2019-20) and career goals (104 in three seasons)
• Earned USA Today third-team All-America honors and was a Gatorade Player of the Year nominee as a sophomore
• Won u15, u16, u18/19 ECNL National Championships with SoCal Blues

Graduation: 2020

Clara Hardling

Midfielder

INT

UCLA Women

• Taeby, Sweden (Tibble Gymnasium)
• Member of the Swedish Youth National Team since 2015, playing at the U-15 through U-19 levels
• Earned seven caps in 2019 with the U-19 National Team, including six at the UEFA Qualifiers
• Made five appearances at the UEFA U-17 Qualifiers
• Played 57 games for her club team AIK from 2018-21 and helped the team win the 2020 Elitettan title
• Resigned after deferring enrollment during the 2020-21 school year