UTSA women’s soccer team announces six-player signing class

SAN ANTONIO – UTSA head soccer coach Derek Pittman announced the addition of six newcomers to the 2021 class. Freshman Anna Sutter, transfer Sabrina Hillyer and walk-ons Helene Farris, Alaina Gilbert, Hannon Joseph and Lorelei Maudlin will join the Roadrunners this fall.

Anna Sutter
Position: Midfielder
Hometown: Herisau, Switzerland
High school: Kantonsschule Trogen

Quote from Pittman on Sutter: “Anna is a super exciting player that we are really looking forward to having on our roster this season. She brings a lot of high level experience, having played for the Swiss YNT system and for her club back home. Her athleticism, soccer IQ and ability to create goals for herself and her teammates is something that we need. We can’t wait to get her here and watch her develop within our program.”

Bio: Member of the U19 national team … played for the National League A team of the FC St. Gallen-Staad … member of the Eastern Switzerland Football Association U12M and U13M teams … member of the D Elite League and C Coca Cola League with FC Herisau.

Sabrina Hillyer
Position: Defender
Hometown: Katy, Texas
High school: St. John XXII College Prep
Previous school: University of Arizona
Club team: Albion Hurricanes FC ENCL

Quote from Pittman on Hillyer: “Sabrina is a tough, hardworking, extremely fit player that is coming from a Top PAC12 program at Arizona and someone we feel will help us immensely in our wide areas. She is a player that has a tremendous engine and competitiveness that will stand out in our style of play. It is always great to bring an individual like Sabrina into our team, not only because of the experiences she has had as a transfer but also because she is coming back home to Texas! Ben and Dan at Albion raved about her attitude and commitment to put the team first and we feel her blue-collar mentality will fit in very well in our environment. We are excited to have her as a Roadrunner for the next four years.”

Bio: Transferred from Arizona … redshirted her freshman year … saw action in four matches to complete second season as a Wildcat … named as honorable mention in 2019 … made the Dean’s list, received academic year academic distinction and was named to the Dean’s List with Distinction in 2020 … scored 64 goals in her senior season at St. John XXII under coach Zayne Ramirez … received three All-State selections in high school … was named soccer and track MVP her senior year … was her club team’s captain 2018-2019 … competed on the track and cross country teams.

Lorelei Mauldin
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Hometown: Chandler, Arizona
High school: Eldorado High School
Club team: Utah Royals AZ

Quote from Pittman on Mauldin: “We are happy to add Lorelei to our team for this fall. She is a self-starter and someone that we feel as a staff has a tremendous upside to her game. Her dedication, commitment and drive is exactly what we look for when we talk about our #UTSADNA. She is extremely fit, fast and dangerous up front with the ability to create goals. Her strong personality and toughness will fit well within our team.”

Bio: Three-time letter winner in high school … scored 17 goals and aided six assists in her senior season … was named varsity captain in 2019 … was awarded first team All-State, first team All-District, District Offensive MVP and appointed to the All-Metro team in 2019 … named second team All-State and first team All-District in 2018 … received an All-State honorable mention and was named second team All-District in 2017 … played on the 2018 district champion team … played for Utah Royals AZ, winning three club state championships in 2017, 2018 and 2019 … four-time New Mexico ODP Team player from 2016-2019 … was a Region Four team selection in 2018.

Alaina Gilbert
Position: Goalkeeper
Hometown: San Antonio, Texas
High school: Antonian College Preparatory High School
Club team: Classics Elite 02/03 ECNL

Quote from Pittman on Gilbert: “Alaina is another San Antonio product that we are happy is staying home at UTSA. She is a quality goalkeeper that has a big presence in the goal. She will develop well under Coach Carter’s coaching and training. We look for bravery and courage out of our GK’s and that is something we feel Alaina has when in goal. She has played at a high level here in San Antonio for Classics Elite and SA Blossoms so that experience will serve her well as she makes that next step into college soccer.”

Bio: Recorded 200 goalkeeper saves in her high school career … three-time first team All-District nomination … was named second team All-State, All State Honorable Mention and academic All State during high school career … was named the San Antonio Express News All-Area Player in 2020 … played on the district championship team her freshman, sophomore and junior seasons … was on the state semi-finalist team her junior year … played for Classics Elite 02/03 ECNL … saw action in the Champions League ECNL Playoffs in 2019.

Hannon Joseph
Position: Forward/Midfielder
Hometown: New Braunfels, Texas
High school: New Braunfels High School
Club team: Rise SC and New Braunfels Ajax

Quote from Pittman on Joseph: “Hannon is a tremendous athlete. She runs track for her high school and is typically one of the fastest kids on the soccer field when she plays. I love the fact that she plays extremely aggressive and isn’t afraid to defend from the front. She is relentless in her effort to pressure defenders into mistakes and ultimately turn those opportunities into goals for her team. She will be exciting to watch!”

Bio: High school team completed the 2020 season with a 14-4-2 record … awarded District 27 6A All-District Forward in 2019 and 2020 … the Unicorns competed in the 6A playoffs and were the bi-district champions …  qualified for the 6A playoffs in 2020 … three-time District 26-6A Academic All-District … competed with Rise SC and New Braunfels Ajax club teams … club team won the 2018 USYS Presidents Cup State Championship team … played for the ODP South Region State Team in 2019.

Helene Farris
Position: Center Back
Hometown: Spring Branch, Texas
Previous school: Smithson Valley High School

Quote from Pittman on Farris: “Adding Helene to our 2021 roster is a pleasant surprise. Originally she has always been part of our 2022 class, but when she decided to graduate a year early to join us, we gladly said yes. Helene is a tenacious competitor that is an extremely physical presence on the field in the back or in the midfield. She has a wide range of passing ability, strength in the air and is not afraid to get stuck in on a tough tackle when needed. Helene is a great San Antonio product we are happy to keep at home at UTSA!”

Bio: Awarded the 2018-19 Top Goal Scorer for Freshman in San Antonio and the NEISD Freshman of the Year honor while playing for Lee High School … named the 2017 STYSA Region 3 Region Honorable Mention … awarded 2018-19 First Team All-District … First Team All-District in 2019-20 while playing for Smithson Valley High School … was part of the 2018-19 Lee High School team competing in the first round of playoffs … competed for the Classics Elite Soccer Club … took part in the ODP State Team/Region 3 Camp in 2016-17.