LA VERNE, Calif. — The University of La Verne women's soccer team announced the addition of 11 newcomers, head coach Lauryn Pehanich announced on Monday.
The list of incoming recruits for the 2015 season include:
- Michaela Adams, DEF – Brea, Calif. (Brea Olinda)
- Alex Alvarado, GK – Buena Park, Calif. (Savanna)
- Juna Bouchekara, MID – Encinitas, Calif. (San Dieguito Academy)
- Davia Casillas, DEF – Cathedral City, Calif. (San Jose State/Cathedral City)
- Ariana Dowell, MID – Pasadena, Calif. (Marshall Fundamental)
- Julia Gomez, DEF – Venice, Calif. (Santa Monica College/St. Monica Catholic)
- Lindsey Hage, MID – Seattle, Wash. (West Seattle)
- Courtney Martin, FWD – Chino, Calif. (Ontario Christian)
- Idalys Martinez, DEF – Fontana, Calif. (Etiwanda)
- Amaris Sherlock, FWD – Long Beach, Calif. (Millikan)
- Jasmine Valadez, GK – Downey, Calif. (St. Joseph)
Class of 2015 Profiles
Michaela Adams
Defender 5-11 • Fr. Brea, Calif. (Brea Olinda) Club: Anaheim SurfWhy La Verne? A friend went to the University of La Verne and highly recommended it so when Coach Pehanich asked me to check out the campus, I went. I knew it was the right place for me by the end of my visit.
Achievements: Four-year letterwinner … 2013-14 Century League Champion … 2015 CIF semi-finalist … named First Team All-Century League … named All-CIF Southern Section … named a Scholar Athlete all four years … placed on the Principal's list all four years (3.5 GPA or above)
Alex Alvarado
Goalkeeper 5-11 • Fr. Buena Park, Calif. (Savanna) Club: N/AWhy La Verne? I chose La Verne because it values education and it will help me build great professionalism with a great experience.
Achievements: Part of Savanna High School's first ever women's soccer Orange League Championship team … named the teams Best Defender in 2015 … earned the Seal of Biliteracy
Juna Bouchekara
Midfielder 5-0 • Fr. Encinitas, Calif. (San Dieguito Academy) Club: Rancho Santa Fe AttackWhy La Verne? I chose La Verne because I loved the environment and the small class sizes.
Achievements: Named the best Offensive Player … named a Mustang Scholar … selected to Union-Tribune All-Academic Team … named to Second Team All-Avocado East … posted a 4.31 GPA
Davia Casillas
Defender 5-9 • So.-TR Cathedral City, Calif. (San Jose State/Cathedral City) Club: Desert UnitedWhy La Verne: La Verne is the type of university that allows its student-athletes to grow in academics and sports and to achieve their goals in the future. It offers so much for the students and go above and beyond what other schools might offer.
Achievements: Named to All-Desert Valley League three times at Cathedral City High School … four-year letterwinner … named the team's Defender of the Year in 2014 … won Lion's Club Award, CSF Award and Golden Lion Scholar Award
Arianna Dowell
Midfielder 5-6 • Fr. Pasadena, Calif. (Marshall Fundamental) Club: FC Manchester UnitedWhy La Verne? I chose to attend the University of La Verne for the opportunity to play for the women's soccer team as well as a chance to be a part of the school's kinesiology and psychology programs.
Achievements: Named to Second Team All-League in 2013 and 2015 … part of the 2012-13 CIF Championship team … made the Dean's List
Julia Gomez
Defender 5-4 • Jr.-TR Venice, Calif. (Santa Monica College/St. Monica Catholic) Club: N/AWhy La Verne? I chose to attend the University of La Verne because of its small size and the staff's passion and dedication to their jobs and the student-athletes.
Achievements: Played for two years while serving as a captain at Santa Monica College … named the Defensive Player of the Year both seasons as a Corsair … named the Student-Athlete of the Year at Santa Monica College … selected to First Team All-League three time and to Second Team once at St. Monica Catholic High School … named Defensive Player of the Year twice as a Mariner … received All-CIF Southern Section Team Award
Lindsey Hage
Midfielder 5-7 • Fr. Seattle, Wash. (West Seattle) Club: Pacific Northwest Soccer ClubWhy La Verne? I chose La Verne because I felt I could receive a very personalized education from professors I could truly connect with while also being involved with athletics to represent school
Achievements: Named First Team All-Metro League in 2013 … tabbed Second Team All-Metro League in 2014 … named Honorable Mention All-Metro League in 2012 … was a member of the National Honor Society from 2013-15 … served as ASB class treasurer from 2012-15
Courtney Martin
Forward 5-7 • Fr. Chino, Calif. (Ontario Christian) Club: Freedom FCWhy La Verne? I chose La Verne because of the small community the campus has to offer—it's almost like a second family.
Achievements: Lettered in volleyball, track and field and soccer … served as a team captain … named to First Team All-CIF … named to First Team All-Ambassador League … named Team Offensive MVP her junior year … named a Scholar Athlete all four years while posting a 3.7 GPA throughout high school
Idalys Martinez
Defender 5-7 • Fr. Fontana, Calif. (Etiwanda) Club: Legends FCWhy La Verne? There are a few reasons I chose La Verne. I had several family members graduate from La Verne so it was nice to have the opportunity to join them. Another reason is I had one of my most memorable club games in the Ortmayer Stadium and now I get to make more memorable moments as a Leopard.
Achievements: Four-year letterwinner … graduated with Magna Cum Laude … named to All-Baseline League Team … named the Baseline League Outstanding Senior … named a Scholar Athlete
Amaris Sherlock
Forward 5-8 • Fr. Long Beach, Calif. (Millikan) Club: Beach FCWhy La Verne? I really liked the coaching style, the team chemistry, the beautiful campus and that the school offered my major (Criminology).
Acheivements: Won Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year and Golden Boot Awards … named to First Team All-CIF … made the Honor Roll … earned the Millikan QUEST Medallion
Jasmine Valadez
Goalkeeper 5-5 • Fr. Downey, Calif. (St. Joseph) Club: Strikers FCWhy La Verne? I chose La Verne because the campus was beautiful and the team interested me. The players on the team came off as very unified and friendly.
Achievements: Named the MVP her freshman and senior years … part of a CIF finalist and a quarterfinalist teams … was an honor student