TSUSports.com: Soccer Announces 2019 Recruiting Class

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HOUSTON - First-year Texas Southern University head soccer coach Lindsay Vera wrapped up her first recruiting class with the addition of 10 newcomers for the 2019 fall season. The class consists of six incoming freshmen and four transfer student-athletes as the state of Texas is well-represented with seven players.

FRESHMEN
Nancy Jacobo | MF | Houston, Texas | Cy Ridge | RISE ECNL
Mackenzie Johnson | D | 5-5 | Baytown, Texas | Goose Creek Memorial | Challenge Soccer Club

Alexis 'Lex' Luna | D | 5-8 | Mansfield, Texas | Legacy | Solar ECNL
Crisely Pavon | F | 5-3| Willis, Texas | Willis | Houston Dash Developmental Academy
Taylor Stokes | D | 5-4 | Katy, Texas | Morton Ranch | Houstonians FC
Jackie Zapata | D/MF | 5-3 | Laredo, Texas | United South
TRANSFERS
Myisha Butts | GK | 5-4 | Sugar Land, Texas | Mississippi Valley State
Jada MacLean | F | 5-4 | Mission Viejo, Calif. | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Oriana Palacios | GK | 5-5 | Caracas, Venezuela | Ranger College
Cassandra "Cass" Sandoval | MF | 5-0 | Fresno, Calif. | Northwest Nazarene University


FRESHMEN
Nancy Jacobo | MF | Houston, Texas | Cy Ridge | RISE ECNL

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Earned Second Team All-District 17-6A honors…three-time all-district honoree.

Vera on Jacobo…
"A local product from RISE ECNL, Nancy brings a high soccer IQ to the program. She is sharp, technical, and understands her role within many systems of play. Jacobo's demeanor and consistency on the field will be a big contribution to our success in the fall."

Mackenzie Johnson | D | 5-5 | Baytown, Texas | Goose Creek Memorial | Challenge Soccer Club

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Earned all-district honors in multiple seasons at Goose Creek Memorial…played for Challenge Soccer Club.

Vera on Johnson…

"Makenzie is a defender from Houston and a member of Challenge SC – a club well-known for producing high-level competitors. Her work rate paired with her mentality will certainly enhance our training environment. She will have the chance to compete alongside her older sister and current TSU soccer player, Lemauriel. We are excited to welcome Mackenzie to the Tiger family."

Alexis 'Lex' Luna | D | 5-8 | Mansfield, Texas | Legacy | Solar ECNL

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Named to the Class 5A UIL soccer state all-tournament team…led team to the Class 5A State Tournament finals for the first time in school history...played for the Solar Soccer Club of the ECNL.

Vera on Luna…

"Luna comes to Texas Southern after competing for the Solar ECNL team out of Dallas, Texas. Her composure and physical dominance in the backline are just two of the major qualities she brings to the program. We are looking forward to her transition into (NCAA) Division I and seeing her impact within the conference."

Crisely Pavon | F | 5-3 | Willis, Texas | Willis | Houston Dash Developmental Academy

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All-District 21-4A First Team selection as a senior…scored 19 goals and 14 assists… finalist for the Courier's All-Montgomery County Girls Soccer Offensive MVP…combined to score 34 goals in her junior and senior seasons.

Vera on Pavon…

"Crisely is a connector. She plays in the middle of the field and helps maintain the momentum of the game with her technical ability and speed of play. Pavon is a local player who has spent her youth club days with the Houston Dash Developmental Academy and the ECNL."

Taylor Stokes | D | 5-4 | Katy, Texas | Morton Ranch | Houstonians FC

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Named to the TASCO District 19-6A Second Team as a senior…four-year varsity letterwinner.

Vera on Stokes…

"Stokes is a quick, technical defender who makes life tough for any opposing forward. Her versatility and awareness on the field are qualities greatly needed at this level. I believe her maturity and initiative will help us off the field, too. She currently plays as a defender for Houstonians FC."

Jackie Zapata | D/MF | 5-3 | Laredo, Texas | United South

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Three-time District 29-6A Midfielder of the Year…earned all-city honors and all-district honors…district newcomer of the year as freshman…scored 21 goals during her senior campaign…one of three sisters which played for the Lady Panthers.

Vera on Zapata…

"Jackie is a dynamic individual with great technique and vision. Although she has spent a lot of time as a defender she is equally as dangerous in the attack and becomes a scoring threat from any position. She is a confident player and will be a great addition for us this coming season."


TRANSFERS
Myisha Butts | GK | 5-4 | Sugar Land, Texas | Mississippi Valley State

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Transfer from fellow SWAC member Mississippi Valley State…will be eligible for competition in 2020 due to SWAC intra-conference transfer rules…ranked fourth in the SWAC with 5.71 saves per game…earned SWAC Goalkeeper of the Week honors during her freshman campaign.

Vera on Butts…
"We are fortunate to welcome Myisha from Mississippi Valley State. She understands what it takes to be an effective student-athlete on and off the field. While conference rules prohibit her from competing this season we are extremely confident in how her knowledge and experience will impact our training environment."

Jada MacLean | F | 5-4 | Mission Viejo, Calif. | University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

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Transfer from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley…will have two years of eligibility remaining…recruited by and played under Coach Vera at UTRGV in 2017…finished third in four different statistical categories including points (9), goals (4), shots on goal (19), and game-winning goals (2) at UTRGV in 2018….earned Most Valuable Offensive Player honors as a sophomore and senior at Capistrano Valley High School.

Vera on MacLean…
"We are thrilled to welcome Jada. Having already seen her compete in division one, I know she will make a seamless transition to TSU. Jada brings another level of experience and leadership to our squad and there is no doubt she will display a big personality up top for us this year."

Oriana Palacios | GK | 5-5 | Caracas, Venezuela | Ranger College

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Junior college transfer from Ranger College…helped lead team to the 2018 Region V Soccer Championship title game…started her career at Monroe College where she earned United Soccer Coaches Junior College Division I Women's All-North Region Honors as a freshman.

Vera on Palacios…
"Oriana has goalkeeping experience on the U-20 Venezuela National Team during the U-20 World Cup in Papua New Guinea. Palacios immediately adds technique, athleticism and leadership to our roster. She will certainly be someone to watch during our fall campaign."

Cassandra "Cass" Sandoval | MF | 5-0 | Fresno, Calif. | Northwest Nazarene University

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Played one season at Northwest Nazarene University…saw action in 16 games…began her collegiate career at Fresno City College where she scored 10 goals, including two game winners, in 27 contests.

Vera on Sandoval…

"Cass arrived early to TSU and has been with the team since January after transferring from Northwest Nazarene University. She has already added a lot of creativity to our style of play. As a central player, Sandoval has excellent technique and is in constant search for the ball. We know she will do great things for us this season."






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Courtesy: TSU Athletics
 
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