Cathleen Allison/Nevada Appeal Western Nevada Community College women's soccer head coach Hillary Arthur, center, and assistant coach Elena Sfetcu, left, welcomed nine athletes Friday at the school to sign their letters of intent to play soccer for WNCC. From center, players included former Carson High School student Courtney Hayes, Melissa Goldfin from North Valleys and Dayton High School graduate Alicia Deas.
Hillary Arthur had a goal of bringing in 18 quality student-athletes for her inaugural season as Western Nevada Community College's women's soccer coach.
Arthur said she believes she's accomplished her goal. Nine of the 18 players signed with the program on Friday at WNCC. Six of the players had already signed, with the other three unable to make Friday's cermony.
"From day one I wanted to bring in 18 quality student-athletes and today is the completion of that," Arthur said.
WNCC will begin play in the Scenic West Conference in the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association. The Wildcats will play this fall at Edmonds Park before eventually moving into their on-campus facility in Carson City.
They'll open the season in late August, with their home openers coming against Feather River of California and Scenic West member North Idaho on Labor Day weekend in their Labor Day Classic at Edmonds.
Arthur also introduced her assistant coach Elena Sfetcu, who played for Arthur at Chico State when Arthur was an assistant at the school. She also credited much of the program's development to the local American Youth Soccer Organization and the Capital Soccer Club, which has donated considerably to the program.
"This is just part of a legacy," Arthur said. "This is something that's going to grow and grow and grow."
The players who signed on Friday included two players from Dayton, forward Sabrina Cantrell who scored 17 goals in one season for the Dust Devils and will major in criminal justice and defender-midfielder Alicia Deas. Others who signed on Friday were:
Goalie Lisa Berryman, North Valleys. An all-league second team choice, Berryman was also voted the most versatile player for her club team.
Defender Melissa Goldfin, North Valleys. "She's a great defender," Arthur said. "She's very smart, very intelligent."
Center midfielder Courtney Hayes, Carson. A versatile performer, Hayes can also play goalie.
Center midfielder Chrissy Katorzke, WNCC and Carson. Arthur said Katorzke approached her. "I know you're going to want me," said Arthur about what Katorzke told her. "She's going to be a great leader for our team.
Midfielder Hannah Lee, North Valleys. Lee was considering several different schools, including the Unversity of Nevada. Arthur said she was "thrilled" when she decided on WNCC.
Center midfielder-defender Jessica Maule, Douglas. Arthur said Maule, who also was considering several schools, was one of the first players she recruited. Arthur said Maule will be another "great leader."
Forward-midfielder Morgan Weckerle, Yreka, Calif. "She brings knowledge to the game," Arthur said. "She's played at a high level."
The three players unable to make Friday's signing who will be coming to WNCC are forward-midfielder Karla Ramirez of Chaparral, defender-midfielder Priscilla Sells of UNR and Genoa and forward Savannah Gray of Douglas. The six players who signed in the spring are:
Defender Dominique Gloude, forward Phalon Mauntel and goalie Rachelle Goulet all of Silverado, midfielder Jessica Laca of Fallon, forward Kristel Thompson of Dayton and palo Verde's Demi Vega.