University of Hawai'i head women's soccer coach Michele Nagamine announced the program's 2015 recruiting class with five players committing to the Rainbow Wahine. The group includes three players from California and two local Hawai'i products.

Joining the 2015 Rainbow Wahine this fall will be Leonicia "Nici" Lopez, Alexis Mata, Malissa Shadle, Sarah Lau, and Raisa Strom-Okimoto.

"I'm very excited to introduce our class of 2015 because they are all accomplished, disciplined, high level club players who have traveled extensively and fully understand some of the challenges we face living in paradise," said Nagamine of her class. "There's a good dose of competitive fire from this class and they hate to lose. That kind of determination, combined with their soccer savvy, is going to impact us in positive ways."

2015 University of Hawai'i Women's Soccer Recruits
Leonicia "Nici" Lopez | 5-7 | F/MF | Sacramento, Calif. | Christian Brothers HS
Alexis Mata | 5-7 | GK | Woodland, Calif. | Pioneer HS
Malissa Shadle | 5-4 | F | San Ramon, Calif. | California HS
Sarah Lau | 5-10 | D | Honolulu, O'ahu | Kamehameha School-Kapalama
Raisa Strom-Okimoto | 5-3 | F/MF | 'Aiea, O'ahu | Aiea HS
 
Leonicia "Nici" Lopez | 5-7 | F/MF | Sacramento, Calif. | Christian Brothers HS
Lettered three seasons at Christian Brothers in Sacramento, Calif...as a junior, scored eight goals and notched three assists...team won a sectional title during her time there...also play for the San Juan SC ECNL U17 team.
 
Nagamine on Lopez: Nici has speed, can cross with both feet and is a tireless worker. Her presence on the wing is going to help us right away. She can burn defenders 1v1 but also has a knack for combination play, so that makes her very dangerous in all areas of the field. I fully expect Nici to be a leader in the assist category for us. She fell in love with Hawai'i on her official visit and is one of those kids who lives with aloha. She is a perfect fit for our system.
 
Alexis Mata | 5-7 | GK | Woodland, Calif. | Pioneer HS
Lettered four seasons at Pioneer High School in Woodland, Calif...also played five years for the San Juan Spirits...was named Pioneer's Female Athlete of the Year in 2011.
 
Nagamine on Mata: Alexis caught our eye on a Northern California road trip because she was such a great shot stopper.  She was agile, athletic and fearless, which are all qualities you want to see in a keeper.  She is also going to be a wonderful teammate because she is thoughtful, sincere and caring.  Alexis is a great "package player" - in addition to being a fantastic player, she is a good student who makes good decisions and I am so happy to welcome her to our 'ohana. 
 
Malissa Shadle | 5-4 | F | San Ramon, Calif. | California HS
Lettered four seasons at California High School in San Ramon, Calif...as a junior, scored six goals and tallied one assist...also plays for the Pleasanton Rage Soccer Club
 
Nagamine on Shadle: Malissa is creative on the ball and reads the game well. She has a good first touch and her ball mastery is impressive. Her work rate and desire to be here as a part of our 'ohana is going to help her compete for time in the midfield.
 
Sarah Lau | 5-10 | D | Honolulu, O'ahu | Kamehameha School-Kapalama
Lettered three seasons for Kamehameha School-Kapalama in Honolulu...named first-team all-ILH and first-team all-state in 2014...team won the 2014 HHSAA state title where she was named to the all-tournament team...also played for the Leahi Soccer Club '97 Premier team.
 
Nagamine on Lau: Sarah is one of the most competitive kids I've seen. She hates to lose and always does everything in her power to ensure that doesn't happen. At 5'10", she is definitely going to be a presence for us in the back line. She is great in the air, has the ability to get up and down the field for crosses and is very dangerous on set pieces. The Lau family is known for producing top tier athletes (mom Dayna was a Rainbow Wahine volleyball player and dad Leonard was a Rainbow Warrior football player) and I'm so grateful that Sarah chose to continue their legacy at UH. We are extremely lucky to have her.
 
Raisa Strom-Okimoto | 5-3 | F/MF | 'Aiea, O'ahu | Aiea HS
Lettered four seasons at 'Aiea High School...named first-team all-OIA and all-state in 2014...was a two-time OIA West Division Player of the Year selection and twice led OIA in goals, scoring 24 as a junior...also played for the Surf Hawaii Soccer Club.
 
Nagamine on Strom-Okimoto: Raisa has long been one of Hawai'i's top soccer players. She honed her game from a young age, playing on a very competitive club team that traveled the nation to play in some of the best tournaments in the country. Raisa has tremendous creativity and vision on the field and has the ability to both score and assist on goals and her impact for us will be immediate. Her character and integrity off the field enable her to lead by example and she will be a fantastic role model for all of our young fans who love the Rainbow Wahine soccer team.

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