Jenna Howerton, a two-time all-state selection at Pine Creek High School who played at UNLV last year, has transferred to Colorado College and joined the women’s soccer program for the 2012 season.

A sophomore forward, Howerton will have three years of eligibility with the Tigers.

“It’s one of those situations where we couldn’t have found a better fit,” head coach Geoff Bennett said. “Jenna is a great player who is an even better person because she comes from a great family, which we always love to add to our program.”

Last season with the Rebels, Howerton played in all 21 games and tied for second on the team with three goals. She struck for the game winner just 11:42 into her first collegiate contest, a 3-0 victory over UC Riverside and later added a pair of tallies, including one in overtime, to give UNLV a 4-3 triumph against Loyola Marymount midway through the season.

“We’re getting a very good player who also has been very well coached,” Bennett said. “Jenna will be a different type of forward for us. She likes to play with her back to the goal a little bit more than our current forwards, so she brings something we don’t have.”

Howerton joins a CC squad that returns its five leading and 10 of the top 11 point producers from a year ago. The Tigers finished second in Conference USA with an 8-2-1 record and posted a 10-7-3 overall mark.

Howerton also will re-unite with former Pride Soccer Club teammate and current Tiger midfielder Kaeli Vandersluis, with whom she won a pair of state championships as members of the Predators ’93.

While at Pine Creek, Howerton helped the Eagles advance to the quarterfinals of the state tournament on two occasions, including an appearance in the semifinals during her senior season in 2011 when she was the Metro League MVP.

“We’re excited to see how much Jenna can contribute to our program,” Bennett said. “It’s a perfect fit both ways.”

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