RENO, Nev. - The University of Nevada soccer team added 11 student-athletes to its 2009 roster second-year head coach Jaime Frias announced Friday.
The 11 student-athletes joining Nevada in the fall are: Lauren Braman (Niwot, Colo.), Samantha Johnson (Ketchum, Idaho), Raylene Larot (San Jose, Calif.), Ester Leon (Oakland, Calif.), Jillian Masciola (Las Vegas, Nev.), Dana Moreno (Chatsworth, Calif.), Jordan Ramsier (Dallas, Texas), Emma Rice (Santa Clarita, Calif.), Pauline Roman (Loma Linda, Calif.), Sarah Schmeda (Littleton, Colo.) and Samantha Strom (Fountain, Valley, Calif.).
"Above all else we have solidified a class of quality human beings. The first thing we look at when recruiting any player is their character," Frias said. "I am certain this group of young women will represent the university, our soccer program, and the community extremely well. We are delighted they chose the University of Nevada as their home for the next four years. I can't wait to see them wearing the silver and blue this upcoming fall."
Lauren Braman is a 5'6" defender from Niwot, Colo., and has earned three varsity letters in soccer at Niwot High School. As a junior, she served as a team captain as her team finished 13-3-4 and her team was the 4A State runner up. Her high school team won conference championships in 2006 and 2007. Braman was named Team Defensive MVP in 2008 as well as to the 2008 All-Conference, All-State, All-Area and All-Region teams. She plays club for Fort Collins Arsenal and won the 2008 Arsenal Cup.
"Lauren is a player that is hard nosed and athletic. Every time I watched her play she did an excellent job of shutting out her opponents" Frias said. "Her speed allows her to close down space immediately and her strength and physical presence makes it extremely difficult for opponents to win any type of flighted ball around her."
Samantha Johnson is a 5'7" midfielder from Ketchum, Idaho. She earned four varsity letters in soccer, three in track and three in tennis at Wood River High School in Hailey, Idaho. She helped lead her soccer team to three first-place conference finishes and a conference track title in 2007. She scored 64 goals and recorded 72 assists during her high school career as she ended her high school career with a 63-7-2 record. Johnson is a four-time MVP in soccer and a three-time All-Conference selection. She also holds school records in the 100m dash and the 200m dash. She plays club for Les Bois Soccer Association where she scored 20 goals and recorded 15 assists during the last three club seasons.
"Sam is fast, fast, fast and loves the competitive aspect of the game," Frias said. "She is the type of kid you don't want to go up against in a 1v1 battle. She is feisty and hard working. She can play anywhere on the outside and has the lung capacity to get up and down the line all day. She already has a lot of good habits for an outside player that most don't come with to the college game."
Raylene Larot is a 5'1" midfielder from San Jose, Calif. Larot lettered three years in soccer at Evergreen Valley High School. As a junior in 2008 she helped Evergreen High School to its second appearance in the CCS quarterfinals.
She plays club for Pleasanton RAGE and her club team won the U16 Far West Regionals in 2007 in addition, the team was also the Region IV Champions in 2007 and Surf Cup Finalists in 2006.
"Raylene is as technical as they come," Frias said. "She loves the ball and the game of soccer. She can solve any tactical problem with her technique and has the vision to pick opponents apart. She combines so well with others and brings everyone into the game."
Ester Leon is a 5'2" forward/midfielder from Oakland, Calif. Leon won two high school soccer championships at Berkeley High School in Berkeley, Calif., in 2006 and 2007. She was named MVP in 2008 and was named to the first team two times. She played club for Pleasanton RAGE and was a Far West Regional League Fall Finalist in 2008.
"Esther is one of the best forward on the West Coast," Frias said. "She can pretty much do it all and score different types of goals. I've seen her score from outside the 18, 1v1 situations, volleys, and headers. She is extremely technical and her mobility makes her extremely dangerous. Her constant movement not only creates space for herself but also for the rest of her teammates."
Jillian Masciola is a 5'3" forward/midfielder Las Vegas, Nev. Masciola is a four-year varsity starter and letterwinner at Cimarron-Memorial High School and is a team captain this season. She has played on Nevada's Olympic Development Program team for three years, 2005-07. Masciola plays club for LVFC Mundial.
"Jill is someone that has so much heart and determination," Frias said. "She is extremely committed to making herself a better player and does everything within her power to train on the edge every time she steps on the field. I've never seen this kid get tired and does very well as an outside player. What makes Jill dangerous is her ability to cut in and score from the outside."
Dana Moreno is a 5'6" goalkeeper from Chatsworth, Calif. Moreno lettered two years in soccer, two years in volleyball and played basketball at Chatsworth High School. She led her soccer and volleyball teams to semifinal conference finishes. Moreno was named to the First Team All-League, First Team All-City and All City MVP during the 2007-
08 season. Moreno plays soccer for So Cal United and has won four Surf Cup Championships and won the Manchester United Nike Premier Cup Championship.
"Dana is a great addition to our program. Her athleticism is one of the best I've seen out of a goalkeeper and the verbal command she takes of her box is above and beyond players her age" Frias said. "She has the ability to play with her feet which will give our team a different dimension when she's on the field. What I like most about Dana is her willingness to work on her game. She's always looking for ways to make herself a better goalkeeper."
Jordan Ramsier is a 5'10" forward/midfielder from Dallas, Texas. She won a conference soccer championship at Plano West Senior High School in 2007. Ramsier plays club for Sting '91 and reached the semifinals of the 2008 Southern Regionals.
"Jordan is tall, athletic, and fast," Frias said. "Combine her physical attributes with tenacity and work ethic and you've got the making of a fantastic soccer player. You can't help but notice Jordan when she steps on the soccer field.
She has great physical presence that immediately intimidates opponents. She is a true outside player that will be a handful for defenders to handle."
Emma Rice is a 5'4" forward/midfielder from Santa Clarita, Calif. Rice earned three varsity letters in  soccer at West Ranch High School in Valencia, Calif. She was named West Ranch Varsity Best Offensive Player in 2006. She did not play her senior year of high school due to an injury. Rice plays club for Real So Cal and won five straight Surf Cup Championships from 2004-08.
"Emma is someone who caught my eye immediately on the recruiting trail. Due to injury we did not have an opportunity to evaluate her at great length but she showed great vision and composure on the ball the times we did watch her," Frias said. "Emma is someone who possesses a great shot and causes a great deal of problems for opponents if given time and space to shoot within 20-30 yards. We look forward to seeing Emma flourish into a great attacking player for our program."
Pauline Roman is a 5'8" defender from Loma Linda, Calif. She earned four varsity letters in soccer at Loma Linda Academy. She recorded 63 goals and 23 assists and served as a team captain as a sophomore and junior. Roman is a two-time CIF All-Christian League First Team honoree and MVP. She plays club for Arsenal FC and recorded 12 goals and 30 assists during her three years with the club.
"Pauline is an extremely technical outside back. She keeps possession of the ball when starting the attack which is something we look for in all defenders," Frias said. "She can play on the left and the right comfortably and can play different kinds of ball with both her left and right foot."
Sarah Schmeda is a 5'5" midfielder from Littleton, Colo., and she earned two varsity letters in soccer at Chatfield Senior High School. Schmeda attends the same high school as current Nevada players Erin Smith and Annabelle Allen. Schemda plays club for the Colorado Rush Soccer Club and won a State Championship in 2005 and placed second at the Disney Showcase in 2007.
"Sarah is a player that does the things no one notices," Frias said. "She's always in position to receive a ball and hardly ever turns a ball over. She's a central player that gets the wingers involved by constantly switching the point of attack."
Samantha Strom is a 5'5" forward/midfielder from Fountain Valley, Calif. She earned four varsity letters in soccer and one in volleyball at Fountain Valley High School. Strom served as a team captain in soccer as a senior. She was named Most Valuable Offensive Player and to the Second Team Sunset League as both a freshman and sophomore. As a junior, she was named Honorable Mention All-Sunset League. Strom plays club for Slammers FC and won a pair National State Championships in 2005-06 and 2007-08 and won a Far West Regional Championship in 2007-08 in addition to four Surf Cup Championships.
"Sam is what we call a plurifunctional player. She can pretty much play anywhere on the field. She has experience laying as a striker, outside mid, and outside back," Frias said. "She's attacking minded and does extremely well with the ball at her feet. We will see what position fits her best within our attacking scheme but we are primarily looking at her as a striker. I've seen her score some unbelievable goals and we will look for her to continue her scoring knack in the college game."


2009 Nevada Soccer Incoming Class
Name Position Height Hometown (Last School)
Lauren Braman Defender 5’6” Niwot, Colo. (Niwot HS)
Samantha Johnson Midfielder 5’7” Ketchum, Idaho (Wood River HS)
Raylene Larot Midfielder 5’1” San Jose, Calif. (Evergreen Valley HS)
Esther Leon Forward/Mifielder 5’2” Oakland, Calif. (Berkekey HS)
Jillian Masciola Forward/Midfielder 5’3” Las Vegas, Nev. (Cimarron-Memorial HS)
Dana Moreno Goalkeeper 5’6” Chatsworth, Calif. (Chatsworth HS)
Jordan Ramsier Forward/Midfielder 5’10” Dallas, Texas (Plano West Senior HS)
Emma Rice Forward/Midfielder 5’4” Santa Clarita, Calif. (West Ranch HS)
Pauline Roman Defender 5’8” Loma Linda, Calif. (Loma Linda Academy)
Sarah Schmeda Midfielder 5’5” Littleton, Colo. (Chatfield Senior HS)
Samantha Strom Forward/Midfielder 5’5” Fountain Valley, Calif. (Fountain Valley HS