LOS ANGELES –  Head UCLA women’s soccer coach Jillian Ellis announced on Tuesday that eight players have signed letters of intent to join the Bruins as freshman for the upcoming 2009 season.  Headlining the group are U.S. Youth National Team players Zakiya Bywaters (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Chelsea Cline (Des Moines, Iowa), along with national team pool players Lucretia Lee (Bothell, Wash.) and Ahsha Smith (Oakland, Calif.).

 

“I’m extremely excited about this incoming group of freshmen,” said Ellis, who has signed a number of highly-ranked classes during her time in Westwood.  “Throughout the recruiting process I was able to view these players both on and off the field, and I think we have signed a well rounded group of talented individuals who represent a wide variety of backgrounds and playing experiences.  Collectively they will strengthen our program and continue the winning tradition of UCLA soccer.”

 

Below is biographical information on UCLA’s eight recruits (listed alphabetically):

 

Zakiya Bywaters (Las Vegas, Nev. / Rancho HS / Midfielder)

Recently called into U.S. Soccer's Under-20/Under-18 Super Camp in Chula Vista, Calif. (2009)

Represented the U.S. Under-17 National Team at the Future Stars Tournament in New Zealand (2008)

ESPN RISE Top 50 Recruit (No. 17 overall) in class of 2009

Listed as a four-star recruit (No. 21 overall) in the class of 2009 by Top Drawer Soccer

NSCAA/adidas Youth Girls All-Region IV selection (2008)

NSCAA/adidas Girls Youth All-American (2008)

NSCAA/adidas Girls Youth All-American (2007)

Under-16 U.S. National Team Camp (2007)

Plays club soccer for both Neusport FC (Las Vegas, Nev.) and Slammers FC (Newport Beach, Calif.)

adidas ESP Camp (2007)

 

Chelsea Cline (Des Moines, Iowa / Shattuck-St. Mary's HS / Midfielder)

ESPN RISE Top 50 Recruit (No. 19 overall) in class of 2009

Listed as a four-star recruit (No. 13 overall) in the class of 2009 by Top Drawer Soccer

Parade All-American (2007 & 2008)

U.S. Youth National Team member (U-15 & U-17)

Currently called into camp with the U-20s

Region II ODP Team (2004-09)

Iowa ODP State Team (2000-08)

NSCAA/adidas Youth Girls All-Region II selection (2008)

NSCAA/adidas Girls Youth All-American (2008)

NSCAA/adidas Girls Youth All-American (2007)

Shattuck St.-Mary’s Mary’s Women’s Athlete of the Year (2007-08)

Golden Boot winner at 2005 National Championships as a member of the Chicago Eclipse

Current club team is Shattuck-St. Mary’s Soccer Academy

adidas ESP Camp (2007)

Nike Premier 50 Camp (2006 & 2007)

 

Lucretia Lee (Bothell, Wash. / Cedar Park Christian HS / Defender)

ESPN RISE Top 50 Recruit (No. 40 overall) in class of 2009

Listed as a three-star recruit (No. 70 overall) in the class of 2009 by Top Drawer Soccer

NSCAA/adidas Youth Girls All-Region IV selection (2008)

First-team All-State selection at Cedar Park Christian High School

Metro League Rookie of the Year (2005)

Plays club soccer for the Washington Crossfire Premier

Super Y-League ODP National Camp (2007)

Under-16 U.S. National Team Camp (2007)

California State Champion in track & field in the 400m

 

Courtney Lovelace (San Diego, Calif. / Westview HS / Defender-Midfielder)

Four-year starter at Westview High School

Team captain (2009)

Helped Westview to a pair of CIF Championships (2007 & 2008)

Ranks third all-time on Westview’s career scoring list

Plays club soccer for the San Diego Surf SC

Led the Surf to an appearance in the 2007 Region IV Championships in Las Vegas

Helped her club all-star team, the San Diego Strikers, to the Copa Coca-Cola National Championship (2006)

 

Sierra Mack (Anaheim, Calif. / Fullerton HS / Defender-Midfielder)

Region IV ODP team (2006-08)

Cal-South ODP team (2006-09)

Helped Cal-South team to two regional championships (2007 & 2008)

All-CIF selection (2006 & 2007)

First-team All-Freeway League (2006-08)

Freeway League Defensive Player of the Year (2007)

Led Fullerton High School to a league championship as a freshman (2006)

Finished her senior season with 23 goals and 16 assists (ranks fourth in Orange County)

Helped her club team, the Irvine Strikers, to a U.S. Club Soccer National Cup Championship (2007)

Also a member of Irvine Strikers’ USYSA National Championship (2006)

Currently plays club soccer for the Slammers FC

 

Sophie Metz (Pleasanton, Calif. / Foothill HS / Defender)

Foothill High School team captain

High school team listed No. 1 in the country in ESPN RISE Fab 50 Rankings

Led Foothill’s defense in allowing only five goals all season, as the team currently owns a 19-0 record

Cal-North ODP State Team

Region IV player pool

First-Team All-East Bay Athletic League selection (2008)

Named one of the top 100 prep athletes in the Bay Area (2008)

Captain of her club team, the Pleasanton Rage, since 2006

Rage teammate of incoming recruit Ahsha Smith

 

Alana Munger (Honolulu / Punahou HS / Goalkeeper)

Hawai’i ODP State Team (2004-07)

Four-year letterwinner at Punahou (President Barack Obama’s high school)

Helped Punahou to the 2009 Hawai’i State Championship

HHSAA Girls Soccer Championships Division I All-Tournament Team (2009)

Plays club soccer for the Leahi SC, helping the team to six straight Hawai’i State Championships (2003-08)

Also helped the team to a U-19 Surf Cup Championship (2008)

 

Ahsha Smith (Oakland, Calif. / Skyline HS / Midfielder-Forward)

ESPN RISE Top 50 Recruit (No. 24 overall) in class of 2009

Under-16 U.S. National Team Camp (2007)

Current pool player with Under-18 U.S. National Team

Four-year member of Region IV ODP team

Four-year member of Cal-North ODP State team

Teammate of incoming recruit Sophie Metz on the Pleasanton Rage

Helped the Rage to a regional championship at the U-16 level