PULLMAN, Wash. – Ten student-athletes have each signed a National Letter of Intent to play soccer at Washington State University beginning next fall, Cougar Head Coach Matt Potter announced, Thursday.

The signees include midfielder Caitlin Bresnahan (Cincinnati, Ohio), goalkeeper Ariana Byrd (Phoenix, Ariz.), fullback Mariah Cameron (Castro Valley, Calif.), centerback Megan Garrity (Fountain Valley, Calif.), midfielder/fullback Kayla Johnson (Phoenix, Ariz.), midfielder Mel Johnston (Mesa, Ariz.), midfielder/fullback Emma Levy (Sammamish), midfielder Ashley Loughmiller (Pleasanton, Calif.), midfielder Shannon McFadden (Ventura, Calif.), and forward Brandi Vega (Carson City, Nev.).

“Knowing we were not going to graduate anyone, the goal for our 2009 recruiting class had two main themes. One, we wanted to add depth, competition and players from established winning backgrounds and programs and two, we needed to retool with one eye on the future (we graduate eight in 2010) so as the staff could get the whole year to develop and integrate this group. I believe we have succeeded in with kudos going to the whole staff. This group is athletic, versatile and very used to winning. The group reflects the goals of the program and more importantly the group is of great character and many have already proven themselves in the classroom. They are true student-athletes! Combining this class with our present talent we have truly given ourselves every opportunity to build on the success of last year.”

For information on each student-athlete, please see information below.

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CAITLIN BRESNAHAN

POSITION                             Midfielder

HOMETOWN                       Cincinnati, Ohio

HIGH SCHOOL                    Sycamore

COACH                                 Stacy Cahill (HS)

CLUB TEAM                       U18 Ohio Elite Soccer Academy

HEIGHT                                5-6

    * Lettered three years for high school varsity soccer team.
    * Team captain for Sycamore as a senior.
    * During sophomore year, team went 17-4-2.
    * High school team was ranked No. 1 nationally for several weeks with a record of 17-2-0.
    * Second Team All-Conference both sophomore and junior seasons.
    * Member of the High Honors Club as a senior.
    * U18 Ohio Elite Soccer Academy has captured five-straight OSYSA State Cup championships.

“A versatile midfield player Caitlin will provide an added boast to our midfield. Caitlin has the ability to cover ground and with her ability to connect passes and with her efficiency of passing over a variety of distances she will be a great asset to the team. Caitlin comes from a program, Ohio Elite, which has a wonderful reputation for developing elite competitive players, a program that mirrors the goals of our program.”


ARIANA BYRD

POSITION                             Goalkeeper

HOMETOWN                       Phoenix, Ariz.

HIGH SCHOOL                    Xavier College Preparatory

COACH                                 Barb Chura (HS), Ally Maxwell (Club)

CLUB TEAM                       ’91 Sereno/Del Sol Golden Eagles

HEIGHT                                5-6

    * Second Team All-Region as a freshman.
    * Member of National Honor Society with a 3.62 GPA.
    * Member of ’91 Sereno/Del Sol Golden Eagles club team.
    * Golden Eagles won five state championships.

“Ariana has been a player we have admired over the time we have recruited her. Ariana has continued to grow and develop under the tutelage of some of the best goalkeeping coaching in the nation and has competed, performed and succeeded in some of the best arenas and environments for her club Sereno.  As a goalkeeper, Ariana will provide stiff competition to the group we have and the fact that she is capable of playing on the field will be an added benefit to our team.”

MARIAH CAMERON

POSITION                             Fullback

HOMETOWN                       Castro Valley, Calif.

HIGH SCHOOL                    Castro Valley

COACH                                 Paul McCallion (HS, Club)

CLUB TEAM                       California Northstars

HEIGHT                                5-3

    * Earned four varsity letters for soccer.
    * First Team All-League freshman, sophomore, and junior years of high school.
    * Two-time First Team All-East Bay.
    * Co-player of the year in league during junior season.
    * Named team captain of high school team.
    * Team made it to the semifinals of the NCS in both sophomore and junior years.
    * Was a member of the California Northstars that advanced to Surf Cup quarterfinal.
    * Earned three varsity letters in softball.
    * Held a 4.2 GPA in high school.

“Versatile, competitive and a tenacious defender Mariah will be a player that adds depth and quality to our back line. A no-nonsense tackler, a player capable of possessing the ball, Mariah will be one to watch for the future. Mariah loves to get forward and will increase the options we have as we look to build on last fall.”

MEGAN GARRITY

POSITION                             Centerback

HOMETOWN                       Fountain Valley, Calif.

HIGH SCHOOL                    Fountain Valley

COACH                                 Alyson Spencer (HS)

CLUB TEAM                       Irvine Strikers

HEIGHT                                5-10

    * Earned three varsity letters for soccer.
    * Was named Varsity Soccer Most Valuable Defensive Player in both sophomore and junior years.
    * Two-time Second Team All-Sunset League.
    * Received the Captain’s Award during junior year.
    * Member of Principal’s Honor Roll with a 3.88 GPA.
    * Producer of Baron Broadcast high school news show.

“Megan is a good old fashioned center half! Dominant in the air, hard in the tackle, athletic and strong Meghan is a player who has excelled as part of the Irvine Strikers and I am excited to see her join us here in Pullman. We needed to address this area to add depth and with Megan’s potential she will be a player who not only competes day in and day out but who has the potential to impact the team from day one.”

KAYLA JOHNSON

POSITION                             Midfielder/Fullback

HOMETOWN                       Phoenix, Ariz.

HIGH SCHOOL                    Sunnyslope

COACH                                 Chris Fernandez (ODP)

CLUB TEAM                       Sereno White

HEIGHT                                5-7

    * Two-time Region IV semifinalist with Sereno White.
    * Was a member of ’91 ODP State Team for four years.
    * Sister, Ashley Johnson, is currently a member of the Washington State University soccer team.
    * Earned a 4.0 GPA and plans to pursue a degree in Pre-medicine.

“Kayla continues to go from strength to strength.  Athletic, technical and with a wonderful left foot Kayla is really blossoming.  She has shown great versatility whether playing wide or central.  Kayla always has a smile on her face and gives her all to the cause.  Kayla is another player that joins us from an elite program, Sereno SC and that experience will only help her as she joins our team and program.”

MEL JOHNSTON

POSITION                             Midfielder

HOMETOWN                       Mesa, Ariz.

HIGH SCHOOL                    Chandler

COACH                                 Nick Arter (HS)

CLUB TEAM                       Sereno

HEIGHT                                5-3

    * 2006 U16 National Team July camp (New Jersey).
    * 2006 U16 National Team player pool.
    * 2006 Nike Premier 50 camp (Oregon).
    * 2007 U17 National Team January camp (Florida).
    * 2007 U17 National Team player pool.
    * 2007 Adidas ESPN camp All-Star.
    * 2007 Nike Premier 50 camp (Oregon).
    * 2008 U18 Regional February camp invite (Carson, Calif.)
    * 2008 U18 National Team player pool.

“Mel has a wonderful sense and balance about the game. Tremendously gifted going forward she has an industrious nature that more than makes up for her size. Mel has performed on the biggest stages representing youth national teams as well as playing for one of the nation’s premier clubs, Sereno SC. An attacking midfielder with an eye for goal it will be fun to see the impact Mel can have on our team.”

EMMA LEVY

POSITION                             Midfielder/Fullback

HOMETOWN                       Sammamish

HIGH SCHOOL                    Eastlake

COACH                                 Chuck Krieble (HS)

CLUB TEAM                       Crossfire

HEIGHT                                5-1

    * Was the only freshman to play on the varsity team.
    * Four-year starter at forward.
    * Made All-KingCo First Team sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.
    * Named Offensive MVP during junior and senior years.
    * Was a member of the Crossfire Soccer Club.
    * Crossfire Soccer Club was the Region IV champions in 2006 and four-time Washington State champions.

“Another athletic and versatile player Emma will add a spark and pace to our team. Emma joins us from another established program, Crossfire Premier, with a history of producing the best youth players. Emma competes and has the ability to impact games whether in wide areas or as a forward using her pace and tenacity to go to goal.”

ASHLEY LOUGHMILLER

POSITION                             Midfielder

HOMETOWN                       Pleasanton, Calif.

HIGH SCHOOL                    Foothill

COACH                                 Ron Lambert (HS), Philippe Blin (Club)

CLUB TEAM                       ’91 Pleasanton Rage, Cal North ODP

HEIGHT                                5-7

    * Four-year starter for high school varsity soccer team.
    * As a freshman, team finished second in EBAL and was the North Coast Section finalist.
    * Was named Valley Times Player of the Week during junior year.
    * Had two corner kick goals vs. No. 1 Monte Vista High School as a junior.
    * High school team won the 2008 Tri-Valley Classic Tournament.
    * Was the state cup champion as a member of ’91 Pleasanton Rage Soccer Team.
    * In 2007, ’91 Pleasanton Rage placed third in the USYS National Championships.
    * Member of Cal North ODP Program State Team for four years.

“Ashley comes from a club, Pleasanton Rage, with a tradition of producing gifted and talented players that go on to do well in college. Another versatile player, Ashley has the ability to impact the game whether attacking and running at players in an advanced position or serving a ball from deeper areas. Ashley has a competitive nature and will again be a player looking to impact our program from day one.”

SHANNON McFADDEN

POSITION                             Midfielder

HOMETOWN                       Ventura, Calif.

HIGH SCHOOL                    Buena

COACH                                 Trish Butterbaugh (HS), Vince Thomas (Club)

CLUB TEAM                       Camarillo Eagles

HEIGHT                                5-7

    * Lettered three years for varsity track and field team.
    * As a freshman was All-Channel League Honorable Mention.
    * High school team was first place in Channel League freshman, sophomore, and junior years.
    * Made the CIF Southern Section quarterfinal junior year.
    * Camarillo Eagles Club Team was the Surf Cup champions and a regional finalist in 2008.
    * Camarillo Eagles were the premier league champions in 2007.
    * Earned the Renaissance Honor Roll all four years of high school.

“We are excited to add Shannon to our team. Athletic, pacey and competitive Shannon has all the tools to play in wide areas and whether in possession or defending has an ability to impact a game. She is another player who comes from a tradition, Camarillo Eagles, of producing quality players able to perform on the biggest of stages and win!”

BRANDI VEGA

POSITION                             Forward

HOMETOWN                       Carson City, Calif.

HIGH SCHOOL                    Carson

COACH                                 Randy Roser (HS), Emmy Giannoni (Club)

CLUB TEAM                       Capital Athletic Soccer Academy Boca

HEIGHT                                5-4

    * Earned four varsity letters for soccer.
    * High school team went 19-1 and was runner up in Nevada 4A finals during freshman year.
    * Was named First Team All-Sierra League all four years of high school.
    * Led team in assists all four years and was team leader in goals for junior and senior seasons.
    * Holds the Nevada 4A state record for assists and goals.
    * Was the 4A Sierra League Player of the Year all four years.
    * Named team captain for 2008 season.
    * Member of the Capital Athletic Soccer Academy.
    * Part of the Olympic Developmental Program on Nevada’s state team in 2007, Region IV ODP pool.
    * Earned three varsity letters in basketball.

“An explosive, gifted and predatory goal scorer Brandi will be a handful for everyone we come across. Great pedigree and ability to influence the game Brandi has a bright future ahead of her. We are delighted to add Brandi to our team and program and look forward to her energy and enthusiasm impacting our program from day one.”