UC Irvine Women's Soccer Announces 2010 Recruits
March 12, 2010
IRVINE, Calif. - UC Irvine women’s soccer head coach Scott Juniper has announced the signing of his 2010 recruiting class to national letters of intent.
“We are thrilled to announce a very competitive recruiting class comprised of seven fine young women,” Juniper said. “This is another class of student-athletes that can continue to move our program forward. Each one of them brings a skill-set that will enhance specific areas of our team and I can’t wait to get them out on the field with their new teammates. This 2010 class joins the closest group of players that I have ever coached. Our team has created a culture in which new players are respected like any other and this will allow them to flourish at UC Irvine.
“Natasha Afshar is a defender from Dana Point who plays for the Slammers team who were National Cup Champions in 2007 with Coach Ziad Khoury. She is a very consistent player who can play anywhere across the back line. With St Margaret’s Episcopal High School she was recognized as an all CIF first team player and she will compete to start in our back line from day one. “
“Jordan Bruce is a player from the San Diego Surf organization. She has played for a number of years under the guidance of Colin Chesters and Ada Greenwood. Jordan is an exceptional striker of the ball and her range of passing will help our team in the run of play and from restarts. She is a versatile defender who can impact the game from out wide or in the middle. Jordan attends West View High School where she has been a key member of their 2007, 2008 and 2009 CIF Championship teams.”
“Zoya Farzaneh is from Newport Beach and she attends Irvine High School. She plays her club soccer locally with the Irvine Strikers for Coach Don Ebert where she won a State Championship. Zoya is a feisty competitor who could play in the back line or in midfield. She has the tenacity to dominate a midfield battle and the athleticism to impact both sides of the ball.”
“Nicole Gilbert is from Thousand Oaks and attends Westlake High School where she plays for Coach Frank Marino. Westlake High School was Marmonte League Champions in 2009. Nicole is most naturally a wide midfield player but she could find opportunities in college at the back or in the forward line. She has competed at the highest levels of club soccer in Southern California and has represented the Eagles Soccer Club and Real So Cal where she was a member of the Surf Cup winning team.”
“Alisa Reich is a goal-keeper from Moorpark High School. Alisa was a CIF finalist with Moorpark High School in 2007 and also plays for the nationally ranked Eagles Soccer Club team coached by Vince Thomas. Alisa has fine technical ability as a goal-keeper with natural athleticism and agility. Alisa will work closely with coaches Peter Boyer and Wendi Whitman to make the transition from club soccer to the college game.”
“Jordyn Utvich is a midfield player from Valencia. She is a player that understands how to keep the game of soccer simple. She knows when to take one or two touches and she will help our team establish a rhythm and tempo in possession. She can play both sides of the field and also as a central player. She plays for the West Ranch High School Wildcats and has played for a number of club teams including the Slammers and most recently for the Real So Cal team coached by Kristy Walker.”
“Zuri Walker is another fine player from the same San Diego Surf team as fellow 2010 recruit Jordan Bruce. Zuri attends Francis Parker High School where she was recognized as an all CIF player. She will join her brother, Amani Walker, here at UC Irvine who plays for the men’s soccer team. Zuri has been coached by Colin Chesters and Ada Greenwood throughout her club career and has learned to play anywhere along the spine of the team. She has been a part of two Surf Cup Championship teams. Zuri was a U15 US National Team player pool, a member of the Region IV ODP team and won a USYS National Championship with Cal South ODP.”
2010 Signees
Natasha Asfhar – D, Dana Point, Calif./St. Margaret’s Episcopal HS
Jordan Bruce – D, San Diego, Calif./West View HS
Zoya Farzaneh – D/MF, Newport Beach, Calif./Irvine HS
Nicole Gilbert – MF, Thousand Oaks, Calif./Westlake HS
Alisa Reich – GK, Moorpark, Calif./Moorpark HS
Jordyn Utvich – MF, Valencia, Calif./West Ranch HS
Zuri Walker – D/M/F, San Diego, Calif./Francis Parker HS
