As the 2018 season approaches, Radford women’s soccer head coach Ben Sohrabi has announced the addition of nine newcomers to the program.
“I’m very happy with this incoming class,” said Sohrabi. “I think they really complement our returning players. This class possesses a good balance of athleticism, tactical awareness, and experience. I think some will contribute right away in helping us toward our goals.”
Izzy Armstrong
5-9 | Midfielder | Falls Church, Va. | George Mason High School •Earned All-District, All-Region and All-State honors from 2015-2017
•Member of 2017 All-Met Honorable Mention team
•Academic Honors student
•Also played basketball
SOHRABI ON ARMSTRONG: “Izzy is very versatile in the midfield. She can play the holding or attacking center midfield. She is strong with both feet and in the air. Izzy has played with the Development Academy this past year and will acclimate to the college game quickly.”
Emily Cardoso
5-2 | Midfielder/Defender | Cary, N.C. | Panther Creek High School •Served as team captain for Panther Creek High School
•Named All-Region as a freshman and sophomore
•Scored career-high seven goals as a sophomore
•Member of Art Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and National Honor Society
SOHRABI ON CARDOSO: “Emily is a very tactically aware center midfielder. She is a great possession player. She is also a leader on the field. Emily’s soccer IQ is very high and I think she will enjoy playing with our current players.”
Kaitlyn Casab
5-2 | Defender | Newport News, Va. | Menchville High School •Named First Team All-Conference in 2016 and 2017
•Earned Second Team All-Conference honors in 2015
•Helped the Monarchs to a Conference Championship as a freshman
•Member of the National Honor Society
SOHRABI ON CASAB: “Kaitlyn is a versatile defender. She can play central or on the left. She is very dangerous on set pieces with her service as well. Kaitlyn has good speed to run down opposing attackers. I think she will help keep our goals against average down.”
Reese Degnan
5-2 | Forward | Newport News, Va. | Woodside High School •Named First Team All-Conference as a junior
•Named Second Team All-Conference as a freshman and sophomore
•Legacy U14-U19 Female Player of the Year
•Member of the academic Honor Roll
SOHRABI ON DEGNAN: “Reese is a speedy player. She can play up top to stretch other team’s defenses and can also play on the flank while using her speed in some 1v1 situations out wide.”
Jessica Early
5-5 | Midfielder | Falls Church, Va. | Falls Church High School •Named Honorable Mention as a freshman and Second Team as a sophomore and junior
•Was a National League and State Cup finalist with Arlington 200 Girls Red club team
•Also swam in high school, making the State and Regional teams
•Cousins, Tyler and Tucker Tobin, play baseball at George Mason
SOHRABI ON EARLY: “Jessica is a powerful and physical central midfielder. She is also quite technical and has good vision with her distribution.”
Helena Gonzalez
5-4 | Midfielder | Cambrils, Spain | Reus Deportiv •Named “Player of the Region” every year from 2014-18
•Scored 12 goals in 14 matches in 2017-18
•Score nine goals in 2015-16 and five goals as a defender in 2016-17
•Also participates in basketball, tennis, skiing and snowboarding
SOHRABI ON GONZALEZ: “Helena is a very active tactical forward that is always looking for the ball. She makes very good runs off the ball. Helena has a good balance of playing back to goal and speed to get behind defenses.”
Maevyn Jones
5-6 | Forward | Lorton, Va. | Hayfield Secondary School •Led team in scoring en route to Second Team All-Conference honors in 2015 and 2017
•Was also named Offensive Player of the Year in 2015 and 2017
•A-B Honor Roll, Presidential Academic Award, Academic Letter & Pin recipient
•Helped Arlington 2000G Red club team to #1 ranking in Virginia
SOHRABI ON JONES: “Maevyn is a strong athletic forward that will be dangerous up front. She is good with her back to goal. Her experience with her club team will have her ready to compete right away.”
Lauren Seedlock
5-9 | Goalkeeper | Greenville, S.C. | JL Mann High School •Led JL Mann to a 24-1-0 record and the SCHSL 5A 2017 State Championship
•Won the 2016 Crescent Cup Championship and 2017 Viking Cup Championship
•Was named All Conference and Second Team All-Region in 2015
•Also played varsity basketball and JV volleyball
SOHRABI ON SEEDLOCK: “Lauren is a very athletic goalkeeper. She has great size, but moves side to side very well. Lauren has the ability to come in and challenge our current goalkeeping staff to add to a quality goalkeeping core.”
Kayla Thomas
5-9 | Defender | Canterbury, New Zealand | Lincoln High School •Played for the Canterbury United Pride in the National Women’s League
•Was awarded MVP at the U19 Women’s Lotto Football Tournament and the U17 Women’s Football Tournament
•Started every game of every season in secondary school
•Served as team captain in 2015
SOHRABI ON JONES: “Kayla has a good mix of speed and tactical awareness which makes her a tough defender to beat. She sees the game in front of her very well and makes quick, simple decisions.”
–RU Athletics
