Liddell finalizes women's soccer recruiting class
August 6, 2017
Head women's soccer coach Craig Liddell has announced the signing of 12 new Rangers to the program that will be arriving in Alva this fall. All 12 signees figure to make an immediate difference within the program in a majority of ways as coach Liddell looks to continue to build a foundation for a winning program.
“An overall theme of this incoming class is their quality attitudes – team first and willing to work hard for the cause,” coach Liddell said. “With skills that fit our style of play and a love of the game, they will be very nice pieces that will fit right into our larger puzzle that sees 14 returners who are in a great place after a really good spring season where they grew, not only as individual players, but truly as a team. That is very exciting for us to now be adding the following players into that mix.”
The incoming freshman are: Lizbeth Ramirez, a midfielder from Enid, Oklahoma; Brittany Cirnigliaro, a midfielder from Hudson, Florida; Hudsyn Childs, a centerback from Enid, Oklahoma; Makayla Barrientos, a forward from Dallas, Texas; Kayla Brooks, a forward from Enid, Oklahoma; and Ashlie Wilhite, a forward from Canyon, Texas.
Six more transfer athletes that will also be arriving this fall are: Kelly Ramirez, a transfer from Garden City Community College originally from Liberal, Kansas; Audrey Salas, a transfer from San Bernardino Valley College originally from Moreno Valley, California; Calvonis Prentice, a transfer from San Bernardino Valley College originally from Hemet, California; Elia Garcia, also from Garden City Community College and originally from Orlando, Florida; Jazlynn Martinez, also from San Bernardino Valley College and originally from Rialto, California; and Haleigh Brown, a transfer from Rose State College originally from Yukon, Oklahoma.
Lizbeth Ramirez will join the Ranger women's soccer program following her prep career at Enid High School. Ramirez earned the Pride of the Pacers Award in 2015 and guided her team to a play-off appearance in 2013, 2015 and 2016. She will be majoring in criminal justice during her time as a Ranger and plans to get a job that she loves and travel the world upon graduation.
“Lizbeth is another of this class I have known since she was young and has a lot to offer. Lizbeth will learn a lot this year and in being so sharp minded, she will put that to use in a hurry. A good shot and an ability to play slick passes will allow her to fit into our style of play well and her game will grow every day as a Ranger,” said Coach Liddell.
Brittany Cirnigliaro will make the trip up to Alva all the way from Hudson, Florida, after a stellar high school career at Hudson High School. Cirnigliaro led the nation in assists by midfielders according to MaxPreps with 34 assists, leading to numerous post-season accolades including a nomination onto the Tampa Tribune All-Pasco County First Team. Cirnigliaro also excelled in the classroom during her time as a Cobra, graduating cum laude and earning the Sunshine Athletic Conference All-Academic Award all four years. Both her mother and father played at the collegiate level at Christopher Newport University.
“A very crafty midfielder who can handle the ball in tight spaces and pull the strings to help maintain possession and build quality attacks. Brittany can let fly from distance and she will look to be an impact player right off the bat,” Coach Liddell said of Cirnigliaro.
Hudsyn Childs will join the program and provide needed assistance from the centerback position after receiving the Defensive MVP Award in 2014-15 for her efforts at the position. Childs led the Pacers of Enid High School to the play-offs three out of the four years she was a member of the team and will be pursuing a degree in health and sports science while at Northwestern. She has played the game of soccer since she was three years old.
“Hudsyn has a ton of potential to excel at the college level,” said Coach Liddell. “Strong and powerful with very good natural defensive tendencies and a good ability on the ball give her the tools to be a solid center back. She has major leadership potential and we cannot wait for her to start her journey here at Northwestern.”
Makayla Barrientos will join coach Liddell's squad and will look to contribute immediately from the forward position. Barrientos has shown throughout her career a knack for putting the ball in the goal, as she once netted 96 goals in a single season. Makayla was named the Most Valuable Player for her district in 2014-15 and earned First-Team All-District honors for the 2016 season. She plans on earning her degree in education while at Northwestern and then eventually working as an educator at the high school level.
“A fantastic wide player who played on a successful Solar Chelsea club team,” Coach Liddell said of her. “Plays right back and gets into the attack very well. Has the soccer intelligence to play in many positions. Good athletic player who is also very skillful on the ball. As she gains full confidence in herself she will be a great player for our Ranger's soccer program.”
Kayla Brooks joined the program and had an entire spring training under her belt when season kicks off. Brooks played multiple positions for coach Matt Loafman at Enid High School and earned both the Overall and Offensive MVP Award. A member of the National Honor Society in high school, she will pursue a degree in health and sport science while at Northwestern and plans on either coaching soccer and teaching or being a radiologist.
“'Brooksy' has already been here a semester as she graduated early to join our squad,” said Coach Liddell. “The spring training will help her tremendously this fall as she battles back to full strength and steps up to the speed of play. She is a lefty who has so much to offer between her talent on the field and a great team first attitude.”
Ashlie Wilhite joins the squad after a prep career at Canyon High School under coach Charles Johnson. Wilhite saw time at multiple positions and will be anxious to earn herself playing time this fall. She will be majoring in nursing and was a member of the National Honor Society in high school.
“Ashlie will come in and also be a player who helps drive our squad's work ethic. She is hungry to succeed and will gain great experience in her freshman year on the training pitch, looking to compete at every opportunity she gets,” said Coach Liddell.
Haleigh Brown will join the club after two seasons at the centerback position at Rose State College. Brown played under the tutelage of coach Liddell while at Enid High School and will be a valuable asset on the pitch as she understands his system and coaching style. Her mother Kristy graduated from Northwestern with an accounting degree. Haleigh will major in education during her time at Northwestern and plans on being a fourth grade teacher upon graduation.
“Haleigh was another player who joined us for the spring and ate up everything that was thrown at her,” said Liddell. “A player I had the pleasure of coaching in her younger years, she has continued to grow in the game and will get better and better as a no-nonsense center back who has an ability to bring the ball out of the back as well. Really excited to see her continued development and how that can help our squad.”
Audrey Salas comes to Alva from San Bernardino Valley College in San Bernardino, California, and enjoyed two successful years for the Wolverines. Salas earned First-Team All-Conference Honors in both 2014 and 2015 on a squad that won their conference during both seasons. That winning experience will be noticeable right off the bat as she steps onto the field at the center midfield position for the Rangers. Audrey was also awarded MVP honors three times for Moreno Valley High School during her time as a Viking, on a team that also won their league.
“A fantastic, dynamic midfielder who covers ground very well, and technically has a level that will allow her to dictate proceedings in many of our games,” Liddell said of her. “Very much a team player who will work her socks off for her teammates and drive our team forward.”
Calvonis Prentice transfers in after earning Honorable Mention honors while competing for San Bernardino Valley College. Her prep career at Tahquitz High School in Hemet, California, saw her earn the Team MVP Award as well as First-Team Honors for her conference. Calvonis plans on majoring in health and sports science and enjoys dancing and bowling in her free time.
“Another lefty who can play high or wide and is a powerful runner who will give opponents fits when she goes at them,” Liddell said in describing her. “She will provide a great attitude that will lift the spirits in the locker room and on the field as a Ranger.”
Elia Garcia will vie for playing time to protect the net from the goalkeeper position following a two year career at Garden City Community College. Prior to her time at Garden City, Garcia was a catalyst for her Oak Ridge High School team that reached the first round of the play-offs thanks in large part to her efforts in goal. Garcia will be majoring in nursing and plans on working as an RN upon graduation.
“Elia has a wonderful attitude both on and off the field and impressed in her tryout where she showed she had a good presence in the box and good hands. Her communication will be a boost in our efforts to boss our back line,” said Coach Liddell.
Jazlynn Martinez also hails from San Bernardino Valley College and graduated with honors while also contributing to a successful Wolverines squad. During her prep career at Wilmer Amina Carter High School in Rialto, California, she was named the Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 and was selected onto the All-CIF Team for her efforts on the pitch. She plans on majoring in nursing and then returning to California upon graduation.
“A solid attacking player who has versatility in that she can play as a forward or a midfielder and brings great experience from her time competing at her successful junior college in California,” said Liddell. “Jazlynn will allow us some different looks at times in our attack which is a great weapon for us to have.”
Kelly Ramirez will move into the mix after a two year career at Garden City Community College. Prior to her time there, she played at Liberal High School in Liberal, Kansas, and garnered Honorable Mention All-WAC Honors for her play.
“Kelly has an eye for goal and we have needed an injection of finishing into our team,” Liddell said. “She joins various other very dangerous attacking players we have in our squad this year. Her strength and craftiness to use her body will allow her to post up high and let us play through her will be an important option we can utilize.”
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