BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University women's soccer head coach Travis Connell has announced the signing of seven players to National Letters of Intent to start playing for the Vikings in 2020.

 

The seven-player signing class includes all players out of the Northwest, with six from Washington and one from Oregon. The first wave of recruits includes three defenders, two midfielders, one forward and one goalkeeper.

 

These players are set to make their debut as freshman in 2020 and will be joining a program that has won the Great Northwest Athletic Conference championship in seven of the last eight seasons and been ranked in the national polls in each of the last 62 weeks.

 

"We are excited to welcome this wonderful group of student-athletes to our Viking family," said Connell. "It is a deep and versatile class that has a bright future."

 

Here is a listing of the seven WWU Women's Soccer signees:

 

 

Carbone is a local product out of Sehome High School and the WFC Rangers that has earned first-team all-league honors and is a team captain. She helped lead Sehome to the 2A state finals as a junior in 2018 and has also competed in the state finals for WFC Rangers at the club level. Carbone was also a sprinter for Sehome competing in the 2017 state meet in the 4x100 relay.

 

Carbone on why she chose WWU:

"I am so excited to play with people who are as invested and love soccer as much as me. I am looking forward to the challenging competition in the West Region. I chose to play soccer at WWU because I love the coaching staff, the level of play and being part of a team."

 

Connell on Carbone:

"Zola uses a unique blend of speed, strength and determination to wreak havoc on defenses. She is a fantastic ball striker that will create goal scoring chances for her and her teammates."

 

Gaiser is a center back out of North Creek High School and a product of Seattle United ECNL. She was a first-team All-KingCo 4A selection as a junior in 2018 and is a team captain as a senior. Gaiser was a Seattle United ECNL Player to Watch 2019-20 and was a member of the 2017 Surf Cup Champions with the PSPL Academy.

 

Gaiser on why she chose WWU:

"I am looking forward to being part of an amazing soccer program and team while being at such a wonderful school. I can't wait to be a Viking."

 

Connell on Gaiser:

"Kaylin is a competitor that plays the best in the big games. She is an athletic defender that is dominant in the air."

 

Grosz is a defender that has had a standout prep career at Hockinson High School. She also has extensive club experience with Crossfire ECNL and VanCity Soccer Club. As a junior in 2018 she was named the defensive MVP, first-team all-region and second-team all-state.

 

Grosz on why she chose WWU:

"I am excited to play at WWU with a team that has a passion for soccer just like me. Western is the perfect school for me because of the atmosphere and the team plays at such a high level. I am super excited to be part of it."

 

Connell on Grosz:

"Brooke is and experienced center back that is a lock down defender. She is very comfortable on the ball enabling her to control tempo and start the attack."

 

Houston is an attacking midfielder from Spokane's Mead High School and has played club for the Spokane Sounders. She was selected as a First Team Greater Spokane League midfielder as a junior in 2018.

 

Houston on why she chose WWU:

"The thing I am most excited about is competing at the next level and looking forward to playing with a new team which I hope will become my family away from home. I chose Western because everyone was really welcoming, trained hard and the school is beautiful. After my visit I knew I wanted to be a Viking."

 

Connell on Houston:

"Kendal is a very technically skilled player that can play anywhere in midfield. Her ability to attack and defend will be very valuable to our midfield corp."

 

Nguyen is a midfielder out of Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien and has played for PacNW Soccer Club. She was a two-time all-league selection as a sophomore and junior and member of a state champion team in club play. As a sophomore in 2017 she helped lead Kennedy to a 4^th-place finish at state.

 

Nguyen on why she chose WWU:

"I am most excited to join this program to meet new people and play great soccer, while looking forward to bringing home a national championship. I chose WWU because it was the best place where I felt I can succeed as a student and as an athlete."

 

Connell on Nguyen:

"Ashley is a crafty midfielder with a high soccer IQ.  She will add a new playmaking dynamic to our attack."

 

Unflat is a defender out of Wilson High School in Portland and a product of the Washington Timbers club program. She has been a two-year team captain and a three-year all-league selection. At the club level she was part of the OYSA Oregon State Cup Championship team in 2018, Far West Regional Championship finalist in 2018 and Surf Cup champions in 2018. She also competed on a summer swim team, was a two-year member of the basketball team and was a sprinter and pole vaulter on the track & field team.

 

Unflat on why she chose WWU:

"I can't wait to continue playing soccer at a competitive level with others who share the same passion and love for the game as I do. I am excited to challenge myself as a student-athlete at WWU and become part of the amazing community."

 

Connell on Unflat:

"Chloe is a versatile defender that can play anywhere across the back line. She is an excellent athlete and an experienced leader."

 

Wales was a four-year letterwinner at Snohomish High School and a team captain as a senior in 2019. She has been a three-year member of the All-Wesco team as one of her league's top goalkeepers. At the club level, she helped her team win the Surf Cup with Crossfire in 2017 and won the state championship with Snohomish United in 2017. She is the younger sister of WWU softball junior first baseman/outfielder Rylie Wales.

 

Wales on why she chose WWU:

"I am most excited about playing with such a high-intensity team and being part of the Viking family and community. I am excited about everything that I will learn, on and off the field."

 

Connell on Wales:

"Grace is an excellent shot stopper. Her work ethic and team first attitude fit well with our team culture."

 

Fans can follow WWU women's soccer online at WWUVikings.com/WSoc, and via social media on Twitter (@WWU_WSoccer), Instagram (@wwu_wsoccer) and Facebook (@WWUsoccerwomens). All home matches feature a live webcast, as well as most road matches, with links on how to follow the games available at WWUVikings.com/Live.

 

The Western Washington University women's soccer program has risen to the top of the Division II ranks, with a string of seven consecutive appearances in the NCAA Championships. WWU has advanced to the NCAA II Final Four in three of the last six seasons and played for the West Region championship in six of the last seven seasons. The Vikings won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2016 with an undefeated 24-0-1 record, beating three-time defending national champion Grand Valley State 3-2 in the title game in Kansas City, Missouri. Including the national championship run, the Vikings put together a 39-game winning streak (4th-longest in NCAA II history) and a 40-game unbeaten streak. The program has claimed seven of the last eight Great Northwest Athletic Conference regular-season titles, going 92-5-5 in league play during this stretch (since 2012), and has won three of the last four GNAC Championships titles (2005, 2016, 2017). Head coach Travis Connell is in his 17^th season leading the program in 2019, and has led the Vikings to nine trips to the NCAA Championships and 15 consecutive winning seasons.