BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Western Washington University head women's soccer coach Travis Connell has announced the addition of three players to the program who signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Vikings beginning in the 2022 season.
 
The class features a pair of players from the state of Washington and one from California and includes two forwards and a defender.
 
Connell, who is in his 19th season leading the program with over 400 all-time victories, is excited about the early group of signees.
 
"This is an exciting time of year for our program. Adding talented soccer players with great character to our soccer family gives us a glimpse of the bright future ahead of us," said Connell.
 
Here is a look WWU's three signees, with more players expected to join the recruiting class that will debut on the field during the fall 2022 season.
 

2022 WWU WOMEN'S SOCCER RECRUITING CLASS
Player	Position	Hometown	Previous School	Club Team
Morgan Manalili	Forward	Shoreline, WA	Shorewood HS	PacNW Soccer Club
Minji Rauch	Forward	Renton, WA	Lindbergh HS	PacNW Soccer Club
Abby Succi	Defender	San Clemente, CA	San Clemente HS	So Cal Blue

  Manalili is a team captain at Shorewood High School and a standout member of the PacNW Soccer Club. She was selected as the Shorewood MVP multiple times during her prep career and was a three-time All-WESCO Conference selection. On the club level she was part of the ODP West Championship squad in 2018 and Surf Cup Champions in 2019.
 
Connell on Manalili:
"Morgan will be worth the price of admission. She is a creative attacking player with loads of technical ability. She keeps defenses off balance with her improvisation and ability to read the game and make the key play in the attack"
 
Manalili on joining the WWU program:
"I am super excited to be part of the great soccer program and community at WWU. I look forward to competing at the next level and playing with amazing new teammates."
    Rauch has been a team captain for her Lindbergh High School squad and a standout for PacNW at the club level. The forward was selected as the KingCo 2A Offensive Player of the Year in 2021 and the SPSL North 2A Offensive Player of the Year in 2018. She was also an all-state selection during her prep career.
 
Connell on Rauch:
"Minji is a fantastic athlete who loves to torment defenses. She blends speed and skill with her appetite to create goal scoring chances. We can't wait to see her play in our front line. "
 
Rauch on joining the WWU program:
"'I am beyond excited to join the Viking family and to play alongside a team who shares the same passion and drive as I do. I chose WWU because this is a place I can succeed both as a student and as an athlete. I can't wait to meet new people and play with an amazing team!"
    Succi heads to Western with a strong soccer resume during her prep career at San Clemente High School. The defender was a Second Team All-Conference selection in 2021 and served as the team captain. With her So Cal Blue and San Diego Surf club teams she was a two-time California South State Cup Champion and three-time Surf Cup Champion. She was also part of a squad that was the finalist for the Cal South National Cup and a Far West Regional champion.
 
Connell on Succi:
"Abby is a well-rounded player that will be able to play multiple positions for our team. Her knowledge of the game, tireless work ethic and technical skills enable her to contribute to the attack and the defense. She has played at an extremely high level and knows how to win."
 
Succi on joining the WWU program:
"I am incredibly excited about being a student-athlete at WWU. I am also looking forward to continuing the winning tradition at Western and can't wait to help contribute to the success of the program. The university, the soccer team and the community are a perfect fit for what I am looking for in this next step."
    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).
  The Western Washington University women's soccer program has risen to the top of the Division II ranks, with a string of eight consecutive appearances in the NCAA Championships. WWU has advanced to the NCAA II Final Four in four of the last seven seasons and played for the West Region championship in seven of the last eight seasons. The Vikings played for the 2019 national title and 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 nine Great Northwest Athletic Conference regular-season titles and won four of the last five GNAC Tournament titles (2015, 2016, 2017, 2019). Head coach Travis Connell is in his 19th season leading the program in 2021, and has led the Vikings to 11 trips to the NCAA Championships (9 straight) and 17 consecutive winning seasons. He picked up his 400th career victory October 16 vs. Simon Fraser. WWU finished the 2019 season with a 23-3-0 record, winning the West Regional title and played in the national championship game falling 1-0 to Grand Valley State. WWU's 179 wins during the 2010s decade were the 6^th-most out of 1,043 NCAA women's soccer programs.