SAN ANTONIO – University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer head coach Emma Wright-Cates announced the signing of four new student-athletes to join the team next season. Kayla Smith, Susette Claesson, Addison Rodriguez, and Bria Bowers are set to join the Cardinals in the fall of 2021.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH WRIGHT-CATES:
"My staff has worked incredibly hard to find this very talented 2021 class. We are all very excited about the impact the players in this group will have on the UIW women's soccer program over the next 4 years, and we are all looking forward to continuing to push boundaries not just on the pitch but in the classroom and community. "

 

Kayla Smith | 5-5 | D/M
Smith attends Burleson Centennial High School. She was part of the 2020 District 5-A Championship team, while also being named first team all-district, first team All- Johnson County, first team all-region, District 5-5A Defensive Most Valuable Player and All-Johnson County Defensive Player of the Year in her junior year.

Head Coach Emma Wright-Cates on Smith:
 "Kayla is a force to be reckoned with. She is extremely competitive, quick and dangerous on both sides of the ball. She has an amazing personality and is someone who sets high standards for herself. She will be a great addition to our backline."



Susette Claesson | 5-3 | F
Claesson attends Bäckängsgymnasiet School in Sweden. She chose UIW for its strong academics and the positive energy that it surrounds itself with. She plans to pursue an engineering degree.
 
Head Coach Emma Wright-Cates on Claesson:
"Susette is a worker bee. She is nonstop; 90 miles per hr. She is extremely hungry in and around the box and will cause havoc for defenders. We are very excited to add her to the mix and see if she can bring that European savviness to Texas. Susette is a tremendous student and a top-notch person."

 

Addison Rodriguez | 5-7 | D/M/F
Rodriguez attends Incarnate Word High School. She is a four-year varsity letter winner and was named first team all-district in the 2019-20 season. She also earned second team all-district in the 2018-19 season.

 Head Coach Emma Wright-Cates on Rodriguez:
"Addi has a fantastic engine, great tempo and is very competitive. She can play multiple positions and play them very well. She will bring some versatility to our program and will not only challenge herself, but she'll challenge us all to be better. She is an extremely humble character."
 


Bria Bowers | 5-8 | F
Bowers attends Hendrickson High School. She chose UIW for its smaller-school atmosphere that provides individualized attention and great academics to its students. She plans on pursuing an engineering degree.

Head Coach Emma Wright-Cates on Bowers:
"Bria is a very exciting player on the ball. She has a great work rate and her ability to blow by players is fun to watch. I am excited to see the damage she does up top. All around, she is a fantastic human being and a great teammate."
 
FOLLOW ALONG 


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