The Memphis women’s soccer team is preparing for next year by signing 10 recruits to National Letters of Intent, one of which is a Finnish international player who will enroll to start contributing to the team in the spring semester.
Isabella Mattsson
Mattson, a 5-foot-6 forward from Mariehamn, Åland Island, Finland, and the only foreigner from outside of Canada, will bring international experience to the team from her time playing on the Finnish U18 national team in 2017 and 2018.
“She comes from a very professional atmosphere,” women’s soccer head coach Brooks Monaghan said. “It’s a big advantage to have a kid coming to us that comes from a professional environment.”
Julia Bailey
Bailey, a 5-foot-11 defender from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is one of the seven Canadian signees to join the team next fall. She is the tallest of the ten members of the recruiting class and has a leadership presence from being captain of her team in the Ontario Provincial Development League.
“I think she has great leadership qualities,” Monaghan said.” We’re looking for her to come in and compete to play in center back.”
Emma Hooton
Hooton, a 5-foot-7 midfielder and forward from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, played for Whitecaps Girls Elite REX and played with current Tiger Tanya Boychuck. She is also left-footed, which adds versatility to the squad.
“If I was going to compare her, she’d be like a [Elizabeth] Woerner type of player,” Monaghan said. “She has the ability to score goals and unlock defenses.”
Rebekah George
George, a 5-foot-4 midfielder from Choctaw, Oklahoma, had many accolades throughout her career in the Oklahoma City area like being on all-conference and all-city teams as an offensive asset, where she scored 50 goals in 25 matches.
She also won five state championships, made 38 regional finals and a national championship appearance with Oklahoma Energy FC. While she doesn’t have a strong build, Monaghan said she has time to adapt to the next level of play.
“She’s not the biggest kid, but I think she makes up for it with her hard-work,” Monaghan said.
Haley Greene
Greene, a 4-foot-11 forward from Birmingham, Alabama, is an offensive threat. As a junior, she scored 43 goals, breaking a school record. She was a two-time Offensive Player of the Year and a two-time Gatorade Player of the Year nominee. She does this even though she is listed under 5 feet.
“She plays a lot bigger than her size,” Monaghan said.” She has the ability to be a handful for opposing teams.”
Mya Jones
Jones, a 5-foot-5 midfielder and forward from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, joins fellow signee Hooton as another former player for Whitecaps Girls Elite REX. Her athleticism helped her win gold and silver medals in 2014 and 2016, respectively, with the Canadian national youth team in the CONCACAF.
“She’s very technical and has an amazing engine on her and can run for days,” Monaghan said. “She can play in the middle of the field, up wide or play up top, very versatile.”
Claire Wyville
Wyville, a 5-foot-5 goalkeeper from Morriston, Ontario, Canada, will most likely come in as a work-in-progress but adds good backup goalkeeping behind Elizabeth Moberg. She won bronze in the U17 Ontario Cup championship in 2018.
“She’s a good shot-stopper, good with her feet and good communicator,” Monaghan said. “I’m very confident once she gets in our environment working with [assistant coach Jonny Walker] day in and day out, she will continue to get better.”
Emily Lazenby
Lazenby, a 5-foot-7 defender from Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, was a member of the Ontario Provincial Team for three years. She played in the 2015 Ontario Rex Program and led her team to the OPDL Charity Shield championship. She was also a four-sport player as she competed in volleyball, track and field and cross country aside from soccer.
“She checks those boxes we look for in a center back,” Monaghan said.
Saorla Miller
Miller, a 5-foot-6 midfielder from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, was a late find for Monaghan and his staff. She has connections with upcoming sophomore Beatrice Currie, as they won bronze medals together in the 2017 Canada Summer Games for Team Nova Scotia. Miller was also a member of the 2018 Senior Women’s Canadian National Championship.
“She’s crafty on the ball and has a good pace,” Monaghan said. “We’re very fortunate to pick up a kid at her level as late as we did in the process.”
Payton Roberson
Roberson, a 5-foot-9 midfielder from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, played for Northern Secondary School and Unionville Milliken Soccer Club. She also earned the opportunity to participate in the U15 Ontario Provincial Team.
“She reads the game extremely well, very technical and hard-working,” Monaghan said.
Women’s soccer head coach Brooks Monaghan and sophomore forward Clarissa Larisey speak with media. The women’s soccer team signed 10 recruits for play to the team next season.
