ISU Women’s Soccer Announces Newcomers

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State soccer program and head coach Matt Fannon announced the Cyclones' completed 2022 signing class, set to join the team this fall. Sophia Thomas, Femke Pietersma, Hanna Reid, Jada Colbert, Jasmine Colbert, Avery Horner, Maddie Brant, Sadie Baich, Jocelyn Bice, Jordyn Herrera, Lauren Hernandez, Sarah Fleming and Avery Gillahan are the new Cyclones.

"After starting in early 2020, we spent 16 months unable to go out to watch games or bring anyone to campus. This is the first group we have been able to see play, bring to campus, or in most cases, both" said Fannon.

Fannon noted that being able to recruit in-person over the past year has made the process with this 2022 class feel more normal. The staff feels much more confident that everyone possesses the specific characteristics that are required to be successful at Iowa State.

"We were able to ensure that everybody understood what is expected from them here, and for this we are extremely grateful," Fannon said. "We have an eclectic group of women who have bought into our philosophy and are determined to make an impact immediately."

Here's a look at Iowa State soccer's incoming additions:

Sophia Thomas

Hometown: Muscatine, Iowa

Height: 5-8

High School: Muscatine High School

Club Team: Sporting Iowa East and Sporting Iowa ECNL

Fast Facts about Sophia:

• Recorded 84 career points in high school.

• Three-year varsity soccer starter.

• First team All-State, Region and District her senior year.

Thomas on why she chose Iowa State: "I chose Iowa State because it had everything I was looking for. I like the location because it's not too far from my hometown and it offers the courses that I want to take. In terms of soccer, I love the coaching staff and players. I can't wait to compete at Iowa State."

Femke Pietersma

Hometown: Gieten, Netherlands

Height: 5-4

High School: Top Sport talent School Groningen

Club Team: SC Heerenveen

Fast Facts about Femke:

• A member of the Dutch National Development team

• Played on the Dutch Women's Under 14,15 and 16 teams in matches against Germany, Belgium and the United States.

Pietersma on why she chose Iowa State: "Iowa State is a great school with strong academic programs. I saw opportunities to grow as an athlete and as a person at Iowa State. I viewed Iowa State as a place that could help me fulfill my dreams in becoming a professional athlete and give me a future after soccer."

Hanna Reid

Hometown: Duchesne, Utah

Height: 5-7

High School: Juan Diego Catholic High School

Club Team: Shattuck St. Mary's Development Academy & Real Salt Lake Academy

Fast facts about Hanna:

• Transferred from the University of Arkansas.

• Recruited and played two seasons at Shattuck St. Mary's Development Academy and helped lead the squad to a second-place finish at the U.S. Development Academy Showcase as a junior 2016-2018.

• Led her team to a state championship as a freshman at Juan Diego Catholic High School 2015.

Reid on why she chose Iowa State: "I chose Iowa State because I was impressed with the coaching staff. I enjoy their style of play and how they implement it. I felt like this was the best fit for me and my strengths."

Jada Colbert

Hometown: Freehold, N.J.

Height: 5-2

High School: Freehold Township High School

Fast facts about Jada:

• Transferred from the University of Albany.

• Recorded 19 points, seven goals and five assists for the Great Danes.

• Scored 39 goals, tallied 24 assists in her high school career.

Jada Colbert on why she chose Iowa State: "An opportunity to play at a higher level while building deeper relationships with longtime friends. The coaching staff played a big factor in my decision as well."

Jasmine Colbert

Hometown: Freehold, N.J.

Height: 5-2

High School: Freehold Township High School

Fast facts about Jasmine:

• Transferred from the University of Albany.

• Recorded 41 points, 19 goals and added three assists with the Great Danes.

• Scored 50 goals, recorded 46 assists in high school career.

Jasmine Colbert on why she chose Iowa State: "I chose to come to Iowa State to play soccer at a higher level. The coaching staff and players were very welcoming from the beginning, which made my decision a little easier. I am excited to join this new family of mine."

Avery Horner

Hometown: Bettendorf, Iowa

Height: 5-6

High School: Bettendorf High School

Club Team: Sporting Iowa East & Sporting Iowa ECNL

Fast facts about Avery:

• Iowa Girl's Soccer Gatorade Player of the Year.

• Female Athlete of the Year at Bettendorf High School her senior year.

• Led class 3A in assists and was second in overall points

Horner on why she chose Iowa State: "I chose Iowa State because of the competitive atmosphere. I was also welcomed by the team and coaches. Everything clicked when I arrived, after seeing how the team interacted with one another and how competitive the trainings were, I knew this was where I wanted to be."

Maddie Brant

Hometown: Maidstone, England

Height: 5-4

High School: Invicta Grammar School, England

Club Team: Chelsea FC

Fast facts about Maddie:

• Transferred from Rutgers.

• Recorded two points and a goal with the Scarlet Knights.

• 2018 FAWSL Development League runner-up & FA Development Cup semifinalist with Chelsea FC.

Brant on why she chose Iowa State: "As soon as I stepped on campus, I felt like I belonged. I wanted to be a part of a special team with such strong ambition and work ethic. I want to compete for a Big 12 title with a team that shares the same goal, and I felt the staff and players at Iowa State can help me become a better player and person."

Sadie Baich

Hometown: Lee's Summit, Mo.

Height: 5-10

High School: Lee's Summit West High School

Club Team: Sporting Valley Blue

Fast facts about Sadie

• Transferred from the University of Arkansas

• 48 starts and eight goals at Sporting Valley Blue

• U.S. National Training Center participant in 2017-18

Baich on why she chose Iowa State: "I chose Iowa State because I felt it was a great fit for me athletically and academically. I also loved the team culture on and off the field when I visited."

Jocelyn Bice

Hometown: Norwalk, Iowa

Height: 5-9

High School: Norwalk High School

Club Team: Sporting Iowa

Fast facts about Jocelyn:

• Two-time All-State member for soccer.

• Scored 46 goals, recorded 11 assists and collected 103 points as a senior.

• Set a Norwalk High School record for most goals in a season during her senior year.

Bice on why she chose Iowa State: "I chose Iowa State because I grew up an Iowa State fan. I have always wanted to be a Cyclone. ISU's fan base and culture separate it from other universities. I felt that I could excel in the classroom and on the field at Iowa State."

Jordyn Herrera

Hometown: Prosper, Texas

Height: 5-4

High School: Prosper High School

Club Team: Manchester Solar

Fast facts about Jordyn:

• Scored 15 goals and added 12 assists as a senior.

• Named First Team All-District and First Team All-Region her senior year.

• Named Academic All-District all four years of high school.

Herrera on why she chose Iowa State: "I chose Iowa State because of the small town feel it offered. I come from a rapidly growing town in Texas, yet it always felt like I knew everyone and that's exactly what I was looking for in my college experience. It feels inclusive, and although it's a large campus, it doesn't feel that way. Not to mention the incredible facilities, and countless resources offered at ISU."

Lauren Hernandez

Hometown: New Berlin, Wis.

Height: 5-7

High School: New Berlin Eisenhower

Club Team: SC Wave

Fast facts about Lauren:

• Named a high school All-American by United Soccer Coaches.

• Member of the Olympic Development Program State team in 2018 and 2019.

• Nominee for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Soccer Athlete of the Year.

Hernandez on why she chose Iowa State: "It was the perfect fit for me. I wanted to go to a big school that was close to home. I felt the coaching staff and players were welcoming as well.

Avery Gillahan

Hometown: Strongsville, Ohio

Height: 5-9

High School: Strongsville High School

Club Team: Internationals Soccer Club

Fast facts about Avery:

• Four-year starting goalkeeper. Her ECNL team finished this past season as one of 16 teams to make it to the ECNL national playoffs.

• Attended the National Olympic Development Program camp in 2018.

• Member of the honor roll during all four years of high school and graduated with honors.

Gillihan on why she chose Iowa State: "From the moment I started talking to the coaches and players, I liked the environment they are trying to create. Everyone is motivated to move forward as a collective whole and that's the kind of program that I want to be a part of. I want to be a part of a program that is consistently growing and getting better."

Sarah Fleming

Hometown: Des Moines, Iowa

Height: 5-7

High School: Theodore Roosevelt High School

Fast facts about Sarah:

• Set a new school record with 39 goals her junior year.

• Named to the All-State Second team twice.

• 2022 Academic All-Conference & Academic All-State First Team.

Fleming on why she chose Iowa State: "I chose Iowa State because of the culture within the soccer program. I wanted to be a part of what the coaches are trying to build at ISU. Between the academics, proximity to home and the opportunity to continue playing soccer, Iowa State felt like the best place for me."

Iowa State University Athletics

ISU Women’s Soccer Announces Newcomers

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