LAKE CHARLES - Head coach Drew Fitzgerald announced the signing class for the 2024-25 academic year that is comprised of 10 players for the McNeese soccer program Thursday afternoon.

"We are excited about our 2024 signing class," said Fitzgerald. "This group is athletically gifted and bring size and pace as well as a high level of versatility. They are all very good students and will continue our tradition of academic excellence while helping us continue to compete for championships for years to come."

McNeese recently concluded its postseason run in the SLC Tournament in which the team made its first Southland title match since the 2008 season.
 
Brynn Farrar, 5-8, Midfielder/Defender, Friendswood, Texas (Friendswood HS)
• District Newcomer of the year
• Friendswood Newcomer of the year
• First team all-district (3 years)
• Friendswood defender of the year
• First team all-county
• Second team all-state
Club: HTX Soccer
 
"Brynn can play in the midfield as a holding mid or a box-to-box player.  She has great passing vision and spreads the ball around the pitch well.  She can cover a lot of ground and helps us as we continue to look to become more athletic."
 
Haley Davis, 5-9, Midfielder/Defender, Lumberton, Texas (Lumberton HS)
• High School State Semi-Finalists 2022
• High School State Semi-Finalists 2023
• All-District Honorable Mention 2022
• First Team All-District 2023
• Albion 05/06G Blue East Co-Captain
Club: Albion East
 
"Haley can play holding mid, center back and outside back and helps us athletically immediately.  We are excited about her versatility and her ability to help us as a defensive utility player."
 
Florencia Victoria Saavedra Sabat, 5-5, Midfielder/Forward, Santiago, Chile (Dunalastair School)
• Top scorer of the Chilean championship in 2022
• Champion of the Chilean championship in 2023
• Best athlete in the school in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022
Club: Universidad Catolica
 
"Florencia is a fluid attacking midfielder. She has great size, speed and vision and brings creativity to the role. She will come in this spring and have a full semester to acclimate to the college game."
 
Tatiana Diaz, 5-2, Midfielder/Forward, Carrollton, Texas (Hebron HS)
• 22 & 23 finalist RL league
Club: Dallas Texas Soccer
 
"Tati is a clever and deceptive attacking player with some edge.  She can play in the midfield or we believe she can be moved out wide to create and connect in space.  She's the cousin of former players Mariah Ruelas and plays a similar style."
 
Riley Hicock, 5-6, Forward/Midfielder, Prairieville, Louisiana (Dutchtown HS)
• All State 1st team D1 (3 times)
• Louisiana All State offensive MVP D1
• Baton Rouge All Metro offensive MVP
• 1st team all-metro Baton Rouge (3 times)
• District MVP (2 times)
• District offensive MVP
• 1st team all-district (3 years)
Club:  LA TDP Elite, BRSC
 
"Riley will add pace and goal scoring to our front line. She's fast, technical and hard working. We expect her to immediately impact the game with her pace and believe she'll grow into a dynamic attacking presence for us."
 
Bailee Ramirez, 5-5, Midfielder/Forward, Phoenix, Arizona (Westview HS)
Football:
• 2nd team all-region kicker (Sophomore year)
• 1st team all-region kicker (Junior year)
• 1st team all-region academic (Sophomore & Junior year)

Soccer:
• 2nd team all-region striker (Sophomore year)
• Leading goal scorer (Sophomore & Junior Year)
Club: Phoenix Rising ECNL RL
 
"Bailee is technically gifted and has great size. She can play anywhere in the midfield and has even played some center back. She can use both feet and has the ability to find seams and break down defenses with her passing and creative play."
 
Shannon Dempsey, 5-11, Goalkeeper, Yorba Linda, California (Esperanza HS)
• ECNL Player to Watch 2019-2020
• Surf Cup Champion
• Surf Cup MVP
• So Cal Blues Team Captain
• Esperanza HS Varsity Captain- 2 years
• North Hills All League- 2 years
Club: So Cal Blues, Strikers
 
"Shannon is a fantastic goalkeeper and shot stopper who is also good with her feet.  With her and Jackie, we will have two keepers on the roster that can help us keep the ball and build into the attack as we transition back into a more attacking style of play."
 
Bella Jolie Galan, 5-7, Defender/Midfielder, San Antonio, Texas (William H. Taft HS)
• 2023 NISD 29-6A First Team All-District (Junior)
• 2021 NISD 29-6A Honorable Mention (Freshman)
Club: San Antonio City SC 05/06 GA
 
"Bella bolsters our backline and can play centrally or out wide.  She is a physically tough defender with good distribution and awareness.  She has deep ties in the local community and we are excited for them to come see her play!"
 
Maggie Badon, 5-7, Forward/Midfielder, Covington, Louisiana (Slidell HS)
• Varsity volleyball soccer softball and track
• Olympic development program for soccer since 11 years old (made it to the regional team)
• Soccer Girls Academy (3 years)
• Freshman all state soccer
• 2nd team all-district (2 years)
 • Presidents cup (team-leadership award)
Club: LA TDP ELITE 05/06
 
"Maggie is a versatile player that will plug into any gaps we need. She has good size and athleticism and can play anywhere across the backline comfortably."
 
Grace Denison, 5-6, Midfielder/Forward, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (St. Michael HS)
• Freshman All-state
• All district (3 times)
• All metro (3 times)
• All state (3 times)
• District offensive MVP
Club: LATDP, Baton Rouge Soccer Club
 
"Grace is both technically and athletically gifted. She has the ability to play any attacking role and is smooth with the ball.  She'll help us grow as an attacking team."
 

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