Head Coach Justin Wagar has announced the signing of 10 athletes who will join the Cowgirls in the fall. Wagar said “We feel our new signees plus our returners from last year’s squad will be an integral part in making this program what we want it to be.”
Britny Cottrell is a transfer from Columbia Basin College. She made the All-Star team in 2007 and 2008, was part of the 2008 NWAACC Championship, was Team Captain in 2008, and was Athlete of the Month in 2007. She has scored 23 goals and 13 assists. Wagar said, “She is an aggressive hard working player who will run through players to get the ball. She has a strong leg and reads the field well. Britny will give us more depth and experience on the wing.”
Julissa Rodriguez was a teammate of Cottrell’s at CBC and will also be joining the Cowgirls. Rodriguez was a member of the All-Star team in 2008-2009 and the NWAACC Championship team in 2008. She was voted MVP in the Championship game, Athlete of the Month in 2009, 2009 MVP of the League, and was put into the Hall of Fame at CBC. She has scored 52 goals and added in 15 assists. When speaking of Rodriguez, Wagar said, “Julissa is a goal scorer, she led her college team to their first NWAACC title in a decade by scoring a hat trick in the second half to win the game. Julissa has good size, speed, and is very creative on the ball.”
Jessica Williams will be a freshman in the fall. “Jessica is a versatile forward from San Antonio, Texas. She has good speed and can move the ball well in traffic. Jessica is currently the leading scorer for the Greater San Antonio area right now during her senior season with 15 goals in 9 games thus far. She has a good powerful shot and is crafty enough to create space and take on players off the dribble at speed” said Wagar. Williams was also a part of the McAllen Preseason Tournament Championship team and earned MVP for the tournament. She has scored 35 goals, 14 assists, and six hat tricks thus far in her high school career. She has played on the Lady Lions and Dragons club teams.
Jaime Sawchuk will be joining the Cowgirls all the way from Alaska. She has scored 11 goals and has tallied 29 assists in her high school career to date. She will begin her senior season in the spring. She earned high school awards such as All Conference, All Regional and a Sportsmanship Award. She has played on three club teams, Eclipse 93, Eclipse 92 and the Alaska Rush, as well as one select team, the Alaska Northstars Select Soccer team. Wagar said, “Sawchuk is a solid defender with good size and speed who is a leader in the back and displays good footwork while being able to close down attacking players and winning the ball. She is good in the air and tackles hard. She will help strengthen our back line next year.”
Brooke Schmelter will be transferring to NMHU from Pima Community College in the fall. Wagar notes, “She is an aggressive and quick attacking outside midfielder who was an All Conference player for #19 nationally ranked Pima Community College. I think Brooke will bring a great work ethic to Highlands next year and will be able to add speed and athleticism for us on the outside.” Brooke has scored 16 goals and 12 assists during her college career while starting and playing in all 39 games. She earned All Region honors and was on the Regional Championship team.
Amanda Rose Johnson, from Montrose California, will be playing in the net for the Cowgirls as she enters her freshman year as a Cowgirl. Wagar said, “Amanda Rose is a solid goalkeeper with good size, agility, and has a commanding presence in the back. She should battle next year in the goal for playing time.” During her high school career she has had 189 saves, 7 goals scored against her, and has managed to score eight goals a s a field player. She has also had nine shut outs. Her season has yet to be completed so her stats aren’t complete. Amanda has played with Crescenta Valley Soccer Club for 10 years, since it’s inception, the only player in the club that has this honor.
Maile Cobb will be transferring in from Spokane Community College in the fall to dress out in the purple Cowgirls’ uniform. Highlands University is a familiar place for her family. “She was a 1st team all conference (NWAC) selection as a collegiate sweeper. Her father was a NMHU Graduate and loved school here at Highlands and said he is proud that his daughter chose highlands to go to college at as well. During her career at SCC, Cobb was an all star defender, scored one goal, had 3 assists, and helped the defense to 9 shut outs during the season. Her club team is the Westside Metros Galaxy and they have played in tournaments in many states.
Kimberly Smith is the lone New Mexico prep signing with the Cowgirls for the fall. Smith is from Kirtland, New Mexico. Wagar noted, “Kim is great athlete who can play the field or in goal at the college level. She was a good striker with a powerful leg in high school and club, and is fearless when playing in the goal as a keeper.” She has scored 56 goals and 16 assists during her high school career and was a leading scorer every year. In the net she had 163 saves and recorded nine shut outs. She plays for the Farmington Venom club team. Kim has been named to many All Tournament, and All District teams as well as earning many team awards. She has earned honors at different positions on the field.
Ariana Strickland will also be a fresh face for the Cowgirls coming from Murrieta, California in the fall as a freshman. Strickland has a career 62 goals and 54 assists during her high school career. She was a six year starter and was the leading scorer for her high school. She has been on teams that have earned League Championship and Runner Up titles. Her club team is Temecula Valley Soccer Academy where she played outside middle field and forward. Coach Wagar said, “Ariana is an amazing forward and one of the best dribblers that I have ever recruited. I have known her for years and am excited to have the chance to coach her next year.”
New Mexico Highlands University and the Athletics Department are looking forward to the addition of these outstanding athletes to the Cowboy and Cowgirl family!