IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's soccer adds five that will join the squad starting in 2020.
 

Student-Athlete	Position	Hometown	School	Club
Madelyn Lauro	Midfielder	Carlsbad, Calif.	Carlsbad HS	LA Galaxy San Diego
Marissa LeVine	Midfielder	Murrieta, Calif.	Vista Murrieta HS	LAFC Slammers
Sophie Gillies	Forward	Taunton, England	King's College	Exeter City FC
Kiera Smeenge	Defender	La Mesa, Calif.	Grossmont HS	Rebels SC
Desiree Mendoza	Forward	Costa Mesa, Calif.	Estancia HS	So Cal Blues

Head Coach Scott Juniper took some time to break down each of the new 'Eaters to see what each will bring to the program in the coming years:

Madelyn Lauro - MID
                - 10 goals in 26 matches in 2018-19
                - Generation adidas International - Lyon Select Training Program
                - Trained with U.S. Soccer u14 team
"Maddie has been a leader on and off the field in her community and we are excited that she has chosen to attend UC Irvine.  She will add depth in a number of positions across the midfield and forward line.




Marissa LeVine - MID
                - USYS ODP West member
                - 31 games played over last two high school seasons with 11 points
"Marissa is a very accomplished technician who we are looking forward to blending with our returning midfield players. She plays with an infectious joy for the game and will fit in with our culture on day one."   




Sophie Gillies - FWD
                - Supporters' Trust Women's Young Player of the Year
                - League Golden Boot Winner
                - 43 goals in 20 matches as 16-year-old
"Sophie will be the first English player to play for UCI.  She is a striker with a record of goal-scoring at every level most recently with Exeter City in the England FA Women's National League.  Her experience at this level will be valuable as she transitions to the US college game."




Kiera Smeenge - DEF
                - 2018 U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regionals champion
                - 9 goals, 9 assists in 29 games with Rebels SC in 2018
"Kiera is a player who could play anywhere across the back line and perhaps wide in our midfield. She is strong, athletic and very competent in the building and possession phases."




Desiree Mendoza - FWD
                - CIF Division V semifinalist
                - Orange Coast League MVP
                - 28 goals scored in 15 matches in 2018
"Desiree is an exceptionally talented attacking player who can add natural width on the left, or through the middle just under the strikers.  She strikes an excellent dead ball and has the potential to continue her development to become a high impact player in our conference and beyond."