IRVINE, Calif.-- More veteran presence returns for a fifth year in 2024 in backline staple Kiera Smeenge.
 
After joining the program in 2020, Smeenge like the rest in her class had to wait a full year before playing in a competitive match due to the canceled season from COVID-19. Once play began, she was in the mix starting the season opener of her freshman campaign and playing every match of her freshman and sophomore seasons starting all but two matches. Smeenge took home All-Freshman honors in 2021 following that up with All-Big West Second Team and bumping up to First Team in 2023.

"Kiera is so important to our backline and has been for the last three seasons," coach Juniper said of Smeenge. "Kiera is a leader through her example on the field and gives everyone else in the backline an opportunity to grow around her. Kiera has everything she needs to spring into a pro-career and we are thankful and excited for her to play one more year and hunt for a championship in 2024."

The La Mesa-native has continued to solidfy UCI's strength on the backline with 31 clean sheets to her name in her three seasons. She added her first career assist this season after just one goal, albeit a game-winner to down Long Beach State in overtime as a freshman, for the entirety of her career offense. Finishing off her well-rounded play is her acumen off the field in which she has yet to miss a Dean's List, is consistently mentioned in the Big West Fall All-Academic Team and Commissioner's Honor Roll, and added Academic All-District to her mantel this year.

The psychology major will return with 65 matches and 61 starts under her belt as she approaches 5,000 career minutes. Just this week she was also named to the Top Drawer Soccer Women's National Top 100 Players on their postseason list at No. 98 as she will bring that hardware with her as the 'Eaters search for a fourth straight Big West title and another deep NCAA Championship run.