IRVINE, Calif.-- UC Irvine women's soccer's incoming class for 2024 continues the additions of impressive grad transfers with the announcement of Lawson Willis.
The Colorado-native spent the last four years nearby at the University of Colorado where she started 47 times and played 71 matches as a Buffalo on their backline. During those four years, the Buffaloes have produced a winning season in each and reached the NCAA Tournament twice in Willis' freshman and senior seasons.
"I am really looking forward to joining UC Irvine and joining such a great program," Willis said of becoming an Anteater.
The 5-7 defender has played over 4,000 minutes in her career posting 11 points including a sterling freshman season with six assists. She added her first career goal in the final regular season match of 2023 helping start a comeback victory over rival Utah, 3-2. She was the No. 103 recruit coming out of high school and No. 19 defender nationally in Cherry Creek and club team Colorado Rush where she was the captain, and garnered Top 100 freshman status
"Lawson is another really significant transfer for our program," said head coach
Scott Juniper. "Over the years we have absorbed transfers very quickly into the fabric of our program and we expect Lawson to be a key part of the machine going into 2024. She is really versatile and has played 71 collegiate games in the back line and the midfield. Lawson has her eye on playing pro in 2025 and her depth of experience will help us a ton as we fight for a fourth consecutive Big West Championship in the Fall of 2024."
Willis will attempt to weave herself into the strong Anteater fabric looking to fill in some important pieces like the 87 career starts from defensive midfielder
Gianna Creighton to the defensive linchpins like other Power 5 transfers
Lilli Rask and
Madison Goerlinger who are graduating. Plenty of compeitition and depth remain in the 'Eater defensive third like fifth-year
Chloe Ragon, Power 5 transfer
Aislynn Crowder, and the tough defensive unit of
Kiera Smeenge,
Mihaela Perez, and
Suus de Bakker who helped stifle opposing attacks that were shutout 21 times over the last two seasons that extended into the Sweet Sixteen each year.
