PORTLAND, Ore. --- The Portland Pilots women's soccer team is adding seven recruits to the program as Camille Ashe, Annika Farley, Sarah Kowack, Sophia Mattice, Hannah McCord, Nedya Sawan, and Aubrey Turner have each signed National Letters of Intent, announced head coach Michelle French. The group will join the Pilots as freshmen.
"The incoming players for the 2020 class are a fantastic balance of composure and confidence on the field, high-achieving students in the classroom, and great contributors within each of their communities," French said. "Each one of them will fit seamlessly into the culture here at the University of Portland."
Camille Ashe
5-10, D
Arlington, Va./Yorktown HS
Club: McLean ECNL
Camille Ashe is a defender from Arlington, Va., who plays club for McLean in the ECNL. In 2018 and 2019, her club team won the Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship. Ashe played one year of high school soccer for Yorktown, and she helped the Patriots win the Liberty District Conference Title in 2018.
Ashe on Portland: "I chose the University of Portland because the campus and the people felt like home. I wanted to experience a different perspective of living on another coast, and I am so excited to grow as a soccer player and a person there."
French on Ashe: "We feel extremely fortunate that Camille is joining our program from the east coast. Her strong, settling defensive presence complimented by her vision in possession of the ball will help strengthen the impact of our backline on both sides of the ball."
Annika Farley
5-8, MF
Ridgefield, Wash./Ridgefield HS
Club: Crossfire United ECNL
A midfielder from Ridgefield, Wash.,
Annika Farley is a team captain for Crossfire United, and she earned All-Northwest Conference ECNL recognition. Crossfire reached the ECNL Champions League Playoffs in 2018 and 2019, and Farley took part in the ECNL PDP during both those years as well. Farley helped lead the Ridgefield Suppers to the Washington State Playoffs in 2018 and 2019, and she was named first-team all-league.
Farley on Portland: "I chose UP because I grew up watching the team and really loved the environment of the team and the coaching staff."
French on Farley: "Annika does a fantastic job setting the defensive tone in the midfield, controlling the tempo of the game, and organizing her teammates within the run of play."
Sarah Kowack
5-8, MF
Carmel Valley, Calif./Canyon Crest Academy
Club: DMCV Sharks ECNL
Sarah Kowack is a midfielder who helped guide her DMCV Sharks club team to the ECNL Playoffs. A four-year letterwinner at Canyon Crest Academy, Kowack landed on the All-Avocado West League Second Team in both 2018 and 2019.
Kowack on Portland: "I chose UP because of the incredible soccer program's history, supportive school environment, and the family vibe from the coaching staff."
French on Kowack: "Sarah is a midfielder whose overall game awareness allows her to be extremely effective on the ball by involving teammates and getting them the ball in dangerous positions of the field."
Sophia Mattice
5-8, MF
Folsom, Calif./Folsom HS
Club: San Juan SC
Sophie Mattice is a midfielder, who comes to The Bluff from Folsom, Calif. Mattice plays club for San Juan SC, and they were in the Top 20 ECNL U-17 Champions League. Mattice played a few years at Folsom High School, landing on the All-Sierra Foothill League First Team as both a freshman and a sophomore. She was also named Team MVP both seasons.
Mattice on Portland: "I chose University of Portland to continue my athletics and academics mainly because of the coaching staff, competitive conference, and the amazing soccer community."
French on Mattice: "Soph is a tough, aggressive, and tenacious defender, all the while possessing the ability to solve pressure and set play from deeper areas of the field."
Hannah McCord
5-4, MF
San Francisco, Calif./Lowell HS
Club: San Francisco Elite Academy
Hannah McCord comes north from San Francisco, where she starred for the San Francisco Elite Academy. She also played for the San Francisco Nighthawks in the WPSL. A High School All-American at Lowell, McCord helped the Cardinals win the 2017-18 Division 4 Regional Championship, and they won the Division 5 NorCal Title in 2018-19. She led the team in goals in 2019, and she nabbed CIF All-League First Team recognition in 2017-18. Additionally, McCord was named the 2017-18 CIF All-League Forward of the Year.
McCord on Portland: "I chose the University of Portland for its strong soccer culture and academic excellence."
French on McCord: "Hannah is a very exciting, creative, and elusive attacking player. She's technically savvy which allows her to not only solve pressure, but to also thread a final pass or create opportunities for herself to finish."
Nedya Sawan
5-8, F
Beaverton, Ore./Mountainside HS
Club: FC Portland ECNL
Nedya Sawan is a forward out of nearby Mountainside High School, and she plays club for FC Portland in the ECNL. A team captain with FC Portland, Sawan led the squad in goals the past four years, and she landed on the All-Northwest Conference Team in 2018 and 2019. FC Portland won the 2019 Division Championship, and they qualified for the Champions League in the ECNL National Playoffs. Sawan was also a two-time ECNL Northwest Conference CSP/PDP Invitee.
A Top Drawer Soccer High School All-American, Sawan was named the 2019 Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year, and in 2018 she was voted the Oregon 6A Player of the Year. She was also named to the all-state and all-region first teams, and she helped lead the Mavericks to the state title game in 2019 and the state semifinals the year before. Sawan has collected 90 goals and 30 assists during her career, she once scored five goals in a game, she was voted the Metro League Player of the Year, and she landed on the all-league first team.
Sawan on Portland: "I chose UP because of the incredible culture surrounding soccer, outstanding academics, and amazing energy of the campus. I remember sitting in the stands at Merlo as a kid and dreaming of one day playing as a Pilot, and I can't wait to finally make this dream reality!"
French on Sawan: "Nedya is an exceptionally strong, powerful, and impactful forward who has an incredible nose for the goal, whether she's finishing on her own, or creating opportunities and serving crosses to her teammates."
Aubrey Turner
5-7, F
Piedmont, Calif./Piedmont HS
Club: Lamorinda United (DA)
Aubrey Turner plays in the Development Academy for Lamorinda. A co-captain, she's been the second leading scorer for the past two seasons, collecting a total of 16 goals. She was in the ODP Player Development Program in 2010, and she helped her East Bay United club team reach the quarterfinals at the 2014 Gothia Cup. Turner played her freshman season at Piedmont High School, where she helped the Highlanders advance to the semifinals. In that one season, she was among the conference leaders in assists.
Turner on Portland: "When I visited the University of Portland I felt welcomed by its tight knit community. Everyone showed me such kindness and genuine interest. I also feel the coaching staff really cares about their players' development on and off the field."
French on Turner: "Aubrey is a technical, crafty attacking player whose athleticism and work-rate, along with her desire to improve, will help bring new energy into our program."
