PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Pilots have signed eight players to national letters of intent: Katana Norman, Brooke Miller, Isabella Yakel, Violet Rademacher, Abby Pressnell, Kate Howes, Jessica Bowman and Ruby Settle. They will all join the Pilots as freshmen next fall.
"We're thrilled to be adding an incredibly talented group of student-athletes who will make an immediate impact the minute they step on The Bluff," Portland head coach Michelle French said. "They will continue to evolve our play on the field, and will no doubt add to our program's strong culture and unwavering spirit. On the field, they're impactful, unpredictably exciting, and will add immense variety to what we're aiming to accomplish on both sides of the ball. Off the field and in the classroom, this class encompasses a diverse set a qualities that the University of Portland community will benefit from on a daily basis."
Read below about the newest Pilots.
Katana Norman – Defender – Arcadia, Calif.
Katana Norman comes to The Bluff by way of Arcadia, Calif. and adds depth to the back line for the Pilots. She has spent the past three years as a part of the U.S. Development Academy System and has played for clubs such as L.A. Premier and SoCal Blues. A three-star recruit per Top Drawer Soccer, Katana has earned recognition for her standout performances during her club career.
Coach French on Katana
"Katana is decisive, committed and relentless in her pursuit of winning the ball as a defender. She balances that exceptionally well with her confidence to play out under pressure, break lines with her vision and ignite immediate attacking transition moments when gaining possession from an opponent."
Brooke Miller – Forward – San Diego, Calif.
The Pilots have brought in a versatile forward in Brooke Miller from San Diego, to bolster their attack. In 2021, Miller helped lead Cathedral Catholic to a CIF Western League Championship, while also guiding them to the CIF State Finals. She has been a Speed to Burn Soccer Athlete since 2017, which boasts alumni such as Catarina Macario and Luca De La Torre, and was also selected as a trialist for FC Bayern Munich's women's team for the spring of 2022. Brooke also helped lead her club, SD Surf, to the ECNL Playoffs this year.
Coach French on Brooke
"Brooke's desire and dedication to constantly improve as a player and to simply compete are two of the biggest traits that stood out to us during her recruiting process. Not only does she have a nose to get to goal, Brooke is just as committed to the defending side of the game as a forward."
Isabella Yakel – Defender – Long Beach, Calif.
Another addition from California, Isabella Yakel also adds to the back line depth. At Long Beach Poly High School, Yakel was named Varsity Rookie of the Year her freshman year and Varsity MVP her junior year. She earned All-Moore League honors every year she has participated in High School. She has also experienced great success at the club level with Slammers FC, with her team being crowned the ECNL Southwest Conference champions three years in a row (2019-21) and her team making the national championship earlier this year.
Coach French on Isabella
"Isabella is a prototypical reliable and steady center back, and while it was her ability to defend that caught our eye, her comfort level with the ball at her feet is equally as impressive. Her understanding of when to step into a passing lane to break up an attack, in addition to her patience in 1v1 defending, makes her a handful for any opponent."
Violet Rademacher – Midfielder –Meridian, Idaho
Hailing from Meridian, Idaho, Violet Rademacher will flesh out the midfield for the Pilots. She was named the 2021 5A SIC Player of the Year and was also selected for the 2021 All-American game. Along with her accomplished high school career – she helped Rocky Mountain High School earn three straight state championships from 2018-2020 – Rademacher has been a part of the ODP West Region squad for the past three years. She partook in the ODP National Training Camp in 2018 and 2019, is a four-time MVP for her ODP team, and was the captain for the team's trip to Costa Rica in 2020.
Coach French on Violet
"Violet is strong, physically dominating and fearless, whether she's battling for the ball, or simply making decisions when on the ball. Her range of service and ability to play box-to-box makes her an incredible addition to our program."
Abby Pressnell – Goalkeeper – Lake Oswego, OR
A local product from Lake Oswego, Abby Pressnell has dominated in the Three Rivers League (TRL). She's been named to the All-Three Rivers League First Team all four years of her high school career at Lakeridge High School and was the TRL player of the year both her freshman and junior year. She is also a part of the National Team Player Pool and plays for the NW Elite Soccer Club.
Coach French on Abby
"Abby is a local player who possesses great shot-blocking ability and bravery in 1v1 challenges. Her work ethic and physical power will be a great addition to our program, and the fact that she's a local student-athlete just adds to our excitement to welcome her to our program."
Kate Howes – Forward – Bountiful, UT
Kate Howes joins the Pilots from Bountiful, Utah, slotting in as a forward. She was selected to the UHSAA Girls All-State Team and starred for Woods Cross High School throughout her career. Kate has successfully developed as a dominant player while competing for La Roca Soccer Club.
Coach French on Kate
"Kate absolutely loves the game and plays with that intensity and joy every time she steps on the field, whether during training or competing in a game. She is exceptionally creative and dangerous in 1v1 situations and possesses a lethal shot coupled with a detailed final pass in and around the final third."
Jessica Bowman – Defender – Mamaroneck, N.Y.
Coming to The Bluff all the way from Mamaroneck, N.Y., Jessica Bowman once again adds to Portland's stout back line. With Mamaroneck High School, Bowman was an NYSPHSAA All-League selection her junior and senior year, an All-Section pick her senior year, and the 2021 League Player of the Year her senior year. She is a co-captain for her club, NYSC, and well-rounded off the field as well. She was a member of the National Honor Society her junior and senior year and is a member of The Fuller Center for Housing Volunteer Club.
Coach French on Jessica
"Jessica is a defender who commits herself whole-heartedly in any defending situation, whether she's facing a 1v1 battle or tracking a through ball. In possession, she quickly recognizes moments to break down an opponent's shape, and successfully springs teammates into positive attacking moments."
Ruby Settle – Midfielder – Seattle, Wash.
From just up the I-5 corridor comes midfielder Ruby Settle from Seattle, Wash. Settle has thrived at the regional level, playing her club ball with OL Reign and even partaking in training with the first team. She was a part of the ODP Washington Travel Team roster in 2016 and 2017 and took part in the ODP Region IV Camp back in 2017 as well. She also participated in the Girls Academy Northwest Talent ID series earlier this year and partook in the GA Playoffs, being named to the Best XI.
Coach French on Ruby
"Ruby is fantastically composed and creative on the ball. She is very elusive, constantly displaying the ability to solve pressure with a high level of technical ability and soccer IQ in any situation."
The Pilots just finished their 2021 season, ending on a high note with a 2-0 victory over the Pacific Tigers, while winning four out of their last five. They finished the year above .500 at 9-8 overall and 5-4 in WCC play. The Pilots conference record is their best since 2013. To stay up to date on all things Portland soccer, check out PortlandPilots.com.
