PORT ANGELES — After winning back-to-back Northwest Athletic Conference championships and then placing second in 2014, the Peninsula College women’s soccer team feels it is reloading in a big way.
Eight high school soccer standouts have signed letters of intent with Peninsula College since the NWAC signing period opened on Jan. 15.
“I am as excited about this recruiting class as any we have brought in to Peninsula,” head coach Kanyon Anderson said.
“We have size, skill and speed, but the most important quality I see is competitiveness. The players in this incoming group have had much individual and team success and will demand the same at the college level.
“They will be a great complement to our returning players, who have already set lofty goals for next year.
“The 2015 version of the Pirates have the potential to be very successful.”
Signing NWAC letters of intent to date include Hoku Afong, Audrey Barham, Cierra Hamilton, Elizabeth Hornsey, Brianna Jackson-Vallente, Kameryn Jury-Hale, Ellie Small, and Isabelle Tyner.
■ Hoku Afong (Midfield/Forward, Moanalua High School, Waianae, Hawaii)
Afong was a four-year varsity starter at Moanalua, where she was named All-League her junior year and is a likely winner of that honor when the voting is completed in 2015.
She was the fourth leading scorer in Oahu with 14 goals.
“Hoku is a creative attacker,” Anderson said.
“She seems to always be looking for ways to break through the back line and is the kind of player who can make something happen at any moment.
“She can do it with her speed, with her dribbling or with her passing. She uses both feet well which doubles her number of goal scoring chances and assist opportunities.
“Opposing defenders are not going to enjoy dealing with her.”
■ Audrey Barham (Forward, Spanish Springs High School, Sparks, Nev.)
Barham was three times named first-team all-league, was her team’s Offensive MVP winner three straight years and was named to the All-Nevada Academic Team.
“Audrey’s game is defined by her speed, toughness and competitive nature,” Anderson said.
“She will give her best effort on every play and she has the physicality needed to be successful in the college game.
“Her 64 career high school goals tell me she is going to put up fantastic numbers at Peninsula. I would not be shocked to see her challenge the goal scoring record for freshmen at PC.”
■ Cierra Hamilton (Defender, Aiea High School, Aiea, Hawaii)
Hamilton’s Hawaii Surf Club Team won the State Cup Championship seven times and her Aiea High team, for which she played varsity soccer all four years, was the 2014 Hawaii runner-ups.
“Cierra will be one of the fastest players we bring in in this recruiting class,” Anderson said.
“She has good size and agility and the pace to stay with any attackers she might face.
“She is a player who has just begun to see how special she could be and she has a clear desire to reach her full potential.
“I expect Cierra to really thrive in the college atmosphere.”
■ Elizabeth Hornsey (Defender, Central Kitsap, Poulsbo)
Hornsey was named first-team all-league at Central Kitsap and was the Cougars’ Defensive MVP. Her Northwest Nationals club team also won the Washington State championship in the First Division.
“Elizabeth is a speedy defender who can run with any of the attackers she will face this year,” Anderson said.
“Once she is on the ball, she is as skilled and tactically aware as most strikers. This combination with allow her to win the ball back and immediately transition into attack.
“Having Elizabeth on the field gives us a two-for-one on the outside.”
■ Brianna Jackson-Vallente (Forward, Hawaii Preparatory Academy, Waikoloa, Hawaii)
Jackson-Vallente was All-Big Island First Team striker in 2012, 2013 and 2014 (the voting has not yet been completed for 2015).
Her Hawaii Preparatory Academy team won the state championship in 2014 and finished second in 2012 and 2013. She won the State Impact Player Award in 2014.
“Bri is a talented goal scorer with a knack for being in the right place at the right time,” Anderson said.
“She also has the strength to play with her back to goal and help build possession. Despite her significant success on and off the field, she remains humble and coachable.”
■ Kameryn Jury-Hale (Midfield/Defender, Kamehameha Kapalama High School, Waianae, Hawaii)
Jury-Hale helped her high school team win the 2014 Hawaii State Championship. She also was a member of the highly successful Leahi Premier Team and she started her junior and senior years for one of the best high school programs in the state of Hawaii.
“Kameryn’s combination of agility and size makes her a special player,” Anderson said.
“Her agility allows her to get to most anything in the midfield, and once she arrives, there is little doubt that she will win the physical battle for the ball.
“With Kameryn patrolling, the middle of the field will definitely be Pirate territory.”
■ Ellie Small (Forward, Reno High School, Reno, Nev.)
Small, a four-year starter at Reno High, was named the High Desert League Player of the Year four straight years and also earned first-team all-league honors all four years of her high school career.
”Ellie is a quick and tenacious attacker,” Anderson said.
“She turns defenders in circles with her dribbling and cutting and she is a dangerous finisher.
“Ellie has been in the spotlight her entire high school career and it won’t take long for that spotlight to find her in the college game.
“What most appeals to me, though, is her relentless drive to get better.”
■ Isabelle Tyner (Midfield/Forward, Olympic High School, Silverdale)
Tyner was a four-year varsity starter for the Trojans, with whom she was the team’s Most Valuable Player and was named All-Olympic League First Team.
“Isabelle’s best strength, in my opinion, is her ability to keep the ball on her foot as she maneuvers through the defense,” Anderson said.
“In addition, she is fast and has a keen sense on how to break defenses down.
“Isabelle’s running partners up top are going to benefit greatly from having her on the field.”
