USU soccer adds nine for the 2020 season

LOGAN, Utah – Utah State head soccer coach Heather Cairns has announced the addition of nine student-athletes for the 2020 season. The list includes Addy Symonds (Highland, Utah), Adree Johnson (Huntsville, Utah), HalleKate Munson (Holladay, Utah), Heidi Smith (Santa Clara, Utah), Kelsey Steed (Syracuse, Utah), Kenli Coon (Draper, Utah), Kylie Olsen (Logan, Utah), Whitney Lopez (Logan, Utah) and Sui Pauni (Logan, Utah).

“We are excited to welcome this class of newcomers to the Aggie family,” Cairns said. “They love to compete and are proven champions who will make us better at every position.”

Symonds was a three-year letterwinner at Lone Peak High School, under head coach and former Aggie Shantel (Flanary) Jolley, helping the Knights to a state championship as a junior. Symonds was a two-time all-state selection, including first- and second-team honors, a two-time, first-team all-region selection and the Utah Valley Player of the Year. She totaled 12 goals and three assists during her career, finishing as the second-leading scorer for the Knights during her senior year as a defender. At the club level, Symonds played for Celtic FC, serving as a team captain in 2019. CFC were National League champions in 2019, finishing third at the National Championships a season ago.

“Addy is a savvy center back,” Cairns said. “She solves defensive situations with great positioning and is calm and composed on the attacking side of the ball.”

Johnson was an all-area selection during her freshman year at Weber High School, but garnered most of her experience at the club level, playing for La Roca. Johnson helped La Roca to four state championships, a runner-up finish at the regional level and a third-place finish at nationals.

“Adree is an exciting attacking personality,” Cairns said. “She operates comfortably in the wide spaces as she possesses bravery and skill to get around the corners.”

Munson was a four-year letterwinner at Olympus High School, recording 48 goals and 33 assists with the Titans over her four-year prep career. Munson served as a team captain and was an all-state honorable mention selection. She played club with the Utah Avalanche, totaling seven goals and five assists last season as the Avalanche appeared at nationals in each of her five years with the club.

“HalleKate is a well-rounded player with a high soccer IQ,” Cairns said. “Her abilities on both sides of the ball will allow her to play multiple positions for us and will make her a fan favorite.”

Smith was a four-year letterwinner at Snow Canyon High School, helping the Warriors to four Region 9 championships, two state semifinal appearances and one 4A state title. She was one of the most prolific goal scorers in Snow Canyon history, setting a single-season school record with 22 goals as a junior and totaling 63 goals over the course of her career to set the school record for goals in a career. Smith also totaled 18 assists during her career and was awarded multiple accolades, including a pair of first-team all-state honors, a second-team all-state selection, three first-team all-region honors and the 4A state MVP. Smith played club with LVSA, helping the team to a No. 15 national ranking and back-to-back finalist showings at the Presidents Cup.

“Heidi is an explosive, relentless attacker,” Cairns said. “She will impact the game with her will to create scoring opportunities.”

Steed was a four-year letterwinner at Syracuse High School, earning first-team all-state honors in 2017 and Defensive MVP accolades as a junior. Steed also picked up 6A all-tribune team in 2017 and second-team all-state honors by the Standard Examiner. The Titans finished as the runner-up at state in 2017 and made a semifinal and quarterfinal appearance in 2018 and 2019, respectively. At the club level, Steed played for Crush L30, capturing a Presidents Cup and going undefeated during the spring season.

“Kelsey is a center back with gifted athleticism,” Cairns said. “She loves the 1-v-1 battles and is dominant in the aerial game.”

Coon was a four-year letterwinner at Corner Canyon High School (Draper, Utah), setting school records with 42 career goals and 91 career assists. Coon earned three all-state honors and was named the Region 7 MVP, leading the Chargers to a 5A state championship as a junior and a Region 7 championship as a sophomore. Coon played club for both Avalanche and Sparta, and spent time with the ODP program.

“Kenli is a creative attacking midfielder,” Cairns said. “She is skilled at picking out the final pass and will create goal-scoring chances for her teammates.”

Olsen was a three-year letterwinner at Green Canyon High School (Hyde Park, Utah), scoring 35 goals over the course of her career. Olsen earned a pair of first-team all-state honors with the Wolves and helped the team to the semifinals of the 2019 4A state championships. At the club level, Olsen played with La Roca and led the team to a pair of State Cup championships, four Desert League championships, one West Regional championship and one National League Division championship.

“Kylie is an accomplished and fierce defender,” Cairns said. “She will frustrate the best attackers with her ability to limit their time and space.”

Lopez was a three-year letterwinner at Logan High School, under the tutelage of former Aggie Natalie Norris. Lopez helped the Grizzlies to the 2016 state finals, a 2016 region championship and played club with La Roca. Lopez helped La Roca to four state championships, a region championship and also led the team to a finalist finish at nationals.

“Whitney is an impactful box-to-box midfielder,” Cairns said. “She will bring great vision and an ability to dictate our rhythm of play.”

Pauni rounds out the signees, and was a three-year letterwinner and teammate of Lopez at Logan High School. Pauni was a member of the 2015 state championship side for Logan and also helped the Grizzlies to a region championship in 2016. She played club for seven years with Infinity, earned team MVP honors, and another year with Avalanche.

“Siu is an experienced goalkeeper,” Cairns said. “She possesses a great mix of technical ability and athleticism that makes her tough to beat.”

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