HAMMOND – Eight student-athletes have chosen to continue their academic and athletic endeavors as members of the Southeastern Louisiana women's soccer program, Lady Lion head coach Blake Hornbuckle announced on Friday.
 
The newest Lady Lions include midfielder Gisenia Utreras (Brampton, Ontario, Canada), who enrolled at Southeastern in January after spending her freshman season at Memphis. Southeastern also added seven 2013 freshmen in forward Marisa Rodrigues (San Ramon, Calif.), goalkeeper Casey Jeanfreau (Greenville, S.C.), midfielder Amber Lasher (Norco, Calif.), defender Katie Noonan (Renton, Wash.), forward Brianna Singh (Lancaster, Calif.), defender Alexsis Cable (Double Oak, Texas) and goalkeeper Hope Sabadash (Mississauga, Ontario, Canada).
 
Hornbuckle was forced to sign a large class after losing 11 seniors from his 2012 squad. Entering his 16^th season, Hornbuckle believes the new additions can help Southeastern maintain its standard of excellence.
 
“The incoming class will inject excitement into our program,” Hornbuckle commented. “We add a compliment of talent and attributes that should blend well together with a strong core of returning players.”
 
Utreras has already begun practicing with the Lady Lions during spring workouts after playing four matches as a freshman at Memphis. Utreras prepped at St. Marquerite d'Youville Secondary School, while also bringing with her club experience from the Hamilton FC and Brams United club teams.
 
“Gisenia is a big addition to our midfield after transfers in from a perennial top 25 program,” Hornbuckle said. “Fully integrated in team dynamics, she is very explosive without the ball, reads and anticipates the game well, plays decisive balls in the attack consistently and goes in strong on challenges. Her ability to switch the ball and penetrate on the dribble are additional talents that will generate opportunities.”
 
Rodrigues comes to Hammond by way of California High School. She led her team in scoring as a junior and is a three-time all-league sprinter, having won a league title in the 100 meters in 2010. She also competes for the Pleasanton Rage club team.
 
“Marisa is a speedster with a great work ethic,” Hornbuckle said. “She is dangerous on the flank with her abilty to go by players and a constant threat up top to contain. Marisa pursues and closes ground on defenders well and is very conscious of combining with her teammates and finishing. She has a tremendous upside.”
 
Jeanfreau is one of two new goalkeepers in the 2013 signing class. Born in nearby Slidell, Jeanfreau comes to Hammond after earning All-Region honors at Greenville Tech Charter High School. She also helped her club team with the 2012 US Youth Soccer Southern Regionals.
 
“Casey is strong coming off her line for challenges, eliminates space to finish and distributes quickly,” Hornbuckle commented. “Her knowledge of the game and position will continue to blossom and prove difficult for attackers to beat.”
 
Also competing for time in net will be Sabadash, who is a four-sport student-athlete at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School, where she plays soccer, softball, hockey and football. She also plays for the Toronto Lynx club team.
 
“Hope will continue a tradition of strong and talented goalkeepers at Southeastern,” Hornbuckle said. “She is currently with Canada's Under 20 National Training Center Program in Ontario. She is technically clean, distributes with purpose, makes sound decisions and is very comfortable with the ball at her feet. Her calming presence and athletic ability will serve us well in goal.”
 
Lasher is another multi-sport athlete heading to Hammond, as she plays soccer, volleyball and runs track at Norco High School. She was the offensive MVP at NHS twice, while earning track MVP as a hurdler for the school's track team.

“Amber is a self motivated player that can play anywhere on the field,” Hornbuckle said. “She is a talented Southern California product with speed, strength and overall strong fitness base. She is skillful with the ball, distributes with purpose and is fearless on challenges.”
 
Rounding out the California products is Singh, who has 110 career goals midway through her senior season at Lancaster High School and has set a new scoring record for the Antelope Valley. She also plays for the Camarillo Eagles of the Coast Premier League.
 
“Bri can play anywhere on the field from center back to forward,” Hornbuckle commented. “She has a nose for the goal and high work rate. Her ability to impact the game with a penetrating pass or big goal is a strong attribute that will help us over the next four years. She plays in a highly competitive Southern California club environment and will be well prepared for the college game.”
 
Noonan joins the Lady Lions by way of Liberty High School, where she earned the Most Valuable Defender Award. Her club experience includes playing for the Greater Renton Football Club and the Crossfire Premier of the Elite Club National League.
 
“Katie is a physically talented defender that will get into the attack,” Hornbuckle said. “She is comfortable on both sides of the field. Katie is difficult to beat one on one, marks and tracks well and provides accurate service. She is mentally tough, comes from a top flight club in Washington and should help solidify the back line.”
 
Rounding out the class is Cable, a two-time All-District performer at Marcus High School, where she also was the most improved player on the freshman basketball team. Her most recent club experience was with the D'Feeters 95 team. 

"Alexsis can play both in the midfield and along the back line," Hornbuckle said. "She has an immediate field presence with her frame and physical attributes.  She is comfortable marking, winning challenges, switching the field and getting into the attack.  Her ability to win balls in the air will make it difficult for opponents to establish themselves."

The newest Lady Lions will make their Southeastern debuts in just over six months, as Southeastern is slated to host Jackson State on Aug. 23 to open the 2013 season.
 
2013 Southeastern Louisiana Soccer Additions
Alexsis Cable – D – 5-9 – Fr. – Double Oak, Texas (Marcus HS)
Casey Jeanfreau – GK – 5-7 – Fr. – Greenville, S.C. (Greenville Tech Charter HS)
Amber Lasher – MF – 5-5 – Fr. – Norco, Calif. (Norco HS)
Katie Noonan – D – 5-9 – Fr. – Renton, Wash. (Liberty HS)
Marisa Rodrigues – F – 5-3 – Fr. – San Ramon, Calif. (California HS)
Hope Sabadash – GK – 5-8 – Fr. – Mississauga, Ontario, Canada (Our Lady of Mount Carmel Secondary School)
Brianna Singh – F – 5-3 – Fr. – Lancaster, Calif. (Lancaster HS)
Gisenia Utreras – MF – 5-3 – So. – Brampton, Ontario, Canada (Memphis)*
 
* - Mid-year transfer currently enrolled at Southeastern