Signing day: 56 local soccer players sign letters of intent

SALT LAKE CITY — Wednesday afternoon, girls around the state committed to play soccer for various universities, signing on the dotted line as part of National Letter of Intent Day.

Utah boasts an immense amount of young talent, providing in-state universities with a wide selection of recruits. There are eight schools in the state that offer NAIA and NCAA Division I women's soccer programs. With so many options, opportunity is ample for quality players to stay close to home.

56 girls signed Wednesday (or are expecting to this week) with 37 choosing to stay here in Utah.

Viewmont head coach Eric Landon commends the Utah college programs for looking at in-state talent. "The local college coaches have done a great job recruiting the local girls, and to be honest, 90 percent of the players would like to stay right here in Utah," he said.

The Weber State Wildcats' recruiting class is chock-full of local recruits, with all 14 athletes joining from the northern Utah area. Thirteen played club soccer for Utah-based LaRoca FC.

Among the WSU recruits are Kenzie Harrison of Davis — a four-time all-state selection — and Stacy Bair of Sky View — a three-time all-state selection and two-time Herald-Journal Player of the Year.

Forza Futbol Club had 11 girls sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI) on Wednesday with nine going Div. I. Utah Avalanche saw success as well with 14 players signing a NLI.

Utah Avalanche is the only club in Utah accepted into the Elite Clubs National League, and resultantly provides a greater level of exposure to college coaches all over the country. Seven of the Utah Avalanche recruits will be leaving the state.

One of the seven is Juan Diego's Emily Bruder — a state standout, 3A MVP, and a member of the U17 U.S. National Team. Bruder heads to Stanford this fall while fellow club member and East High captain Audrey Gibb heads to Oregon State. Brighton star Kassidy Kellogg will take her talent to Sacramento State.

Five girls from Alta's 5A state championship team signed letters, including: Taylor Campbell (BYU), Megan Millerberg (UVU), Alexis Selman (Arizona), Megan Lloyd (Dixie State) and Michelle Murphy (BYU).

Fittingly, the 5A runners up — the Viewmont Vikings — had five athletes sign as well, including: Camille Green (BYU), Krissy Page (Dixie State), Lizzy Rasmussen (Iowa Lakes CC), Alex Cook (Utah), and 5A MVP Ali Forsberg (Utah).