POCATELLO, Idaho- Idaho State soccer's Head Coach
Debs Brereton has announced the signing of eight athletes for the 2020 season: Jordyn Roth, McKayla Wetsel, Annyka Scherschlight, Megan Vawdrey, Meagan Thomoshiro, Aisley Allen, Kaylyn Buchanan, and Callie Mullen.
"This 2020 class will have the opportunity to come in and make an immediate impact," said Head Coach
Debs Brereton. "Each player comes from top youth club teams that will help their transition to the college game that much easier. After losing such a large senior class, we are left with several voids and positions that needed to be filled. This group of young women are all committed to excellence and understand that we are building something special here and want to be a part of this process. They all bring their own super power to the team that is unique and will make our 2020 team stronger. I cannot wait for their arrival and know that our returning players will welcome them with open arms."
Jordyn Roth
Roth hails from American Fork, Utah where she attended American Fork High School. Roth helped American Fork to four Region Championships that eventually led to two 6A State Championships in 2017 and 2019. During the 2019 state tournament, Roth scored two goals and assisted three of the teams seven goals in the tournament. She also had the game winning assist in the 2019 State Championship game. In 2017, Roth set up the game winning golden goal in the 2017 semi-final.
"Jordyn is a fantastic soccer player. Her ability to read the game and create chances for herself and her teammates is excellent," said Brereton. "She has been the catalyst for most attacks on every team she has played on. She has enjoyed a stellar High School career at American Fork, most recently winning the 6A Utah State High School state championship. I cannot wait to welcome her to the Bengal family and see what impact she will have on our program."
During her career at American Fork, she held a 69-8 record. Roth was also a member of the Utah Soccer Alliance Premier club team that won the Far West Region Championship and a State Championship. In 2019, Roth scored two stoppage time game winning goals to help her team win the Surf Cup's Best of the Best. She also attended the US Youth Soccer National Championships in 2018. Roth and her club team held a national ranking of second by gotsoccer.com.
"I liked the close proximity to home, the coaching staff is awesome, and I immediately felt at home on campus" said Roth.
McKayla Wetsel
McKayla Wetsel will join Idaho State after graduating from Lone Peak High School this spring. The Cedar Hills, Utah native has claimed First Team All-State and First Team All-Region honors during her career.
"We are very excited about McKayla, she is natural competitor and plays at such a high intensity," said Brereton. "I was instantly impressed with her handling and distribution. Her power and ability to play with the ball at her feet means we can continue to build out of the back with confidence. She has all of the traits to be a brilliant Bengal and we cannot wait for her arrival."
The forward was also recognized as a Daily Herald Athlete of the Week and was chosen as a team captain.
"I chose Idaho State because of the location of the campus, the coaching staff, the positive culture the team has, and of course, Panera bread is very close," said Wetsel.
Wetsel plans to major in Secondary Education at ISU.
Annyka Scherschligt
Scherschligt will graduate from Hillcrest High School in the spring of 2020. She earned an array of accolades including 6A First Team All-Region, 6A All State, Prep Athlete of the Week, Utah ODP, Idaho ODP and Region IV ODP. She helped her team to a Utah State Cup Championship and the Far West Regional Championship in 2018.
"She is a versatile player and very effective in several positions that will add so much depth in many areas," Brereton said. "Her work rate and tenacious attitude in and out of possession will benefit our team tremendously. I'm very excited about Annyka being a Bengal."
Scherschligt was also a four-year varsity cheerleader and a two-year varsity captain at Hillcrest.
"I fell in love with the campus when I visited," Scherschligt said. "Coach Debs made me feel comfortable and loved the first time I met her."
Megan Vawdrey
Vawdrey hails from Draper, Utah where she is finishing her senior year at Alta High School. The goalkeeper earned 5A all-conference honorable mention honors in 2017, second team All-Region in 2018, and second team All-Region in 2019. She was also named the Best Offensive Player for the 2018 season.
"I was excited to work with a new coach," Vawdrey said. "I loved the campus, the smaller classes the school offer, the location of the school and the outdoor activities Idaho has to offer."
Vawdrey plans to major in Dental Hygiene at Idaho State.
"Megan is a gritty center forward with an eye for goal," said Brereton. "She is very mobile and can combine very well in the final third. She has a great shot and will be an exciting player for our fans to watch in action. She is a brilliant addition to this program and I'm excited for her to be Bengal."
Meagan Samantha Tamashiro
Tamashiro hails from Mililani, Hawaii and will join Idaho State after graduating from Mililani High School this spring. As a center midfielder, Tamashiro is a two-time US Club Soccer National Champion and a Hawaii State Cup Champion. She earned All-Hawaii Girls Soccer Team Honorable Mention in 2018. Tamashiro also helped her team to an OIA Division I Championship in 2018.
"I decided to choose Idaho State because upon research I thought it would be a good fit for me," Tamashiro said. "Idaho State provides the academic field which I aspire to pursue and at the same time I can continue to play the sport that I love."
Tamashiro plans on majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders.
"Meagan is a quality attacking player who is fun to watch," said Brereton. "She is very confident going 1v1 and enjoys unbalancing defenders to generate quality crosses and final through passes for her teammates. She is a focused young woman and her determination and commitment to excellence is why I believe Meagan will be a great Bengal."
Aisley Allen
Allen will join ISU after graduating from Sentinel High School in Missoula, Montana. As a forward, Allen earned three varsity letters, was named the team captain in 2019, earned a spot on the Super State Roster, and earned All-State accolades.
"Aisley is brilliant at getting behind defenders, her intelligent movement off the ball creates lots of opportunities to exploit the opposition," Brereton said. "I love her attitude to work hard in and out of possession to support the team effort. She is composed in front of goal and will be a player who can make the difference in close games. Our Bengal family is better with Aisley in it."
Allen was chosen as the MVP of the 2019 season, holds Sentinel High's school record in most goals scored and received the Golden Boot Award. Allen helped her team to a fourth-place finish at the 2018 State Championships. She also helped her club soccer team, Missoula Strikers, to a State Championship in 2016, 2017, and 2018.
"I chose Idaho State mainly because of the environment," Allen said. "The coaching staff and the players were incredibly welcoming and I love the atmosphere of the team and Pocatello. Academically, Idaho State has a great health science department and that is the area I would like to study in."
Kaylyn Buchanan
Buchanan, a Lakewood, Colorado native, will finish her senior year at Lakewood High School before joining ISU in the fall. Buchanan lettered four years at Lakewood and was named the team MVP for two years. She was also the team's three-time leading scorer and led the Jeffco Conference with twenty goals on the season in 2018. Her performances led her to be recognized as a two-time first team all-conference honoree.
"I chose Idaho State because I fell in love with the campus and the area, it reminded me a lot of home," Buchanan said. "The engineering program at Idaho State is incredibly impressive and something that I can't wait to become a part of. The team dynamic that I was exposed to in my brief visit here was so powerful and welcoming that I couldn't wait to step on the field with such an amazing group of players and coaches".
Buchanan plans on majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
"Kaylyn will be a player to watch next season, she is strong on the ball, is clinical in front of goal and links up well in the attack," Brereton said. "She reads the game very well and is ruthless when going 1v1, she will give us and edge in the final third. Her commitment to academic excellence is so impressive, she will be a top student-athlete and a wonderful Bengal."
Callie Kalehua Mullen
Mullen hails from Pearl City, Hawaii where she will graduate from Mililani High School. She earned honorable mention state accolades in 2018 and 2019. Mullen was also named to the OIA First Team in 2019.
"I chose Idaho State because it's just an amazing opportunity to be able to represent Hawai'i and my family in another state and grow into the person I want to become," Mullen said. "I think Idaho State University was the perfect fit to do that."
Mullen plans to major in Psychology at Idaho State.
"Callie is a top defender who will strengthen our back line immensely," said Brereton. "She understands her role very well and her passing range is impressive. She is very strong in the tackle, she will not back down from a 1v1 challenge on the ground or in the air. She has had experience playing alongside Karlin, who has been a stoic center back for us this past season. This will help Callie to transition into our system and philosophy very smoothly. I am ecstatic that she will be a part of our Bengal family."
