Soccer Adds 11 Student-Athletes
February 9, 2009 by Paul Klein
Filed under Soccer
RENO, Nev. - The University of Nevada soccer team added 11 student-athletes to its 2009 roster second-year head
coach Jaime Frias announced Friday.
The 11 student-athletes joining Nevada in the fall are: Lauren Braman (Niwot, Colo.), Samantha Johnson (Ketchum,
Idaho), Raylene Larot (San Jose, Calif.), Ester Leon (Oakland, Calif.), Jillian Masciola (Las Vegas, Nev.), Dana Moreno
(Chatsworth, Calif.), Jordan Ramsier (Dallas, Texas), Emma Rice (Santa Clarita, Calif.), Pauline Roman (Loma Linda,
Calif.), Sarah Schmeda (Littleton, Colo.) and Samantha Strom (Fountain, Valley, Calif.).
“Above all else we have solidified a class of quality human beings. The first thing we look at when recruiting any
player is their character,” Frias said. “I am certain this group of young women will represent the university, our soccer
program, and the community extremely well. We are delighted they chose the University of Nevada as their home
for the next four years. I can’t wait to see them wearing the silver and blue this upcoming fall.”
Lauren Braman is a 5′6″ defender from Niwot, Colo., and has earned three varsity letters in soccer at Niwot High
School. As a junior, she served as a team captain as her team finished 13-3-4 and her team was the 4A State runner
up. Her high school team won conference championships in 2006 and 2007. Braman was named Team Defensive
MVP in 2008 as well as to the 2008 All-Conference, All-State, All-Area and All-Region teams. She plays club for Fort
Collins Arsenal and won the 2008 Arsenal Cup.
“Lauren is a player that is hard nosed and athletic. Every time I watched her play she did an excellent job of shutting
out her opponents” Frias said. “Her speed allows her to close down space immediately and her strength and physical
presence makes it extremely difficult for opponents to win any type of flighted ball around her.”
Samantha Johnson is a 5′7″ midfielder from Ketchum, Idaho. She earned four varsity letters in soccer, three in track
and three in tennis at Wood River High School in Hailey, Idaho. She helped lead her soccer team to three first-place
conference finishes and a conference track title in 2007. She scored 64 goals and recorded 72 assists during her
high school career as she ended her high school career with a 63-7-2 record. Johnson is a four-time MVP in soccer
and a three-time All-Conference selection. She also holds school records in the 100m dash and the 200m dash. She
plays club for Les Bois Soccer Association where she scored 20 goals and recorded 15 assists during the last three
club seasons.
“Sam is fast, fast, fast and loves the competitive aspect of the game,” Frias said. “She is the type of kid you don’t
want to go up against in a 1v1 battle. She is feisty and hard working. She can play anywhere on the outside and
has the lung capacity to get up and down the line all day. She already has a lot of good habits for an outside player
that most don’t come with to the college game.”
Raylene Larot is a 5′1″ midfielder from San Jose, Calif. Larot lettered three years in soccer at Evergreen Valley High
School. As a junior in 2008 she helped Evergreen High School to its second appearance in the CCS quarterfinals.
She plays club for Pleasanton RAGE and her club team won the U16 Far West Regionals in 2007 in addition, the teamwas also the Region IV Champions in 2007 and Surf Cup Finalists in 2006.
“Raylene is as technical as they come,” Frias said. “She loves the ball and the game of soccer. She can solve any tactical
problem with her technique and has the vision to pick opponents apart. She combines so well with others and
brings everyone into the game.”
Ester Leon is a 5′2″ forward/midfielder from Oakland, Calif. Leon won two high school soccer championships at
Berkeley High School in Berkeley, Calif., in 2006 and 2007. She was named MVP in 2008 and was named to the firstteam
two times. She played club for Pleasanton RAGE and was a Far West Regional League Fall Finalist in 2008.
“Esther is one of the best forward on the West Coast,” Frias said. “She can pretty much do it all and score different
types of goals. I’ve seen her score from outside the 18, 1v1 situations, volleys, and headers. She is extremely technical
and her mobility makes her extremely dangerous. Her constant movement not only creates space for herself but
also for the rest of her teammates.”
Jillian Masciola is a 5′3″ forward/midfielder Las Vegas, Nev. Masciola is a four-year varsity starter and letterwinner at
Cimarron-Memorial High School and is a team captain this season. She has played on Nevada’s Olympic
Development Program team for three years, 2005-07. Masciola plays club for LVFC Mundial.
“Jill is someone that has so much heart and determination,” Frias said. “She is extremely committed to making herself
a better player and does everything within her power to train on the edge every time she steps on the field. I’ve
never seen this kid get tired and does very well as an outside player. What makes Jill dangerous is her ability to cut
in and score from the outside.”
Dana Moreno is a 5′6″ goalkeeper from Chatsworth, Calif. Moreno lettered two years in soccer, two years in volleyball
and played basketball at Chatsworth High School. She led her soccer and volleyball teams to semifinal conference
finishes. Moreno was named to the First Team All-League, First Team All-City and All City MVP during the 2007-
08 season. Moreno plays soccer for So Cal United and has won four Surf Cup Championships and won the
Manchester United Nike Premier Cup Championship.
“Dana is a great addition to our program. Her athleticism is one of the best I’ve seen out of a goalkeeper and the
verbal command she takes of her box is above and beyond players her age” Frias said. “She has the ability to play
with her feet which will give our team a different dimension when she’s on the field. What I like most about Dana is
her willingness to work on her game. She’s always looking for ways to make herself a better goalkeeper.”
Jordan Ramsier is a 5′10″ forward/midfielder from Dallas, Texas. She won a conference soccer championship at
Plano West Senior High School in 2007. Ramsier plays club for Sting ‘91 and reached the semifinals of the 2008
Southern Regionals.
“Jordan is tall, athletic, and fast,” Frias said. “Combine her physical attributes with tenacity and work ethic and you’ve
got the making of a fantastic soccer player. You can’t help but notice Jordan when she steps on the soccer field.
She has great physical presence that immediately intimidates opponents. She is a true outside player that will be a
handful for defenders to handle.”
Emma Rice is a 5′4″ forward/midfielder from Santa Clarita, Calif. Rice earned three varsity letters in soccer at West
Ranch High School in Valencia, Calif. She was named West Ranch Varsity Best Offensive Player in 2006. She did notplay her senior year of high school due to an injury. Rice plays club for Real So Cal and won five straight Surf Cup
Championships from 2004-08.
“Emma is someone who caught my eye immediately on the recruiting trail. Due to injury we did not have an opportunity
to evaluate her at great length but she showed great vision and composure on the ball the times we did
watch her,” Frias said. “Emma is someone who possesses a great shot and causes a great deal of problems for opponents
if given time and space to shoot within 20-30 yards. We look forward to seeing Emma flourish into a great
attacking player for our program.”
Pauline Roman is a 5′8″ defender from Loma Linda, Calif. She earned four varsity letters in soccer at Loma Linda
Academy. She recorded 63 goals and 23 assists and served as a team captain as a sophomore and junior. Roman is
a two-time CIF All-Christian League First Team honoree and MVP. She plays club for Arsenal FC and recorded 12
goals and 30 assists during her three years with the club.
“Pauline is an extremely technical outside back. She keeps possession of the ball when starting the attack which is
something we look for in all defenders,” Frias said. “She can play on the left and the right comfortably and can play
different kinds of ball with both her left and right foot.”
Sarah Schmeda is a 5′5″ midfielder from Littleton, Colo., and she earned two varsity letters in soccer at Chatfield
Senior High School. Schmeda attends the same high school as current Nevada players Erin Smith and Annabelle
Allen. Schemda plays club for the Colorado Rush Soccer Club and won a State Championship in 2005 and placed
second at the Disney Showcase in 2007.
“Sarah is a player that does the things no one notices,” Frias said. “She’s always in position to receive a ball and hardly
ever turns a ball over. She’s a central player that gets the wingers involved by constantly switching the point of
attack.”
Samantha Strom is a 5′5″ forward/midfielder from Fountain Valley, Calif. She earned four varsity letters in soccer and
one in volleyball at Fountain Valley High School. Strom served as a team captain in soccer as a senior. She was
named Most Valuable Offensive Player and to the Second Team Sunset League as both a freshman and sophomore.
As a junior, she was named Honorable Mention All-Sunset League. Strom plays club for Slammers FC and won a pair
National State Championships in 2005-06 and 2007-08 and won a Far West Regional Championship in 2007-08 in
addition to four Surf Cup Championships.
“Sam is what we call a plurifunctional player. She can pretty much play anywhere on the field. She has experience
playing as a striker, outside mid, and outside back,” Frias said. “She’s attacking minded and does extremely well with
the ball at her feet. We will see what position fits her best within our attacking scheme but we are primarily looking
at her as a striker. I’ve seen her score some unbelievable goals and we will look for her to continue her scoring
knack in the college game.”
2009 Nevada Soccer Incoming Class
Name Position Height Hometown (Last School)
Lauren Braman Defender 5’6” Niwot, Colo. (Niwot HS)
Samantha Johnson Midfielder 5’7” Ketchum, Idaho (Wood River HS)
Raylene Larot Midfielder 5’1” San Jose, Calif. (Evergreen Valley HS)
Esther Leon Forward/Mifielder 5’2” Oakland, Calif. (Berkekey HS)
Jillian Masciola Forward/Midfielder 5’3” Las Vegas, Nev. (Cimarron-Memorial HS)
Dana Moreno Goalkeeper 5’6” Chatsworth, Calif. (Chatsworth HS)
Jordan Ramsier Forward/Midfielder 5’10” Dallas, Texas (Plano West Senior HS)
Emma Rice Forward/Midfielder 5’4” Santa Clarita, Calif. (West Ranch HS)
Pauline Roman Defender 5’8” Loma Linda, Calif. (Loma Linda Academy)
Sarah Schmeda Midfielder 5’5” Littleton, Colo. (Chatfield Senior HS)
Samantha Strom Forward/Midfielder 5’5” Fountain Valley, Calif. (Fountain Valley HS)
Soccer Falls to UNLV at Nike Classic Friday
August 29, 2008 by Paul Klein
Filed under Soccer
The University of Nevada soccer team fell to UNLV, 5-1, in the first game of the UNLV Nike Classic this morning in Las Vegas
Jaime Frias Named Nevada’s Soccer Coach
January 14, 2008 by Paul Klein
Filed under Soccer
(photo from SFAS University)
Nevada Soccer Turning It Around
September 24, 2007 by admin
Filed under Men's Sports, Soccer, Women's Sports
It’s been an inauspicious beginning to Nevada’s ‘07 soccer season. For the first time in three years the Pack has lost three games in a row. The offense has yet to get untracked, the midfield has yet to come up with the right chemistry, the defense looks shaky at times and the quality of play in goal has yet to live up to the preseason hype. You might be saying to yourself, “Jeez…the soccer team is in trouble.” Worry not Pack fans, the season is still young. But there are a few things that need to be worked on if Nevada is to turn around the season.
The 2006 soccer team was led by a blistering, physical defense. That has yet to manifest itself in 2007. While it is true that Nevada lost some quality athletes in the back from last year, the returners have got to find a way to slow down attacks, put pressure on opposing forwards and keep the pressure off of freshman goalkeeper Marie Cove. That task lands squarely on the shoulders of senior captain Jessica Wilcox. Every game Wilcox will need to keep up her level of play while getting ultimate efforts from her fellow defenders - most notably juniors Trisha Gibbons and Patrice Godwin, as well as sophomore Devin Noe. If the defense can tighten the screws a bit, things will turn around in a hurry.
Last year, three games into the season, Nevada had tossed three shutouts. Leading the way was goalkeeper Caitlin Holmes. Having replaced the departed Holmes between the pipes, Cove hasn’t really struggled but she has yet to have the type of game that is expected of her at this level. Through three games, the freshman keeper has a 1.67 GAA and a .545 save percentage. Those numbers won’t strike fear in opposing offenses and while it’s unlikely Cove will match Holmes’ numbers from last year (0.53 GAA and .885 save percentage), she’ll need to step up her game to give the offense a chance to make some plays.
In ‘06 the midfield was led by slick-passing Aivi Luik (who has since graduated) and high-flying Miranda Montejo. The quality play in the middle of the pitch made for seamless transitions from defense to offense and allowed Nevada the opportunity for quick scoring opportunities. That hasn’t been the case so far this year. While the Pack certainly has the talent and the experience in the middle with senior Kenishia Warren, junior Jessica Thompson and a pair of captains — senior Blaine Dugan and Montejo, a junior…they’ll have to find the chemistry between them to keep the flow of the game going in a positive direction for Nevada.
Up front the Pack is as dangerous as ever, they just haven’t found their groove yet. Last year through three games the Pack had notched seven goals. This year through three games the Pack has scored only twice. Sharpshooting juniors Karen Zmirak and Samantha Miller need the opportunity to take more shots more often if Nevada is going to turn the season around. Through three games, the pair has 14 shots and one goal between them. Those numbers have got to get better. When they do, so will the Wolf Pack’s chances of playing into the postseason.
It’s a tall order for Nevada to fill but if there is any team on campus with the resilience, the skill and the “Nevada-tude” to overcome unimaginable adversity, this is the team that can do it.
By PJ Connolly
