Bearcats Add Seven Recruits to Women's Soccer Team for 2018 Season

By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications

SALEM, Ore. -- Willamette University women's soccer Head Coach Hillary Arthur has announced her recruiting class for the 2018 season. The class includes three athletes from California, plus two from Oregon and two from Washington. Six of the newcomers will be freshmen this season, while one is a transfer student who will be a junior. Each recruit brings significant high school and club experience, along with the versatility to play more than one position.

Set to arrive at Willamette in August to begin practicing with the Bearcats for the first time are Emma Blackburn from Los Altos, California; Julia Fecteau from Bend, Oregon; Genevieve Main from San Francisco, California; Paige Murray from Olympia, Washington; Jordan Roue from San Jose, California; Kira Saito from West Linn, Oregon; and Sydney Wilson from Olympia, Washington.

Here is the women's soccer recruiting class for the Bearcats as they enter the 2018 season:

Emma Blackburn (Fr., M/F, Los Altos, CA/Saint Francis HS) played soccer at Saint Francis High School. She is a midfielder and a forward. She played club soccer with the Mountain View Los Altos Soccer Club.

Coach Arthur on Emma:

"Emma is a very dynamic player with tons of speed and a great touch on the ball. She's very good at both ends of the field, creating attacking opportunities and providing solid defensive work. We look forward to seeing Emma in a Bearcat jersey this fall."

Julia Fecteau (Fr., M, Bend, OR/Bend HS) will be a midfieldr and a wing player for the Bearcats. She competed at Bend High School and played for the Bend FC Timbers in club soccer.

Coach Arthur on Julia:

"Julia is a skilled player with the ball at her feet. She has great field vision and is able to connect well everywhere on the field. Her passion for the game is evident in her play. We're glad that Julia is going to be a Bearcat."

Genevieve Main (Jr., M/D, San Francisco, CA/Gateway HS//Bryn Mawr College) joins the Willamette women's soccer team after playing for Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. Main is a midfielder and outside defender with previous experience at Gateway High School in San Francisco. She also has played for the San Francisco Elite Academy soccer team.

Coach Arthur on Genevieve:

"We are excited to welcome Gena to Bearcat Soccer. Her ability to create up top, combined with her speed, will be a killer combination. We look forward to watching her score goals."

Paige Murray (Fr., D/M, Olympia, WA/Capital HS) played soccer at Capital High School in Olympia, Washington. She is an outside back who can also playon the wing in midfield. Murray played club soccer for Blackhills FC.

Coach Arthur on Paige:

"Paige's speed and ability to close down space effectively will definitely impact our defensive efforts this fall. She is always working to push herself and to help her team. She has a knack for being in the right spaces at the right times."

Jordan Roue (Fr., GK, San Jose, CA/Prospect HS) joins the Willamette soccer team as a goalkeeper, but can also play as a defender. She competed at Prospect High School and has played club soccer for Mountain View Los Altos Soccer Club.

Coach Arthur on Jordan:

"Jordan has a great work ethic and will strengthen us in the net. Jordan has also spent time on the field as a defender. Her ability to combine those strengths will be a great contribution to the team."

Kira Saito (Fr., M, West Linn, OR/West Linn HS) will play in the midfield for the Bearcats. She played soccer at West Linn High School and competed in club soccer for Crossfire Oregon. She has the ability to contribute to the team on both offense and defense.

Coach Arthur on Kira:

"Kira is a very consistent center midfielder who does a great job of controlling tempo and pace of play. She's both strong defensively and offensively in her role on the field. She also provides support both on and off the ball and in all phases of play."

Sydney Wilson (Fr., M, Olympia, WA/Capital HS) will be a midfielder for the Bearcats. She competed in soccer at Olympia High School and on the FC Salmon Creek club team. She scored 10 goals and earned five assists for her high school team last season and earned First Team All-Area honors in Washington.

Coach Arthur on Sydney:

"Sydney excels in the center midfield with her creativity on the ball. She's a versatile player providing key offense and defensive plays."