Leader signs 10 for 2019

The Grand Canyon women's soccer team will add 10 players for the 2019 season, GCU head coach Derek Leader announced Wednesday.

The Lopes welcome five Arizona natives, as well as two players from Oregon, two from California and one from New Mexico.

"We are very excited to finally get this 2019 class here to GCU," Leader said. "We've waited a long time for this exciting group of players to arrive. It's a big group of players but we expect them to fit in perfectly with our remaining roster."

Emma Anderson (M / Clackamas, Ore. / Clackamas HS / Crossfire United)

"Emma has the potential to be a game-changer for us," Leader said. "She will give us poise and control at the 6, 8, or 10 position. She is skillful technically and tactically sound. This will help her be a vital playmaker for us in the midfield. We hope she makes an immediate impact."

A senior at Clackamas High School, Anderson has competed for three seasons with the soccer team as a starter. As a freshman, Anderson was named all-league second team and helped her team to the Mount Hood Championship title. As a sophomore, she was named all-league first team.

Anderson plans to major in nursing.

Ciara Bianchi (M / Phoenix, Ariz. / Pinnacle HS / SC del Sol DA)

"Ciara has the tools and work ethic to succeed in college," Leader said. "With her technical abilities and ability to play in tight spaces, she will definitely provide us depth anywhere on our frontline, which is what we need for the 2019 season."

A senior at Pinnacle High School, Bianchi played one season with the Pioneers. She was named MVP of the district and started on the varsity team with seven goals and 11 assists. Bianchi also played for SC del Sol DA.

Bianchi plans to major in nursing.

Nyah Bonchonsky (M / Gilbert, Ariz. / Hamilton HS / RSL AZ)

"Nyah is one of our many talented ball-handlers and play makers on our roster," Leader said. "She will be comfortable playing anywhere in the midfield. She has great vision on and off the ball and, coupled with her technical abilities, we are thrilled to have her join us."

A senior at Hamilton High School, Bonchonsky has competed for the Huskies for four seasons as a midfielder. She won multiple Player of the Game awards throughout her career and was a starter for her junior and senior seasons. Bonchonsky is a senior captain for the Huskies and won the 4.0 award in all four of her years at Hamilton.

Bonchonsky plans to major in nursing.

Ellie Busik (F / Happy Valley, Ore. / Clackamas HS / FCSC Nemesis)

"Ellie is a true '1v1' player that we have been looking for that will fit in perfectly anywhere on the wings," Leader said. "She is a very quick player but even quicker with the ball at her feet. We are excited to see what spark she brings to our attacking presence."

A senior at Clackamas High School, Busik is a forward for the Cavaliers. She has played on varsity for three seasons while also competing in track and field. Busik earned all-conference honorable mention in soccer and the Newcomer Award as a freshman in track.

Busik plans to major in art and education.

Tyler Ferguson (D / Phoenix, Ariz. / Desert Vista HS / SC del Sol DA)

"Tyler comes into GCU with a lot of experience and we are hoping that helps her be an instant leader as she will help to anchor our backline," Leader said. "She is a true competitor, fearless tackler and a great force in the air. She will fit in perfectly with our playing style."

A senior at Desert Vista High School, Ferguson has played two seasons with the Thunder as a defender. In 2016, she helped her team to a state championship and was a starter in 2016 and 2017. Ferguson was named Rookie of the Year for the 2015-16 season and selected to the Tempe All-City team for 2016-17.

Ferguson plans to major in business with an emphasis in finance and accounting.

Lauren Garthwaite (GK / Riverside, Calif. / Riverside Poly HS / Legends FC)

"Lauren is a goalkeeper from Riverside, California, that will bring fire and passion to an extremely competitive position," Leader said. "She is a very hard-working, athletic goalkeeper that plays with poise and confidence. This will all allow her to compete for a starting role as a freshman."

A senior at Riverside Poly High School, Garthwaite is the two-year starting goalkeeper and captain for the four-year undefeated Bears. Along with soccer, Garthwaite played football for the Bears as a kicker and punter and earned an award as the Special Teams MVP.

Garthwaite plans to major in kinesiology.

Raquel Hagar (D / Phoenix, Ariz. / Mountain Pointe HS / SC del Sol DA)

"Raquel will play anywhere on the flank for us," Leader said. "She has tremendous ability to get forward out of the back and, if we utilize her up top, she will be a threat with her ability to get in behind opponents backlines to create goal-scoring opportunities."

A senior at Mountain Pointe High School, Hagar is a defender for the Pride. She has competed for two years on the soccer team and also plays for SC del Sol DA.

Hagar plans to major in psychology.

Raeanne Jones (F / Chino Hills, Calif. / Chino Hills HS / Arsenal ECNL)

"Raeanne brings a unique ability that we have not had in the past for us up top," Leader said. "She is a very powerful and strong player that plays well with her back to goal. She will be able to hold the ball up for us as a target player up top or play underneath the front line. We are excited to see Raeanne's potential with all her athletic ability."

A senior at Chino Hills High School, Jones has competed for the Huskies for four seasons and played football for one season as the starting field goal kicker. While playing on the varsity squad, Jones was a starting forward for two seasons and a captain for one while being picked to the All-Baseline League first team twice. Jones also competed for Arsenal ECNL and was a four-year captain.

Jones plans to major in psychology.

Sophia Roberts (F / Albuquerque, N.M. / Eldorado HS / Rio Rapids 00)

"Sophia brings us speed and power on the left flank as a true lefty," Leader said. "She is a very explosive player that will be a vast threat going forward. Her ability to create and score goals will make her an immediate impact on our team."

A senior at Eldorado High School, Roberts is a forward for the Eagles. She helped her team to a state runner-up finish in 2015, a semifinal finish in 2016 and a quarterfinal finish in 2017. In 2016, Roberts was selected to the all-district second team and named an all-state honorable mention. In 2017, Roberts was selected to the all-district first team and made the all-state second team as Eldorado's leading scorer and captain.

Roberts plans to major in psychology.

Sydney Torres (F / Peoria, Ariz. / Sandra Day O'Connor HS / SC del Sol)

"Sydney is a small, quick and skillful player that will help us right away on our front line or in the midfield," Leader said. "She has great energy and has the ability to create and score goals with her dual threats. We are excited to see what she brings to GCU in the fall."

A senior at Sandra Day O'Connor High School, Torres played three seasons for the Eagles as a forward and attacking midfielder. As a freshman, she led the team in goals with 15 and helped the Eagles to a quarterfinal berth in the state tournament. As a sophomore, she helped her team reach the semifinals. Torres won the Soaring Eagle Award as the team's most valuable player.

Torres plans to major in athletic training.

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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