James Salazar
Staff Writer
Following a condensed season, USF women’s soccer will return to the pitch in the fall with four fresh faces on the squad. Learn a bit about the future Dons below.
Emmie Paulson, Defender, Xavier College Preparatory, Litchfield Park, Arizona
A two-time letter winner, Paulson was named team captain during her senior year and led Xavier Prep to a 6A Arizona State Championship. Under Paulson’s leadership, Xavier Prep only conceded six goals all season. Over her final two seasons, Paulson tallied two goals and four assists.
Elle Soleau, Midfielder, Huntington Beach High School, Huntington Beach, California
An experienced club level player with the Pateadores Soccer Club’s U-17 team, Soleau is also an honor roll student with a 4.0 GPA. She has also had experience playing with the CDA Slammers FC, being selected to their Olympic Development team. Away from the pitch, Soleau was a member of her high school’s surf team.
Allison Kamansky, Defender, Chino Hills High School, Chino Hills, California
In Kamansky’s freshman year, she played for West Coast FC’s developmental academy program. In her inaugural season, Kamansky played in 23 of 26 contests and scored one goal. During her sophomore year, Kamansky played for the OC Surf development academy team. She led the Surf’s U16-17 team to a fifth place finish. Kamansky’s junior year saw her lead the Southern California Blues’ U-17 team to a top finish, and the squad was ranked as the No. 1 team in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer.
Kira Ybarra, Goalkeeper, Long Beach Polytechnic High School, Long Beach, California
A three-time varsity letter winner in high school, Ybarra led Long Beach Polytechnic on postseason runs in her sophomore and junior years. A two-time All-Moore League honoree, Ybarra tallied 10 clean sheets last season. She also played club soccer, leading Cal South, an Olympic development team, to a championship in 2017. In 2019, Ybarra led Strikers FC to an Elite Clubs National League Championship as well.
