UST Women's Soccer Coach Nikola Barjaktarevic has announced the signing of six student-athletes during National Signing Day. Joining the Celts in the fall will be defender Kristen Bond (Sugarland, TX), midfielders Alyssa Miranda (Houston, TX), Alexandra Fernandez (Caracas, Venezuela) and Alette Taylor (Katy, Texas), forward Montserrat Espinoza (Humble, TX), and goalkeeper Kristy Correia (Beaumont, TX).

"We are incredibly excited to welcome this very talented group that will be a foundation of our soccer program. They all are passionate about soccer and want to get better," said head coach Nikola Barjaktarevic. "Recruiting process has been very rewarding, every day we feel closer to finalizing our 2014 recruiting class, and we are very happy with talent level, athleticism and character of our team so far."

Barjaktarevic, who was hired seven months ago to start the women's soccer program at University of St. Thomas, previously added Guadalupe Rodriguez, Yarimar Vazquez, Julia Lavergne, and Chelsea York, all from Houston area, to inaugural roster.

Kristen Bond, 5'8" defensive standout comes to University of St. Thomas from Stephen F. Austin high school. She had a similar role playing mostly as the central defender for her club team Eclipse SC and coach Steve "Willie" Williams, who had this to say about Bond: "Having known Kristen since she was 10 years old I am extremely happy to see her continue on to play soccer at University of St Thomas. Kristen is very committed, has a big personality and will be a big part of UST soccer over the coming seasons." Kristen, who started playing soccer at the age of four, was also a part of her high school volleyball team as freshman, and has been very involved in the community, volunteering as Sunday School Teacher as well as with the Fort Bend Animal Shelter. She joins her club teammate Julia Lavergne who signed with the Celts earlier in December.

Coach Barjaktarevic on Kristen Bond: "Kristen is passionate about soccer and comes from a great soccer family. She has great presence in the back; she is fast and very good in the air both defensively and offensively on set plays. She is a very versatile, likes to get involved in the attack, and can be very effective as a midfielder."

"It's an honor to be a member of the first women's soccer team at the University of St. Thomas and I'm looking forward to learning from Coach Nik and forming new friendships with my teammates, " said Bond. "I love the smaller class size and personalized attention from the teachers". Kristen plans to major in Pre-Physical Therapy at the University of St. Thomas.

Alyssa Miranda, midfielder from Houston, TX has been a 4 year varsity soccer player at Pope John XXIII. She was recognized as Choir state champion, and is also involved with student council where she serves as a vice president. Serving as a high school team captain for the past two years, she has proven herself as a very important part her new high school coach Theresa Kamara. "This young lady composes herself as a leader, and is outstanding on and off the field." Alyssa has been a member of Challenge Soccer Club since 2011 and will join her teammates Yarimar Vazquez and Chelsea York at University of St. Thomas. "Alyssa Miranda is a player that possesses great pace and technical ability. Primarily playing as a winger, she has continuously demonstrated the ability to beat defenders, and get into dangerous areas in front of goal," said her club coach Mike Asen.

Coach Barjaktarevic on Alyssa Miranda: "One thing that is constant whether I talk to her coaches or her team mates is her commitment to the team. Although small, she makes up for it and more with her pace and can be very effective going forward. She will primarily play as an outside midfielder, and has great potential to develop into a complete player, with her ability to combine well with her teammates as well find a way to score. Her speed will make opposition always account for her when we are attacking."

Alyssa Miranda plans to major in Biology, and has one more big motivation to be a part of Celt family as her parents both graduated from University of St. Thomas. "I was ecstatic to have an opportunity to continue my soccer career here and to be a part of the first women's soccer team. I chose UST academically because it is known to be a prestigious school, I wanted to stay close to home, and I also believe that it will help me become more successful later in life," said Miranda.

Kristy Correia, goalkeeper from Beaumont, TX is a senior captain for her soccer team at West Brook high school. Southeast Regional ODP qualifier in 2012, most recently Kristy has been a part of Houston Express Soccer Club. One of her club coaches, Steve Branz, had this to say about her: "Kristy is a solid goalkeeper who has a tireless work ethic and a tremendous demeanor. She can make the big save when needed and brings a quiet calm to her backline. I expect her to play an integral role in UST's inaugural season both on and off the field."

Rated in top 5% of her high school graduating class, she is also a member of National Honor Society. Besides being great academically, she is also very involved in her high school and community. At University of St. Thomas Kristy plans to major in Biology / Pre Physical Therapy. "I chose UST not only because of fulfilling my dream of playing college soccer, but countless opportunities that this will give me studying Physical Therapy, and also being close to home," said Correia. "I am also excited to be a part of the first ever team because it gives us a chance, as a team, to come together all at one time."

Coach Barjaktarevic on Kristy Correia: "We want players that are passionate to be a part of our University, our soccer program and Kristy showed us just that. She is a hard worker with great mentality, her strengths are shot stopping, good hands and diving technique, her composure in 1v1 situations, and has a great potential we are excited about."

Alexandra Fernandez and Montserrat Espinoza are both current UST students who impressed coach Barjaktarevic at open evaluation earlier during fall semester. They will both train during spring semester and officially join the team in fall 2014. "We hoped that with Houston being such a hotbed for soccer we will find talent on our campus, and I'm glad that both Alexa and Montse came out to tryouts. They are both passionate about soccer and glad they will be a part of our first ever team at UST," said coach Barjaktarevic.

Alexandra Fernandez, originally from Caracas, Venezuela is no stranger to Houston area as she graduated from Clements high school. She transferred to UST from Loyola University in Chicago, IL where she played club soccer. Alexandra is in her junior year at University of St. Thomas and majors in Biology / Pre-Physical Therapy. "I feel that UST is the best place for me to learn, grow, and excel both academically and in soccer. I love the culture and diversity of the campus as well as excellent faculty and staff here at UST," said Fernandez.

Coach Barjaktarevic on Alexandra Fernandez: "There is no secret formula to success and I believe that with hard work, great attitude and desire to succeed Alexa can be a very important member of our team. She possesses all of these qualities, and will compete for the spot in the attacking third. With her great sense for the goal, she can play both as an attacking midfielder and as a central forward."

Montserrat Espinoza, 5'8" forward from Humble, TX is a current freshman at UST majoring in Industrial Engineering. She graduated from Atascocita high school in 2013 and also trained with Challenge Soccer Club. "I'm really excited to be part of the inaugural team, I know that there are great expectations and I am ready for the challenge," said Montserrat. "This has become my home away from home, and I'm honored to represent the University of St. Thomas."

Coach Barjaktarevic on Montserrat Espinoza: "Montse has a great potential and I'm excited to work with her and see her continue to develop. She can have a great physical presence and our plan is to have her as one of our target forwards. She has a very nice character, very humble individual and is very passionate about soccer."

Alette Taylor, latest commitment to University of St. Thomas, is a senior midfielder from Morton Ranch high school. She plays club soccer for Challenge 96 Kingwood, and joins her club teammates Alyssa Miranda, Chelsea York and Yarimar Vazquez. All four players are coached by Mike Asen. "Alette is a very dynamic player with great mindset to beat defenders, and has the ability to get quality serves and shots off with both feet. Not only is she dangerous going forward, but commits herself to accepting defensive responsibilities to help her team. Alette has continuously developed every area of her game," said Asen. "Off the field she is a role model for her teammates, and is someone that truly loves and appreciates every opportunity she gets to play the game of soccer." Prior to Challenge Soccer Club, Alette played for Albion Hurricanes, National Fusion, and Texas Premier Soccer Club. She was recognized as 2012-2013 All-District Honorable Mention, and is very active both in high school activities and community service. At University of St. Thomas Taylor plans to major in Business.

Coach Barjaktarevic believes Taylor will continue to develop, and has great speed, athleticism and leadership qualities he is looking for. "I'm glad I had a chance to see Alette several times, and it seems that with every game she continued advance, and shows more characteristics of top class soccer player. She has warm personality, great character, is a hard worker, and I'm particularly impressed with her aggressive presence on both sides of the ball," said Barjaktarevic. "Alette will provide us with options in wide areas of the field, and naturally attacking player she will be able to penetrate and be dangerous to goal, and also provide our front line with great service from the flank."

"I chose UST because I wanted to be a part of something great and it interested me in many aspects – School or Business, location, size. What I'm most looking forward to is becoming a part of a new family. One that I hope will work together, strive for greatness and represent University of St. Thomas well," said Alette. "I'm proud to call myself a St. Thomas Celt."