Soccer Inks Six To National Letter Of Intent

LAFAYETTE – Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns women's soccer coach Scot Wieland announced on Monday the signing of six players to a National Letter of Intent for the 2017 season.

Joining the Ragin' Cajuns in the fall are defenders Alessandra Busalacchi (El Cajon, Calif.), Molly Davis (Lafayette, Calif.) and Julianne DeBlieux (Houma, La.), midfielder Una Einarsdottir (Gardur, Iceland), goalkeeper Victoria Ryan (Santa Clarita, Calif.) and forward Grace Champagne (Houma, La.).

"This is one of the best recruiting classes we have ever had here at UL," Wieland said. "This group brings in a lot of experience, both nationally and internationally. All are expected to compete immediately for a starting spot.

"We are very excited about these young ladies and we feel strongly that they, when added to our returners, will give us a great chance of competing for a conference title next fall."

Busalacchi, a four-year varsity starter, led Valhalla (Calif.) High School to the San Diego Section CIF championship and California State Regional Finals as a junior and to the San Diego Section CIF finals as a sophomore. A two-time captain, Busalacchi was an all-league selection in 2015 and finished her career as the highest scoring defender.

Davis, who played for one of the top club teams (California Magic SC) on the West Coast, helped Acalanes (Calif.) High School to an undefeated record in Diablo Athletic League play as a sophomore while being named the team's Inspirational Athlete of the Year as a senior.

DeBlieux, a five-year letterwinner at Houma's Vanderbilt Cathlolic, helped the Terriers to five district titles and a Division II state championship. A three-time all-district selection, DeBlieux helped VCHS to a combined record of 114-29-15 record, including a 21-4-3 record in 2016-17 and the No. 1 seed in the LHSAA Division III state playoffs.

Einarsdottir, a member of the U-17 Icelandic National Team, played in nine games with two goals scored for a team that competed in the UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship. A four-year starter for Keflavik (ISL), she helped her club team to three top-3 finishes, including a combined 18-1-7 record and back-to-back second-place performances in the Junior League.

Ryan, a four-year letterwinner, helped lead Hart (Calif.) High School to a pair of league championships and state playoff berths. As a junior, she helped HHS to the semifinals of the California Interscholastic Federation in 2015 and a quarterfinal appearance in 2016.

Champagne, a five-time all-district selection at Vandebilt Catholic, recorded 107 goals and 86 assists in her career for the Terriers. Named the Most Outstanding Player in the 2015 Division II state championship game, Champagne helped VCHS to a combined record of 114-29-15 record, including a 21-4-3 record in 2016-17 and the No. 1 seed in the LHSAA Division III state playoffs.

2017 LOUISIANA RAGIN' CAJUNS SOCCER SIGNING CLASS
Alessandra Busalacchi - D, El Cajon, Calif. (Albion FC)
Grace Champagne - F, Houma, La. (Vandebilt Catholic HS)
Molly Davis - D, Lafayette, Calif. (California Magic SC)
Julianne DeBlieux - D, Houma, La. (Vandebilt Catholic HS)
Una Einarsdottir - MF, Gardur, Iceland (Keflavik IF)
Victoria Ryan - GK, Santa Clarita, Calif. (Arsenal FC)

SCOT WIELAND QUOTES
On Alessandra Busalacchi
"Ally is a tremendous athlete that can play on both the left and right side of the back 4. Her speed and ability to get forward and join the attack will cause problems for any team we play. She has competed at a very high level on the West Coast and this experience will impact our team immediately."

On Grace Champagne
"Grace is a forward with pace that can hurt any team. She has achieved a great amount of success under coach Phil Amedee at Vandebilt Catholic High School, scoring a countless number of goals and winning state titles along the way. Her pace to get in behind teams will be a great additional threat to our attack next fall."

On Molly Davis
"Molly is a very technical central defender who is comfortable building out of the back under pressure. She has played at a very high level on the West Coast for a club that promotes the style of play we are looking to build here. Her composure on the ball will allow us to play the way we want to play. Molly has the potential to play a huge role for us this fall!"

On Julianne DeBlieux
"Julianne is a very strong, athletic defender who has the potential to be an impact for us defensively next fall. She has experience winning state titles at Vandebilt Catholic High School and we feel she can bring that winning mentality to our program."

On Una Einarsdottir
"Una brings with her a wealth of experience having played at a very high club level in Iceland, and also playing for the U-17 Icelandic National Team. She can score goals from range, especially in dead ball situations, and her awareness and creativity allow her to play key passes in attacking areas of the field. Her ability on the ball, especially her range of passing, means she has the potential to play a huge role for us this fall."

On Victoria Ryan
"Victoria comes to us from one of the best teams in California. She brings a presence to the goal and has great shot stopping ability. Her distribution, both with her hands and feet, are very good, and would allow us to build from the back using our goalkeeper. We fully expect Victoria to compete for a starting spot on our team this fall."

University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics

Soccer Inks Six To National Letter Of Intent

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