MIAMI (June 30, 2015) – The FIU women's soccer team announced its 11-player signing class on Tuesday afternoon. The Panthers will be adding depth with in-state talents Jacqueline Byers, Taylor Coffee, Lauren Michael, Michelle Moreno and Sophia Trujillo, while Emily Baragar, Lyrik Fryer, Alyah Mitchell and Lauren Whitaker also look to make an immediate impact for the Panthers. FIU's latest recruiting class also extended itself overseas, as Jacqueline Manteas and Steffi Reischmann are slated to join the program, as well.

"FIU has a wide-ranging appeal, and that is seen by our group of recruits that span the country," said Head Coach Thomas Chestnutt. "Our staff did a tremendous job of identifying the talent within this group. We addressed needs that we had in the team. Indeed, when you consider our returning group, we feel that we have a group that will be capable of producing a high quality, competitive team. We are thrilled these girls will be representing FIU soccer this fall."
 
Emily Baragar – Fr.| Virginia Beach, Vir.| D| Princess Anne HS
Prior to FIU – Ranked the 20^th-best prospect out of Virginia by Maxpreps.com… Captained her high school team during her senior season… A multi-sport athlete, was named to the All-District team for field hockey (2012) and the All-State team for basketball (2013)… Played club ball with the Virginia Rush U18… With the Cavaliers, she was a four-year honor roll student and was part of the National Honor Society
 
Personal – Born Feb. 26, 1997… Daughter of Kelly and Monica Baragar… Majoring in biomedical engineering with hopes of becoming an engineer… Enjoys art projects and traveling
 
Jacqueline Byers – Fr.| Jensen Beach, Fla.,| F| Jensen Beach HS
Prior to FIU—A four-year varsity soccer player, she was named Jensen Beach's Rookie of the Year… The three-time MVP recipient captained her squad during her junior and senior campaigns… Named to the All-Area First Team by Treasure Coast and Palm Beach four times… Part of the MagicJack club team, she and her team won the 2011 Florida Cup, in addition to being the Orange Classic winner that same season.
 
Personal – Born April 10, 1997… Daughter of John Byers… Has four siblings (Jacey, 22; Cassandra, 20; Katie, 20; Laura, 16)… Graduated ranked No. 7 in her class… Studying nursing at FIU with hopes to earn her doctorate… Was also recruited by Florida State, Florida and UCF… Was part of her school's National Honors Society for three years.
 
Taylor Coffee – Fr.| Miami, Fla.| D| Charles Flannigan HS
Prior to FIU – A four-year varsity soccer player for Charles Flannigan High School, she was twice named to the All-Broward Second Team by both the Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel… Voted by the Broward County Athletic Association as a 2014-15 all-star… A native defender, she transitioned to a forward during her senior campaign and tallied 15 goals and 10 assists… Helped guide her high school team to back-to-back district championships during her junior and senior seasons… Has been a member of the Boca United travel team since 2011 and anchored the defense from the center back position… Most recently won the Disney Soccer Showcase Championship in 2014… A part of West Pines ODP in 2010, she went on to be named to the Super Y All-Star Team in 2011.
 
Personal – Born Jan. 24, 1997… Daughter of Clarence and Joy Coffee… Has five siblings… Majoring in physical Therapy with hopes to continue her soccer career or start her career rehabbing athletes… Enjoys fishing, the beach and spending time with her family.
 
Lyrik Fryer – Fr.| Issaquah, Wash. D| Issaquah HS
Prior to FIU – Spent four years on the Issaquah High School soccer team and capped off her final two seasons with MVP honors (2014, 2015)… With 29 goals and 48 assists in her career with the Eagles, she received All-State First-Team honors four times (2012-15)… Reached new levels of success in 2014 as she went on to earn All-American laurels… Twice she was named King County's Most Valuable Player (2014, 2015)… Began her club career with Eastside FC (2007-12), before winning the ECNL Flight B National Soccer Championship with NPFC, where she has been playing since 2012.
 
Personal – Born March 3, 1997… Daughter of Sean Fryer and Traci Szemleus… Majoring in international business with dreams to own her own business someday… Enjoys reading.
 
Jacqueline Manteas – Fr. | Bielefeld, Germany | D| Hans-Ehrenberg Gymnasium
Prior to FIU – Has over 14 years of soccer experience, which includes a second place victory at the German Championships in 2013 with her club team, FSU Gutersloh… She's been with her current club since 2009 and has an additional seven years of club ball experience with VFB Schlob-Hotle (2002-09).

Personal – Born Aug. 2, 1996… Daughter of Joannis and Andreea Manteas… Has one brother, Yannik (16)… Has not yet decided on a major, but hopes to continue her soccer career upon graduation.
 
Lauren Michael – Fr. | Tampa, Fla. | GK| Plant City High School
Prior to FIU – A four-year letter-winner with the Raiders, the 5-7 goalkeeper tallied 31 shutouts over her 58-game high school career…  Closed out the 2012 and 2013 seasons with team MVP honors and earned the starting spot between the pipes for three seasons… Held opponents to a 0.65 goals-against average as a senior… Was a First-Team All-County selection by the Tampa Tribune during the 2012-13 season and was selected to play in the Bright House Senior All-Star Game in 2015… Helped lead the Raiders to four-consecutive district championships during her tenure… A lengthy club career, she most recently played for the Tampa Bay United (2013-2015), while also spending time with Plant City Lancer FC, Lakeland FC (2012-13) and ODP 97… Was a four-time high honors student and graduated No. 12 in her senior class.
 
Personal – Born Aug. 19, 1997… Daughter of Jeffrey and Leslie Michael… Majoring in biochemistry and dreams to become a veterinarian… Enjoys running, going to the beach and reading… Volunteered with the Special Olympics for four years in high school.
 
Alyah Mitchell – Fr.| Mesquite, Texas| D| Mesquite HS
Prior to FIU—Played varsity soccer all four years with Mesquite… Tallied her team's most valuable player award as a sophomore, in addition to being named the Skeeters Offensive Player of the Year in a season where she led the squad in scoring… A three-time team captain, she helped lead her team to back-to-back 5A All-District Championships (2013, 2014)… Was an academic all-state selection as a senior and spend four years on the honor roll… ECNL experience includes four years with the Dallas Texans (2011-15).
 
Personal – Born Sept. 3, 1996… Daughter of Mark and Vakita Mitchell… Has one sister, Aysia (14)… Majoring in nursing with plans to become a physician's assistant… Enjoys listening to music and various craft projects
 
Michelle Moreno – Fr. | Miami, Fla.| F| John A. Ferguson HS
Prior to FIU – Spent two seasons on John A. Ferguson High School's soccer team, in addition to running track and field as a senior (2015)… Named to the All-Dade First-Team as a senior en route to earning District Champion laurels… Capped off her career with 16 goals and eight assists… Twice she was named to the Florida Champions League All-Star team.
 
Personal—Born Dec. 10, 1996… Daughter of Mauricio Moreno… Has three siblings… Majoring in biological sciences with plans to become a physical therapist… Enjoys working out and watching movies.
 
Steffi Reischmann – Fr. | Ravensburg, Germany | MF| Spohn Gymnasium
Prior to FIU – ­Began her extensive club career with FV Ravensburg, where she spent nine seasons (2003-11)… Also spent three years with TSV Tettnang (2011-14)… Is currently with FC Staad.

Personal—Born Oct. 27, 1997… Daughter of Wolfgang and Gabrielle Reischmann… Has three siblings… Majoring in business with hopes to work as an economist… Enjoys skiing.

Sophia Trujillo – Jr.| Miami, Fla.| GK| Gulliver Prep HS
As a sophomore (2014, San Diego State) – In two starts vs. UC Davis and UC Riverside, recorded three saves apiece… Won both games she started… Played in four matches for the Aztecs during the season, tallying seven saves and finishing with a 1.12 goals-against average.
 
As a freshman (2013, San Diego State) – Tallied first-career save in the Aztecs' 3-0 win over Colorado State
 
Prior to FIU – Named to the 2011 All-Dade County first team, she helped guide Gulliver Prep to the 2011 high school state championship… Was crowned the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year and made it consecutive seasons on the All-Dade first team… Took her team back to the state championship game during her senior campaign and was named Hispanic Athlete of the Year for her efforts that season… Two years of ODP experience while with the Weston White U17 (2010-11), she was given team captain honors in 2011… In the classroom, she was titled the senior ambassador for her graduating class while balancing National Society of High School Scholars duties.
 
Lauren Whitaker – Fr.| Greensboro, N.C.| D| Ragsdale HS
Prior to FIU – A four-year letterwinner at Ragsdale High School, she accumulated All-Conference honors from 2012-15, while being pinned to the All-Region team for three-straight seasons (2013-15)… Part of the Charlotte Soccer Academy ENCL from 2012-15, her lengthy club experience also includes two seasons with the NC Fusion Elite (2011-12) and TCYSA (2009-11).
 
Personal – Born May 12, 1997… Daughter of Bryan and Carolyn Whitaker… Has one sibling (Brenden, 19)… Was part of the National Honors Society as a junior and senior (2014-15)… Majoring in kinesiology with a focus in physical therapy… Plans to attend graduate school.