SALEM, Ore. – Losing a core of defensive student-athletes to the 2023 spring commencement ceremony doesn't bode well for the Corban University Women's Soccer program after one of their best stalwart seasons in school history, but head coach Whitney Pitalo has revamped her roster with fourteen new additions to revitalize her crew and make another push towards a Cascade Collegiate Conference Tournament appearance, which would be their tenth-consecutive appearance should they qualify this upcoming season.
"We're excited to bring in the first recruiting class of my time here at Corban!" Pitalo shared when asked about her incoming group of transfers and freshmen. "A third of the class will be freshmen and the rest comprised of transfers to help replace the leadership we lost in our 2023 graduating class."
When asked to touch on how the new recruits will help build the program back into the defensive juggernaut that her team was in the 2022 season, Pitalo stated, "I expect to have another strong defensive year and I'm excited about the addition of a few proven goal scorers to bolster our attacking front. Our midfield will be almost entirely new, but watching them play over the summer for their respective USLW teams has me very optimistic about their arrival and confident they will make an immediate impact in our conference."
To read more about the thirteen new additions to the Corban women's soccer program, see below for a brief biography assigned to each of the brand-new Warriors.
Adilynn Brotnov – 5'6" – Defender/Midfielder – Oregon Trail Academy/Clark College – Sandy, Ore.
Brotnov joins Corban after a prestigious junior college career. While at Clark College, Adilynn was named an NWAC South Region All-Star defender after claiming an NWAC South Region Championship and became back-to-back NWAC finalists. Prior to her collegiate career, Brotnov earned an All-State First Team recognition and won the Conference Championships in 2016 and 2017. She also won a 2019 State Championship with her club team Eastside FC.
Brotnov intends to join Corban's Kinesiology program with the goal of becoming a Physical Therapist.
Catriona Burns – 5'9" – Goalkeeper – Linlithgow Academy/Coffeyville CC – Linlithgow, Scotland
A transfer and international athlete, Burns comes to the Warriors after two impactful seasons at Coffeyville Community College. During her junior college career, she was named to the 2022 KJCAA First Team All-Conference list, a 2022 KJCAA Second Team All-Region award winner, and 2021 Second Team All-Conference.
Burns plans to major in Biology during her time at Corban.
Elizabeth Hernandez – 5'0" – Midfielder – North Salem HS/Lane CC – Salem, Ore.
Hernandez transfers to Corban after competing in track and cross country at Lane Community College. Elizabeth was an All-American in track and field while winning back-to-back Southern Region and NWAC Cross Country Championships for the Titans. Prior to Lane, Hernandez played soccer in high school where she was recognized as a team captain, a two-time Second Team All-League student-athlete, and multiple All-League Honorable Mentions. Hernandez also won two track and field state championships while at North Salem.
Hernandez intends to join the Pre-Dental program at Corban with the goal of working in dental hygiene.
Kelli Huskic – 5'3" – Forward – David Douglas CC/Clark College – Portland, Ore.
Huskic joins Corban after a highly decorated junior college career at Clark College. Kelli was recognized as the South Region MVP, the Clark Female Athlete of the Year, and a two-time NWAC Finalist. She leaves the Penguins as the all-time leading goal scorer, all-time leader in points scored, and a two-time Vice-President's List member. Prior to her time at Clark, Huskic was named a two-time Mount Hood All-Conference First Teamer, the 2019 OregonLive Top Forward, and a 2018 Portland Tribune Athlete of the Week. She also snagged a 2019 Oregon State Cup Championship with the Eastside Timbers Club.
Huskic plans to join the Education program as a Warrior with intentions of becoming a special education teacher.
Caterina La Manna – 5'3" – Defender – Liceo Statale Pasquale Villari/Coffeyville CC – Napoli, Italy
La Manna joins Burns, Virguez, and Reid as international students transferring to Corban from Coffeyville CC. Caterina attended Liceo Statale Pasquale Villari for high school prior to coming to the United States.
Kieser plans to join Corban's Psychology program with hopes to become a sport therapist.
Vitoria Marocci – 5'4" – Midfield – Colegio Litteratus/Umpqua CC – Sao Paulo, Brazil
An international transfer from Brazil, Marocci joins Corban after competing in both soccer and basketball at Umpqua Community College. Vitoria was named the captain of the soccer team and recognized as the Outstanding Student in Athletic Service with the Riverhawks.
Marocci intends to join Corban's Kinesiology program with the goal of eventually becoming an athletic trainer.
Sofia Ospina – 5'3" – Defender – Colegio Santiago de Compostella/Northeast Texas CC – Bogota, Colombia
Ospina comes to Corban after completing the previous two seasons at Northeast Texas Community College. Prior to NTCC, Lina was a member of Siena F.A., Patriotas F.C., and was called to play professionally in Nicaragua. Ospina's athletic ability extends from her father and uncle, who were both former Olympic gymnasts.
Ospina plans to major in General Studies with intentions of becoming a psychologist.
Shyanne Reid – 5'5" – Defender – Cardinal Leger HS/Coffeyville CC – Ontario, Canada
Reid is another international student transferring to Corban from Coffeyville CC, being recognized as a two-time All-Region, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and three-time First Team All-Conference member. She was also MVP of Cardinal Leger High School and All-Conference Best Starting XI for Sioux Falls FC. Shyanne originates from a history of high-level soccer with her mother, Karen Pratt, previously playing for Arsenal FC.
Reid plans to study Social Services with intentions of becoming a social service worker.
Valentina Virguez – 5'4" – Midfielder – San Jose de Tarbes HS/Coffeyville CC – Caracas, Venezuela
The final international student transferring to Corban from Coffeyville CC, Virguez was an Honor Roll selection all four semesters at Coffeyville. She reached the regional semifinals and back-to-back second place conference finishes for the Red Ravens. Virguez competed with the club team Deportivo Petare in Venezuela, winning two second division national titles. Virguez also competed with Deportivo La Guaira, where she was an integral part of winning the U18 and U16 national tournaments.
Virguez plans to study Sport Management and Media Arts during her time at Corban.
Ella Alvarez – 6'2" – Midfielder – Douglas MacArthur HS – San Antonio, Texas
Alvarez comes to Corban after eleven years of club soccer in San Antonio. She was a captain for San Antonio City SC 04/05 GA, Girls Academy Top 30 ID Selection Frontier Conference, and was a Girls Academy Frontier Conference Representative.
Alvarez will major in Kinesiology with intentions of becoming a physical therapist.
Ava Hayes – 5'7" – Goalkeeper – All Saints College – Perth, Australia
Hayes come to Salem from the land down under, where she was a dual-sport athlete competing in both soccer and basketball. She was recognized with the Soccer Colors Award, Soccer and Basketball Honors Award, a two-time Soccer Team Best and Fairest, and three-time Basketball Team Best and Fairest. Hayes also competed for the Murdoch University Melville Football Club, where she earned the Coaches Award, Best and Fairest Honor, placed first in the U18 and U16 Division I leagues, competed in the National Premier League in the under 21 competitions, and placed third in the Singapore International Cup.
Hayes intends to study Business Management and Leadership with intentions of becoming an entrepreneur.
Shaelee Killorn – 5'3" – Midfielder/Defender – John Adams Academy – Lincoln, Calif.
The first Killorn sister added to the roster for the 2023 season, Shaelee joins Corban after a highly decorated high school career where she competed in soccer, basketball, and cross country. Killorn was named a soccer team captain, two-time NPAC First Team All-League, and a NPAC Co-League Champion. She was also recognized on the hardwood, being named two-time team captain, NPAC MVP, three-time NPAC Conference Champion, two-time NPAC First Team All-League, BVCS Holiday Classic Tournament Second Team, and reached the CIF SJS D5 Semi Finals. She also earned NPAC First Team All-League recognition in Cross Country. Shaelee and her sister, Shannel, join their mother, Shale Killorn, as a collegiate athlete to come from the immediate family.
Shaelee plans to study Kinesiology during her time a Corban.
Shannel Killorn – 5'4" – Forward/Defender – John Adams Academy – Lincoln, Calif.
The second Killorn sister added to the Corban roster, Shannel joins the Warriors after an equally prolific high school career where she competed in soccer, basketball, and cross country. Killorn was also named a soccer team captain, a three-time NPAC First Team All-League, and a NPAC Co-League Champion. Killorn was recognized on the basketball court as two-time Team Captain, three-time NPAC Conference Champion, three-time NPAC First Team All-League, and reached the CIF SJS D5 Semi Finals. Shannel and her sister, Shaelee, join their mother, Shale Killorn, as a collegiate athlete to come from the immediate family.
Shannel intends to join her sister in the Kinesiology program while a member of the Warriors.
Gabrielle Nakamura – 5'4" – Midfielder – Ridgeview HS – Redmond, Ore.
The Warriors add Nakamura after she wraps up a two-sport high school athletic career. Gabrielle was named both a First Team All-League and Second Team All-State member for her volleyball efforts at Ridgeview High School. Nakamura is the first family member to play collegiate athletics since her mother, Kiani Nakamura, played softball at Oregon State University.
Nakamura intends to study Bio Medical Sciences during her time with the Navy and Gold.
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