SAN FRANCISCO - In preparation for their 2016 campaign, ART U women's soccer head coach Katie Awerkamp has welcomes three new players to their roster.
 
The first recruit is Casey Childers who will join the Urban Knights as a freshman in the fall. Primarily a defender/midfielder, Childers hails from Las Vegas and will study photography at Academy of Art. During her four years at Shadow Ridge High School she was given the Best Defender Award in 2013 and also spent time with the Heat FC 98 Girls Club Team. Some her other accolades include playing on the championship-winning team in the Las Vegas Labor Day Classic (2012), Las Vegas Mayor's Classic (2013), and the Nevada State Championship (2013).
 
"Casey is bringing in great experience to provide us depth in both the backfield and midfield," said Awerkamp. "She understands positioning and will help us keep balanced in the back with her ability to read the game."
 
Chayney Mata is the next signee and will be transferring to ART U after having spent the previous two years at Folsom Lake College. There, the acting major helped compile a 19-3-2 record while playing the defensive midfielder and defender positions. Mata was named to the Bay Valley Conference First Team in her freshman season was named to the Second Team while captaining the Falcons during her second year. Before embarking on her college career, Mata played four years of soccer at Vista Del Logo High School (three on varsity).
 
"Chayney is coming from a well-established program at Folsom Lake," said Awerkamp. "She will bring a very good understanding of the game, good vision, and passing ability to help create more in our middle and attacking third."
 
Dani Tellez also joins Academy of Art as a transfer in the fall after spending the previous two years at Division I, University of Akron. The defender joins the team as a sophomore will study Interior Design. Before playing for Akron, Tellez spent a season with the No. 1 IMG Academy Soccer Program while residing in Florida.
 
"Dani will provide versatility, depth and will have an immediate impact on our back line," said Awerkamp. "She has tremendous athleticism, speed and a solid understanding of the game…These three recruits will bring an abundance of experience to our current group and will provide a big impact from the start."