VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbirds women's soccer program is pleased to welcome eight sought after recruits who are set to join the squad in the fall of 2020. Following a magical 2019 National Championship title run last November the T-Birds saw very little off-season turnover and will look to return to glory in 2020 after only bolstering their already deep squad at all positions with impactful players from across Canada and California.


 
The group features three midfielders, two forwards, two defenders and one goalkeeper, all of whom possess leadership and experience at the top levels possible in their respective regions. All six Canadian players have played for their provincial teams and have been key contributors in those environments. Both American players hale from California where they have been stars and key member of their club teams.
 
Joining the forward group that sees all strikers returning from 2019 is Jade Taylor-Ryan from Ottawa, Ont. and local talent Polly Radnidge from Vancouver, BC.
 
Taylor-Ryan heads west following a dominant season where she claimed the league scoring title for her club team Ottawa South United. The 2017 team MVP who was also recognized with the high school athlete of the year award will study Arts at UBC.


 
Radnidge, joins the 'Birds after also claiming a scoring title for her hometown Fusion FC, further to that the speedy striker captained her Provincial Development Program squad. The honour roll student will study Arts on the Point Grey campus.


 
Both players exhibit athleticism and technical abilities that will help add more fire power to the current front line.
 
"Jade can play as a target player or out wide," said fifth-year T-Birds head coach Jesse Symons. "Her power and ability to hold up the ball is outstanding. She'll prove to be both a playmaker and goal scorer at the Canada West level."
 
"Polly has electrifying pace that will make any defender be wary of space behind them," continued Symons. "Her finishing ability is so mature and her competitive spirit will allow her to be a leader."
 
Sophia Kramer joins the T-Birds out of Surrey, BC where she captained her hometown Surrey United to a third place finish this past season at nationals. Kramer, who will study Arts has the quality to control the game from her central-midfield position.


 
Annie Plecas is another Vancouver native out of the local Fusion FC club where she's a powerful presence that can play in a holding midfield or box to box midfield role. The honour roll student will study Arts as a Thunderbird.


 
Completing the incoming midfield trio is Josie Claypool, a holding midfielder who'll come across the Rockies out of Calgary, Alta. Where she helped lead her club team Calgary Foothills FC to a Provincial championship. The versatile Claypool can also play in any defensive role and will be very busy off the pitch as the honour roll student has set her sights on a Kinesiology and Masters of Management dual degree at UBC.


 
Symons added an overview on the three newcomers that will provide a presence in the middle of the park.
 
"Sophia has qualities to manage games with her vision and technical qualities, she is someone that can see the game at different speeds than most. She is able to unlock defenses with sublime penetrating passes or find spaces to score herself."
 
"Annie is an out and out competitor that will do anything for her team. She is someone that everyone would want on their side when the battle intensifies."
 
"Josie has all the qualities you want in a player on a team. She will be the ultimate teammate and lead by example. She can play a multitude of positions based on her high soccer IQ and athleticism. She will be someone that could be fighting to start in a few positions from day one with us."
 
Moving to the back line the T-Birds welcome Mary Nicholls, a center back from Vancouver Island where she captained the Vancouver Island Wave in youth before joining the Nanaimo Women's premier team. The native of Ladysmith possesses all the intangibles to star at the Canada West level and will study Arts.


 
Ella Nuttall-Smith heads north from the LA Galaxy development academy soccer club where she started every match at center back. The honour roll student out of Hermosa Beach, Calif. will be studying Arts and brings with her exceptional qualities on set pieces that will ensure she's a target in both attacking and defending boxes.


 
"Mary has tremendous ball striking and distribution abilities," said Symons. "She has qualities that will allow our team to play out of the back tactfully and efficiently."
 
"Ella will come in and be one of the most athletic centre backs in our conference, she is a fierce competitor who truly thrives off stopping opposing from creating chances at goal."
 
Finally, to the last line of defence, Lita Billman also flocks north to join the 'Birds from just outside San Francisco in San Carlos, Calif. The five-foot ten-inch goalkeeper has all the attributes to push the current backstops occupying the UBC net. Billman will be studying Arts and should enter the varsity environment with plenty of confidence given her recent credentials as a first-team all-league goalkeeper of the year for Peninsula SC in her senior year.


 
"Lita follows a long line of top goalkeepers that have suited up for the Thunderbirds," continued Symons. "She has qualities that you look for in a keeper that will develop and push our current payers. She has height, athleticism and a vocal personality to really lead from the back."


 
During the T-Birds exhilarating run to the 2019 title one constant factor included stout defence as they upset opponents at every stage including three straight 1-nothing victories to claim a record extending seventh national championship for the program. That commitment to defence remains among the pedigree of the standout new additions that will aim to help the squad repeat in 2020.