Chris Jaques, WT Athletics

Women's Soccer 6/22/2026 10:49:00 AM

Lady Buff Soccer Announces Their 2026 Signing Class

Class Features 18 Players

CANYON, TEXAS – West Texas A&M women's soccer Head Coach Turk Ozturk has announced the 2026 signing class for the Lady Buffs that features 18 total players with nine transfers and nine freshmen.

"This incoming class, along with our returners will set the foundation for success, as we look to build on last year's momentum," said Ozturk. "This group not only has the character, but also the mentality to commit for championships on the field and continue to elevate the program in the classroom. We are excited for the future of Lady Buff Soccer."

The full class is as follows:

Nine Transfers
Sienna Hurrell – Kingston Upon Thames, England (Louisiana)
Riley Sims – Harker Heights, Texas (Louisiana)
Bailee Ramirez – Phoenix, Arizona (McNeese State)
Blanca Negrete – Riverbank, California (Tennessee-Martin)
Charo Rodriguez Fortea – Buenos Aires, Argentina (Navarro College / Argentina Youth National Team)
Rozlyn Rumsey – Abilene, Texas (Navarro College)
Naya Megnin – Paris, France (Miami Dade College)
Sara Soto – Guatemala City, Guatemala (University of the Cumberlands / Guatemala Youth National Team)
Samantha Solorzano – San Jose, California (San Francisco State)

Nine Freshmen
Sofia Rogers – Austin, Texas (McNeil HS)
TaiLee Long – Erie, Colorado (Erie HS)
Izzy Blancaflor – Salado, Texas (Salado HS)
Payten Novak – Albuquerque, New Mexico (La Cueva HS)
Kennedy Casello – Puyallup, Washington (Rogers HS)
Makenah Salas – Fort Collins, Colorado (Fossil Ridge HS)
Mary Valdez – Albuquerque, New Mexico (La Cueva HS)
Braely Martinez – Windsor, Colorado (Windsor HS)
Karime Gallardo – Dallas, Texas (John Paul II HS)

Sienna Hurrell | Junior | Forward | 5'6 | Kingston Upon Thames, England | University of Louisianna Lafayette

An incoming junior from the University of Louisianna Lafayette, Sienna Hurrell appeared in 22 games for the Ragin Cajuns with 10 starts. She tallied four points in her tenure stemming from one goal and two assists to go along with 12 shots and eight shots on goal. She logged 1010 minutes at forward. Hurrell played club soccer at Arsenal U 21's and high school soccer at Oakland College.

Riley Sims | Junior | Midfielder | 5'3 | Harker Heights, Texas | University of Louisiana Lafayette

Riley Sims will also be an incoming junior from the University of Louisianna Lafayette. She played in 12 games with one start during her tenure. She tallied three shots with one landing on goal in 250 minutes in the midfield. Hailing from Harker Heights, Texas, Sims played high school soccer at Ellison High School where she was a team captain, the District MVP in 2024 and a three-time Team MVP. She also played club soccer with FC Dallas where she was a two-time National Champion, three-time Regional Champion, a team captain, and a part of the ECNL RL Regional Team.

Bailee Ramirez | Junior | Midfielder/Forward | 5'5 | Phoenix, Arizona | McNeese State

Bailee Ramirez comes to Canyon as a junior from McNeese State by way of Phoenix, Arizona. In her tenure with the Cowgirls, Ramirez appeared in 22 games where she made four starts. She produced four points on a goal (game-winner) and two assists to go with seven shots and two shots on goal. Ramirez played 569 minutes in the midfield and forward positions. She played high school soccer at Westview where she earned Second Team All-Region as a striker in her sophomore year and led the team in goals in her sophomore and junior seasons. Ramirez also played club soccer with Phoenix Rising ECNL RL.

Blanca Negrete | Graduate | Midfielder/Defender | 5'4 | Riverbank, California | University of Tennessee Martin

Blanca Negrete will be an incoming graduate student from the University of Tennessee Martin. She appeared in five games in the midfield and defense where she played 139 minutes. Negretecomes from Riverbank, California where she played high school soccer for Enochs. She also competed in Spain for the Donosti Cup in the U25 division.

Charo Rodriguez Fortea | Junior | Midfielder| 5'2 | Buenos Aires, Argentina | Navarro College

An incoming junior from Navarro College, Charo Rodriguez Fortea was part of the Bulldogs roster that appeared in the NJCAA National Tournament for the past two seasons. Rodriguez Fortea also played for the Argentinian U17 National Team. She played high school soccer for Santisimo Redentor and club soccer for River Plate.

Rozlyn Rumsey | Junior | Defender | 5'9 | Abilene, Texas | Navarro College

Rozlyn Rumsey will also be an incoming junior from Navarro College. During her time with the Bulldogs, Rumsey was named to the Region 5 All-Region team in her freshman season and earned Region 14 Second Team All-Conference in her sophomore year. A native of Abilene, Texas, Rumsey played high school soccer at Wylie where she was named First Team All-Conference in her junior and senior seasons while being named Defensive MVP her final three years.

Naya Megnin | Junior | Forward | 5'2 | Paris, France | Miami Dade College

Naya Megnin comes to Canyon as a junior forward from Miami Dade College. Throughout her tenure, she played in 24 games with eight starts. She accumulated five points from two goals and an assist to go with 11 shots. Megnin hails from Paris, France where she played high school soccer at ETPSHN Paris St. Germain.

Sara Soto | Junior | Forward | 5'3 | Guatemala City, Guatemala | University of Cumberlands

An incoming junior from the University of Cumberlands, Sara Soto appeared in 37 games with 16 starts for the Patriots. She produced 14 points from six goals and two assists while firing 32 shots with 21 landing on goal. The Guatemala City, Guatemala native played 1412 minutes at forward. Soto would be named to the NAIA All-Tournament Team will also earning NAIA Scholar Athlete and MSC Academic All-Conference. She would play high school soccer at Colegio Cristiano Verbo.

Samantha Solorzano | Sophomore | Defender | 5'5 | San Jose, California | San Francisco State

Samantha Solorzano arrives to Canyon as a sophomore from San Francisco State. Solorzano played in 16 games with four starts in her freshman campaign. She totaled two shots with one landing on goal in 655 minutes on defense. The San Jose, California native was a four year starter at Abraham Lincoln High School where she was Second Team All-League and an Honorable Mention All-League. Solorzano also played club soccer for De Anza Force ECNL.

Sofia Rogers | Freshman | Goalkeeper | 5'5 | Austin, Texas | McNeil High School

Sofia Rogers will be an incoming freshman coming from Austin, Texas and McNeil High School. She earned First Team and Second Team All-District Honors while being named Team MVP in two seasons as a goalkeeper. Rogers also played club soccer with Capital City Soccer.

Izzy Blancaflor | Freshman | Forward | 5'2 | Salado, Texas | Salado High School

Izzy Blancaflor will be joining her sister (Franciezca Blancaflor) at WT in 2026. She is a forward from Salado, Texas and played high school soccer at Salado High School. She earned First Team All-State and a Team Offensive MVP as Salado accumulated three state tournament appearances in her tenure. Blancaflor also played club soccer with Lonestar SC.

Kennedy Casello | Freshman | Forward | 5'9 | Puyallup, Washington | Puyallup High School

An incoming freshman from Puyallup, Washington, Kennedy Casello is a forward that played high school soccer at Puyallup High School. During her tenure, Casello was named outstanding sophomore of the year as well as earning All-League Honors. She also played club soccer with PAC Northwest.

Makenah Salas | Freshman | Midfielder | 5'3 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Fossil Ridge High School

Makenah Salas arrives to Canyon from Fossil Ridge High School. She was a two-time state champion and earned one All-Conference nod after lettering all four years. The Fort Collins, Colorado native also served as the team captain. Salas is a midfielder who also played club soccer for Arsenal Colorado where she was selected as an ECNL Regional League selection game player.

Mary Valdez | Freshman | Defender | 5'2 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | La Cueva High School

Mary Valdez will be an incoming freshman from La Cueva High School. As a defender, Valdez was an All-State Honoree in 2024 and a team captain in 2025. The Albuquerque, New Mexico native was a state finalist in 2023 and a State Champion in 2024 for La Cueva. She also played club soccer with New Mexico Rapids.

Braely Martinez | Freshman | Midfielder | 5'6 | Windsor, Colorado | Windsor High School

A midfielder from Windsor High School, Braely Martinez will be an incoming freshman for the Lady Buffs. The Windsor, Colorado native was a three-time All-Conference Honoree (two First Team, one Second Team) while earning First Team All-State in 2026. She was a two-year team captain as she was a runner-up in the 4A Colorado state tournament.

Karime Gallardo | Freshman | Defender | Dallas, Texas | John Paul II High School

Karime Gallardo comes to Canyon as an incoming freshman from Dallas, Texas. Gallardo played high school soccer for John Paul II High School where she was a defender and was named to the All-District team. She also played club soccer for Sting Royal ECRL.

For all the latest on West Texas A&M Women's Soccer, stay tuned to gobuffsgo.com and follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

#30 Franciezca Blancaflor: GK; 5' 6"; Junior

#21 Sienna Hurrell: F; 5' 6"; Junior

#2 Riley Sims: MF; 5' 3"; Junior

#25 Bailee Ramirez: MF/F; 5' 5"; Junior

#6 Blanca Negrete: MF/D; 5' 4"; Graduate Student

#11 Charo Rodriguez Fortea: MF; 5' 2"; Junior

#13 Rozlyn Rumsey: D; 5' 9"; Junior

#20 Naya Megnin: F; 5' 2"; Junior

#12 Sara Soto: F; 5' 3"; Junior

#5 Samantha Solorzano: D/MF; 5' 5"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#30 Franciezca Blancaflor
: 5' 6"; Junior
: GK

#21 Sienna Hurrell
: 5' 6"; Junior
: F

#2 Riley Sims
: 5' 3"; Junior
: MF

#25 Bailee Ramirez
: 5' 5"; Junior
: MF/F

#6 Blanca Negrete
: 5' 4"; Graduate Student
: MF/D

#11 Charo Rodriguez Fortea
: 5' 2"; Junior
: MF

#13 Rozlyn Rumsey
: 5' 9"; Junior
: D

#20 Naya Megnin
: 5' 2"; Junior
: F

#12 Sara Soto
: 5' 3"; Junior
: F

#5 Samantha Solorzano
: 5' 5"; Sophomore
: D/MF