COC Women’s Soccer Has Two Players Sign With Four-Year Schools

Two members of the College of the Canyons women's soccer team signed National Letters of Intent on Wednesday, as sophomore forward Marissa Kneisel and sophomore midfielder Astrid Perez will both continue their playing careers at four-year schools in the fall.

Kneisel is heading to Gonzaga University, an NCAA Division I program located in Spokane, Washington. The Bulldogs compete in the West Coast Conference.

Meanwhile, Perez is heading to University of Hawaii at Hilo, an NCAA Division II program. The Vulcans compete in the Pacific West Conference. 

Kneisel, a Canyon High School graduate, finished the 2015 season with 31 goals, 12 assists and 74 points to lead COC in all categories, while starting all 21 games for the Cougars. Included in those totals were 11 game-winning scores.

She also led the Western State Conference (WSC) in goals, points, total shots (111) and shots on goal (67). As a result, she was named WSC Player of the Year for the second time in as many seasons. 

In 2015, Kneisel, essentially rewrote the women's soccer program's record book, by establishing a new single season mark for goals scored and becoming the college's all-time career leader with 51 career goals and 129 points in her two years as a Cougar.

Perez finished her sophomore season with five goals and five assists in 19 games, to place third on the team with 15 points. Her high-energy, aggressive style of play was a major factor in helping Canyons win a fifth straight WSC, South Championship in 2015.

The Alemany High School graduate concluded her COC career with 10 goals and 17 assists across two seasons.

At UH Hilo Perez will be reunited with former Cougar teammates Anabell Gonzalez, and Jennifer Mendez, who were both members of the program 2014 conference championship team.