2018 Roster

EDINBURG – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) women's soccer head coach Glad Bugariu announced on Friday the additions of midfielder Jordyn Castillo, Mission-native and forward Isabella Marinaro, and midfielder Elina Seppälä for the 2018-19 academic year.
 
Originally from Cape Girardeau, Mo., Castillo comes to UTRGV from Cape Central High School, for whom she was a four-year starter on the varsity team. Castillo led her team to district championships during her final two seasons, serving as captain while dishing out four assists as a senior. She also competed in varsity softball.
 
"Jordyn's going to add more depth to our midfield block," Bugariu said. "She's fit. She's going to come in and compete. We're hoping that she will integrate quickly and compete for playing time."
 
Marinaro joins UTRGV after redshirting her freshman season at Houston. A 2017 graduate of IDEA Toros College Prep, Marinaro played her first three seasons at Sharyland, scoring 92 goals. As a junior, she was the All-Valley MVP, a Player of the Year Finalist, and her district's top goal scorer. She was named Rattlers Most Outstanding Player as a sophomore.
 
"Isabella is a player I've known for a long time. She played for my club team, the Houston Dynamo Academy South," Bugariu said. "She's a natural goal scorer. She is an exciting player to have on the team."
 
Seppälä comes to UTRGV from Vaajakoski, Finland, where she has been playing for JyPK's team in the Women's Finnish Champions League after earning Most Improved Player of the Year honors in 2017. Seppälä played for the JyPK U18 Finnish Champions League team from 2014-16, serving as captain and earning Youth Player of the Year honors in 2016. Seppälä previously played soccer as an exchange student in the United States from 2013-14 with the Capital City Streak U18 team in the Region III Premier League. She also competed with Alabama's Olympic Development Program team.
 
"I think she can play two or three positions," Bugariu said. "She has the potential to start and contribute immediately. She comes from an extremely strong technical background, having competed with the Finnish under 18 pool. We're very excited about what she can bring in and we think she'll be a strong addition to our midfield."

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