WASHINGTON (July 31, 2023) - Howard University Women's Soccer head coach Brent Leiba welcomed eight newcomers for the 2023 season. The announcement came Monday.
 
The future Bison include six incoming freshmen and two transfers.
 
"We are very excited to welcome this incoming group of Bison," said Leiba. "They bring a lot of talent and experience to positions all over the field, as well as competitive and energetic personalities that will help our program continue to grow into a top contender in our conference."
 
The members of this year's class are Karly Bacarisas (Silver Spring, Md.), Samantha James (Herndon, Va.), Samone Knight (Woodlands, Texas), Trinity Knox (Atlanta, Ga.), Asia Mickens-Perez (Upper Marlboro, Md.), Mimi Richards (Silver Spring, Md.), Alauna Rutland (Fairfax, Va.), and Leah Williams (Ellicott City, Md.).
 
More information on the incoming class
 
Karly Bacarisas | Silver Spring, Md. | Virginia Union ECNL
Position: Defender
Anticipated Major: Health Sciences
Accomplishments: Second team All-Conference with St. John's College High School
Why did you choose to be a Howard Bison?
"I chose Howard because during my visit I felt extremely comfortable and I love the campus and team's energy. I can see myself thriving in this environment in the future."
 
Samantha James | Herndon, VA | Virginia Union ECNL
Position: Forward
Anticipated Major: Chemical Engineering
Accomplishments: Two-Time First Team All-Region All-District player and Second Team All-Met player for Oakton High School
Why did you choose to be a Howard Bison?
"I chose Howard because of the warm team environment and the great academic pathways and opportunities the university provides."
 
Samone Knight | Woodlands, TX | West Virginia University (WVU)
Position: Defender
Anticipated Major: Mechanical Engineering
Accomplishments: 2023 Big 12 Tournament Champion with WVU and voted Most Improved Player … Made Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll, Garrett Ford Academic Honor Roll and WVU's Deans List … prior to WVU, was an ECNL Player to Watch with Challenge FC and led team to a 2018 Texas Conference Championship … First Team All-District and leading district goal scorer for The Woodlands High School two years in a row (2020 & 2021) … participated in US Soccer market training (2014-2018)
Why did you choose to be a Howard Bison?
"I chose Howard because the opportunity that it presents for me both academically and athletically is like no other. While on campus, I got such a familial feeling that was hard to express. Being able to learn and grow in a black space, like Howard University, I know that I will be better equipped with the knowledge and tools to be successful in the world."
 
Trinity Knox | Atlanta, GA | Concord Fire ECNL
Position: Goalkeeper
Anticipated Major: Chemical Engineering
Accomplishments: 2022 ECNL National Champion with Concord Fire … 2023 ECNL Southeast Conference champion and Second Team All-Region … Honor Roll four straight years at Woodward Academy
Why did you choose to be a Howard Bison?
"I chose Howard because I wanted to be a part of the HBCU culture, but I also knew that Howard would give me the perfect balance between school and soccer."
 
Asia Mickens-Perez | Upper Marlboro, MD | Bethesda SC ECNL
Position: Forward
Anticipated Major: Biology
Accomplishments: Two-Time First Team All-WCAC (2021 & 2022) with Bishop McNamara High School … Washington Post All-Met Honorable Mention (2022) … graduated Summa Cum Laude … AP Scholar
Why did you choose to be a Howard Bison?
"Howard has been one of my top choices since freshman year. I love the culture, the environment and the people. When given the chance to attend Howard for school and soccer, I knew it was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up."
 
Mischa (Mimi) Richards | Silver Spring, MD | Virginia Union ECNL
Position: Forward
Anticipated Major: Sports Medicine
Accomplishments: Was selected 2022-23 Female of the Year and MVP at Albert Einstein High School … Second Team All-State and captain at Einstein.
Why did you choose to be a Howard Bison?
"Howard has always been my dream school. When I went for my first visit, I felt so welcomed and could really see myself going to the most prestigious HBCU in the country."
 
Alauna Rutland | Fairfax, VA | Virginia Valor
Position: Forward
Anticipated Major: Accounting
Accomplishments: Olympic Development Program national pool selection … Second Team Washington Post All-Met … WCAC First Team All-Conference at St. Paul VI Catholic School … Honor Roll student … PVI Menke Award winner.
Why did you choose to be a Howard Bison?
"Howard is an exemplary school academically as well as athletically, and after meeting the team, I felt a strong sense of community."
 
Leah Williams | Ellicott City, MD | College of the Holy Cross
Position: Midfielder
Anticipated Major: Business Management
Accomplishments: Two-Time Maryland State Cup Champion and Eastern Region Champion with Bethesda 04G ECNL … All-County recognition for three years and selected to the All-Decade team for Wilde Lake High School … crowned 2021 MVP … 2019 HS State Finalist … Holy Cross Dean's List … four-year Principle's Honor Roll at Wilde … member of the National Honor Society, Math Honor Society and Rho Kappa Honor Society … AP Scholar… Class Council Vice President
Why did you choose to be a Howard Bison?
"I chose Howard because of its high academic reputation and strong sense of community."
 
HU begins its 18-match regular season slate with a home contest against Elon (Aug. 17). Match time at 7 p.m. inside Greene Stadium.
 
"These players have been competing at the highest levels on a national stage," Leiba added. "I can see them making an immediate impact both on and off the field."
 
For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com.