The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Soccer adds two more newcomers to its 2016 recruiting class
06.23.2016 | Soccer
Iannella and Jett join Texas class that was named No. 1 in Big 12 and No. 15 in nation by Top Drawer Soccer
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas head soccer coach Angela Kelly and the University of Texas soccer program have announced the signing of two additional student-athletes to the Longhorns' signing class for the 2016-17 academic school year, defenders Monique Iannella (pronunciation: mo-NEEK EYE-uh-NELL-uh) (Junior transfer - Brunswick East, Victoria, Australia/Melbourne City FC/Grant & Woodville High School) and Emma Jett (Freshman - Coppell, Texas/Coppell High School/Texas Spirit & Dallas Texans ECNL 98).
The standout duo joins a high-profile, nine-member group that was rated as the top recruiting class in the Big 12 Conference and No. 15 class in the country by Top Drawer Soccer back on February 10.
Previously announced 2016 Texas soccer signees included (Hometown/High School or last College/Club Soccer Team): forward Cydney Billups (Greenwood Village, Colo./Mountain Vista High School/Colorado Rush & Real Colorado), goalkeeper Taylor Braun (Colleyville, Texas/transfer from the University of Kentucky/Dallas Texans Red), goalkeeper Paige Brown (Jackson, Mo./transfer from the University of Louisville/St. Louis Scott Gallagher), goalkeeper Nicole Curry (Dallas, Texas/The Episcopal School of Dallas/Dallas Sting ECNL 98), forward Kyra Falcone (San Antonio, Texas/Douglas MacArthur High School/Classics Elite 98 Premier), forward Cyera Hintzen (Garland, Texas/Sachse High School/Dallas Sting ECNL 98), defender Emily Martin (Las Vegas, Nev./Bishop Gorman High School/Heat FC ECNL 98), defender Atu Mshana (Garland, Texas/Bishop Lynch High School/Dallas Texans ECNL) and forward Tecora Turner (Memphis, Tenn./St. Agnes Academy/98 Lady Lobos Rush Premier & FC Alliance 98).
Year/Position: Junior Transfer/Defender
Hometown: Brunswick East, Victoria, Australia
Previous Team: Melbourne City FC
High School: Grant & Woodville H.S.
A native of Brunswick East, Victoria, Australia, Iannella brings along a distinguished soccer resume to the Forty Acres. She spent time representing her country as a starting fullback for the Australia U-20 Women's National Team, helping lead the "Young Matildas" to a third-place finish at the 2015 AFF Women's Championships as well into group play at the AFC U-19 Women's Championship in an attempt to qualify for the 2016 Under-20 Women's World Cup (finished third in Group A). Internationally, Iannella was also the captain of the National Training Centre South Australian championship team in 2014, was selected as one of the top 20 U-18 players in Australia at the 2013 National Training Centre Challenge and was offered a full scholarship to play for Grifo Perugia in the Italian Women's Serie A League in 2009. After two seasons (2013-14, 2014-15) as a starter with Adelaide United FC in the Westfield W-League, the top division women's soccer league in Australia, the junior defender signed with Melbourne City FC for the 2015-16 campaign before being ruled out of the line-up because of an injury. Previously, Iannella finished as both the runner-up as "Best and Fairest" and "Highest Goal Scorer" for Adelaide FC Premiers of the National Premier Leagues South Australia on the way to winning a league crown in 2012-13. During her career at St. Mary's College (2012) and Grant High School (2009-11), Iannella starred across numerous athletic disciplines including touch football (scored the most touchdowns in the league at St. Mary's in 2011-12), swimming, soccer, futsal and track & field, competing in and winning numerous South Australian Athletics crowns in the 800m, 1500m, triple jump, cross country and 4x100-meter relay. She was also a U-12 State Tennis Tournament champion in 2009, earning a junior world ranking in the process.
Year/Position: Freshman/Defender
Hometown: Coppell, Texas
High School: Coppell H.S.
Club: Texas Spirit & Dallas Texans ECNL 98
A standout defender at Coppell H.S., Jett is coming off a 2016 senior campaign that saw her score 10 goals and dish 22 assists on the way to earning All-District 6A Most Valuable Player and all-region honors while also guiding a defense that registered 17 shutouts and a miniscule 0.68 goals-against-average. A 2015 all-state choice and a three-time first team All-District 6A selection (2014, 2015, 2016), she was included on the 2015 state all-tournament team after helping lead Coppell to the 2015 University Interscholastic League (UIL) Texas 6A State Soccer Championship, with a 28-0-3 record (beat Dallas Highland Park, 3-0), on the way to being tabbed as SIMA Fab 50 national champions. At the club level, Jett has served as a two-year captain for the Texas Spirit and also played for the Dallas Texans ECNL 98 squad. Off the field, she has proven her ability by twice being tabbed as academic all-state (2015, 2016).
