Eight South Tahoe High students commit to play soccer for LTCC

"Women's soccer has arrived," said Lake Tahoe Community College (LTCC) Women's Soccer Coach Jeremy Evans as he introduced the six South Tahoe High School (STHS) athletes that will be playing for him in the fall.

"I think we will finally be there," Evans said of a team that is primed for post-season play. Not only did he recruit the six young ladies from STHS, he also is adding a Truckee player, one from Reno, a Las Vegas player who was on state championship team for four years and has 14 returnees from his 2016 team.

Maria Martinez, Annie Brejc, Emma Dayberry, Claudia Janese, Ann Garcia an Jennifer Valdivia all signed their letter of intent on Tuesday in front of a crowd of friends, family and coaches.

They were joined by two male students from STHS, Lex Merrifield and Wyatt Skeie, who will be playing at LTCC for coach Nick Arbelaez.

The men's team at LTCC will be a young team as Arbelaez rebuilds after losing many of his players to graduation. He has had 2/3 of his LTCC players move on to play at the next level for a four-year college.

"We're happy to add localized talent," said Arbelaez. His team of 30 will have 20 guys from South Lake Tahoe, Truckee, Reno and Las Vegas.

The STHS girls soccer coach Mark Salmon was on hand to congratulate his graduating players. "I've known most of you since you were six or seven and playing for AYSO, and its impressive to see this," said Salmon. "I am glad LTCC is your option. There is no doubt in my mind that you'll get to the next level."

Both the men's and women's teams start practice in August.

In the photo, Left to Right: Coach Arbelaez, Lex Merrifield, Wyatt Skeie, Annie Brejc, Maria Martinez, Emma Dayberry, Claudia Janese, Ann Garcia, Jennifer Valdivia and Coach Evans.