LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State women's soccer team bolstered its squad with six players signing their National Letter of Intent to play soccer at NM State, head coach Rob Baarts announced.
 
The six newcomers hail from four different states with one, Hannah Rivera, from the Land of Enchantment. Maddie Franklin hails from Bakersfield, Calif., while Hannah Leitner and Talia Williamson are both from Tucson, Ariz. Xitlaly Hernandez is from Phoenix while Andrea Ridgely comes to the City of Crosses from Allen, Texas.
 
Maddie Franklin
Freshman | 5-5 | Defender
Bakersfield, Calif. | Frontier High School | South Valley Soccer Club
 
High School: Attended Frontier High School in Bakersfield, Calif….helped lead the Titans to a second place finish in the South West Yosemite League during the 2017-18 school year…scored three goals and notched five assists as a defender in 2017-18…National Cup Finalist with South Valley Soccer Club…was team captain…also an honor roll student.
 
Personal: Daughter of Geoff and Adam Franklin…has an older sister, Brooklyn, and a younger brother, Dylan…plans to major in Kinesiology.
 
"Mojo, as we know her, is a very athletic and skilled Center Back that will bring calm and stability to our back line," Baarts said.  "Mojo plays for Jason Carter out of the South Valley Thunder in Bakersfield, California.  Mojo's style of play will allow us to play out of the back and start our offense with quality passes and decisions."
 
Xitlaly Hernandez
Freshman | 5-2 | Midfielder
Phoenix, Ariz. | Thunderbird High School | Excel Soccer Academy
 
High School: Three year letter-winner at Thunderbird High School…guided Thunderbird to a 16-2-2 record and a 4A state championship game appearance as a sophomore…named First-Team All-Region as a junior…earned team MVP and was one of eight finalists for Arizona 4A Player of the Year after the 2017-18 campaign.
 
Personal: Daughter of Absalon Hernandez and Merari Carreto…has three older siblings, Anthony, Kimberly and Jody, and a younger brother, Absalon…sister Jody also plays for NM State…undecided on major.
"X is the younger sister of current star, Jody Hernandez," said Baarts.  "X is a box to box midfielder that, in combination with her big sister, will help myself and our coaching staff create the ball playing style we are looking for.  We are excited to have Xitlaly join our Aggie family."
 
Hannah Leitner
Freshman | 5-2 | Forward
Tucson, Ariz. | University High School | FC Tucson
 
High School: Three year letter-winner at University High School…Scored 30 goals and 18 assists…named First-Team All-Southern Arizona in 2015, 2016 and 2017…also named First-Team All-Southern Arizona in track and cross country in 2015, 2016 and 2017…State finalist in the 400m and 800m.
 
Personal: Daughter of Tom Leitner, a teacher…is a triplet along with brother Thomas and sister Ellie and has an older brother, Nick…undecided on major.
 
"Hannah comes to us from Tucson Soccer Academy and Utah Royals," Baarts said.  "Hannah is a spark plug to any team.  Her work ethic, pace and athleticism makes her an instant threat at the college level.  Hannah will not only score a bunch of goals she will set up many goals with her ability to get to the endline and set up her teammates!"
 
Andrea Ridgely
Freshman | 5-7 | Midfielder
Allen, Texas | Allen High School | Sting 00 ECNL
 
High School: Guided Allen High to an 18-4-2 record in 2016-17…in 2018-19, helped lead Allen High to a 23-1-2 record, a Texas 6-6A Region 2 District 9 title and an appearance in the Region 2 championship game…named All-Conference Second Team after 2017-18 season…earned academic All-District honors as a sophomore and junior…notched five goals and seven assists…has taken AP and Dual Credit courses.
 
Personal: Daughter of Harry and Crystal Ridgely…has two older brother, Matthew and Jonathon…brother Johnathon played soccer for Colorado School of Mines…plans to double-major in Business and Criminology.
 
"Andrea came to our ID camp last spring and caught the eye of our coaching staff immediately," Baarts said. "Andrea plays for the Dallas Sting in Dallas, Texas.  She is an Offensive midfielder with a playmakers mentality.  She has a very clean and creative style of play.  Andrea will bring a calmness to our midfield."
 
Hannah Rivera
Freshman | 5-5 | Midfielder/Defender
Albuquerque, N.M. | La Cueva High School | Rio Rapids 00
 
High School: Led La Cueva high to a state championship as a junior along with being state runner-up her sophomore and senior years…notched game-winning goal in overtime to win state championship her junior year…named First-Team All-District as a junior…led the Bears to district championships her sophomore and junior years…earned All-District academic award.
 
Personal: Daughter of Keith and Shelley Rivera…has an older sister, Megan, and a twin sister, Madi…plans to major in Nursing.
 
"Hannah hails from Albuquerque, NM and plays in the Center Back or Holding Midfield position," said Baarts. "Hannah is a solid and consistent Center Back that has a great feel for the game and reads the game well.  We expect great things from Hannah and are happy to continue our connection to the New Mexico roots."
 
Talia Williamson
Freshman | 5-2 | Defender
Tucson, Ariz. | Cienega High School | FC Tucson 01 Girls Black
 
High School: Helped guide Cienega High to a 10 win season and third place finish in the Arizona 5A Southern Section during the 2016-17 season…led Cienega to the Walden Grove Invitational Tournament championship during the 2017-18 season…placed second in the 2017-18 Arizona Advanced League with FC Tucson 01 Girls Black…Won FC Tucson Strikers Cup also with FC Tucson 01 Girls Black…also an honor roll student.
 
Personal: Daughter of Corey and Dawn Comeau…has three siblings, Jordan Williamson (20), Christian Comeau (8) and Colton Comeau (6)…plans to major in Criminal Justice
 
"Talia is an Athletic outside back from Tucson, Arizona," said Baarts.  "We have been watching Talia for the past year and believe she will bring not only a solid defensive option but a huge threat getting forward from the outside back position. Talia will be an incredible addition to New Mexico State Soccer!"